Holiday Gift Ideas For KC Spirits Lovers From Cocktail Expert Helen Gregory
Article by: Katy Schamberger – Staff Writer, IN Kansas City
You know what’s worth celebrating this holiday season? Kansas City’s incredible—and to some, unexpected—cocktail scene.
Take it from an expert. Helen Gregory, a founding partner of Gregory + Vine, a New York and KC-based branding and strategic communications agency that specializes in global wine, food, spirits and lifestyle has visited with top makers and bars around the world. She made the move to Kansas City in 2014 and what she’s seeing has her excited not only for what’s happening, but also what’s to come.
“The spirits scene is really pushing the boundaries,” she says. “There’s so much here to feel good about.”
Gregory divides her time between offices in Kansas City, New York and Europe. Yet as she continues to watch Kansas City’s cocktail scene evolve, she’s noticed that local establishments and products are on par with the best anywhere.
“We’re very privileged to live in a city where bar talent, Chefs and hospitality have come together,” she says. “This isn’t true in a lot of places. We live in a very creative city with access to high-end ingredients, and as a result, people take chances. It’s a great time to be here.”
Why not tap into that creativity and talent as you’re planning holiday gifts? Whether you’re buying for a spirits novice or a cocktail connoisseur, Kansas City has no shortage of expertly made and thoughtfully curated products that will delight the lucky recipient. If you’re in need of a shot of gifting inspiration (no pun intended!), Gregory has several recommendations to help guide your shopping.
Create lasting memories with an experience
“When you think about a gift, it doesn’t have to be a thing,” Gregory says. “Cocktails are best shared and people crave new experiences, especially in spirits where so many of us are still learning. In Kansas City, you can have a different cocktail experience every night.”
Gregory recommends gathering a group of friends for an introduction to Kansas City’s drinks scene. Some of her top spots include The Monarch Bar, where she recommends trying something new from the award-winning menu—“the cocktail list is extremely diverse, from classics to the wildly creative and fun” she says. Gregory loves the timeless yet experimental vibe of Manifesto, and The Hey! Hey! Club, a newcomer to the scene located in the new J. Rieger & Co. distillery. “The Hey! Hey! offers a first-class cocktail experience that celebrates the best of KC tradition and today,” she notes. “It would stand out as a great bar anywhere, and just happens to be in a working distillery.”
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– Article by: Katy Schamberger – Staff Writer, IN Kansas City
Helen Gregory is a founding partner of Gregory + Vine, a New York-based branding and strategic communications agency that has an office in Kansas City.