Inside NoBS, Aurora's Membership-Only Bourbon Bar with a Secret Entrance

Meant to bridge the gap between experiences at a bar or restaurant and a country club, Never Ordinary Bourbon Society — abbreviated as NoBS — provides a space for members to gather, share stories and enjoy high-end cocktails and appetizers. 

The posh bourbon-centric club opened in April in the basement of Orchid House Winery with restricted speakeasy access. Memberships are referral-based, and requests for membership are reviewed with the membership committee with access granted only upon their approval. Memberships are still available. 

“It’s a very exclusive, but very comfortable experience,” says Kathleen Dangelo, president and owner of Taproot Hospitality.

The Drinks
The initial enticement for members includes a selection of 160 different bourbons, a wine list ​​ curated by Manuel Vasquez, and a most impressive Big Ben humidor with 24-karat gears that move as guests access the cigars inside. Members can choose from more than 400 bottles of tequila, vodka and gin as well as bourbon. Classic cocktails feature the Sazerac ($15) made with rye, absinth rinse and Peychaud’s bitters. For an after-dinner pick-me-up, Dangelo recommends the espresso martini ($15), made with Wheatley vodka, fresh espresso and Buffalo Trace bourbon cream. Taproot Hospitality’s cocktail printer generates a personal touch to libations with endless possibilities of printable designs for all occasions.

The Space
The doorways are framed with brass work from the Terminal Tower and the 1918-built Hotel Cleveland, with historic pieces embedded throughout the lounge. The bar top is a quartzite material found only in Brazil. The juxtaposition between the old and modern furnishings creates a unique experience. 

The downstairs space starkly contrasts Taproot Hospitality’s other venues. The decor throughout the lounge was carefully curated to enhance the relaxed but sophisticated aesthetic. Much of the furniture, which is crafted by Ferrari designer Pininfarina, includes soft seating, custom-made booths and special dining areas. Motorized curtains allow members privacy in certain areas, and interactive lights can be switched to red as a sign to service members similar to “do not disturb” as an added touch. 

At about 3,000 square feet and seating for 70, NoBS offers delightful surprises for members. Special events may include pour-off nights, in which individuals can enjoy a tasting of exclusive, hard-to-get bourbons that they might not be able to enjoy regularly.

The Food
As for the food, NoBS’s menu encapsulates decadence with a half dozen oysters on the half shell appetizers ($22); braised pork shoulder ($27) served with herbed polenta, Brussel sprouts, crispy fennel and roasted red pepper sambuca; and a warm brown butter cake ($9) with macerated berries, anglaise, caramel, and vanilla ice cream.

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