Late-Night Absinthe Bar Opens Very Soon in Northwest

Having survived its first year in a “jinxed” venue, The Waiting Room is launching Lafitte's at The Waiting Room: a second bar within the restaurant with late-night hours. Considering it has a second-story balcony, the space at 2327 NW Kearney is starting to seem ideal for the New Orleans-inspired restaurant, and naturally, the forthcoming bar is named after a pirate, Jean Lafitte, who spent time in The Big Easy.

Chef-owners Thomas Dunklin and Kyle Rourke are adding some new bar plates at Lafitte's at The Waiting Room. They include baked oysters “Casino,” albacore ceviche, and shrimp and crab-stuffed artichoke.

On the booze front, local bar-vet Chazz Madrigal is leading the program, and he brings experience as the long-time ‘tender at Gil’s Speakeasy, as well as having been on the opening teams at neighborhood watering holes Slingshot Lounge and Star Bar.

The Waiting Room will offer traditional absinthe service, with all the pretty spoons, droppers, and glassware, and it will continue Dunklin and Rourke’s obsession with bubbles—champagne, Miller High Life, or otherwise. Two forthcoming cocktails are the Corpse Reviver #2, a blend of gin, house orange cordial, Lillet Blanc, and absinthe, and the house champagne cocktail “Gilded Splinters,” featuring a Haint Absinthe rinse, bitters, a sugar cube, champagne, and star anise.

Lafitte's at The Waiting Room throws open the doors on May 2. It’ll operate Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 7 p.m. to midnight.

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