A Spirited Event: Tales of the Cocktail

Really good cocktails tell a story: a story of a reward at the end of a long day, a story of a perfect date night, a story of a long-overdue vacation. It’s this story in mind that created Tales of the Cocktail, a festival-meets-convention that celebrates those spirited drinks with appropriate pomp.

Latitude 29 - Mai Tai

Our very own Latitude 29 was created by Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, who is a celebrity with the Tales of the Cocktail crowd.

Whether you participate in Tales firsthand or are simply using the dates (July 19-24, 2016) as a way to get your drink on, here’s what’s happening at this year’s Tales of the Cocktail:

Tales Restaurant Week

Tales of the Cocktail’s restaurant week happens all week leading up to and during the event. This means you can check out a host of restaurants around town for specific spirits, paired with incredible cuisine. Our on-site bar, Latitude 29, is also a great place to indulge in a cocktail; the lead bartender and owner, Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, is a star at Tales of the Cocktail. His book, Potions of the Caribbean won the award for Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book at the Spirited Awards during Tales of the Cocktail in 2014.

[bctt tweet=”@totc we’re ready for a drink! See what’s happening at #talesofthecocktail”]

Spirit-Focused Seminars

Tales has myriad speakers, panels, and seminars aimed at educating people about the cocktail. From the “Meet the Maker” series, where people can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it takes to make a specific spirit, to discussions on sustainable agave practices, providing stylish service, and an overview of indie spirits, Tales has a robust lineup of intriguing and educational panels. And… tasting is involved!

Taste of the Cocktail

Perhaps we’re a bit biased, but personally, we’re partial to Latitude 29 for unforgettable tiki-inspired cocktails. Jeff Berry’s celebrity status in the cocktail community is an added perk… and you’ll immediately know why he’s so lauded once you sip on one of his drinks. The bar is open every day except Wednesday, so plan to pop in during Tales!