The '80s are calling at new Pensacola cocktail bar coming to fan favorite brewery
If the laidback, laissez-faireattitude of Alga Beer Co. is appealing to you, but you aren’t a beer drinker, their latest beachy cocktail concept may be your little slice of paradise.
Alga's brand new '80s style cocktail area, soon to have its own entryway and open-air garage entrance through the courtyard of the beer company, will carry a new name to match the old Florida tropical vibe: The Florida Room.
Alga co-owner Brett Reid said the new cocktail area's name stemmed from a common joke about the brewery's name, which in turn originated from the two states where Reid and co-owner Thomas Grier first home-brewed their inaugural batches of beer.
“For Alga, so it's Alabama-Georgia, and then everybody always asks, 'Where does Florida fit into this?'” Reid said. “So that's where we kind of find Florida fitting into our business model, is through this really eccentric and well-curated cocktail bar next door.”
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Not-too-loud electronic beach music and bright pastels will dominate the space, paired with fun and fruity cocktails made using Alga’s in-house hard seltzer.
The '80s décor is designed to take you back in time with some a few modern amenities, such as air conditioning.
“The goofy term that we've been using, it's like, postmodern paradise,” Reid said. “It’s not quintessential '80s. For us, it's more of like 1986 Miami, South Beach, is really where we want to go with it.”
The 15% flavorless — but highly concentrated — hard seltzer will serve as a base for all The Florida Room’s mixed drinks, which can be flavored using other sodas and juices.
It can also replicate the characteristics of other liquors, such as being infused with botanicals to replicate gin, or oak barrel notes to bring out bourbon qualities.
Though there is some planning and science involved with getting the right flavor notes, the finished product should emulate a care-free, day-at-the-beach cocktail.
“We work really hard at making it look like we don't work really hard,” Reid said.
One drink they have played around with so far is the Square Grouper, made using a cola syrup, lime and Big Jerk key lime seltzer.
In addition to their original spin on a rum and coke, they plan to have about a dozen other drink options, each brining their own fun colors and personalities.
By going the seltzer route as their sole liquor, Reid said that Alga is able to make use of the equipment and permitting they already have to operate the beer company.
It also allows them to venture into a cocktail concept that he has not seen done in this part of Florida.
Though the new concept should be able to stand alone as a separate place from Alga, he plans to bring over a similar silly vibe that Alga became known for. Visitors shouldn't be surprised if they see Swedish Fish used as cocktail toppers or hard seltzer being used for Jell-O shots or slushes.
Construction is gearing up to begin soon, and Reid said opening day will be some time this year.
However, those eager to get a taste may have the opportunity to try out some of the cocktail creations throughout the year during special events at Alga.
Follow Alga Beer Co. on Facebook for more information and updates.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Alga Beer Co. teases new cocktail bar The Florida Room coming in 2023
