Bottoms Up

Beloved New York City bar teases Austin expansion in 2016

Employees Only New York City bar cocktail drink lineup

Employees Only plans to tap the Austin market.

A New York cocktail lounge with a cult-like following has eyes for Texas. On Wednesday, Employees Only confirmed plans to open a new location in downtown Austin by the end of 2016.

The Prohibition era-inspired bar specializes in unique interpretations of classic cocktails served by expert bartenders clad in white jackets. Other highlights include a curated wine list and a decadent food lineup featuring dinner, dessert, late-night bites, and famously free chicken noodle soup (doled out at closing time, no less).

The opening of the Austin locale is helmed by Employees Only co-founder Jason Kosmas, who is also one of the beverage masterminds behind spirits line The 86 Co. "We always knew other Employees Only locations were inevitable, and Austin is the ideal market," said Kosmas in a press release. "We're bringing together an experienced team to keep up the tradition and spirit of [Employees Only], but the Austin location will very much have its own unique vibe to reflect the city."

That "experienced team" largely consists of Penumbral Strategic Ventures LLC, a group of restaurant and bar wizards who are also responsible for local cocktail haven The Townsend. In addition to Kosmas, Employees Only's Austin partners include Penumbral owner and CEO Steven Weisburd, mixologist Justin Elliott, bartender Jeff Boley, and restaurateur Stuart Thomajan of Swift's Attic and Wu Chow.

Details on the bar are scarce at this time — an exact location won't be announced until the fall — but Kosmas says the Austin lounge will mirror the look, feel, and taste of the New York spot. "We hope that those who have experienced [Employees Only] in Manhattan will enjoy the Austin location as much as the original, and also are looking forward to introducing the brand, bar, and experience to an entirely new audience," said Kosmas.

Austin is just one part of the Employees Only equation. The New York Times details the successful West Village bar's global plans to add outposts in Miami Beach and Singapore within the year.

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Fierce Competition

Austin distillery hosting bourbon cocktail showdown with $12,000 in awards

Photo by Preston O'Shea

Fierce Whiskers is looking for the perfect cocktail to show off its Texas Straight Bourbon.

With something as nuanced as bourbon, it might be impossible to nail down the definitive best way to showcase it. Austin's Fierce Whiskers Distillery is not deterred. It'll task a dozen local bartenders with creating the best cocktail for its Texas Straight Bourbon in the Third Annual Austin Bourbon Battle on October 26.

This is a serious competition with big prizes paid out by the distillery (which has hosting help from partners Liber & Co and Virtue Craft Spirits). A people's choice award will end in a $2,000 prize, and the expert judges will award $10,000 to their favorite creation. Stakes are higher this year; the people's choice prize is now doubled, and the grand prize is the biggest of any year so far. Fierce Whiskers is only four years old, making this third year of event organizing overachievement all the more impressive.

Of course, if the people are going to choose a cocktail, they have to taste it. And if 12 sample-sized sips are just a warm-up, there will also be full portions of "select cocktails" to purchase, according to a press release. Food trucks Tru Luv Empanadas and Midway Dogs will be on hand with snacks, and live music will complete the evening. Rivian Electric Vehicles, which recently opened an Austin showroom, will also be there showing off its latest model and offering test drives and VIP shutter service.

Guests can come to support their favorite bartenders or find somewhere new to hang out next time they've got a hankering for a great bourbon cocktail. The following mixologists will be representing their bars:

Fletcher Wright – UpRoot
Ben Robinette, Brian Bounds – Kinfolk Lounge & Library
Trenten Relles – Meanwhile Brewing
Matthew Owoseni – Stella San Jac
Jarad Crowell – Il Brutto
Zachary Moore – Hillside Farmacy
Trever Fehrenbach – Dumont’s Down Low
Kevan Ash – Roosevelt Room
Rick Routh – Higher Ground
Franceska Akel – Equipment Room
Jessy Rae – Taco Flats
Matthew Le – Nickel City

The judges also have some recognizable names: whiskey writer Gabby Pharms, OMG Squee owner Sarah Lim, and Foliepops owner and Top Chef finalist Kevin D'Andrea.

“The competition continues to get more and more fierce,” said Fierce Whiskers founder Tri Vo in the release. “We’ve seen some incredible creations come out of Bourbon Battle each year and are always blown away by the creativity of each mixologist. It’s a privilege to showcase their creativity to the Austin community and we just hope folks come out to see what they can do!”

The Austin Bourbon Battle will take place at 5333 Fleming Ct. on October 26 from 3-7 pm. Tickets ($40) are available on Tock.

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