Fords Gin took over St. Pizza in order to give out their pre-party wares, but this was an awesome little event all on its own. The hot slices went awesomely with the Fords Negronis and cool swag. I took a walk back to the Warehouse District for Pernod Ricard's House of Conviviality. On one side, Jefferson's was being paired with smokey bbq and the blues. A special tasting was taking place in which you could sip the three bourbons that create the singular Jefferson's Bourbon to understand the layering of flavors the distillery creates. On another side, Altos Tequila was paired with chips and salsa.
It was a full house at the Sazerac Bar for Tales of the Woman, a collaborative event presented by Mijenta Tequila, Amaro Lucano, and Altamura Distilleries. Top women bartenders including Martina Bonci (Gucci Giardino), Giorgia Fornaciari (Stravinskij), Elena Urbani (Amara Lucano), Natasha Sofia (Mijenta Tequila), Sarah Block (The Gutter), Brisa Santos (Bar Mauro), Chu Martinez (Portrait Bar), Piba Cantina (Brujas), Lauren Sponberg (Neighborhood), and Tara Wong (Saksey's) came together to delight with signature drinks. The staff also passed around apps and 1990s treat Dunkaroos. I loved that the servers didn't forget about the people waiting in line down the Roosevelt Hotel's hall and passed out shots to them.
Just across the street, The Orpheum Theatre was already beset with a line for the hotly-anticipated William Grant & Sons portfolio party. It's always a spectacle. A few minutes later, the doors flew open and guests were greeted with espresso martinis to get a jolt for the happenings. Hendricks Gin took over the stage area with high-flying performers and glowing head pieces that were placed upon guests like a crown. Tullamore D.E.W. took up a more secretive back bar on the upper floor where a pet caricature artist was creating cute pictures for furbaby parents. I enjoyed the delicacies of popcorn and king cake-flavored cotton candy just as much as the people watching until it got a little too crowded for the main floor. Then the seating on the second floor made a perfect little getaway to catch all the action without being in it.
