Ben Smock has visited the best cocktail bars in America, and now, after finding the perfect place to craft his own unique cocktail line-up in Harbor Country, he and his colleagues have officially launched The Hummingbird Lounge — a “stylish and approachable cocktail bar set in a charming old Victorian House in downtown New Buffalo, just blocks from the sandy shores of Lake Michigan.”
Owner/Operator Ben Smock was born and raised in Davison, Michigan and graduated from The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. He says he fell in love with the cocktail culture while consulting with the National Restaurant Association Show on Star of the Bar, a nationwide cocktail competition.
Ben says, “I’ve had the unique opportunity to visit the best cocktail bars in the US, and to interact with talented bartenders at the top of their craft. Those experiences advised the creation of Hummingbird Lounge, where we will celebrate cocktail culture in a very thoughtful way.” You can find it at 9 S. Barton Street in New Buffalo.
The beverage program at the new Hummingbird Lounge is a sophisticated, seasonal celebration of cocktails and wine, plus a few craft beers. Classic bar techniques are mixed with an affinity for great ingredients to deliver good times to all who enter.
The Hummingbird’s beverage menu includes a collection of seasonal sours, served up in a “bird bath” style cocktail glass, along with an expanding list of tall drinks & highballs, perfect for patio season. For the aged spirits enthusiast, a curated list of whiskey and rums are made available. A tidy wine cellar and short list of local craft beers completes the lineup. Proper glassware, fresh juices, quality ice, expeditious service, and thoughtful presentations are classy, yet playful at the Hummingbird.
The food menu is a locally-sourced assortment of upscale bar snacks, lighter fare, and tasty tacos. Heading up the kitchen is Chef Shane Graybeal who hails from Sable Kitchen & Bar and BIN 36 in Chicago, and brings with him more than 21 years of culinary experience. Graybeal completed his professional culinary education at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina.
Graybeal explains, “I’m excited to celebrate all the bountiful produce that grows in Southwest Michigan, and to connect with local farmers.”
Hummingbird Lounge will soon expand service onto its deck and in an outdoor garden. The property also offers several unique event spaces for gatherings anywhere from 8 to 80 guests. The Loft is the perfect size for parties of 16-to-36 and it has a private restroom. The Knotty Pine can accommodate 8-to-10 guests and also has a dedicated restroom. A portion of the outdoor garden can be reserved for private parties up to 40 guests.
Hummingbird designer and business partner Sara Domdey says, “This heritage building had some architectural bones that fit well with our concept of The Hummingbird Lounge. Southwest Michigan is on a hummingbird’s migratory flight pattern, and they thrive here in summer months when the gardens are in full bloom.”
Victorian architecture is traditionally respective and reverent of nature and the designer wanted the elements of the rehab to reflect a hand-crafted, human touch. The use of rich neutral tones allows the bright colors of freshly squeezed drinks and seasonal dishes to be the pops of color. Once planted, the bold colors in the outdoor garden will be attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
The Hummingbird Lounge will be open for service Wednesday through Sunday from 4pm to 11pm, later on Fridays and Saturdays. A children’s menu is available until 8pm, then the lounge transitions to adults only.
Parking for the lounge is on Barton Street and in the 5/3 Bank lot.
Reservations are accepted on the website for parties of 8 or more based on availability, and more information is available online at http://hbirdlounge.com
Shown in the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is the Hummingbird’s Smoked Pineapple Margarita – it features Tres Agaves organic tequila, seasoned and smoked (in house) pineapple juice, fresh lemon and lime juices and salted foam. It’s one of the “House Specials” and they do their own smoking & juicing of the pineapples in the house.
