Sip, savour, and repeat at Haus of Booze
Published:Thursday | December 21, 2023 | 12:09 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Overlooking the city in the midst of the New Kingston’s peak-hour traffic, Haus of Booze promises to lift your spirits for the season and beyond with refreshing flavour.
Inspiring appetites to celebrate with a difference, the cocktail-driven menu features a variety of options, including fish bowl styles such as strawberry frozen daiquiri, electric lemonade, and blue kamikaze. Other choices include a twisted screwdriver, apple Martini, cosmopolitan, whiskey sour, blue Hawaiian punch, and the ‘yaad’ man punch, among many others. Whatever you desire, the skilled mixologist is ready to craft it for you.
“We’re doing more exotic cocktails with the fancy umbrellas, fruits, and baby bottles in the drink. That’s our focus. Every type of liquor you can think of will be available here,” the co-founder and director of the human resources for the new establishment, Careem Mullings, told Food.
The concept, he explains, still gives the vibe of a sports bar, but in an elevated style, focusing heavily on the drinks department, evident in the six-page-long menu offering.
Nevertheless, the line-up extends beyond beverages. The appetisers showcase flavourful options, including nicely spiced wings that deliver a delightful taste in each bite without overwhelming pepperiness. Additionally, the truly delicious bammy and saltfish bruschetta will leave you craving more.
Turning to the main courses, options like fried chicken and waffles, pan-seared salmon with mashed potatoes and honey garlic sauce, pork chops with mashed potatoes, and a full rack of baby back barbecue ribs with chips promise to strike the ideal balance between savoury and sweet. This line-up ensures that any potential hunger resulting from drinking is effectively curbed.
Since opening its doors over the weekend, the response, Mullings says, has been nothing short of incredible. Weekends are already dedicated to a festive fanfare of dinner and partying.
“The launch was very good. It was crowded, but the service was impeccable. We ran out of menu items by midnight, which is when we close on the weekends,” he said. With hookahs on-site, those who are into that leisurely activity can indulge in such desires.
The most common compliment received praises the restaurant’s decor. Surrounded by cascading flora and illuminated by blue lights, the ambiance sets the stage for exciting nights. Situated on the roof, this semi-outdoor setting, featuring small, large, and cabana-like seating, provides an opportunity for both drinkers and diners to relish the cool evening breeze while partaking in stargazing sessions and enjoying picturesque views.
“We had a smoke machine and a live deejay. It was a whole set up and I am glad everyone loved it,” Mullings added.
With the new dream now up and running, the aim is to have a host of party series at the location, “So if you’re looking for the vibe of going somewhere to eat, drink and party, this will be the spot for you.”
Moving forward, the aspiration is to elevate Haus of Booze to such success that it becomes a household name and a well-recognized Caribbean brand. The ultimate goal is for it to be present in airports, akin to establishments like Margaritaville, for instance.
Running with the already infallible vibe, he encourages others to stop thinking about going out and just do it. It’s time to reclaim the night and initiate celebrations with a sip-and-savour approach at Haus of Booze.