Another successful, booze-filled Drink Miami afternoon is in the books. Close to forty different spirt brands took over The Freehand Miami for a day filled with revelry, fun, and of course, an abundance of cocktails.
The sold-out event brought 500 people out to come to try out the different beverages created in each room of the first floor of the hostel each boasting a different theme like tropical getaways, the wild west, and more. Guests were encouraged to get their passports “stamped” in each room after tasting the delicious concoctions. Brands like Ron Diplomático, Zacapa, Leblon, Ilegal Mezcal, Aperol, and many others, represented with some of our city’s best bartenders serving up drinks.
Outside, Bacardi took over the Broken Shaker’s courtyard creating creative cocktails that helped beat the heat, while Veza Sur set up an adjacent beer garden – even giving away its popular hats to selfie takers. Fashion even made its presence known during the day with a special gin & tonic bar and pop up by Scotch & Soda and Martha of Miami both selling their popular clothing and accessories along with the official event shirt. Next door to the Shaker, Matador Bar took over the entire 27 Restaurant’s second-floor bar with drinks from Absolut Elyx, Avion, and Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve.
This year the rooms really stepped up their A-game, because for the first time ever there was a competition for Room Design Award brought to you by non-profit Miami Hospitality Design Awards. Founded by Oberhausen Marketing & PR, Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association and AIA Miami, the MHDA recognizes the diversity and excellence in Miami’s hospitality, architecture & design industries. The grand prize went to Zacapa who’s room was filled with clouds and smoke in the floor and who served up the aptly titled “Al Cielo” made with Zacapa 23, Spiced Pineapple Cordial and Fresh Lime.
But to make the event even more fun and exciting, guests were encouraged to snap a picture with their passport with a chance to win a three-night trip to not one but two different international locales. First was the Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas Resort Golf and Spa, a brand new resort and spa in Cabo San Lucas. The other contest was for a stay at Temptation Cancun Resort, an adults-only, all-inclusive getaway in Mexico.
The party didn’t end because the event wasn’t over after Drink Miami was complete as 100 lucky guests who found coins hidden throughout the party were invited to a special after-party at the 1 Hotel rooftop to drink on Ilegal Mezcal frozen cocktails. And the next morning, in order to #earnyourbooze, there was a special workout class led by Earn Your Booze at B-Fit Biscayne complete with post-workout cocktails supplied by St-Germain and J. Wakefield Brewing.
With a successful third year in the books, we can’t wait to bring the Drink Miami Hostel back in 2019 along with other fun @DrinkMiamiWeek activities. Cheers!
