A new event, put on by two companies catering to the sophisticated ways of life, took place at Spoke & Steele on Tuesday night.
Barbers and Barrels infused the old-timey Red’s Barbershop and the sophisticated casual atmosphere of Spoke & Steele. It was touted as an “old-fashioned guys’ night out”, with “signature barrel-aged cocktails and vintage haircuts or shaves,” and it definitely hit the mark.
Atmosphere
It’s hard to say the turnout was what the event organizers had hoped for, but those who did attend appeared to have a great time.
The event space that Spoke & Steele used, which was just across the hall from their bar and restaurant, instantly made me feel like I was stepping in a 1950s era home. From the furniture to the lighting to the decor, you feel like you walked into Don Draper’s bachelor pad: sophisticated from top to bottom.
There was plenty of seating and table space, and even a backroom – which was referenced as the Steve McQueen room – full of racing themed decor. If cigar smoking was allowed, the hidden-away backroom would have been the perfect cigar room.
The event space wasn’t the only part that made you feel at home. The staff, including the owners and general manager of Red’s, were very welcoming, friendly and all-around great hosts.
Barrel-Aged Cocktails
Spoke & Steele has many signature cocktails, but for the Barbers and Barrels event they showcased two of their barrel-aged cocktails. They also created a new barrel-aged cocktail with Red’s Barbershop.
Smoke Over Chicago is a Blanco Tequila based cocktail with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Del Maguey Crema De Mezcal, Hum Liquer, and an “Unspoken Ingredient”. It was a classy mixture, with a great taste.
Then there was the belle of the ball: Red’s Elixir. This was the barrel-aged concoction created by Spoke & Steele and Red’s Barbershop. An infusion of Scotch, Bourbon, House Cinnamon Simple Syrup, Sweet Vermouth, Allspice Liqueur, and Stonsdorfer Bitters. This was a truly unique and great tasting cocktail; so much so that I wanted to take the barrel home with me. Even my wife enjoyed the drink and she is by no means a scotch or bourbon fan. I just hope Spoke & Steele plans to add Red’s Elixir to their signature cocktails.
Food
Spoke & Steele setup a table with beer, cocktails and a fine spread of appetizers. They had fruits, meats, cheese, grilled cheese and one of the best sliders I’ve ever had.
Naughty Grl’d Cheese Bits were a miniature, fancy version of grilled cheese. They were very delicious, very cheesy, and simply sophisticated.
“An elevated take on grilled cheese. Tartine style with Trillium cheese, N’Duja sausage, asian pear, fig marmalade and baby arugula on top of Amelia’s brioche bread.”
Baller Slider was incredible. I’ve had my fair share of sliders at many a restaurants, and Spoke & Steele’s take on it was very impressive.
“Premium slider featuring 100% american Waygu beef, yuzu pickles, horseradish aioli, and melted leeks.”
For dessert, Spoke and Steele offered up their take on an old classic: PB&J. A classy man’s version of the dessert was a perfect way to end the evening.
“Our take on a nostalgic favorite. Tartine style bites with house made pistachio peanut butter and house blueberry jam.”
Haircut and Shave
Red’s Barbershop brought over two barber chairs and two barbers to provide haircuts, beard trims and neck trims to the attendees. A couple attendees decided to get a haircut, and one even opted for a straight razor shave, which was pretty cool to watch.
While I didn’t need a haircut, I did get talked into a beard and neck trim by barber William. This was the first time I had a barber trim my beard and he did a hell of a job. Normally I do it myself – which I now know is not a good job – but William turned me into a believer of having it done professionally when I can. And he may or may not be the barber Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck asks for when he goes to Red’s, so I felt my beard was in great hands.
Verdict
Red’s General Manager Scott Beck told me the two companies got the word out late on the event. He promised the next time they do Barbers and Barrels the place would be packed. $29 got you two cocktails and appetizers, while $49 got you that and a haircut. That may sound like an expensive night out, the end result was well worth the price. Plus, where else can you get a haircut while drinking a craft cocktail?
