While most bars would be content to serve distillery infusions, prepared bitters and syrups, not District Tavern's bar director Ryan Fitzgerald! Ryan is launching an epic summer cocktail menu including 9 scratch-made signature drinks you must try! We can’t help but admire District Tavern’s commitment to creativity and detail with their craft cocktail menu. Ryan learned the art of craft cocktails as a mixologist in the Virgin Islands.  Working in a highly competitive area on St. John’s, a place where bars and restaurants tightly line the streets between Christian Cove and Frank Bay at the Prince Street Ferry dock landing, Ryan learned to make bitters, infusions and syrups from scratch, expertly crafting cocktails from ingredients made in-house. Today Ryan brings his expertise behind the bar to District Tavern in the Channelside District. We’d love for you to know more about this talented Mixologist, meet bartender Ryan Fitzgerald and read about the launch of his brilliant new Summer Cocktail menu at District Tavern.


All photos courtesy of District Tavern and Facebook
 

Tampa's Craft Cocktail Stars | Meet Ryan from District Tavern

Beginning Friday, May 13th at 4:00 District Tavern will offer (9) new and inspired craft cocktails! Excited to get a peek at this new summer craft cocktail menu we stopped by District Tavern to meet Ryan; as we walked to a table we passed an oak barrel on the bar, but more about that later, let's take a look at the newest additions to their extensive craft cocktail menu:
 

  • The Eternal Flame. A Thai chili & Habanero pepper infused tequila with fresh watermelon juice, and candied pineapple.
  • District Lemonade - A refreshing mix of Tito's Vodka lemongrass, green tea, and lemons.
  • Lake Minnetonka - Tanqueray Gin infused with basil, cucumber and cardamom adding ginger beer.
  • Old St. Pete Daiquiri - Old St. Pete Spiced Rum with candied pineapple and lime.
  •  

Now, back to that barrel we mentioned, Ryan has been aging Woodford Reserve Bourbon in an Oak Barrel for 45 days for the following drinks:
 

  • Cherry Coke Manhattan - Aged Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Carpano Antica and house made cherry coke syrup.
  • Ginger Baker - Aged Woodford Reserve, ginger root, anise and ginger beer.
  • Atwood Old Fashioned - Aged Woodford Reserve with house-made grapefruit bitters.
  • Aged Julep - Aged Woodford Reserve and fresh mint.
  • Sherman's Belle - Aged Woodford Reserve with basil and peach.

We tried the Ginger Baker above.  It was full to the top before snapping this, sorry, could NOT wait to sip it! Amazing flavor, crisp and exciting with an anise finish. We loved this drink and look forward to trying them all!

Love Bloody Mary's?  District Tavern made our list of Best Bloody Mary Bars Found in Tampa and as a competitor in the  Tampa Bay Bloody Mary Festival 2016 WON the People's Choice Award for Best Bloody Mary.  The competition was stiff with amazing concoctions including drinks with bacon encrusted caramel corn and BBQ ribs.  District won with their tasty Bloody Mary served in a glass rimmed with smoky maple syrup and Old Bay seasoning.  Just writing this I want another!!

If you have never been to District Tavern make plans and go today.  In the perfect location parking is easy, and free with a voucher from the bar, there is always plenty of parking in the Skyhouse Parking Garage directly behind the Tavern or check the street parking out front. Happy Hour at District is weekdays from 4-7 pm.  Here's the rundown on their weekday events and info on their weekend brunch.


 
  • #MotivationMonday means Burgers and Brews! Enjoy reduced price burgers and complimentary craft beer from local breweries at District Monday nights after 6:30. Buy a beer and you keep the pint!
  • #TastingTuesdays is for lovers of the grape! Enjoy half-price bottles of wine and complimentary charcuterie on Tuesdays!
  • #‎WackyWednesday‬ is Trivia Night, ‪where the top three teams win bar tabs! Eat, drink and think Wednesday nights with Trivia followed by Cards Against Humanity.
  • #TBT is Stoli Mule night at the Tavern. Get any flavor Stoli Mule for only $5 
  • #GoBolts Watch the Lightning at one of District's Lightning Watch Parties. Wings are only 50 cents and your first drink is BOGO! How wonderful that the first night of the summer cocktail menu the Lightning will be battling the Penguins!

Celebrate the weekend!

Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am - 2 pm indulge yourself with one of the best brunches and best deals in Tampa. When you choose Sunday Brunch at the Tavern you also get sexy, laid-back house music as you prepare for the week ahead. But, what if you are 'all about that mimosa, that mimosa' and not so much into brunch?  Good news, the Tavern's Mimosas are bottomless on Sundays from 11 - Noon for only $10.00!  Hint: Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend brunches! You do not want to miss this!

Do you like food, really good food?

Check out the menu's, District Tavern puts just as much heart on the plate as they do a glass!  Craft beer lovers will not only enjoy a nice craft list but the Washington Park Pretzel with a stout fondue, mustard aioli and house made jam too! They serve a creamy Mac & Cheese made with stout beer, smoky Gouda and bacon, Fried grouper cheeks with a bacon jalapeno tartar sauce, salads, flatbreads, juicy burgers and wraps, including the Port of Tampa wrap made with a veggie pattie, goat cheese, tomato jam and other goodies on a whole wheat tortilla. They have 'bowls' and, something the child still living in each of us will love, Root Beer Floats and the Tavern's House Chocolate Cream Drink. Made from scratch and ......well, you are just going to have to try it, there are no words!

District Tavern has it all! They have fun every day of the week, they have an inspired cocktail list, great food, Ryan of course and many other great bartenders to ensure your day ends well at your local tavern, District Tavern. Stop in to see what everyone is talking about and try one of Ryan's new drinks. Taste the difference and meet one of Tampa's craft cocktail stars, Ryan from District Tavern .