The special ingredient in these cocktails is movie magic!
Bars and cinemas across Brooklyn are organizing screening parties for the 86th Academy Awards on Mar. 2 and several have created special Oscar-themed libations to toast the winners — not to mention help guests endure the tedious acceptance speeches.
Fort Greene sports bar Mullanes Bar & Grill, which traditionally hosts one of the borough’s most elaborate parties, has created two special cinema-inspired cocktails — the “Meryl Streep,” which includes lemon juice, ginger, honey, and single-malt whiskey in a tribute to the “August: Osage County” star, and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” made with bourbon, dry vermouth, and Campari.
“The cocktail menu is newly designed solely for Oscar night,” said the bar’s co-owner, David Finnegan.
In addition to its big-screen booze offerings, Mullanes will roll out a real red carpet and attendees are encouraged to dress to impress. The tradition often takes the bar’s more sports-minded patrons by surprise.
“I think one year the NBA All-Star game fell on the same night as the Oscars, which was hilarious, especially for the sports fans who obviously didn’t realize it was Oscar night or that they would be so under-dressed,” said Finnegan.
But even if you are really there to watch the Knicks, it is worth donning a penguin suit or gown, as prizes will be awarded to the best-costumed guests. Each attendee will also be greeted on the red carpet by the night’s host Vinny Bonnano, who will hand out his home-made “Oscar lollipops,” which are shaped like Academy Award statuettes.
Over at Williamsburg’s Videology, which already has a cocktail menu full of movie-themed tipples, an awards-influenced aperitif will also be available. Dubbed “And the Oscar Goes To…,” the bar-theater’s special offering will be made with Prosecco and St. Germaine, and is inspired by the iconic statue’s golden hue.
The boozy picture house will also be passing out ballots to attendees, with those who guess the most winners receiving a 368-page book on Hollywood’s night of nights.
Another venue inspired by the glitz is nearby Brooklyn Winery, where bottles of bubbly will naturally be the drink of choice. In addition to regular pours, film buffs can also quaff flutes of “the Paparazzi,” made with gin, St. Germaine, and the drink’s key ingredient, sparkling wine, which gives it that camera-flash twinkle.
“Like a wall of paparazzo!” explained the winery’s marketing manager, Dan Ingala.
This will be the winery’s fourth Oscars party. Ingala said the events are typically laid-back affairs, with no bow-ties necessary — despite the classy location.
“It’s the right kind of event for people who come to our bar,” he said. “It’s always fun to watch it, whether or not you’ve seen the movies.”
Mullanes Bar & Grill [71 Lafayette Ave. near Fulton Street in Fort Greene, (718) 797–7606, www.mullanesbrooklyn.com]. Free.
Videology [308 Bedford Ave. at S. First Street in Williamsburg, (718) 782–3468, www.videology.info]. 6 pm. Free, but reservations can be made for $10 a seat, and are recommended.
Brooklyn Winery [213 N. Eighth St. between Roebling Street and Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg, (347) 763–1506, www.bkwinery.com]. 7 pm. Free.
