When you go to a great Yelp event, you need an after party, at least me, Kim G. and Todd S. did! Kim was the sole reason for my attendance. As we were walking in, I let Kim know about a previous experience here, my frustration was there was no system to ordering, multiple regulars walking up and served before me, all this with the frustration of having to wait to order a beer, because of everyone ordering craft cocktails, which all took 3-10 minutes to make! I think waited around 30 minutes my last visit, so I never went back!
Upon entering Kim introduced me to the new owner, Dylan. We shook hands, and then he went behind the bar, ready to take my order. I settled on 1864 Manhattan, as I primarily drink Rye Whiskey and Vodka, occasionally Tequila, Gin, and even less occasionally, Rum. The drink was around $9, and it's one of those big glasses not too deep but with a long stem. It wasn't a martini glass, same style, no V, just a like a large water drop. Nothing personally against the bar, but I really don't like all the strange glassware as a man, it makes me feel weird. I feel like a dude holding a purse, even if you have a girl next to you, you STILL feel weird.
I thought the drink was okay, I would order again, not mindblowing. I tried another one, Spring something, that one I enjoyed better. Actually, I tried quite a few drinks, nothing really knocked my socks off, but overall the drinks were good, but 6 - $9 drinks, plus tipping, it starts to get pricey, ESPECIALLY when you are used to drinking beer $4 and $5 beers! With beer, I can tell where I am going, but with cocktails, I always feel lost, as to how much alcohol I am ingesting, unless I make them myself. I drank quite a bit of them at 1864, this night, but I never felt drunk, and this was after drinking quite a bit at the Yelp Elite event just before. My only guess is maybe all the fresh juices, bitters, and stuff, balance out the feeling of being drunk, not sure!
Kim was telling me that Dylan reads Yelp and is very responsive to everything, and the place just cleared out after the Weds Night Trivia was over, Todd S. had to tap out, to work the next morning, so we were sitting at the bar, and I decided to let Dylan know about my last experience, a few years ago, and that I haven't been back, "Maybe it's something you can fix with someone who just focuses on pouring beers vs. time intensive cocktails, etc. Also, there might be others like me, you took this bar over, etc".
Dylan was very eager to share his perspective, and he has a customer management style which, to the best of his ability, addresses these situations. He told me when it's busy, he lets people know where they are at in the line by acknowledging them, setting expectations of time, and when the possible multi-tasking, easy drinks in collusion with time intensives ones. He said he wants a staff that focuses on great customer service. I think he might have a solution, again, I like my idea, 1 person, bar back or server, just pours beers, if you want a craft cocktail there's line, and you will wait. It's his bar, and it sounds like he will come up with the best solution.
They are going to make some changes soon, and Dylan will reveal his seasonal drink menu according to the availability of fruits, and such. Another good thing about 1864 that Kim points out, is if you are a larger group, this is a good space to go, as it caters to that setting!
Overall, we chatted it up quite a bit, he's passionate about crafting cocktails, he squeezes all the juices for the day, he has a bunch of Wizard bottles on the bar, which he uses for all the extra adds that complete the drinks. Dylan knows how to mix, some drinks you have to shake, then add the next layer, then shake, then add, shake again, strain, pour, etc.
Dylan is more like a foodie in the drink world, in that he understand the balance, and flavour profiles necessary to create the right balance. Dylan is the kind of person if you don't like the drink or a flavour, I feel confident he would want to know, so he could smile and remake something you like!
Last, but not least, we also chatted about other stuff like sandwiches, and he shares my passion a great value, quantity and quality etc (See My Profile: "Value Equation"). So if that's Dylan's mindset, I think he has a winning formula! =) read more