By Chris Murphy
Cocktails are about escape and connecting. Escape from the daily grind, the news of the world, or just a create your own time to detach, enjoy the company of others. Put your phones down, and meet up, chat and enjoy. Let’s explore two amazing local escapes.
The Intermission
One of my and my wife’s favorite songs is Steppin’ Out by Joe Jackson. It just puts you in the mood for a glam night, right out of a vintage movie and an escape from the real world. Getting dressed up for an evening is fun and the Intermission is the perfect place to go. It’s velvety, luscious, retro, glam, artsy and a step back in golden age movie time. Before or after a show, the Intermission puts glamour into every visit. Evangeline Shears keeps the Intermission cocktail menu in a sweet spot, vintage & classic. We look at some new faves based on rum, vodka and whiskey.
April heads into spring fresh and 1940s Cuba with a new “Hotel Nacional de Cuba”, with white rum, apricot liqueur, pineapple juice, lime and simple syrup. Served in a coupe, it’s light and refreshing and very tasty putting you in a Hemmingway mood. A nod to the 50s is the Transfusion, allegedly a post-golf favorite of President Eisenhower with a vodka base with grape juice, ginger beer and lime. Wow, this really is a transfusion served in a nice tall glass.
Another scandalous vintage treat is the Scofflaw, based on Bourbon, with vermouth, lemon juice, grenadine, touch of orange juice, lime, simple syrup with Sauvignon Blanc served in a coupe. This is a real fresh treat all beautifully created and served by Jennifer Garcia, John Motta and Gina Story.
Tiki fans will love the Tonga Punch with a delicious blend of lime, lemon and orange juices with grenadine, curacao and Bacardi silver and served in a tall glass with fresh lime.
Don’t miss their small bites menu offerings and of course, State Theatre popcorn.
The Intermission is on the corner of 13th and J and part of the State Theatre. The intermission has re-energized this block of J Street, with Lo-Fi Labs bookending the block at 14th. Dinner, movie and cocktails, all in one block. Make sure you try these new specialties. Of course, you can get any of your other favorite drinks.
The Intermission
1301 J St Modesto @intermissionmodesto 209-527-4697
Hours Thursday 5-10, Fri and Sat 5-11
