PDT's master barman unzips his custom travel bag. You can own one too!
Much has been said about the highly refined wardrobes of the modern-day NYC barman—yes, we all agree that a trip to any of our fine sloe gin joints can turn into a distracting game of Spot the Mustache Wax. But this focus on details, the fashion-backward ones, hasn’t quite translated to the tender's travel accessories. “Over the years I have worked with a variety of makeshift travel kits, which were a combination of a camera bag, chef’s rollup and suitcase trolley bags,” recalls PDT’s Jim Meehan.
Literally rolling into a black tie event—i.e. looking like a cross between a war photographer and industrial lubricant salesman—just didn’t work for Meehan, who was named American Bartender of the Year at the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail. So he took matters into his own hands by teaming with Virginia leather company Moore and Giles to create the Meehan Utility Bag ($660).
Here’s a look a the bag’s inspiration, as well as the gear Meehan would pack for a typical cocktail event, be it in Stockholm or at a Soho art opening.
By Matt Rodbard; photos by Melissa Hom
