BAR 1661 is shaking things up with We Call This Power, a manifesto in cocktail form. It’s a slick nod to collaboration, community, and cocktails that mean something. Nestled in the edgy heart of Dublin 7, BAR 1661 has always been about taking poitín, that rebellious Irish spirit, and pushing it to places it’s never been before.
Now, they’re serving up 28 brand-new concoctions that scream innovation, while keeping their local roots firmly intact. The menu is split into three parts—People Centred, Drinks Business, and Enriching Practice.
It’s as much about the drinks as the people who make them, the bonds that hold it together, and how poitín is shaping culture in real-time. In five short years, BAR 1661 has gone from a local spot to a global player, and this menu is the proof.
Take Backbone (€15) for instance, a cocktail that’s as much about sustainability as it is about sipping. With a limited-edition gin crafted alongside Boatyard Distillery, it’s a drink that tells a story—of craft, ethics, and the power of creative minds joining forces.
Then there’s Twin City, a mashup of Irish and American whiskey traditions, and Refraction (€15), which literally reflects the artistry of Arrow, the bar’s glassware supplier.
Even the furniture is in on the action with the White Oak cocktail (€15), a tribute to Oakheart & Co., the creatives behind BAR 1661’s custom-made aesthetic.
Words: Shamim De Brún
