FIRST DRINK
Celebrating 21 at a Speakeasy
The term “21st birthday” draws to mind images of finally-legal coeds partaking in alcohol-drenched debauchery, usually ending with a revisiting of the alcohol consumed earlier, to put it mildly. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Enter Ciro’s, a local speakeasy that provides just the right hint at illicit activity in a sophisticated atmosphere.
The decision to ring in my birthday speakeasy-style had been decided a few months ago, after my cousin proclaimed, “You will totally love it.” And so, on the night of my birthday I arrived at the doorstep of Ciro’s with my two cousins, her boyfriend, and a male friend. Fashion-wise, I had embraced the 20s theme, wearing a mid-length slinky black dress with a flapper-style headpiece.
After whispering the password, we entered a dimly lit room as the hostess led us past rows of intimately curtain-cloaked booths, finally stopping at one with just enough space to fit the five of us cozily. Lana del Ray, a personal favorite of mine, played in the background providing a sultry soundtrack to the evening.
I had my first drink in mind before looking at the menu, one my cousin had been talking up for the past few months: the Bramble, a mix of gin and blackberries. Sweet, with just the right edge of gin cutting into the fruity taste, it lived up to the hype.
Meet BECCA BARTON
Becca Barton is a student at the University of South Florida studying magazine journalism and art. She enjoys fashion, writing and graphic design, and appreciates a well-designed ampersand. Originally from Maine, with a brief interlude in DC, she is excited to be a part of the Tampa Bay and VERTICAL community.
I followed up with a Bee’s Knees, which may become my go-to drink—made with lemon, honey, and gin, it reads more like an aromatherapy treatment but has a surprisingly refreshing taste. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a 21st birthday celebration without shots. The hostess recommended the Sex Panther, which like its namesake cologne from the film Anchorman, 60 percent of the time, works every time (whatever that means).
And so passed an evening of quiet conversation, laughs, and sophisticated drinks with a couple of close family members and friends. As 21st birthdays go, it may have been tame, but I can’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate than that.
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