December 5th is here again and that means that it is time to raise a glass to the Repeal of Prohibition in the United States. While this is possibly one of the least known holidays, it is becoming more popular to celebrate, especially after last year's 75th anniversary. It is an opportunity for us to celebrate a freedom that we have to drink alcohol if we choose to do so and to do that responsibly because there is no point in celebrating this historic event if we do so in a way that tarnishes the reputation of a great cocktail.
So, how to celebrate Repeal Day you ask? There are many ways from enjoying some classic cocktails with friends, buying a drink for a stranger, or attending one of the many Repeal Day events throughout the country.
You may also want to sip on some Prohibition era spirits, with my top pick being Templeton Rye Whiskey. I had the chance to host a party this week with Scott Bush and the Templeton crew (along with Clearheart Spirits) and have gained a new respect for the whiskey, which is said to have been one of Al Capone's favorite tipples and an instrumental part of his bootlegging operation during The Great Drought. One issue you may have is that bottles of Templeton are almost as elusive to find right now as they were in the 1920's.
As far as Repeal Day parties go, one of the best sources I've received is from none other than Natalie Bovis-Nelsen's (The Liquid Muse and author of Preggatinis) Museletter. Here are the highlights...
- Los Angeles
The Edison - 6 pm at Pershing Square ice skating rink (532 S. Olive Street, downtown LA)...from 8-9 pm, where the crew is cracking open their very own Christmas Blend of Woodford Reserve...its only $25 pp for a whole evening of holiday delights! Tickets available online.
West Hollywood's Comme Ça and its OC sister restaurant Pizzeria Ortica are fete-ing with specialty themed cocktails. The first round costs $11 per drink but the second one's only 76 cents when you use the password ("Roosevelt")...Comme Ca 's promo runs the whole weekend (Dec. 4 - 6) while Pizzeria Ortica is celebrating its new liquor license with these specials all week (Dec. 4 - 11).
Dress up in 1930's fashion (prize for best outfit) and head downtown to Casey's for dinner (seating starts at 7 pm) followed by live performances and dj's from 9 pm - 2 am. They're even giving out free fedoras until they run out...
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
...Chris Milligan (The Santa Fe Barman) [is] heading up Repeal Day activities in the Land of Enchantment. The newly remodeled, beautiful Secreto Lounge inside the historic Hotel St. Francis features festivities on Dec. 5 from 5 pm - midnight...
- Seattle, Washington
Vessel, one of Seattle's forerunners in classic and modern mixology, invites men to grab a fedora and women to don a flapper dress, and enjoy their special drink menu from 4 pm til close. They're also opening a rare bottle of bourbon made during prohibition and bottled in 1933.
- Portland Oregon
Tear Drop Lounge is opening its doors at 1:33pm on Dec. 5th for Repeal Day, that was the time the 21st Amendment was announced. The party is password only ("Volstead"). The bar is featuring a selection of cocktails invented during Prohibition, so many of them are of international origin. Speakeasy-era apparel is strongly encouraged ($6 drinks all night for those who dress up, $8 for everyone else). Also, they're opening a bottle of pre-Prohibition whiskey - try a sip for $20 per ounce.
- Washington DC
Its rather appropriate that the biggest and baddest celebration in the United States takes place in our Nation's Capitol. The DC Craft Bartender's Guild is once again putting on their top hats and fancy gowns for its annual Repeal Day Ball. General admission tickets are $100, and VIP tickets are $150, which include hors d'oeuvres, invites to the city's top bars' after parties and a copy of saloon artist Jill DeGroff's new book Lush Life: Portraits from the Bar. In addition to hob-nobbing with DC's top bartenders and mixologists, cocktail legend Dale DeGroff will be the special guest, and Jeffrey Morgenthaler (founder of RepealDay.Org) is the Toastmaster. This event also benefits the Museum of the American Cocktail, based in New Orleans. More info here.
Read the story of Prohibition of Alcohol in the U.S and 10 Quick Facts about Repeal
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