Night (of Drinks) at the Museum

Your CCO with Amstel artwork at MFA FIrst Friday

Picassos and Pinots.

Artifacts and Amstels.

Monets and  Merlots. 

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Howdy Crawlers, 

As part of our never ending search for good times and good drinks, Mrs. Boston Crawling (affectionately known as Blondie) and I went to First Friday at the Museum of Fine Arts on January 2, 2015. MFA First Friday is held monthly on - you guessed it - the first Friday of each month from 6:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m. There is a cash bar, DJ, and the entire museum is open for your pleasure.

Blondie had be asking me go to a First Friday for quite some time, so I included two tickets as part of her Christmas present. I wish she had convinced me sooner. We drank, we danced, we viewed priceless artifacts and artwork. We had a great time.

All museum exhibits are open on First Fridays. But the main event takes place in the first floor courtyard where there are a couple of bars, a “tapas” table and the DJ.

First, and most importantly – the drink selection. The bars had beer, wine, and a specialty cocktail. This month’s specialty cocktail was Winter Solstice which consists of:

• 1 1/2  ounces of Orange Vodka

• 1/2 ounce of Triple Sec
• 1/2 ounce of Lemon Juice
• 1/2 ounce of Orange Juice
• Splash of Club Soda
• Mint leaf Garnish 

Blondie ordered the Winter Solstice while I opted for beer. Blondie described the taste in only the way she can: “It’s a real zipper. If I had to rename it I would call it ‘City Life Citrus.’ It’s really good.” The Winter Solstice was $10.00 a glass.

The beer selection was underwhelming to say the least: Amstel Light, Heineken, and Yuengling. They also had Strongbow Hard Apple Cider. Each one was $7.00 a pop.  I was disappointed that an art museum would not have any artisan beers. Nothing from the local breweries and no craft beer unless you count Yuengling – which I don’t. The MFA should have included seasonal selections from local breweries: Sam Adam’s Winter Lager and White Christmas, Harpoon Winter Warmer, or UFO Gingerland (also from Harpoon)  just to name a few.

I opted for a Strongbow for my first drink. You can only drink in the courtyard and after our first round, Blondie and I explored museum exhibits.  I didn't get a second drink until about a half hour before closing. At that point, all they had left was Amstel Light.

One neat crossover of art and drinks were the old Amstel and Heineken ads that were displayed around the courtyard. There were only a handful but they helped combine the MFA and the party. Here are some examples:  

Amsterl and Heineken ads displayed at First Friday

The majority of the crowd fell into the 40+ age range but there was still a good portion of 20 and 30 somethings. By the end of the night the dance floor was packed. I felt like I was at a wedding. 

First Friday is certainly a fun night at a mid-range price point. Tickets are $25.00 per person, cocktails $10.00, beer $7.00, and the “tapas bar” (which is really just finger foods) is $7.00 a plate.

I would recommend First Friday as a fun change-of-pace night out. I’m not sure if I would enjoy it every month since I think the novelty would eventually wear off. But if you want to try something new, I would set aside the first Friday night of next month for a trip to the MFA.

Cheers!  

Bobby Heaney
CCO