Festivál Cafe Celebrates 2nd Birthday in UES
Kicking off right before Labor Day Weekend, Festivál Cafe celebrated their 2nd birthday in their Upper East Side venue. Known previously from their Secret Summer events, the producers went on to open the only farm-to-table bar experience in NYC.
Kicking off right before Labor Day Weekend, Festivál Cafe celebrated their 2nd birthday in their Upper East Side venue. Known previously from their Secret Summer events, the producers went on to open the only farm-to-table bar experience in NYC.
Much like Secret Summer, the birthday party featured spirits that were stars of the show. Dorothy Parker Rose Petal Gin was the main ingredient for the Dorothy’s Raspberry Rose cocktail served up in with a raspberry foam topper. Dorothy’s Birthday Melons featured a refreshing mix of Dorothy Parker Gin, yuzu lime, melon and green tea demerara. And Ragtime Rye was the main component of the Peach Ragtime Celebration cocktail with lemon, peach and thyme demerara and the Ragtime Rye Juleps, either the classic triple mint or elecampane variety.
Cocktails were not the only thing on the menu. In addition to a grand grazing table, Festivál served up mini lobster bites, tuna tostadas, and various flatbreads to keep palates satiated. For entertainment, Louis B. Middleton opened up the night playing covers of popular artists that encouraged attendee sing-a-longs, and a DJ Tony Starr closed out the night.
Didn’t make the event? You have plenty of opportunities to have a similar experience. The restaurant is open for coffee and pastries in the morning, afternoon menus and dinner service Monday-Saturday, with live music weekly on Thursdays. Should you want to host your own party, private parties are also available to host in their varied spaces. For more information, please visit https://www.festivalcafenyc.com/.
Secret Summer is back!
Secret Summer is back for it’s 5th year in a row! On Sunday August 4th music by the High & Mighty Brass Band filled the Foundry as attendees sipped on spirits and cocktails while dancing the night away.
My favorite drinks at the event were from the London Essence booth, Westward Whiskey booth, and Fizzy Fox booth. I liked trying all of the drinks, but after I found the ones I liked I continued to go back for more!
Luckily Secret Summer was also a food festival so I was able to munch on delicious eats while having a few drinks. Unlimited drinks were included in the ticket price but the food was not. The different food trucks and vendors had countless food options ranging from 10 to 15 dollars.
Bad weather couldn’t even stop this party. The event was half indoors and half outdoors and everything was absolutely beautiful until the sky opened up in the last hour. But since everyone had more than a few drinks in their system, no one seemed to mind partying in the rain.
Aquarius 2019
Photo Credit Tyler Hollinger
On Saturday, January 26th, the ordinarily industrial Long Island City was treated to a bit of opulence through the return of Secret Summer Aquarius, an “Arctic Chic” sustainable seafood and cocktail event. Held at The Foundry, a fully restored 19th century building, which boasts 3,000 sprawling square feet of space and offers up stunning views of the Manhattan skyline along with a gorgeous indoor Greenhouse.
Photo Credit Tyler Hollinger
Photo Credit Tyler Hollinger
The affair featured interactive, insta worthy rooms, for their fashion forward, millennial cliente. The stunning space was filled with delicacies from the sea that were perfectly paired with complimentary spirits. Aquarius comes to life each year courtesy of the talented producers of Secret Summer, Tyler Hollinger of HighLife Productions, Andrew Maturana of RAPT and Allison du Val of The Foundry.
Photo Credit Tyler Hollinger
Sustainable seafood offerings were as vast as the ocean. MF EVENTS had a raw bar filled with oysters served three ways. Midtown Greek hotspot Kellari Taverna, CA'PISCI in Williamsburg, Crazy Taco Mex, Neapolitan Express and My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream all offered up delicious snacks as well. Awe-inspiring accessories were available to purchase from Nuun Watch Official and Penelope Traveling Boutique. Guests commemorated the magical evening with photoshoots in the 4Five Photo Booth. Immersive experiences took shape throughout the night with Winter Burlesque from Karina and two all-star performances from Hudson Horns that brought down the house. The night's soundtrack was provided by DJ Sasha Hart with guitarist Neon Jesus in the main room and DJ Ryan Vandal in the Albra Room. Revelers were able to warm up inside or outside by lit firepits.
Photo Credit Tyler Hollinger
World class brands were also brought on board for this exclusive party. Coney Island Brewery provided craft beer and hard sodas. Barr Hill Gin & Caledonia Spirits, Tanteo Tequila, Spring 44 Distillery and The Finnish Long Drink and Ketel One served up their premium spirits. Ardbeg & Oysters offered guests Ardbeg 10YO Bloody Marys and the 10YO Long Islay paired neat with Oysters for purchase from MF Events. Polar Seltzer Water and Töst and Harmless Harvest Coconut Water ensured guests stayed hydrated all night long. Guests were also able to sample ginger beers from Fentimans Botanical, and sparkling probiotic drinks from KeVita.
Secret Summer, the country's only farm-to-bar cocktail festival, will return to The Foundry on August 4th. For more information, please visit: http://secretsummernyc.com
Secret Summer Aquarius
Aquarius is the eleventh astrological sign in the Zodiac. The Aquarius constellation is a summer constellation in the northern hemisphere. Under the tropical zodiac, the sun is in Aquarius typically between January 20 and February 18. The event will featured many delicacies of the sea as well as a bevy of sustainable seafood purveyors and premium wines & liquors.