Danielle Tatarin at Bitter Bash, Tales of the Cocktail Feb 14. Robyn Hanson photo

Tales of the Cocktail – Bitter Bash

– text by Shawn Conner/photos by Robyn Hanson

Tales of the Cocktail On Tour in Vancouver came to a close last night, Tuesday Feb 14, with the official closing party, the Bitter Bash.

Held at the Masik Gallery on West 2nd, the party capped the four-day festival (there’s a brunch and a lunch today as well) with a bang. Bartenders from Vancouver, Victoria, and New York, among other cities, met the challenge of mixing cocktails with ingredients such as Cynar (made from artichokes), Campari and actual bitters.

“Lust” at Tales of the Cocktail Bitter Bash Feb 14 2012.

The night’s theme was “red”, and nearly everyone arrived in their favourite crimson-coloured dress, jacket or pair of shoes. Dancing girls from Goldenlight Entertainment shimmied and shook to chilled-out dance music, and Fat Dragon, La Brasserie and Tacofino served up some very tasty grub to help soak up the booze. Booze-y snowcones were also being handed out.

Goldenlight Entertainment dancer at Bitter Bash, Tales of the Cocktail Feb 14 2012. Robyn Hanson photo.

It’s probably safe to say most everyone was feeling the effects of the previous two days of, let’s face it, some fairly substantial drinking. Earlier yesterday, Tales of the Cocktail presented seminars on various kinds of booze and mixing tricks at host hotel the Fairmont Pacific Rim. A B.C. Bar Crawl, with specialty cocktails waiting at various Vancouver watering holes, was also on the agenda for both Monday and Tuesday evenings.

We were quite impressed by each event attended. If it comes back next year – and rumour has it, TOTC will be back – and you missed it this time, definitely consider taking a couple of days off and checking out as many events, tastings, crawlings and feedings as you can. And if you don’t want to wait another year, there’s always Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, where it’s going into its 10th year this July.