We’re pouring up the freshest local food-and-drink news, shaken, stirred, and served with a twist.

 

Odeon Saloon in Dayton has the kind of blustery, loud-mouthed, Wild West atmosphere you’d expect from a joint that once boasted regulars the likes of Mark Twain. After it was established in 1863, it ranked in the top tier of entertainment experiences in the Great Basin, which wasn’t saying much. Birthed in uncertain times, the bar sprang up when statehood remained elusive, the outcome of the War Between the States was anyone’s guess, and speculation about Abraham Lincoln’s second presidential term dominated parlor talk.

 

On a culinary-inspired trip to New Orleans, Sharon Honig-Bear first encountered the powerful and historic drink called the Sazerac, at the aptly named Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel. The memory lingered, and she discovered, to her surprise, that Nevada had numerous connections to this cocktail — or, at least, to its name, which appeared in almost a dozen saloons in Northern Nevada’s early days.

 

The one drink known to genuinely represent the rich Basque history in Nevada is, of course, the Picon punch. This strong concoction that warms as it goes down (perfect for winter) is meant to be shared among friends and has become a symbol of camaraderie, tradition, and local culture — one that was explored in a locally produced film.

From lively festivals to deliciously unexpected pairings and laugh-out-loud competitions, we’ve rounded up the best ways to shake off the winter chill and dive into community fun.