Among the glistening, shiny shops of Midtown, there’s a new kid on the block. Bitter Truth is a refreshing addition to an already bustling part of town, bringing old school hip-hop and live local musicians together with some of the craftiest drinks in the game.
The bar, which opened its doors on Nov. 30, is the perfect environment for creatives and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Bitter Truth is a collaboration brought together by award-winning bartenders Bryan Canales,Teddy Collins, Sarah Porter and Ryan Alfrey.
The operating partners started as bartenders and bar backs together at watering holes such as Blue Martini and pool parties at the Shelbourne. Collectively, they moved from bartenders to bar managers to general managers and program directors, experiencing every part of the industry from sweeping floors, to serving celebrity guests in the Magic City. They’ve worked with spirits that cost more than their rent and beside legends in the industry. The passion they have for their career is unparalleled.
”It doesn’t matter if you are making vodka sodas or making your own truffle tincture,” Porter said. “The business of hospitality is about leaving those who we serve feeling better than they did before we met.”
Canales added, “I’ve always been inspired by music and people. I hope the cocktails I create generate a whole new inspiration for those who try them. Then the chain of inspiration continues.”
Canales, who is responsible for launching the craft cocktail programs for the Menin Group at the Shelborne, The Gale, Rickys, Bakehouse and Bodega, brings to Bitter Truth a culmination of everything he has learned and accomplished.
Bitter Truth will have a full bar with the latest seasonal craft beers and an extensive craft cocktail menu. The classic cocktails with an artisanal twist include the “Jack Of All Trades,” made with Gentleman Jack, Jack fire, Jack honey/salted and cardamom shrub/fresh-pressed Granny Smith apple juice. Guest also will have a variety of light bites to choose from, such as biscuits made from scratch paired with pulled beef and bacon maple jam, or honey glazed chicken, or lollipops with red velvet waffles to satisfy curiosity.
The moment guests walk in through the doors of Bitter Truth, they enter an industrial space with a story to tell. Every piece of art, furniture and structure of the steampunk inspired location transports guests to another dimension. The columns throughout the space are covered with weathered steel recovered from a Wisconsin barn. The shelves at the back bar are made from unfinished hand-cut Dade Pine so the original tree bark is still intact. The murals covering the walls are painted by local artist Jonah Cerwinski.
“It’s important to me that every piece of furniture, every nook and cranny, and every shake and strain is part of a dance that involves the guests in the experience every step of the way,” Alfrey said.
Bitter Truth is open Wednesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. and is located at The Shops at Midtown, 3252 NE First Ave, #124, Miami, FL 33137. For more information, follow on Facebook @BitterTruth or Instagram @BitterTruthMiami.
