Alamo Drafthouse recently announced its first cocktail lounge, called 400 Rabbits. Which was cool enough, but THEN they announced that they’re looking for 400 Loyal Austin Patrons who will collectively be known as “The 400 Rabbits.” The 400 Rabbits will be determined by various methods including a Facebook Scavenger Hunt, Radio giveaways, onsite Geeks Who Drink Trivia nights, and more.
Each of “The 400 Rabbits” will receive a variety of prizes, including a 20% discount on their food and beverage in the 400 Rabbits lounge for one year and exclusive invitations to special events and tastings.
The first three methods of entry into “The 400 Rabbits” are detailed as follows:
1. LOYAL CUSTOMERS: Customers are able to input their name into a drawing for every $10 they spend at 400 Rabbits. 40 people will be drawn at random to win a “rabbit” spot. Enter to win during 3/8 – 3/31. Winner drawn on 4/2.
2. ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE SLAUGHTER LANE GIVEAWAY: Alamo Slaughter Lane will randomly give away a Rabbit spot to one person every day from 3/8 – 3/31 for a total of 24 Rabbit spots.
3. TRIVIA NIGHTS: 400 Rabbits will host a Geeks who Drink trivia night every week throughout March and April. The winning teams will be awarded a Rabbit spot – 50 spots total.
For more on “The 400 Rabbits” promotion visit http://www.400RabbitsBar.com
The cocktail lounge will have its grand opening on March 22nd. The name is derived from the Aztec goddess Mayahuel; the lounge will serve a bar menu centered around agave spirits (tequila, mezcal, sotol) and food inspired by Latin American street fare. A sneak of some of the food and drinks:
Torta Ahogada – Carnitas, pickled onions, refried white beans, and cotija, on a toasted bolillo drowned in arbol sauce topped with fresh oregano and served with chips.
Sonoran Hot Dog – Bacon wrapped hot dog, flat grilled with green chile salsa, lettuce, white beans, pickled onions, tomato, jicama, cilantro mayo, and cotija in a bolillo.
Sherry Darling: Reposado tequila, orange infused sherry, grand marnier + La Playa Sunset: Silver tequila, Zyco coconut water, falernum, lime, bitters + Me Encante: no idea what's in that
Alamo beverage director Bill Norris took a sabbatical to Jalisco last year to learn the production methods and history of Tequila and to prepare the 400 Rabbits menu. Executive Chef John Bullington has created a selection of snacks that pair perfectly with Bill’s tequila-centric bar offerings. “The food is inspired by interior Latin American street food while using fresh and local ingredients” says Chef Bullington. I’ve always loved Alamo’s focus on local ingredients!
In Other News: Midnight Cowboy Modeling
Alamo Drafthouse is also opening a cocktail lounge, Midnight Cowboy on East Sixth Street, on March 9th. For over thirty years, Midnight Cowboy Oriental Modeling operated as a brothel in plain sight. Now, that formerly nefarious spot has been transformed into Austin’s premier cocktail destination. Under a red light, through an unmarked door, come find a 48-seat, reservation-based cocktail lounge, featuring drinks designed by Alamo Drafthouse Beverage Director Bill Norris and Midnight Cowboy manager Brian Dressel (formerly of FINO, East Side Showroom and Bar Congress) and a luxurious interior design by Joel Mozersky.
Midnight Cowboy can accommodate groups of up to eight people, and Mozersky has transformed three former “massage” rooms into private tables for groups of six to eight people, with booths for smaller parties in the front room.
Cocktails will be prepared tableside by highly-experienced bartenders, feature hand cut ice, premium spirits and freshly squeezed juice from an innovative and rotating menu of original cocktails, obscure classics, and modern favorites from our bartender friends in other cities.
Reservations can be made at http://midnightcowboymodeling.com beginning on Tuesday, March 6th at Noon CST. When a reservation is made, guests will be provided with the procedure for entry through Midnight Cowboy’s unmarked door and welcomed into Austin’s first true luxury cocktail experience.
Midnight Cowboy House Rules
Midnight Cowboy is a relaxing oasis in the midst of the Sixth Street liveliness. To ensure this atmosphere, we don’t allow smoking, guns, cell phone calls, laptops, games, or rowdiness. If you must smoke or make a call, please do so on the rear patio. Please keep your conversations at a reasonable level, and enjoy fine cocktails and the finer company of your companions.
While our cocktails might loosen inhibitions and the building’s past might encourage licentiousness, we ask that you refrain from public displays of affection and unwelcome advances towards members of other parties.
Tables at Midnight Cowboy are available for reservation. Reservations are for two hours and no parties larger than 8 can be accommodated. All reasonable (and legal) services will be considered by your bartenders and hosts.
I always wondered about that whole brothel-in-plain-sight thing. So I pretty much pasted that press release verbatim … I can’t make this stuff up. Perfect for SXSW but will it last?