Award-winning Hero Bar and Restaurant, Nairobi hosted world top bartenders Rodrigo Urraca and Eric Van Beek, for a 2-night takeover event. Urraca and Eric are the owners of Handshake Speakeasy Bar. This is currently the top-ranked bar in Mexico, number 2 in North America, and number 25 globally, by The World’s Best Bars.
Despite officially opening in 2021, Handshake Speakeasy already boasts of having global accolades. Additionally, it takes pride in bringing world-class innovation in the art of mixology inspired by a minimalistic agenda with Latin American flavors.
“It’s been a long time in the making since meeting these two gentlemen at The World’s 50 Best Bar awards ceremony last year in London; it is terrific to finally have Eric and Rodrigo on Kenyan soil. We’re excited for the exchange in skills and knowledge; having global talent behind our bar only helps to further build and strengthen the cocktail industry in the country and the region as a whole. Our team learns invaluable skills and knowledge from such events that will help them challenge themselves and rise to their own full potential.” Said General Manager Food and Beverage for Tribe Hotels Group, Richie Barrow.
Rodrigo Urraca and Eric Van Beek are famous for their handcrafted cocktails. They use unique techniques such as fat washing, carbonation, milk punching, and distillation. Together, they have set up a sustainable program in partnership with local producers & providers for the award-winning cocktails. These are based on three pillars; flavor, aesthetics, and innovation.
Hero Bar 2-night Takeover Event
The 2-day takeover of Hero Bar featured a menu of cocktails prepared with top alcoholic brands. Guests got to enjoy a wide array of cocktails for a ticket price of KES 4,200 per person. The servings included the following cocktails:
- Coco Bongo – Tanqueray Dry Gin, Ketel One, lemongrass, coconut, pandan
- Pina Colada – Bahari Kenyan Rum, pineapple, coconut, vanilla, micro-coriander
- Butter Mushroom Old Fashioned – Bulleit Bourbon, browned butter, walnut maple, and
mushroom
- Mexi Thai – Don Julio Blanco, Ketel One, coconut, basil oil, makrut lime, tomato water
- Pome Cuvee – Johnnie Walker Black Label, green apple, Amontillado Sherry, absinthe
- Jasmine – KO Kenyan Gin, jasmine tea, whey, soda
Recognized as Nairobi’s leading bar, Hero is ranked number 68 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 annual extension list. This is an advance from its previous position of number 70. It is popular for its fun approach to cocktails and service and its talented and driven team that continues to push the boundaries in the culinary business.
