Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Chicago in May launched a Tiki-themed “Cocktails in Motion” bar on its patio, hosted by Sable Kitchen & Bar. The pop-up concept, a play on the hotel’s “Art in Motion” theme, serves classic and signature Tiki cocktails created by Sable head bartender Mike Ryan and snacks by executive chef Heather Terhune.
The drinks menu, which is likely to change every couple of weeks, includes house creations like the Hot to Trot, with aged cachaca, mango, lemon, and curacao, and the Isle of View which mixes light rum, coconut, falernum, lime and aromatic bitters. Several drinks are inspired by the classics, such as the Hurricane (aged rum, passion fruit, lemon) and the Montego Bay (aged rum, grapefruit, honey, absinthe and lime). The $14 craft cocktails are served in plastic Tiki mugs that guests can take home.
Why a Tiki theme? Ryan has been experimenting with Tiki cocktails on Sable’s summer menu for three years. The pup-up concept enables guests to explore a specific cocktail culture, and Tiki is a fun, seasonal theme for Chicagoans to learn more about, he says.
Cocktails in Motion is open every Thursday through Sunday. The patio has awnings and heat lamps, which will enable the pop-up to operate year round.