Absinthe has it all, mystery, mystique, danger even. Once illegal, on Monday April 22nd get to the south shore, Alma Nove, Chef Paul Wahlberg's waterfront Italian restaurant in Hingham for some answers.

Mixologist Chris Lincoln will be pouring free cocktail samples straight from the restaurant's authentic Absinthe Fountain as well as discussing Absinthe history and debunking some of the many myths. There will also be complimentary small tastings from Chef Wahlberg's Italian Mediterranean menu.

Monday April 22, 8:00. Free tastes of Absinthe cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Full drinks $10. Alma Nove, 22 Shipyard Drive, Hingham, MA.

I'm not sure exactly how I feel about St. Patrick's Day, even though my ancestry would say differently. Crowds start drinking at 8:00am, which can be a recipe for disaster, although this year that's been delayed a few hours because it falls on a Sunday. But, I do love the parade, celebration of Ireland's most famous Patron Saint and the idea that we are are family for a day. Oh yeah, and the excuse to drink a few extra pints of Guinness.

There are, of course, many, many, Irish pubs to choose from in the Boston area, but none is better than The Druid in Inman Square, Cambridge. It's the real deal, owned and operated by Mike(y) Crawford who originally hails from Ennis Tymon in County Claire. During the early 90's he came to the States and worked at The Burren in Davis Square, Somerville. In fact, he's always worked in pubs. "It goes by quickly, we took over The Druid in 2004," he says with a wistful smile, "great to be part of this neighborhood, this spot was once a five and dime store you know." I didn't, but the number ten still holds true- that's about how many kegs of Guiness they'll pour Sunday. Do the math, that's about 100 Imperial pints (20oz pours per keg), 1,000 total pours at the Druid alone. Multiply that by hundreds of bars and pubs, the volume is staggering- well, we can all do our part.

What makes a great pub? I say it's people like Mike, a good pint and delicious food- for what it's worth I think they have the best burger in town, although corned beef and cabbage is mandatory Sunday. Come and say hello to the great staff: Michael John, Paul, Alyssa, Colum, Celia, all hands will be on deck. As if that wasn't enough reason- Hugh McGowan and the McGowan Rovers will be playing. Irish music, Guinness, maybe a shot of Power's Irish Whiskey? Any apprehension about the day will wash away with a few pints.

I annoyingly kept asking everyone for a good Irish quote, and while Mike was nervous that many sound cheesy he kindly passed this along:

Tis better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money. Slainte!

Spaghetti Western Mondays, I've posted about them before, but was actually there in person at the Blue Room for the grand finale. Nick Korn and
John Nugent, bartending dream team rounding up Whiskey and Italian bitters- Amari. I'm not sure which I liked more the Duck you Zucca! (after the 1971 western Duck you Succa! Bully Boy whiskey, Benedictine and Zucca- a rhubarb based bitters) or the Shot and a Chaw (Carpano Antica sweet vermouth and bubble gum). The bartenders got iced (sent a secret package from the crew at Tavern Road with Smirnoff Ice they then had to chug), wore ponchos, shot cap guns. We all had a ball in the wild west of Cambridge.

Thanks to Derek McClusker, there is a delicious drink at Saloon in Davis Square- refreshing enough for dreams of warmer evenings but rich and spicy for winter with rosemary and ginger beer. Continuing further with this idea, check out the upcoming Escape Your Winter Woes Mezcal dinner, Thursday, February 28th. Now that's something to warm up to.

Green Thumb: Blanco Tequila, cucumber, lime, rosemary simple, ginger beer.

True to bartender form, Derek's personal shift drink is a bit more of a straight shooter and right up my alley. A Shlitz and shot of Riverboat Rye (Redemption Rye's younger brother). Cheers, and keep the great drinks flowing.

A Tribute to Film, Italian Bitters and American Whiskey

At the Blue Room every Monday this February from 9:00pm to 1:00am, the bar is mixing up Fratelli Branca Italian bitters, Bully Boy American Straight Whiskey and Spaghetti Western flicks. Guest bartenders will be slinging specialty cocktails paired with Italian-American snacks during weekly screenings of Sergio Leone's Dollars Trilogy. 

February 4: A Fistful of Dollars with bartenders John Henderson (Scholars) and Tyler Wang (No.9 Park)

February 11: For a Few Dollars More with bartenders Katie Emmerson (The Hawthorne) and Fred Yarm (Cocktail Virgin Slut)

February 18: The Good the Bad and the Ugly with bartenders Noon Inthasuwan (Moksa) and Sam Treadway (Backbar)

February 25: Once Upon a Time in the West with bartenders Evan Harrison (Highland Kitchen) and Ted Kilpatrick (No. 9 Park)

Cocktails and bar bites served à la carte for $9.00 to $13.00, One Kendall Square, Cambridge.

photo by Michael Piazza

Founder and host, Graham Wright guides The Opus Affair, a group of artists and friends, in a get together for the arts. This time is their second version of the
Punch Bowl Fund at Westbridge in Kendall Square, Tuesday January 22, at 6:00pm.
Here's the deal: contribute $5 cash and you get a drink ticket for a glass of punch and a ballot to vote for one of three featured arts organizations. The organization with the most votes will get a donation for the total amount raised- a charitable drinking game- awesome.
They'll go until the punch runs out, but the good news is Josh Taylor's bar will still be open for some of his delicious libations. At that point the music may even turn from Brahms to Rihanna; I'm just guessing of course.

The Hawthorne turns one on Wednesday November 21st, 6-9pm, the night before Thanksgiving. What better way to celebrate than with a cocktail reception and fundraiser? Join Jackson Cannon, Nicole Lebedevitch and the whole Hawthorne crew as they give thanks to:
Lovin’ Spoonfuls, Bully Boy rum, Bols Genever, siblings ES and ICOB, designers Alison and Stephen Sheffield, MS Walker and most of all their customers and regulars (I'm secretly hoping Jackson is wearing a pilgrim costume- wow, over-sharing).

Delicious snacks, cocktails, beer and wine will be flowing in true Hawthorne fashion.
They're even highlighting drinks with song names- you might be drinking a Phil Collins while listening to Phil Collins. Now that's sus-sus-sussudio.

$50 (portion of proceeds goes to Lovin' Spoonfuls) tickets are available on Eventbrite.
The Hawthorne is located at 500A Commonwealth Avenue in Boston's Kenmore Square.
 

Next Tuesday, November 6th, get ready. You're invited to the Boston Fernet Branca Barback Games- judged by among others, me (I know, but it will be a good time nonetheless).
Local barbacks will compete against each other in a variety of challenges testing their speed and skill; the winner will walk away that night as the best barback in Boston. They will be flown to San Francisco to compete against other regional winners from New York, San Diego and San Francisco for the title of best barback in the country.

Adding to all the Fernet fun, house DJs 7L and Brek will be providing tunes and local legends Brother Cleve & TJ the DJ will be there. Best of all? Tickets for this event are FREE WITH RSVP: fernetboston.eventbrite.com

ROYALE
279 Tremont Street, Boston
Tuesday 11/6/12
Doors 9PM

The English based Whisky Magazine sponsors Whisky Live, a tasting and educational event to sell out crowds on five continents. This year, we are lucky to be included for the first time in Boston. Over 100 whiskies to try, food, entertainment and cocktails by the likes of Augusto Lino (Upstairs on the Square), Chad Arnholt (Citizen), Noon Inthasuwan (Moksa), Tyler Wang (No.9) and LUPEC. Because you're reading this please use code "Boston" when you check out for an additional 10% off.