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See the 50 Cocktails Representing 50 States at a New Williamsburg Bar

By Serena Dai | August 28, 2014 2:18pm | Updated on August 29, 2014 3:55pm
 Kilo Bravo, 180 N. 10th St., plans to hold its grand opening on Sept. 4.
Kilo Bravo to Open in Williamsburg
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WILLIAMSBURG — A new bar opening in Williamsburg wants to take you across the country — in a cocktail glass.

Kilo Bravo is set to open for business at 180 N. 10th St. next Thursday with a special "Road Trip Cocktail" menu catered to locals, with 50 cocktails representing 50 states.

The cocktails, which cost $10, are inspired by the state they represent — such as a Cape Codder for Massachusetts or a Hurricane for Louisiana. New Jersey's drink, The Turnpike, is like a Long Island Iced tea, with a bunch of different liquors, but it also includes a variety of juices, including orange, pineapple, cranberry and grapefruit juice.

"Some of the cocktails are quite delicious and some of them are a little intimidating," said bar co-owner Kate Buenaflor, who also owns nearby bar Soft Spot.

Other state-inspired drinks were inspired by things invented in the state, like Ohio's Blue Collar Sidecar, a blue drink partly named after the motorcycle sidecar, which was invented in Ohio.

Buenaflor wanted to create a fun activity for neighbors to do, especially with all the tourism popping up in Williamsburg, she said.

Bargoers get one year to consume all the drinks on the "Road Trip" menu, and once they complete the virtual trip, Kilo Bravo will throw them a "welcome home" party where they drink for free, Buenaflor said. Friends at the party get specials on two selected Road Trip Cocktails.

"I wanted to come up with something fun for repeat customers that's playful and whimsical," she said.

The cocktail menu goes along with Kilo Bravo's overall Americana theme. All the beers on tap are domestic, and all the wines are American, too.

The food, which includes varieties of grilled cheese, is also inspired by America and rock and roll.

The signature sandwich, "Heartland Sandwich," features pulled beef, pickled pepper mayo and melted cheese on bread from the local Northside Bakery.

"We're just trying to make it reflect what kind of food and stuff that we ate growing up," she said. "But a little elevated."

Buenaflor, along with co-owner Richard DeVore, decided to open her second bar after seeing many local spots in Williamsburg close due to rising rents and landlord disputes, she said.

It hit her that her home at Soft Spot, which has been open for nine years, might not always be around, she said. She started looking for spots to open a second bar.

Kilo Bravo has a 20-year lease on the space that's just steps away from Soft Spot's location at 128 Bedford Ave.

"This worked out better than I could have ever imagined," Buenaflor said.

WHAT COCKTAIL REPRESENTS YOUR STATE? SEE THE FULL LIST BELOW.