Honeycomb Cocktail Lounge and Sons of Liberty converse to enjoyable occasions

It’s darkish. It’s a hideaway. It’s Livermore ‘s new cocktail haven. Honeycomb Cocktail Lounge has no signal above the door, solely a panel with beehive shapes and one which carries the initials HC. This new bar is ready again from the road and one retailer away from its large sibling, Sons of Liberty Alehouse. The hard-to-identify inside door, positioned inside a mirrored wall, has no deal with, Someone opens the door from the within and asks for the password.

You and 10,600 different followers of Honeycomb on Instagram can simply discover the weekly secret phrase, maybe “buzz on in.” You can put on your cowboy hat and boots or excessive heels and be a part of 60 others inside. But on the weekend, count on a line with dozens of individuals awaiting entry.

This is speakeasy nation on First Street. Popularized throughout Prohibition when the bar entrance was positioned behind faux closet doorways, the phrase speakeasy derives from “speak softly” retailers in Britain the place drinkers purchased unlawful liquor and left quietly by means of the again door. At Honeycomb, you exit by means of a aspect door.

Fans of historical past, house owners Tom and Teresa Lawrie have an eye fixed on the previous. Yet we explored each venues and located many inventions into the drinks and meals.

Visually, Honeycomb is a showstopper. In the announcement of the opening in June 2025, Teresa wrote that the décor was chosen “to evoke a sense of discovery and delight from the lighting to the layout.” The molded ceiling panels mimic the intricate press tin patterns present in Paris bistros. The chandeliers over the bar set a sublime, Art Deco-inflected temper. Lamp shades imprinted honeycomb shapes and prints of women with bees of their hair reinforce the theme. The partitions painted deep teal, the low lighting, lack of home windows, and gold accents lend an aura of thriller, enjoyable and celebration.

Tom is severe about serving high quality substances. Consider the outline of the Beeswax Old Fashioned made his chosen Bourbon: Beeswax-washed Elijah Craig Private Barrel Bourbon, bee pollen, egg white, and honeycomb. Tom’s bartenders use about 160 bottles of the non-public choice barrel of Elijah Craig Bourbon amongst Honeycomb, and Sons of Liberty in Livermore and San Leandro.

Many Honeycomb cocktails carry names evocative of the queen bee leitmotif. I sampled a signature cocktail, the Queen’s Elixir with Absolut Elyx vodka, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, raspberry, lychee, golden berry, and lemon Champagne. The peachy-pink colour, flower, mint and lychee garnish happy the attention and the tastebuds.

I additionally sampled two of their restricted time cocktails. My shock favourite was the Melon Majesty since I often don’t eat honeydew melon. I loved this creamy, foamy drink with honeydew melon-infused Ford’s Gin, citrus, cream, egg white, and extra. For the melon infusion, the chef locations honeydew in a sous-vide bathtub. After placement in a vacuumed sealed packet, the honeydew is slowly cooked at a low temperature to develop a gentle texture and concentrated taste. My buddy Jen, additionally not a fan of the melon, didn’t just like the drink which reminded her of honeydew Melona ice cream bars which she avoids.

Gourmet bar snacks vary from French fries jazzed up with black garlic-truffle aioli and roasted garlic ketchup to in-house crafted potato chips with mix-it-yourself caramelized onion dip with chives and an intensive grazing board that includes Northern Calif. salami and cheeses.

We eschewed grazing as a result of we ate dinner earlier at Sons of Liberty the place the scene is like day and night time from Honeycomb. Sons of Liberty hosts a bustling patio in entrance and is light-filled and ethereal. Kids munch on mac ‘n cheese earlier than late night time company arrive. The identify carries “alehouse” with it, and there’s a affordable collection of beers from ciders and sours to nitro milk stouts. There can also be a well-curated wine record with many native manufacturers. But cocktails are king right here with many seasonal gadgets.

I sampled the upcoming fall model of the Old Fashioned cocktail. Made with Bourbon, apple bitters, cinnamon easy syrup, and lemon, the drink evoked autumn. Other fall drinks embody the Apple Cider Moscow Mule and Golden and Delicious with apple whiskey.

Bartender Caden Thaele delivered the Port of Call cocktail with gin, ruby Port, a bar spoon of cranberry sauce, cinnamon easy syrup and lemon juice. The Sons of Liberty garnish of freshly grated cinnamon stick lifted the drink absolutely into fall.

Drinking the Port of Call is harmful, stated Jen. “It goes down nice and easy, and it resembles a Sex on the Beach cocktail.” I likened it to an alcohol-strong Long Island Iced Tea.

The cocktail serviette encompasses a rattlesnake, the insignia that’s repeated all through the restaurant. Given his curiosity in historical past, Tom watched the Discovery present “How Booze Built America“ with Mike Rowe. The segment entitled “America’s Revolution” lined the Boston Tea Party and earlier, the British disruption to the acquisition of molasses, the important thing ingredient to the colonists’ manufacturing of rum.

Riled up over the adverse affect on their ingesting and extra, Samuel Adams and others who led motion in opposition to the British earned the title, Sons of Liberty, and rattlesnake insignia heralded their daring venture to unite the colonies. This group influenced the naming of the Sons of Liberty Alehouse in San Leandro in 2016 and 6 years later, the Livermore locale.

Though the outside signage reads, “Real American Food,”  I selected poutine, the Canadian consolation dish of cheese curds lined with home made beef gravy and a mountain of French fries. I indulged in poutine throughout a go to to Montréal in February, and 5 pals are visiting this yr. I found that each Lawries grew up in Canada, and the recipe is from Teresa’s mom. I later instructed Tom that I secretly needed extra gravy. He assured me that that request is a standard ask.

The meals menu at Sons of Liberty emphasizes seasonality, a gourmand slant, and native substances; the web site lists chosen purveyors which embody a number of Livermore farmers. The summer season watermelon “poke” salad with a lightweight, tamari primarily based dressing was accompanied by a crop of greens together with über-fresh microgreens from MicroDreams in Livermore. The watermelon is compressed to pay attention the flavors and yield a sushi-like texture.

Jen had instructed me the crispy child again ribs have been a success together with her household. The spicy orange and soy glaze on the crunchy coating and lean ribs made them irresistible for somebody who doesn’t like greasy ribs; solely two remained for her to take house. The Maui Waui IPA beer battered fish and chips have been wonderful . We tried one of many newer, cooler-weather dishes, a satisfying rendition shrimp scampi bucatini.

Dessert was a gourmand panna cotta with giant serving to of macadamia nuts. Adding to the Hawaiian vibe, the chef garnishes with a sprinkle of Li Hing Mui powder, constructed from dried, salted plums and a favourite island condiment.

For these in search of gluten-free meals, my buddy Kate stated, “Sons of Liberty has many, clearly marked GF options. I like the Duck Carnitas Tacos paired with an Apricot Grove with gin, apricot liqueur, Cointreau, lemon juice and honey or a glass of Livermore Valley wine.”

When requested how he turned a restaurateur, Tom stated, “I learned all the things not to do during 14 years with the Englander Pub in Castro Valley.” His success with opening three venues in 9 years speaks to his capability to attach with company and his ardour for good food and drinks.

Meanwhile, Tom provides new gadgets such because the 12-ounce Grilled Argentinian Ribeye at dinner. On the brunch menu, I’ll take into account Chilaquiles Verde or Loco Moco with hamburger, rice and the identical home made beef gravy because the poutine. There is far to find at each venues.

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