Whether it\u2019s for an Old Fashioned in the dark, tight quarters of The Narrows Bar or for a gin and tonic in the well-lit, bright-wallpapered quarters of Amalga Distillery, thirsty Juneauites have been flooding to the capital city\u2019s new craft cocktail bars.<\/p>\n
Both establishments are in the heart of downtown on Franklin Street, and both opened this spring. They\u2019ve joined other downtown establishments such as V\u2019s Cellar Door and SALT, both of which have served craft cocktails for the past few years.<\/p>\n
Crowds immediately gathered at both new places, and the rush hasn\u2019t slowed down. Jared Cur\u00e9, owner of The Narrows, said prior to opening the bar that he felt there was a market in Juneau for a craft cocktail bar, and he\u2019s seen that feeling prove true.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was I was hoping for and certainly I was optimistic that this is what it would be,\u201d Cur\u00e9 said Friday, \u201cbut you never really know until you open the doors.\u201d<\/p>\n
The distinction between a so-called \u201ccraft cocktail\u201d and a simple cocktail is partially about the quality of ingredients and partially about the attention to detail. Both The Narrows and Amalga locally source many of their ingredients, putting particular care into which plants and herbs to include in their concoctions.<\/p>\n
For example, Amalga\u2019s Instagram page posted updates during a foraging run last week, searching for just the right ingredients for its next batch of gin. The Narrows, Cur\u00e9 said, goes through about 300 pounds of fresh ingredients a week for its cocktails. Talking earlier this spring before Amalga opened, co-owner Brandon Howard said that the new craft alcohol establishments in Juneau \u2014 also including Barnaby Brewing<\/a> on Franklin Street \u2014 are all emphasizing local flavors.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all kind of taking that Juneau twist on it,\u201d Howard said, \u201cmaking it local, using local ingredients, making things approachable and beautiful. I think that\u2019s something really exciting and something we\u2019re definitely we\u2019re wanting to do in here.\u201d<\/p>\n [<\/span>Juneau\u2019s newest bar gets fresh and fancy<\/a>]<\/span><\/p>\n