Nickel City Drink is a citywide event that pays tribute to this city’s burgeoning craft cocktail scene. Over the course of a five-day period in October, over 50 events will be held at various venues. These events will take the form of classes, parties, pairing dinners, competitions, and events. A schedule of events has been prepared by Nickel City Drink’s League, which is comprised of the following movers and cocktail shakers:
- Jon Karel, owner of Buffalo Proper
- Lloyd Taco Factory co-owner Pete Cimino
- Bar manager Yuri Polyachenko
- Social media wizard Pat Fisher
- Christian Willmott, co-owner of Marble + Rye
- Rachel Wright, head bartender of Mes Que
- Toutant’s owner and executive chef James Roberts
- Toutant bar manager, Jeff Yannuzzi
- Vera’s owner Cameron Rector
- Vera bar manager Jason Wood
- Christa Glennie Seychew, producer of Nickel City Chef
Following is the schedule of event:
October 12, 6-11pm
Sacred Bond serves as Nickel City Drink’s official Kick-off Party and is sponsored by Heaven Hill.
October 13, 1-2pm
Mes Que and Buffalo Bar Biddies partner with Women in Whiskey to present a program about the role of women, past and present, in the world of cocktails. This event takes place at the Twentieth Century Club.
October 13, 5pm and 7pm
Lloyd Taco Factory hosts a multi-course meal Taste & Tipple with Mayahuel Agave Tequilas. Two seatings are available (5pm and 7pm).
October 13 and 14, various times and locations
Buffalo Proper’s Jon Karel teams up with Jesse Crouse of Tipico and Cory Muscato of Lockhouse Distillery for The Grind, a set of tasty classes about the history of Irish Coffee with both pro bartenders and hometenders in mind. See Facebook for class times and locations.
October 14, 2:30-4pm
Buffalo, New York
Join Tom Richter of Tomr’s Tonic, Christian Willmott of Marble + Rye, and Bobby Finan of Tommyrotter Distillery for a class all about everyone’s favorite, the good old Gin & Tonic. Learn the ins and outs of this classic cocktail and it delicious ingredients.
October 14, 6-10pm
Toutant’s staff deliver Subtle Smoke, an impeccable four-course pairing dinner highlighting the different expressions of Edrington’s scotch whiskies.
October 14, 11pm-2am
No tea, no shade, no pink lemonade! Join Marble + Rye for a wild and fun loving night of drag and cocktail specials featuring Plymouth Gin and Lot 40.
October 15, 2:30-4pm
American Walks into a Bar author Christine Sismondo joins history buff and Toutant bar manager Jeff Yannuzzi for a little cocktail history and a Q&A at none other than Buffalo’s own history-rich Founding Fathers.
October 14, 3:30-4:30 pm
Join Vera and Edrington for a smoky afternoon. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em features scotch pairings with handrolled cigars from Greg Corbi. This seems like an excellent way to wile away an afternoon! This event takes place at Virgil Avenue Tobacconist.
October 15, 5-9pm
Join Buffalo Proper’s chef Edward Forster for a luxe pairing dinner featuring Cognac Ferrand. Forster is a Nickel City Chef and has been invited to cook at the esteemed James Beard House in New York City on two occasions. Le Diner des Angels will be a meal to remember.
October 15, 8pm-2am
Lockhouse Distillery hosts Tequila Monkingbird with Chamucos Tequila,
Crisis Services of Erie County is the most comprehensive crisis center in upstate New York. Crisis Services fulfills community needs through the following program services: a party of literary proportions! Dress as your favorite literary character and enjoy drink specials, giveaways, and a 1900s-era photo station among old books and bookshelves!
October 16, 7pm-midnight
Nickel City Drink’s League hosts Sunday Shakedown, a massive cocktail competition with a Speakeasy theme featuring special guest judges, top notch bites from Buffalo Catering Company, music from Gravy, and more, more, more!
Nickel City Drink benefits Crisis Services of Erie County.
For a full schedule of events, please visit NickelCityDrink.com or follow Nickel City Drink on Facebook.
Nickel City Drink – A Cocktail Festival
October 12 through October 16, 2016