Facto bartenders will join NYC’s famous bar, Dante, for a collaborative pop-up event in their first Facto Travel since the pandemic.
San Juan, Puerto Rico — After a long year and a half of uncertainty, restrictions, and who knows what’s going to happen moments caused by the pandemic, La Factoría bartenders, Carlos Irizarry and Gigi Temprano, are more than ready to travel again and share the craft they love so much with the community that makes them feel at home no matter where they are in the world.
The team’s first Facto Travel event since the pandemic hit will be in collaboration with the beloved New York City establishment, Dante, on August 16-18th. A Greenwich Village beacon, Dante opened its doors in 1915 and is now a registered NYC landmark. And yes, this is the bar that was named Number 1 in the World’s 50 Best Bars list of 2019, and received the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for “World’s Best Bar 2019.” This year, Dante holds the second spot in the World’s 50 Best Bars Prestigious List.
The collaborative pop-up event sponsored by Bacardi, falls on National Rum Day (August 16th), followed by Bar Convent Brooklyn, a trade-only event for qualified bar and beverage industry professionals (August 17th-18th). Carlos and Gigi will be spreading the Facto flavors alongside Dante bartenders. (Quote from Rodrigo), said Director of Business Development for Dante, Rodrigo Leme.
The Facto Cocktails to be featured at Dante
Among some of the Facto classic cocktails to be served up at the upcoming Dante takeover are: La Champeta, made with Añejo Rum, Pineapple, and ginger fermentation; the Facto Old-Fashioned, made with Factoria’s bitter blend, Bacardi 8-year rum, and their dry spice syrup infusion; el Peligroso (which literally means ‘dangerous’), made with Bacardi 4-year rum, Averna, Campari, Dry Spice Infusion, and Lime; and the Guanábana Rum Punch, made with Facto Grog, Guanábana (Soursop) pulp, citrus blend, and clarified with milk.
Last but not least, Irizarry will be delighting the crowd’s palettes with his Bacardí Legacy cocktail, el Sereno, served with Bacardi 4-year rum, coconut water, Chamomile tea, Giffard Pamplemuse (grapefruit Liquor), and Fino Sherry.
“It is an honor to be given the opportunity to share the Dante bar among a group of such talented colleagues. One of Facto’s main goals is to share the unique flavors and craftsmanship of our island, Puerto Rico—we’re always asking ourselves, how do I convey our culture through our cocktails? We look forward to sharing these recipes with New York City,” said Facto’s head-bartender, Carlos Irizarry. Carlos has been one of the most influential bartenders in the growing bartending community in Puerto Rico, has placed finalist at multiple competitions, and travels the world representing the hospitality and flavor of La Factoría everywhere he goes.
“It’s extremely important to us at La Factoría to strengthen the culture of mixology in Puerto Rico and part of this is making sure we are always evolving in our craft—events like these are perfect opportunities to fulfill this vision. We are humbled to work alongside a team of pioneers who continue to leave a meaningful and lasting mark in the industry,” Leslie Cofresi, who co-founded La Factoría alongside Roberto Berdecia 8-years ago.
Puerto Rican diaspora and Facto lovers from around the world—if you happen to be visiting the beautiful city of New York the weekend of August 16-18th, join Carlos and Gigi and the Dante family, for this long-awaited pop-up celebration and a chance to enjoy the tastes of Facto outside the island! If you’ve never had the chance to visit the San Juan-based favorite bar, now is your chance to do so 1,600 miles away.
DATES & TIME: August 16-18th from 2pm to 6pm
LOCATION: Dante, 79-81 Macdougal St., New York, NY 10012
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About La Factoría
La Factoría is not your ordinary bar. Its unmarked location is full of secret passages that lead to its six bars, each curated with a different ambiance and drink menu. They have been listed as one of The World’s 50 Best Bars for 5 years in a row and are the only bar in Latin America to be named and/or nominated for the TOTC Spirited Award, TW50BB, and James Beard Award all in the same year (2018).