A while ago, at Apotek Speakeasy, we met two fun bartenders from a famed bar in Mexico City, Pamela Martinez, and Brad Elizalde, promoting fancy hand-shaken Tequila, Bourbon and Mezcal cocktails.
The evening was standing room only.
Vibrations PR did a good job inviting a glamorous crowd that sipped and chatted, in what was once the Cellar, now Apotek Speakeasy, a kind of tucked away quiet backstreet watering hole, which wasn’t quiet that night.
In the old days we used to hang around the bar at the Cellar slamming down deadly B52s that would knock me off my bar stool, today.
But that was then.
Apotek Speakeasy is successfully run by Marksonn Maduro, an entrepreneur, founder of Hoya, a popular bar at the head of the main street in town, on the square, also the sweetheart of gorgeous Miss Universe Aruba, Anouk Eman.
Did you notice how we migrated from celebrity-branded Vodkas to jungle botanicals and Gin, to complex Bourbons from Kentucky, now expensive, actor, musician, athlete-branded Tequilas?
The distilled spirit industry is tireless, coming up with a new trend frequently, continuously changing our drinking preferences, and making mood-altering more expensive.
The Apotek Speakeasy and its creative medical prescriptions are entertaining, and the upstairs club gives the island of Ibiza serious competition with dazzling lights and pounding music.
I noticed two more spots in town within walking distance from the Apotek Speakeasy, the Liquid Chef Gastrobar, and the Bourbon Cigar Lounge.
Liquid Chef Gastrobar, on Wilhelminastraat has a Latin vibe, lively music, and highly rated cocktails, by a talented mixologist. The Bourbon Bar Cigar on Oranjestraat, offers an extensive selection of premium beverages and cigars. They host specialty nights, with attractive offers.
We must go bar hopping one night, in Oranjestad, could be interesting.
The Wine Room celebrates 12 years and a new private label.
In June, the Wine Room hosted an exclusive event commemorating its 12th anniversary and in August this year it announced the arrival of its second private label, Kimica, made from Carmenere grapes, that’s the wine variety, from Maipo Valley, Chile 2020. Kimica was launched with a private tasting, for industry professionals. The name, Chemistry in Papiamento, aims to highlight and ability of wine to bring people together and connect them to each other, in more than one way.
Sommelier Monrick E. Croes, the owner of The Wine Room, announced himself to the world as a sommelier, at a time when very few knew what it meant. He started humbly, at the Orange Plaza, offering intimate, private wine pairing sessions, I went to a few where I learned how well chocolate pairs with red wine. Then he moved to his current location at LG Smith boulevard #126, Oranjestad, at the Antraco Plaza, to a dim-lit, cozy cocoon, lined with bottle-filled shelves.
The wine room has been creating memorable experiences for local guests, also visitors from around the world, including cruise ship passengers, who drop in at the end of an island tour, to have lunch, while in port. Guests satisfaction is reflected on Trip Advisor, with Travelers’ awards, four years in a row.
Under the Unwind with Wine slogan, the Wine room offers wines from all wine regions including many imported exclusively by the Wine room, also some expensive Cage Wine varieties for very worldly connoisseurs.
Unwind with Food includes several interesting offerings, including hot tapas. Some of the popular food options? A Charcuterie Platter followed by a coffee rubbed rib eye steak and dessert, also a three-course menu with smoked salmon, another with grilled chicken, or yummy blue cheese shrimp.
The Wine Room is for those looking for something different. The room is tastefully decorated with comfortable couches and low tables, you may also sit at the bar. The Wine Room has an impressive collection of premium liquors including fancy Bourbons and Tequilas, which Monrick is diligently collecting.
+297-7370019
