For the cocktail fans among us, Christmas came early this year with the debut of Sound Advice, a bar that’s set to soft open this weekend within the West End’s bourgeoning Hub on Causeway development.
The arrival has some serious star power behind it. Sound Advice was spearheaded by hospitality company Proprietors LLC — whose owners are behind other projects that include NYC’s award-winning Death & Co. — and is owned by Decurion, the hospitality group that also owns ArcLight Cinemas. Beverage director Mary Bartlett, who founded L.A.-based gin company Future Gin, and Proprietors’ partner Devon Tarby worked together to develop the cocktail menu.
“Devon and that i are both really excited to figure with ingredients we don’t revisit in California,” Bartlett previously told Boston.com. “It’s been fun to dive into New England spirits.”
Guests will find a cocktail list that comes with classic and signature cocktails, also as beer, wine, and alcohol-free options. The High & Dry (gin, vermouth, Douglas fir eau de vie, cranberry, and rosemary) may be a signature drink fit the vacations, while the La Paloma (tequila, pomelo and lime juices, grapefruit cordial, and seltzer) is Sound Advice’s combat a classic. Group format cocktails, just like the Night Swim (rye, sweet, vermouth, ruby port, sour cherry, and kirschwasser) also are available. Regulars of the Boston cocktail scene may even see some familiar faces behind the stick, too: head Patrick Brenner (Tiger Mama) and lead bartender Lee Morgan (Drink) are both on the Sound Advice team.
“Neighborhood restaurants and bars often help to define the community,” Brenner said during a handout. “They become a gathering space for locals, a meet-up spot for those headed to the neighborhood, and an area to pause for those on a tour of their favorite places within the city. In a neighborhood of Boston dominated by sports bars and dives, Sound Advice approaches the new era of the West End with an elevated imbibing experience waiting to welcome you with unique, creative, and in particular, delicious drinks.”
While Boston’s newest barroom isn’t an area you would possibly come for dinner, there are snacks available for those wanting to nosh while they drink. L.A.-based chef Becky Reams created a pared-down snack menu featuring classics with a spin. Chips and dip pair potato chips with caramelized onions, soured cream, and chives, while an order of nuts includes roasted cashews with furikake, sesame, and honey.
Sound Advice is accessible from the neighboring ArcLight Cinemas and a fanatical elevator that results in the road. AAmp Studio designed the 80-seat bar, which is rich in jewel tones and features 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the neighborhood below.
While the official grand opening of Sound Advice is scheduled for Dec. 26, the bar will soft open on Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. inspect more photos of the West End newcomer below.