photo courtesy Noches del Caribe
From an email:
“DC’s next big pop-up is just around the corner! Marking National Rum Day, Noches del Caribe, a nod to the Afro-Latin cultures and countries of the Caribbean and one of their biggest exports (rum!), debuts August 16 at Roy Boys’ Shaw location.
Noches del Caribe is a concept created by Luis Aliaga, beverage director at Roy Boys and Casa Kantuta, the Bolivian modern speakeasy pop-up. Similar to Casa Kantuta, Aliaga is drawing inspiration from his own heritage to share with Washingtonians through traditional spirits, signature cocktails and delicious food. Aliaga is half Bolivian and half Venezuelan. Specifically, he grew up spending time on Margarita Island, where his mother is from.
photo courtesy Noches del Caribe
For two weeks Roy Boys will be transformed into a scenic island destination from the 1990s through vibrant decor and a soundtrack of Afro-Latin salsa beats from the decade. Accompanying the vibes will be speciality menu of cocktails created or updated by Aliaga including Papa Jac, a popular drink in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, consisting of passion fruit juice and Puerto Rican rum; Cuban-style Mojito with sugar, mint, lime, rum, and sparkling water; Guarapita, a traditional Venezulan rum cocktail made with Santa Teresa Rum, Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur, passionfruit juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and mint, and more. Trinidadian & Panamanian rums will also be on the bar for classic cocktails.
Every night, guests will also enjoy a food menu showcasing Caribbean dishes by chef Andrés Zuluaga, who is half Puerto Rican and half Colombian. Included on the menu is Pabellón Criollo, a classic Venezuelan dish made of braised beef, garlic saffron rice, sofrito black beans, and fried plantains; Cuban dish Chicharron Con Fufu with crispy pork belly, mashed plantain, mojo, lime pickled red onions, and chimichurri; and Mofongo De Yuca Y Pollo Guisado, stewed chicken thighs, fried and mashed yuca, spicy adobo aioli, and escabeche pickles from Puerto Rico. On August 19 and 26 only, tamale maker chef Cassandra Bates aka GuanTamalera, will be at Noches del Caribe serving traditional Panamanian tamales.
Noches del Caribe stages from Tuesday, August 16-Friday, September 2 at Roy Boys Shaw, 2108 8th Street NW, WDC. Hours of operation are as follows: Tuesday-Thursday 4 PM-11 PM, Friday 4 PM-12 AM, Saturday 3 PM-12 AM, Sunday 2 PM-10 PM“