August 6th, 2009

A brief history of drinking in Boston

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Hear ye, imbibers of the Hub. I’ve been brushing up on my Boston booze history, and I thought it would be fun to lead, you know, a little salon with fellow boozehound-historians interested in the topic. So I mentioned this to Adam Lantheaume of the Boston Shaker one day, and he said, ‘Why don’t we do a class?’ And I said, ‘You’re on.’

“A brief history of drinking in Boston” will take place Monday, August 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Boston Shaker, which resides in the Union Square, Somerville, store named Grand. Tix are $20 (includes cocktails). Topics on the agenda include:

  • Colonial taverns
  • The New England ice industry & Boston’s role in the evolution of cocktails
  • Saloons
  • Massachusetts temperance and prohibition laws
  • Locke-Ober and the Parker House
  • Scollay Square
  • The Cocoanut Grove fire
  • Tiki bars
  • The revival of classic mixology in Boston

Sure, it’ll be educational, but it’ll also be informal and festive, as Adam and I will be serving samples of both classic and new Boston cocktails, including a Ward Eight made with Sazerac 6-Yr Rye (aka Baby Saz). Whether you know beans about Boston bar history or work for a tour company called the Boston Hooch ‘n’ History Trail (in which case we need to get acquainted), reserve yourself a spot — you’re bound to learn something.

See you there!

Permalink | Filed under Books & resources, Boston bars, Events | Tags: , ,

4 Responses to “A brief history of drinking in Boston”

  1. Jill

    Josey and I watched the game at Jacob Wirth last night and were talking about this very stuff– I hope we can come!

  2. ljclark

    Me too, because I bet your knowledge will pound mine into the pavement. And I love that you were at Jake Wirth’s. My dad actually had his German final there while he was in college.

  3. Freddy

    Hey, me and some buddies are comin up on the 18th -23rd from oklahoma and we would like to know a little Boston bar history.

  4. ljclark

    What do you wanna know, Freddy?

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