The Dorsey has very quickly built a reputation as one of the top cocktail bars on the Strip, luring in Vegas visitors for artfully crafted pre-show libations. Now the Venetian hot spot is aiming to boost its standing with locals and industry workers with the Dorsey Collective, “micro-residencies” featuring talented visiting bartenders, artists and musicians from across the country.
“There are great cocktail bars in this town that are very much a staple for the industry to hang out when they’re not working, with Herbs & Rye being a great example,” says New York City barman Sam Ross, who created the Dorsey’s menu and returns to Vegas often to monitor its execution. “We want to position ourselves to be part of that as well. Las Vegas is never short of enthusiastic bartenders wanting to get together and talk shop and have some fun.”
In the grand tradition of visiting chefs doing pop-up dinners, the first Collective event was held October 17 starring Yael Vengroff from LA’s Spare Room, complemented by music from LA’s DJ Tessa. Vengroff’s special Vegas cocktail menu included the Diamonds to Dust (Plymouth gin, Blanc Vermouth, lemon curd, sage and orange) and the Helter Skelter (Lot 40 rye, peated Irish single malt, Crème de Noyaux, coconut and toasted pecan bitters), showing that even the Strip can still learn some new flavors.
“We’re really happy with how it turned out and the response we’re getting,” Ross says. “We’re looking at doing this every two months, we’ll be picking a different city each time and we’re looking into some more industry-based stuff. Basically if you’ve got an interest in this industry, we would love the Dorsey to be one of your spots.”
