This Is Boise recently spent some time at Downtown Boise’s Ampersand Bar. Ampersand is located on the 14th floor of 999 Main Street.
Open at 5pm, Tuesday – Saturday, Ampersand is currently Idaho’s highest-bar (in elevation ?), boasting an entire windowed wall with breathtaking views of the foothills, city, and Capitol Building. Inside, there are velvet couches and chairs, thrifted landscape paintings, mirrors, alongside a classy, cozy atmosphere.
This menu-less bar holds a vintage and quirky aesthetic in a small and visually captivating space. We got the chance to sit down with John Straubhar, the bar manager and talk about the space and the drinks. “Not having a menu gives us creative freedom,” says Straubhar.
He made us two delicious drinks: “Fly High” and “Kin Twist on a Boulevardier”.
“Fly High” is a variation on the 1920’s drink Aviation. John named it after his late brother who was in flight school when he passed. It has:
- Gin
- Lemon Juice
- Crème de Violette
- Armena cherry soaked in a cranberry black pepper reduction
“Kin Twist on a Boulevardier” is a delicious version of the classic 3-part cocktail. It has:
- Whiskey
- Sweet Vermouth
- Cranberry black pepper reduction
Ampersand is affiliated with the new restaurant, Kin, that is set to open soon. Both drinks above will be available when the new location opens. It is a temporary bar, so be sure to check it while it’s around!
You can follow along on Instagram at @arthaus_ampersand, @kin_boise, and @john.straubhar
