We asked the team to tell us more about its business.
What’s the backstory? How long has the business been operating? With Bedford Soda & Liquor fast approaching its 10 year anniversary, it’s great to have former General Manager JC (Jason Clark) back at the helm.
We love the New York influences and Jason Clark won the Diageo World Class Cocktail championship a while back. Any other awards?
JC is back after eight years in Dubai and London working as a luxury spirits ambassador for iconic brands like Talisker Whisky, Hendricks Gin and Remy Martin Cognac, which saw him managing, hosting and judging some of the world's largest national cocktail competitions and working with many of the world's most renowned bars and bartenders.
Having helped open Bedford back in 2013 – after placing 4th in the world at what is classed as the olympics of bartending – JC has a deep understanding of the Bedford identity and the local market.
His passion is serving up high-level hospitality in a casual but memorable way that leaves guests buzzing for more, so we’re stoked to have him back and elevating the Bedford experience.
Tell us about the menu? Do you cater to those with gluten-free and vegan diets?
Bedford's food menu was inspired by trips to New York and, in particular, a legendary spot called the Meatball Shop in Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Our balls are hand-rolled using organic free range meat and premium produce.
We've always had a big range of gluten free and vegetarian options available and with our new menu change we've now got plenty of vegan options too, like our Impossiball, made with plant protein, zucchini, Italian parsley and spices.
There are also vegan sauces to go with your sides and dairy -free ice cream sundaes for dessert.
Our drinks menu has also had a revamp across beers, wines, spirits and cocktails, with an exciting new selection of innovative cocktails inspired by iconic parts of New York and new techniques and trends picked up from JC’s work overseas.
What are some favourite drinks of choice? Do you serve alcohol-free options?
Some of our favourite cocktails include:
· Low Riding in Queens, a vibrant pink/purple sour inspired by Latino culture in New York, made with tequila, white rum, mezcal, guava, dragon fruit cordial and soda.
· Madison Square Garden, an after-dinner old fashioned made using toasted pecan and burnt butter bourbon, salted caramel and vanilla bitters.
· 5th Avenue, a modern take on the classic Cosmopolitan, inspired by New York’s iconic shopping and fashion district.
· We've added a selection of no and low sugar cocktails, along with a dedicated section of no and low alcohol cocktails including the Sober Margarita, Botanical Tonic and even a sober Old Fashioned.
· Our famous shakes have also had a revamp – the Cinnamon Lotus and Coconut Dream are particularly epic.
What happens during Happy Hour?
At Bedford we serve up an epic Double Happy Hour from 4pm-6pm every day, with $8 house lagers, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and rose, and $20 house lager jugs.
Sitting in the lane or in our cosy space with a drink in hand is a great way to end the working day and ease into the evening.
Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Our aim is to serve up a taste of New York hospitality to our Ponsonby community. Delicious drinks of all kinds, friendly service, American comfort food and groovy tunes in a comfortable and relaxed environment.
We've just upgraded our sound system and DJ booth to help elevate the vibe and energy on Friday and Saturday nights, with a roster of iconic DJs playing beats in tribute to the legendary music cultures of New York.
Throw in some cocktail specials from 6pm and you'll find a scene you'd expect to stumble across in the laneways of Brooklyn or the Lower East Side.
BEDFORD SODA & LIQUOR, Ponsonby Central, 3 Richmond Road, T: 09 378 7362, www.bedfordsodaliquor.co.nz
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29 May 2023