Pencil This In: Three Dots And A Dash's First Anniversary Bash

By Rob Christopher in Food on Aug 2, 2014 7:00PM

What a year it's been for Three Dots and a Dash's Paul McGee and company. Since opening their doors on July 31, 2013, they've won more awards than you can shake a swizzle stick at, capped off with a nod for Best New American Cocktail Bar at the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail festival. It's definitely time to celebrate.

And, in line with tiki's "more is more" philosophy, they aren't doing it by halves. Monday, Aug. 4, starting at 5 p.m. they'll be pulling out all the stops. The first 150 people through the door get a commemorative t-shirt and tote bag; latecomers can opt for temporary tattoos and sunglasses. Once inside you'll find McGee himself behind the bar, mixing up five all-new libations. The newest hyper-tiki tipples include Ruby Mae’s Surfin’ Bird, a Trashmen-inspired variation on the Jungle Bird, the Aikau Aikau (colored blue!), and Tic Tac Taxi (with coconut and overproof Jamaican rum). But the most intriguing newcomer is BËSK I Ever Had, which incorporates Letherbee's "Malört" liqueur with rhum agricole, pineapple, coconut, and creme de menthe. (Because, why not?)

Needless to say, new drinks are at their best in new vessels, and Dots is unveiling two of them Monday. The Rum Barrel is perfect for oversized beverages, while The Fijian Mermaid is gruesome enough to haunt anyone's rum-laced nightmares. You can take one home for $20. We've also been told there will be new seahorse swizzle sticks. Monday nights out at bars are usually quiet ones, but we guarantee that Three Dots and a Dash will be jumping. Err, hula-ing.

Three Dots and a Dash is at 435 N. Clark, in the rear; look for the strips of blue light in the alley near Hubbard