What goes together better than a high-quality, star-studded Broadway show and a perfectly themed (and delicious) craft cocktail from a local restaurant?
Yeah, we don’t know either.
The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts has announced its lineup for the 2024-2025 Broadway Comes to Reno series (if you don’t have tickets yet, visit www.pioneercenter.com). And while the theater plays shows like Some Like it Hot and The Book of Mormon, local restaurants are turning out cocktails to match the theme of the show.
The efforts have been ongoing and are quickly gaining traction while adding new restaurants to the mix. “We decided to participate in Broadway at the Bars because it uniquely blends programming and a creative expression through mixology,” says Jackie Quintero of Granite Street Eatery. “This event not only allows us to showcase our technical skills in designing drinks that perfectly capture the essence of the Broadway shows but also gives us the opportunity to engage with a diverse audience in a fun and interactive way.”
Granite Street Eatery participated in the program last year, too, with cocktails for shows including Pretty in Pink. This year, they have a carrot-infused vodka drink on the menu for the season’s opening show, Mrs. Doubtfire: The Musical (Sept. 3-8). The drink is a nod to the scene where Mrs. Doubtfire makes dinner using the ingredient. “We will be mixing it with Jack Fire and Carolan's for a sweet cinnamon kick. The rim of the glass will have graham crackers and a dehydrated carrot twist.”
Granite Street Eatery isn’t the only location participating. Wild River Grille goes above and beyond with an entire menu for Broadway guests—not just drinks. “Sharing our love for the Arts while showcasing a delicious theatre inspired cocktail was the perfect fit,” says Reto Gross, General Manager of Wild River Grille. “Especially since we already do a theatre inspired four-Course dinner during the week of every Broadway show.
Wild River Grille closed out the season with a To Kill a Mockingbird dinner and drink special in June. Each course played to major themes and characters in the show from Miss Calpurina’s shrimp and grits Mr. Radley’s Scrumptious Gift for dessert (candied peach turnover with oat cookie crumble and vanilla bean ice cream).
“As for my favorite cocktail, that would hands-down be our Pretty Woman Cosmo,” Gross says. “It was created with a house-made blood orange simple syrup, local Tahoe Blue Vodka, a splash of fresh squeezed lime juice, and topped with rosemary infused cranberry juice.”
The To Kill a Mockingbird sipper was a margarita called Tequila Mockingbird.
“Our fantastic bartenders are still working on making a memorable cocktail for Mrs. Doubtfire: The Musical but be assured it will undoubtably taste so delicious that your dentures might want to stay in the glass,” Gross teases.
More bars participate and the list is still growing. Other places you can grab a Broadway-inspired cocktail include Sierra Tap House, Ole Bridge Pub, The Brewer's Cabinet, and several restaurants within Rancharrah including the Clubhouse itself (if you are a member).
Spicy Tequila Gimlet
Shim’s Tavern
The drink is a play on the name Doubtfire, using jalapeno tequila to create heat. “You doubt the fire,” Nicholas Bealer says of the drink he created for Shim’s Tavern.
1.5 oz. Casamigas Jalapeno Tequila
½ oz. triple sec
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. simple syrup
Shake together in a glass with ice. Strain over a rocks glass and add garnish.