St. Augustine Distillery is proud to announce two new video series up now on its YouTube channel including a collection of how-to cocktail videos as well as the Sing Out Loud “Single Takes” series, which was created in partnership with the St. Johns County Cultural Events Division. 

The first, St. Augustine Distillery Cocktail Series, features bartender and USBG member Anthony Auger demonstrating how to make classic cocktails featuring St. Augustine Distillery New World Gin and Florida Cane Vodka. 

“Core to our mission is educating people on the fun and enjoyment of making delicious cocktails at home, and sharing this knowledge with their friends and family,” said Philip McDaniel, co-founder and CEO of St. Augustine Distillery. “We do it every day on the tours, and so it only seemed natural to create a video series teaching people how to make cocktails such as the Martini, Negroni, Florida Mule, and Gimlet.”

The second series of videos is Sing Out Loud “Single Takes,” a collection of performance videos featuring local and internationally-touring musicians like Frank Turner, Shovels & Rope, Jeremy Rogers, and Lucero. 

“When the crew at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, which is part of St. Johns County Cultural Events Division, asked us to sponsor the Sing Out Loud series, we thought it would be a great way to give back,” says McDaniel. “What better way to promote our burgeoning arts and culture scene than to showcase hidden gems in our community through compelling music videos set in beautiful locales?”

As anyone who has recently ventured into St. Augustine's historic city center knows, a major roadworks project is underway. A $3.3 million project—one of several Legacy projects part of the City's 450th anniversary —will bring elegant streetscaping and make Hypolita, Treasury and Spanish Streets more pedestrian- and bike-friendly while also allowing for vehicular traffic. Since April, the construction has impacted local businesses on and around Hypolita Street in particular, which is only open to pedestrian traffic while massive excavation and installation of underground utilities is taking place. Signage is in place to help let people know businesses are open but, by all accounts, business has been down for everyone.

As Aimee Banion, owner of High Tide Gallery at the corner of Hypolita and Cordova Streets, told us, "Our front door is accessible, but unfortunately the big "ROAD CLOSED" sign deters tourists from getting off the trolley here, locals have been missing in action, and the recent hot temps have all combined in an unfortunate way for us."

Many of our longtime advertisers are located along Hypolita Street and adjacent roadways—Collage, Rhett's Piano Bar & Brasserie, Scarlett O'Hara's, The Spice and Tea Exchange, St. Augustine Photographic Arts, Meehan's Irish Pub, Michael's Tasting Room, Barley Republic Irish Pub, The Chocolate Turtle, and The Floridian and La Floridita and, of course, High Tide Art Gallery.

I just wanted to encourage everyone reading this to consider making a special pilgrimage to these businesses this month. It's interesting to see the "before" and the shop, gallery and restaurant owners located here will be so glad to see you! As Aimee points out, project managers have promised the streets will be open again and complete with beautiful pavers, streetlights and landscaping by the launch of St. Augustine's annual Nights of Lights (the lighting ceremony is Saturday, November 22) and for the holidays. 

"We look forward to having the best Christmas season ever as everyone flocks to admire our quaint area," Aimee mentioned, "but, meanwhile, it's a very tough time down here in downtown." So, consider doing some early holiday shopping on and around Hypolita Street and stop for a drink or a bite of lunch or dinner along the way.

Happy Dining!
Wendy