The action behind the striped bar starts long before the doors open. Bartenders at East Side Showroom have much prep-work to do, such as juicing fresh fruits, clipping local herbs and flowers, and cutting fruits and other garnishes.
he re-emergence of Prohibitionstyle cocktails and establishments has a certain socio-economic timeliness to it. While the auto industry suffers and real estate hovers at a stand still, economic recession has shown little effect on alcohol sales. Though our current depression isn’t as Great as its predecessor of the 1930s, it still seems people have less money for drinking, but more reasons to partake. Take a stroll through downtown Austin on any given weekend and the world seems a little more hopeful. A few classic cocktails later, your troubles will slip much farther away.
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Concoctions from both before and during Prohibition have been popping up on menus all over town. This trend has been on the rise for several years now, but appears to be picking up the pace with increasing velocity. When Péché opened in the Warehouse district in 2008, they were a beacon on a block slinging Jäger shots and draught beer. Shortly after that, The Good Knight opened its doors on East Sixth Street (which was still somewhat desolate at that point in time), followed by the nearby East Side Showroom, then Annie's Café & Bar on Congress. Second Bar & Kitchen and Bar Congress in the Austonian boasts new twists on classic cocktails, while Swan Dive on Red River references a ghostly speakeasy in both its menu and appearance. Further north of downtown, Fino meticulously crafts timeless drinks against an otherwise modern Mediterranean backdrop and Tigress serves old-fashioned favorites in vintage barwear amidst a low-key setting. This turn back to traditionally respected spirits has resurrected classics such as The Old Fashioned: a mix of whiskey or brandy, bitters, lemon and sugar, originating in Kentucky and dating back to the turn of the century. Ordering a Sazerac will no longer yield a blank look from your bartender, but instead may begin a conversa-