Now open, The Birdcage is the creative brainchild of brother-sister duo Stefan (of Twisted Spoon Cocktail Co) and Selange Gitschner (of Dasfete—the award-winning event planning company). Residing in the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s brand-new visitor’s centre on Front Street, The Birdcage will feature craft cocktails served in a well-designed space overlooking Hamilton Harbour. As The Birdcage’s resident mixologist, Stefan shares with us the unique concept of space and what we can expect from Front Street’s newest resident.
BM: What inspired you to open a new spot on Front Street?
SG: Location is everything! We got lucky as the BTA put out an RFP [Request for Proposals] late last year. I put together a business plan for a cocktail bar concept and we won! We are excited and cannot wait to offer locals and visitors to our island a really unique bar concept. Being able to operate on Front Street and have that exposure is a real blessing; we are humbled to be offered this opportunity from the BTA.
BM: What is the overall vibe at your new bar?
SG: We wanted to create a space that was true to the spirit of Bermuda. Our space offers a relaxed atmosphere for our guests to enjoy an amazing cocktail in a lounge-style setting with a view of Hamilton Harbour. Partner and designer Selange Gitschner of Dasfete has created a space that is like no other in Bermuda, keeping the vibe fresh and tropical!
BM: What kind of cocktails can we expect at The Birdcage and are you serving beer and wine too?
SG: Our cocktails will be Bermuda-inspired and made using local and wild ingredients whenever possible. Bars are known to produce a lot of trash, so from the beginning we resolved to keep sustainability in mind. We want to reduce our eco-footprint as much as possible and also use what’s local and growing wildly in our backyard. We have craft and classic cocktail menus along with some fun wine and beer options too.
BM: Are you serving food and if so, who is your chef and what kind of cuisine can we expect?
SG: Unfortunately space is pretty limited so we have to be creative with our food options. We plan on having locally inspired food options at certain times and during special events. We will be looking at local foods, like fresh fish and locally made sausages and are considering installing a grill on the top floor. Who doesn’t like a BBQ?
BM: Will The Birdcage be seasonal only?
SG: The Birdcage will be in operation until December of this year but we are confident that we will re-open next spring for the 2020 season.
BM: In opening The Birdcage, what are you looking forward to most?
SG: Sharing my creations with locals and visitors—it’s been a dream to have a space to really let my creativity run wild. We welcome everyone to come join us for a cocktail on the water!
