A few cocktail-related pieces of news for you. First, we can all happily bid farewell to the nastily named Fluid Ultra Lounge in SoMa since it is going to be converted into NOVELA, a new bar from Alex Smith (Gitane, Honor Bar) and Kate Bolton (Maven). Eater mentions the honking space (3,500 square feet, seating for 120) “will focus on classic cocktails and an ambitious punch program, featuring punches made with traditional olio sacrum (freshly zested citrus oil) and served by the glass or bowl. Though Smith and Bolton developed the drink program together, Smith will run the bar.” The look will be spiffy, with gilded ceilings, vintage books throughout the space, and Deco-inspired tiling. Look for an opening in three weeks or so. 662 Mission St. at Annie.
Over at ~AQ~, with the departure of Ethan Terry from behind the stick (stand by for news on where he’s headed and up to next), bar manager Timothy Zohn has brought on Jason Rager, previously head bartender from Holeman & Finch in Atlanta, which was on the short list for best bar program this year for The James Beard Foundation Awards. He just started on Sunday, swing on by and welcome him (and his adult beverage skills) to SF.
Lastly, the new bar project that is opening in the former Marlena’s from Matt Conway, Anthony Healy-London, and Josh McAdam has a name: BRASS TACKS. Stand by for updates on timing soon—for now, they just started reconsturction, and there’s a lot of dust going on. 488 Hayes St. at Octavia, 415-864-6672.
