"Papa" would approve.
Ben Franklin, JFK and Ernest Hemingway — rum drinkers all — would feel right at home at the Cana Rum Bar with its recessed golden lighting (Everyone looks important!), iconic cigar prints on the wall (and the real thing outside on the fire-lit patio), and the comfortably warm atmosphere of an exclusive, private club. In fact, the Cana charges a (modest) membership fee (donated to a different charity, such as “Independent Film” every month) but if you want to drink like “Papa”, be the first Go Go’er to respond with “I love Cana Rum Bar!” and get a free membership just in time for the monthly Rum Society meeting next Tuesday, August 31st. (Membership perks and full Rum Society details below.)
Allan Katz enjoys his work. (Photo by Dylan Ho)
In addition to sampling a flight of special cane spirit rums and sipping discounted Nilsson Slings and Caipirinhas while listening to rum experts like “The Rum Dood” Matt Robold discoursing knowledgeably, August Rum Society attendees will have a chance to chat with (and learn from) Allan Katz, Cana Rum Bar’s new General Manager. Allan and the Cana’s recent, impressively expansive Rum Day 2010 cocktail menu featured some of the best cocktails (Stepping Razor with pepper-infused rum! All Saints Fizz with frankincense tincture! Day & Age #3 with a mist of absinthe!) that Ms. Go Go has sampled in recent memory (and that’s saying something, as Go Go’ers know.)
Allan’s background as “drinksmith” includes a stint as corporate beverage director for NYRSG, working with chef Zachary Pelaccio (Fatty Crab and Cabrito); he’s also opened bars with master mixologists Dale DeGroff (author of The Craft of the Cocktail and the pioneer of the gourmet cocktail movement) and Tony Abou-Ganim (winner of the 2007 Iron Chef America competition with Mario Batali, “Battle Mango”, and author of The Modern Mixologist, Contemporary Classic Cocktails).
Here’s what Allan had to say about cigars, cocktails and Cana Rum Bar….
