The Dead Rabbit celebrates 10 years in 2023, and Managing Partner Jack McGarry and the rest of the team are embarking on a year full of celebration and growth.
Festivities kick-off January 25 with National Irish Coffee Day events in New York and Austin; followed by 10 days of spirited, musical, and playful educational events, February 3-12 at The Dead Rabbit. Plus, forward-looking expansion into Austin (late spring 2023) and New Orleans (winter 2023).
Firmly rooted in the ethos of tradition meets tomorrow, The Dead Rabbit has received extensive acclaim since its opening in 2013, including taking #1 on the 2016 World’s 50 Best Bars list.
Furthering its commitment to authenticity and championing Irish innovators, The Dead Rabbit team now includes Irish-based Music Director Liam Craig and Director of Irish Whiskey Mark McLaughlin, who join the New York team lead by Belfast-native McGarry, Director of Operations Laura Torres, Beverage Director Aidan Bowie, Bar Director Ian Alexander, New York Market Partner Jessica Leme, and Bars Head Bartender Mario Firmani.
New Irish collaborations this year include a home (New York) and away (Dublin) pop-up with Bar 1661; a collaboration with Galway’s sustainable roaster Calendar Coffee on a new blend for the pubs revered Irish Coffees; and a custom spirit blend with J.J. Corry, who is reviving and reimagining the whiskey bonding tradition.
“With our first decade behind us, we’ve sorted out what we stand for, and what the future looks like for The Dead Rabbit,” says McGarry. “Accolades aside, we’ve gotten to the core of what it means to be a modern Irish pub, keeping a keen eye on Irish innovators, artisans, brewers, and distillers while honoring the traditional pubs that came before us.
"We couldn’t have gotten here without our stellar team, made stronger by our steadfast commitment to prioritizing mental health and wellbeing within our four walls, and charities making headway across the industry at-large. In this next phase of growth, we’ll have an even greater platform to introduce guests in Austin and New Orleans to the Irish ingenuity that we value—from independent distillers to fine art creators. The Emerald Isle doesn’t just deserve to be on a global stage, it is a global stage.”
2023 Expansion
McGarry has tapped Belfast-based Drinksology design studio for the pub’s second location, set to open late-spring 2023 in the thick of Austin’s iconic Sixth Street. The New Orleans iteration will follow in winter 2023, located in a 19th-century Creole townhouse in the historic French Quarter, designed by local studio Nano and featuring a ground-floor Taproom, indoor and outdoor, courtyard seating. Both pubs will embody and celebrate a modern, vibrant Ireland, and reflect the team’s extensive knowledge as the foremost experts in Irish spirits and cocktails.
National Irish Coffee Day - January 25
New York
The Dead Rabbit doubles down on Irish Coffee Day, with an event in New York welcoming San Francisco’s The Buena Vista. The two iconic bars from opposite coasts—both beloved for their Irish coffees—will unite forces for one day, to serve versions of the 1940’s classic, among other drinks, in collaboration with Lost Irish.
Austin
In advance of its new opening this year, The Dead Rabbit also brings a first taste of its cocktails to Austin on January 25, with a pop-up at the award-winning Nickel City. Also in collaboration with Lost Irish, The Dead Rabbit team will be on-site serving a selection of cocktails including its famous Irish Coffee, alongside Nickel City’s variation, with $2 of each cocktail going to Heard Austin’s mental health and wellness efforts for the hospitality industry.
10-Year Anniversary Events - February 3-12
To properly celebrate 10 years, The Dead Rabbit team has assembled a collection of events that showcase the rich and diverse Irish culture, spirits, live music, comedy, and art, and featuring special guests from Ireland. Additionally, The Dead Rabbit will host a trade panel with beverage industry experts dubbed “The Next 10,” led by moderator Noah Rothbaum, Author and Head of Cocktails & Spirits for Flavair. McGarry will sit down alongside Award Winning Mixologist, Writer, and Bartender Lauren (LP) Paylor O’Brien; Double Chicken Please Founder GN Chan; Claire Warner, member, Tales of the Cocktail Board of Directors; and Another Round Another Rally Founder Amanda Gunderson for a discussion delving into the future of the bar industry.
A special celebratory menu will run February 1-28, featuring 10 anniversary cocktails with $1 from every cocktail sold all month going to Aware–Ireland’s only charity working exclusively to support and uplift those struggling with depression and bipolar disorders. Highlights from the menu include the Classic Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee; Spell Spoke with Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, Hibiscus, Lime Leaf, Ginger and Soda; a tropical take on the whiskey sour with the Old Mule Skinner with Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Strega, Papaya, Honey, and Lime; and more.
An outline of the 10 days of festivities and reservation links may be found here.
Plan to Attend or Participate in Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello (for companies A to G) e: [email protected] p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz (for companies H to Q) e: [email protected] p: (917) 258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh (for companies R to Z) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-5174
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.