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San Francisco Bar Launches Aviation-Themed Cocktail Menu

Jan. 10, 2018
4 min read
YQG (1)
San Francisco Bar Launches Aviation-Themed Cocktail Menu
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Trick Dog, San Francisco’s award-winning cocktail bar helmed by partners Josh Harris and Morgan Schick, just unveiled an aviation-themed drink menu with frequent fliers in mind. The Mission District bar — known for introducing a brand-new cocktail menu based on a different theme every six months — recently announced the arrival of Trick Dog Airways, running from now until July 5, 2018.

Riffing on in-flight information cards, TD Airways has a tri-fold menu with illustrations by Peter Gamlen and features plane model diagrams, international terminal maps and business class selections for those who like upgrades. (Proceeds from the sale of the menu itself benefit Seven Tepees Youth Programs, Trick Dog's long-time non-profit partner.)

Trick Dog Airways menu

Named for international airport terminals — from Sydney to Boston — the drinks are divided into Spirit-driven and Citrus cocktails on the TD Airways “Where We Fly” map. Along with cocktails, patrons can find options in the Shots, Highball and Low-Proof sections; those in need of a boost may want to try the low-proof Red Eye, made with Aperol, Mezcal Unión, Combier Kummel, tomato, pineapple and lemon.

KIX

In the business class section, Trick Dog Airways lists private barrel spirits on the menu, including a 2017 Mellow Corn whiskey and an Elijah Craig bourbon. “Passengers” may also opt for a selection of sherries, beers, sodas and local wines, along with non-alcoholic cocktails. As for how the drinking-meets-travel idea came to be, Harris admits it was a long time in the making.

“We travel a ton and we’re fully airline status people; we spend a lot of time in airports, we’re there enough that we can poke fun at the idiosyncrasies of travel that amuse us. And we thought people who also travel would be amused, too,” he says.

ARN

Adds Schick, “In general, we’re trying to go for a more universal travel experience. We really like playing with the verisimilitude of this menu — so that it’s not a totally personal thing. It’s supposed to mimic the experience of being on a plane, not our personal travels.”

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The United loyalists admit that their own travel experiences involve drinking things they don't normally drink. (“Airports are the only place I ever drink Sam Adams,” Schick admits, adding that he’ll only drink Heineken on airplanes.)

“It’s not really about me,” Schick says, “but I can say I’m especially pleased with the PIK (Glasgow Prestwick Airport), made with scotch, Campari, and a banana liqueur we’re making with orange pekoe tea and Islay Falernum bitters. It’s nuanced and deep and satisfying in its flavor.”

PIK

“Hopefully there’s something for anyone on this menu — no matter what their mood is," Harris says.

“I don't care about the drinks,” he adds with a laugh. “I just like the collateral: the wings, the coasters, the napkins. Five cities are represented on the cocktail napkins and the check presenters look like the sleeve that paper tickets used to go in. And the frequent flier program!”

Yes, the James Beard Foundation Award-nominated bar will reward drinkers for frequenting the “airline,” with more promotions rolling out over the coming months. In the meantime, check out the menu in full here.

All photos courtesy of Trick Dog

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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.