The Human Zoo features 16 new, expertly created cocktails alongside quotes from some of the era’s most notable social commentators and the iconic works of 1920s illustrator Anne Harriet Fish – bringing guests back in time to celebrate one of the 20th century’s most glamorous periods.

The team at The Sidecar at The Westbury decided to celebrate this bygone era with a beautifully illustrated hardback menu of iconic cocktails with a twist. The menu features quotes from some of the wittiest commentators of the day alongside the works of iconic British cartoonist and illustrator Anne Harriet Fish. A vital chronicler of the Jazz Age whose work graced the pages of Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Tatler, Fish captured the spirit of the Roaring Twenties while holding an honest mirror to the establishment at play and the inherent pretensions of this most privileged of cohorts. One hundred years ago, members of high society on both sides of the Atlantic were renowned for their decadent style of living. This was a time of unmatched creativity, an age which saw a new appreciation for ‘The Good Times’ and what many saw as freedom from the austere constrictions of the Victorian age.

“We’re really proud to introduce our new cocktail menu, The Human Zoo,” says Oisín Kelly, Bar Manager of The Sidecar. “When we came to researching the collection, we were inspired by the 1920s illustrator Anne Harriet Fish and went in search of an original copy of her 1920 book, High Society, which she wrote with writer and satirist Dorothy Parker. As a team, we really immersed ourselves in the Roaring Twenties culture and style. Having taken the time to understand the classics of the era, we created our own original and modern twists on the archetypal serves. Just like Anne Harriet Fish put pen to paper, we put liquid to glass to bring our own creative expression to life. With this menu, every cocktail is built around a ‘pillar’ – with the flavors layered in total harmony. We’re also bringing those curious bottles, aromatic bitters, and herbaceous flavors down off the high shelf and into the mix.”

“The idea behind the selection of cocktails within The Human Zoo menu was to present guests with the flavors they already knew, but in exciting and different ways,” adds Oisín Kelly. “High Sobriety, for instance, uses grape, vodka, and elderflower mixed with Strega, a relatively unknown liqueur. The drinks on this menu are intended to give the guests the drinks they know in ways they don’t. Forgive & Forget – our Paloma Twist – uses salted cherries in lieu of a salted rim and mixes in blood orange but keeps the core of the original. In this way, just like Anne Harriet Fish, we hold a mirror to classic cocktails but reflect back our own image.”

Guests are invited to sit amid The Sidecar’s exquisite surroundings and explore new iterations of their favorite cocktails. There are a large variety of drink options, including High Sobriety (Cîroc vodka, Italicus, Strega, elderflower, grapes, lemon and orange bitter), Rockefeller Touch (Gunpowder gin, elderflower, basil leaf, basil citric and mint cordial, The Connoisseur (Teeling Blackpitts whiskey, Plantation 5 rum, Cherry Heering, Drambuie, honey, Angostura and absinthe rinse).

Guests can purchase The Human Zoo hardback menu for $32. The Human Zoo cocktails are priced from $21 up to $25.

About The Westbury

The Westbury blends city living with an oasis of calm in the heart of Dublin. The hotel has unrivaled access to the pedestrian social hub of Grafton Street just steps from the lobby. From the moment guests ascend the hotel’s central staircase, there is a sense of welcome into a home. And what a home it is – Irish heritage abounds, from the exquisite flower arrangements to the inventive cuisine, along with one of the country’s foremost art collections, featuring original paintings by Sir John Lavery and Louis le Brocquy. But it is the warmth of welcome that is most vivid, a tangible service ethos that sets the seal. The Westbury was voted number 1 hotel in Ireland by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. For more details, visit https://www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-westbury-hotel.

About The Doyle Collection

At the heart of our business is a warmth of service that stems from our family ownership, imbuing our properties with the familiarity and intimacy of a private home. Each of our eight hotels – landmark buildings in unrivaled city locations, has its own distinct personality that is rooted in, and authentic to, its neighborhood. Innovation and ongoing investment ensure a boutique, cosmopolitan yet local feel – as seen in our cool destination restaurants, bars and event spaces – while our heritage lends character to our vision of informal luxury, timeless style and the very best guest experience.

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