The Whiskey Ring’s Country Club Kicks Up Good Times
The Whiskey Ring’s monthly The Country Club event is returning this Friday. On Country Club nights, the Cherokee St. bar’s vibe takes a turn down the backroads with a DJ playing country classics. The lineup of DJs is on a rotating schedule, and their selections lean towards different eras of country music. Some months, you may find the DJ’s set filled with 70s “outlaw” country hits from Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, while some months lean heavily into 90s classics from artists like Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn.
The event is held on the third Friday of every month, and follows in the footsteps of the bar’s pre-COVID Western Wear Night event. Western Wear Night was a popular Cherokee St. event for years, but struggled to make a return from COVID-era lockdowns. While the new event is not specifically fashion-themed, many patrons still don their cowboy hats and embroidered western-stye shirts for the evening. The evening’s best dressed award also remains a holdover from the event’s previous incarnation.
“In the post-pandemic world, which has been difficult for bars, it’s great to have something like Country Club to help remind us that it’s not just about dollars or cocktail programs or the newest beer that just launched. It’s about community, fun, friends, and laughter. But most importantly, it’s about the best dressed contest,” said Whiskey Ring owner John Joern.
The Country Club is sponsored by a number of local brewers and distillers and even led to 4 Hands Brewing brewing a beer specifically for the venue. The brewer’s Cowboy Lager is also paired with a shot of Switchgrass Spirits whiskey for the night’s “Boot Shoot Boogie” drink special. When asked about the specially themed brew, 4 Hands’ Nick Kantor said, “From talking with our friends at Whiskey Ring they really wanted a light crisp beer to pair with a shot of Switchgrass to fit nicely in our half of the Boot Shoot Boogie! We all agreed this needed to be served in a cowboy boot so we dug through our portfolio with them to find a nice czech pilsner we could rebrand for the monthly party and settled on Cowboy Lager.”
Fellow Sponsor Switchgrass Spirits’ Kate Pogue added “It’s been really fun seeing The Country Club at The Whiskey Ring gain momentum since it started last year. My favorite part about it (after Patrick’s cocktails and the country record spin and the killer chili) is learning the stories behind some of my favorite Western wear pieces. So many amazing items found on vacation, pieces passed down from family members, or thrifted treasures from down the street at Assassin Vintage. It’s such great people watching, especially when the dancing gets going.”
Besides the Boot Shoot Boogie special, the event features a number of signature cocktails. Many feature Switchgrass’ offerings, while one features Sol Luna Coffee Whiskey, another local spirit that sponsors the monthly event.
With pop stars like Beyonce and Post Malone winning awards and topping charts with country crossover albums, it is safe to say that the country music is having a moment in our culture. If you’re looking for something to do this Friday evening, consider moseying on down to The Whiskey Ring for a good time.
Other drink specials for the evening:
South City Sunset
Switchgrass Spirits Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, OJ, Cherry Heering
Ole Frenchie
Switchgrass Spirits Bottled-in-Bond Rye, Campari, Sweet Vermouth
Neon Moon
Switchgrass Spirits Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, Flora Apertivo, Orange, Housemade Sour
Sol Luna Horchata
Sol Luna Coffee Whiskey, cinnamon, cream
Photos provided by venue
