Finding the right Chemistry - a Weekly exclusive
When we were told by co-owner Rick Barcode of the Red Room Saloon that he and partner Michael Taing were expanding with a new venue, our first reaction was something like, Well, what took you so long? While the success of the cocktail parlor has increased exponentially over the past year, garnering national recognition, press and a loyal, local cult-like following, Barcode was quick to point out it was because he and Taing took things slow, paid attention to every detail—now it is finally paying off. So it’s no surprise their newest project is still a year away.
Chemistry is the name (as of now); it will be a part of the shopping/living district in Summerlin in the works called Jule and is slated to open next summer. “It will be a temple to the drink,” Barcode said. “It will have some of the best drinks in the city by far.” The devout mixologists have already been flexing their cocktailing muscles, with Red Room consistently recognized for its top-shelf libations. It also holds regular monthly flair competitions.
Making comparisons to drink meccas the Lab Bar in London and Milk & Honey in New York, Barcode believes quality mixology is on the rise in Las Vegas, but has yet to reach the highest standard found in major metropolitan cities. “We look at what everyone else is not doing, and we do that,” he said. “Still, we are in no rush. Quality takes time, and quality is what’s been missing. Chemistry is all about quality.”
Ultimate Cocktail for a Cure
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007 about 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. One Las Vegas resident, whose life was touched by cancer when her mother was diagnosed and treated six years ago, has decided to raise funds for the Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization (www.y-me.org), which provides day-to-day support for those diagnosed.
“I watched my mom fight this disease on her own and with her family,” says Lisa Bigley, co-owner of UltimateBarChef.com. “She did not have a support group or an insurance company behind her to help with the questions, the emotional trauma or the financial burdens.” Lisa and her husband, world-class mixologist Sean Bigley, have created the Ultimate Cocktail for a Cure competition, in which hopefuls will submit their original cocktail recipes utilizing Hendrick’s Gin, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and edible silver from Easy Leaf Products. The drinks will pass through two levels of judgment before the selection of the final five in early August; those libations will go on to compete at a Las Vegas nightclub in September. The final five cocktails will be mixed up by Sean for an all-female panel of industry judges, and the winner will be awarded a cash prize of $1,750 as well as a ProDesigns bar kit, an Easy Leaf Production gift set and more. In addition, the winning creation will be featured on specialty drink lists nationwide for the entire month of October, with proceeds of the sale going to Y-ME. In all, the Bigleys hope to raise at least $50,000: “We want to show that the spirit industry can be a great supporter of worthy causes. Knowing that we can help women fight this disease is priceless.” To find out more, visit www.UltimateBarChef.com.
Ms. Rehab (no, not Lindsay)
Not that we can ever have too many reasons to obsess about ourselves, but hey, that’s why we spend countless hours at the gym, and that’s why there is (or very soon will be) a Ms. Rehab. We especially love that the Hard Rock is so politically correct, using “Ms.” instead of “Miss”—although the picture gallery is anything but politically correct. Looking like a MySpace page-turned-adult webcam site, RehabLV.com lets you vote for your favorite Sunday afternoon seductress (now polling for the month of June). The top winner walks away with $2,500 cash and a night’s accommodation at Hard Rock, as well as the adoration of lonely men with high-speed Internet connections. First runner-up receives $1,500, and the third hottest girl for the month gets $500. If you missed the boat for Internet exhibitionism, you can submit your unimportant personal information and your very important photo by June 30 on the site to be in the running for Ms. Rehab July.
Sunday sippin’
The only thing better than a nice bottle of wine is a nice discounted bottle of wine, and this summer BOA Steakhouse inside the Caesars Forum Shops is offering 50 percent off all labels to locals every Sunday through August.
Long known for its great cocktails and the wondrous meat locker, BOA also boasts about 300 labels with 3,000 bottles on hand, ranging from $40-$2,000, and the discount applies to all. We’ll drink to that.
YOU CAN FIND ME
IN THE CLUB
Sierra Gold
6515 S. Jones Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89118
221-4120
–Beautiful bartendress Jaclyn Hall unwinds at Sierra Gold “ultratavern” with her girlfriends when she isn’t spreading love and liquor behind the bar at Pure nightclub.