Mixocalypse

Turning 103, Cole’s Celebrates New Year’s Eve This Sunday

4,3,2,1...Happy New Year!!
4,3,2,1…Happy New Year!! Photo: Kenichi Nobusue via Flickr

Sure, it’s a little early to deliver Baby New Year, but you have to forgive seniors and their “moments.” Downtown’s Cole’s is turning 103 this Sunday and throwing a massive Nucky Thompson-style soiree that also honors December 5th’s Repeal Day anniversary. The bash will recreate a Prohibition-era New Year’s Eve at The Red Car Bar, countdown and all, preceded by a cocktail competition between two bar-tending heavyweights for the Jimmy Barela award, named for the spot’s former bartender of 65 years (an earlier event at The Varnish, hosted by Eric Alperin will determine the final two combatants). What will be sipped and nibbled over the evening?

Guests will forget their troubles with help from a bathtub gin punch bar served until midnight from a life-sized ice sculpture of a bathtub, as well as a champagne toast at the big hour and free French dip sandwiches for the first 200 guests. A live three-piece band will handle entertainment duties, while the winning mixologist will do the honors of pouring champagne down a pyramid of glasses. If you’ve ever felt like you were born in the wrong era, this event is for you, especially seeing as Jonathan Gold hasn’t brought his speakeasy event back. If you’re not trying to double down on your Depression, Cole’s is also serving two French dips with two sides for $19.08 (the year of the restaurant’s founding) from December 5th-8th. The party starts at 9:00 P.M. at Cole’s,

Turning 103, Cole’s Celebrates New Year’s Eve This Sunday