Occupying its own self-contained space, deep in the gurgling bowels of sprawling Louisiana-style BBQ/crab shack Big Easy, this wee Route 66-style cocktail hideaway has big ambitions. The snappy line-up changes weekly, mixes such as blinker (a Rittenhouse rye and pink grapefruit sour) are in the same league as the big boys, and current trends are wholeheartedly embraced: cue picklebacks, an absinthe fountain, an impressive range of mezcal and rye, disco drinks such as piña colada and sazerac slushies (an acquired taste).
Meanwhile, cocktails on tap include a plausible vieux carré presented in a carafe within its own glass ice bucket. A condition of the venue’s licence is that snacks such as voodoo wings, juicy fried shrimps, crawfish popcorn or Caesar salad have to be ordered with drinks.
Overall, we reckon that rollickin’ good times may come cheaper elsewhere.