Cocktail Conservation Society Benefits Tampa Landmarks

The Capital Grille, known for its dry-aged, steaks and award-winning wine list, announces the launch of the Cocktail Conservation Society in Tampa.

The Cocktail Conservation Society is a four-week lounge event featuring classic cocktails from Tampa’s Golden Age as the Alhambra of the South. Each week, a portion of proceeds from the sale of these classic cocktails will be donated to support one of four specified local historic sites around Tampa.
 
These sites and their corresponding promotion dates are:

• Tampa Theatre: Sept. 9 – 15: Built in 1926, Tampa Theatre is one of America’s best-preserved and most utilized historic movie palaces, hosting more than 600 events each year, including first-run films, classic movies, concerts, corporate events, educational programs, weddings and tours.  The Theatre is a passionately protected landmark and a member of the League of Historic American Theatres, and is maintained as a dynamic cultural institution by the Tampa Theatre Foundation. The Motion Picture Association of America recently named it one of the Top-10 Movie Theatres in the World (tampatheatre.org).

• Tampa Union Station: Sept. 16 – 22: Opened in 1912 by the Tampa Union Station Company, the Renaissance Revival-style building’s original purpose was to combine passenger operations for the Atlantic Coast Line, the Seaboard Air Line, and the Tampa Northern Railroad at a single site. After its condition deteriorated substantially, the depot closed in 1984; however, thanks to local historic preservationists and passenger rail advocates, the station was restored and reopened to the public in 1998 (tampaunionstation.com).

• The Cuban Club (El Circulo Cubano de Tampa): Sept. 23 – 29Tampa Union Station: Sept. 16 – 22: Opened in 1912 by the Tampa Union Station Company, the Renaissance Revival-style building’s original purpose was to combine passenger operations for the Atlantic Coast Line, the Seaboard Air Line, and the Tampa Northern Railroad at a single site. After its condition deteriorated substantially, the depot closed in 1984; however, thanks to local historic preservationists and passenger rail advocates, the station was restored and reopened to the public in 1998 (tampaunionstation.com).

• The Cuban Club (El Circulo Cubano de Tampa): Sept. 23 – 29: Constructed in 1917, The Cuban Club (El Circulo Cubano de Tampa) served as a gathering place for Cuban immigrants in Ybor City. The building, designed in Neoclassical style and decorated with imported tile, stained glass, scraffito spandrels and murals, included a theater, pharmacy, ballroom, library, and cantina. Today it continues the legacy of the club first established in 1902 as a mutual aid society (thecubanclub.org).

• The Italian Club (L’Unione Italiana): Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Originally completed in 1912, the original three-story structure stood on Seventh Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets as was to be home to The Italian Club, an organization who’s purpose was to promote fraternity, charity and social intercourse among its members, mostly consisting of Italian immigrants. Unfortunately, the building only lasted three years before being destroyed by fire.  With a pledge to rebuild, The Italian Club began construction on the present-day building in 1917. Built in an Italian renaissance style, decorated with classical columns, terra cotta relief and a profusion of marble, the clubhouse stands as an impressive monument to immigrant achievement.  

• The Mule: Premium Vodka, Fresh Lime Juice and Ginger Beer

• Strawberry Mojito: Atlantico Rum, Monin Pure Cane Syrup, fresh strawberry, fresh lime juice, mint leaves

• Pimm’s Cup: Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, Lorina Sparkling Lemonade, garnished with lemon, lime, cucumber and mint

• Real Dill: American Harvest Organic Vodka, dill, agave syrup,  lemon juice, lime juice, cucumber

• Rye Old Fashioned: Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, Angostora bitters, sugar cube