Hotel Eventi is bringing some of the world’s best bars to its Midtown cocktail bar, Back Bar, including the bartenders behind Schmuck
Hotel Eventi is bringing some of the world’s best bartenders to its craft cocktail space, Back Bar, via its “Visiting Bar Luminary Series.” The event series kicked off back on February 6th and will bring some of the world’s top drinks makers to Midtown NYC.
The Back Bar Visiting Luminary Series is a collaboration between Chris Lauber, senior director of operations for LT Hospitality; Jason Hedges, beverage director of LT Hospitality; and Laurent Tourondel, chef/owner of LT Hospitality. It highlights the distinctive styles and characteristics of bartenders, positioning them at the forefront and looks to chart the course for the future of beverage experiences.
The series kicked off with Meaghan Dorman, the mind behind Raines Law Room and Dear Irving. During this one-night-only appearance at Back Bar, Dorman transported guests on a journey through the last 15 years at the Raines Law Room, showcasing some of her all-time favorite drinks.
Now through the end of March, Moe Aljaff and Juliette Laroui, the duo behind the globally celebrated Schmuck brand, are taking over the bar on Thursdays and Fridays (from 6pm onward). During the 8-week journey at Back Bar, patrons will be able to experience the team’s innovative cocktail approach and experience their trademark hospitality. Having risen to international acclaim when their Barcelona bar, Two Schmucks–which was ranked 7th in the World’s 50 Best Bars Awards 2022–they have since departed to focus on new projects with the ultimate goal of opening a NYC bar. The series at Back Bar serves as a preview of the offerings that await at their Lower East Side bar opening, scheduled for Fall 2024.
The Back Bar Visiting Luminary Series will continue throughout the year as a number of New York’s favorite bartenders will make one-night cameo appearances over the next several months. Dale DeGroff, often regarded as the mentor of many notable New York bartenders, is confirmed for February 27th.
Back Bar officially opened in October and was previously the temporary home of the iconic Angel’s Share for eight months in 2022-2023. Since its opening, it has paved the way for a new wave of value-driven craft cocktails, receiving notable praise for an entire section of its menu dedicated to elevated $12 signature drinks. Additionally, it’s focused on offering a robust seasonal program of over thirty signature cocktails curated by Hedges and bites from acclaimed Chef Tourondel. The Visiting Bartender Series will take place in Back Bar’s exclusive gem, Hidden Bar, a concealed space cloaked by a heavy, hidden wooden door behind the main bar.
For a complete list of upcoming programming and to make reservations (recommended), head over to the bar’s website.