‘The Playboy popup Club’ at Vanquish Lounge: It’s a Lifestyle

Vanquish Lounge, newly opened in Atlanta offers a striking picture of A-town celebrities and tastemakers living that coveted lifestyle and celebrating a cultural icon — the Playboy Bunny. We rolled up to Vanquish on a Wednesday night for pop up party promoting the “The Playboy Club” television series. There is probably not a better venue in all of Atlanta to reproduce the Playboy lifestyle. Planners hit the mark from the safari-chic decor, glamorous guests and top shelf cocktails in the perfect stemware. 

What we had:

The Glenlivet Scotch — first on the rocks and later neat. The pour is adequate, but at $12 a shot, I prefer the bartender use his own discretion. The Glenlivet is the best known of single malt scotches and the taste is so recognizable that preceding Glenlivet with “The” is totally appropriate.

Only 100 bottles of 70 year-old The Glenlivet 1940 have been released. Each is presented in a gorgeous tear-shaped, hand-blown crystal decanter. 

Club owner Michael Gidewon has spared no expense stocking the bar, which is a pretty tall order since the club is just across the street from Loew’s stunningly lit wall of alcohol. –roz edward

Upscale cocktails included:

Cîroc Blue Ocean To make a statement with your cocktail — color it.

1 ounce Cîroc Vodka  

1/2 ounce Blue Curacao

1/4 ounce grapefruit juice Splash simple syrup

Shake with crushed ice.

Strain into champagne flute.

Garnish with a white orchid.

Best served with: Cîroc Vodka

And in keeping with the theme of the evening, — the 1960’s when Playboy was king, guests were appreciating Old Fashioneds with a new twist:

The New Fashioned:

1 ounce Crown Royal® 

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup 

1/2 ounce Almond Liqueur 

1-3 dashes Bitters 

Stir the ingredients in a shaker of ice and strain it into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

Lemon Drop 

And then there was the ultra-popular Lemon Drop. The great thing about this drink as they are as good as the first time, every time.  Enhance the citrus flavor by adding 1/4 ounce of Cointreau and only 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces Smirnoff vodka

3/4 ounces lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar syrup

lemon twist for garnish

Pour the vodka, lemon juice and sugar syrup into a shaker with ice cubes.

Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lemon twist.