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There’ve been many parallels drawn between our current state of affairs and 1918’s Spanish Flu outbreak, which, to us, can only mean one thing: boozier days are ahead. A century later, Fort Lauderdale’s Room 901 is reigniting the speakeasy trend with a secret cocktail den you’ll be clamoring to experience.
Like the ‘20s clubs that inspired it, 901 hides in plain sight at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas, where an average guestroom has been transformed into a striking, red-velvet-strewn bar complete with high-tops and a loveseat. Recognized bartenders from around the country are taking turns manning the pop-up bar each week, while an excellent in-house staff tends between shifts. For us Miami folks, the next two residencies promise to bring it home with a few familiar faces.
From March 30 to April 1, Havana Club ambassador Gio Gutierrez turns 901 into a tropical rum room flowing with inventive Cuban cocktails, such as a clarified piña colada. On April 2 and 3, Unfiltered Hospitality’s Ben Potts (of Beaker & Gray and The Sylvester) and Gui Jaroschy (formerly of SBE hotels) turn up the nostalgia with their riff on the classics, like the timeless champagne cocktail. Future dates include stints by Austin’s Midnight Cowboy, Atlanta’s Red Booth and L.A.’s Adults Only, with more to come.
Room 901 opens Thursday through Sunday for two-hour tastings at 5pm, 7:15pm and 9:30pm. Sessions are limited to six people and there’s a $50 minimum spend per person (including food from executive chef Greg McGowan’s menu of light bites). Reservations are a must, lest you risk being turned away at the door like a true speakeasy.
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