I once read that Frank Sinatra had a flagpole, sat between two palm trees and visible for miles, at his home in Palm Springs. At 5:00pm every day, he would raise that flag, signaling to his neighbors (read: other celebs) that it was martini hour. A nice, community-oriented idea, right? Cocktail hour is never more important than in the summertime, when nice weather beckons an excuse to leave work early in pursuit of a rooftop or patio bar. Or, in some cases, a basement bar.
This year, summer began with a trip to Connecticut to celebrate the opening of Costa's Pub, the basement bar belonging to Dan's father. The party lasted an entire weekend, and for good reason - the bar is beautifully designed, fully stocked, complete with a poker table and bowling game. And in the suburbs, Costa's Pub is definitely the most happening place for miles. Why bother going anywhere else? Step outside the bar and you are on a lovely patio where he has a firepit. When lit, it becomes the neighborhood call that it's time to crack open a cold one.
Just like Sinatra.
After that summer kick-off weekend (which tested my stamina, to say the least) it was off to Miami for some R&R (red wine & 'ritas)...
