CRAFT & COMMERCE 675 W. Beech Street, San Diego, CA 92101 619-269-2202 | www.craft-commerce.com Another Consortium Holdings comrade, located downtown, is Craft & Commerce, a funky bar and eatery festooned with taxidermy, loads of reclaimed wood, a mirror etched with a visual of the KoolAid character from yesteryears and chalkboard beams inscribed with recipes and quotes. This street-side hot spot has become another neighborhood favorite, and bartender David Kinsey says it’s because – plain and simple – the cocktails are great. All of their cocktails are measured across the board, so you can consistently consume your favorite, spirit-forward cocktail the way you remembered it. The bar has an established vibe, even though it’s only been open for two years, and Kinsey attributes that feeling to the hospitable personalities behind the bar. And he, more than anyone, realizes the power of striking up friendships with the bartender. Prior to inventing cocktails at Craft & Commerce, he was one of Noble Experiment’s (keep reading to find out more about this astounding location) curious and conscious consumers who queried the bartenders there about how the drinks were made, why they used certain ingredients and where they came up with their ideas. Soon, his inquisitive nature landed him a spot on the Craft & Commerce team. Inspired by tiki cocktail recipes, Kinsey created the Freebooter for us for winter, made with his favorite spirit – Jamaican rum, as well as cognac, lime, cinnamon, absinthe, orgeat and egg whites with a float of spiced liquor and topped with grated nutmeg. It’s like Christmas in Paradise and a must-try on your next trip to Craft & Commerce this season.
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KNOWLEDGE
Craft & Commerce houses bookshelves throughout the rusticchic space, but make sure you look closely, because you may see something you didn’t notice the last time you patronized the place. That’s probably because the entire Craft & Commerce staff continually adds personal trinkets to those shelves upon closing. Kinsey explains it’s their way of putting their own personal touch on the space in addition to their tasty drinks.
David Kinsey of Craft and Commerce
| Holiday 2012 Issue | 67