Testing Our Favorite Cocktail at Vorshay’s

Bart here. My wife and I went out for a date night at Vorshay’s Cocktail and Lounge at 417 East Douglas this weekend. For you older Wichitans, it is located in the old Marple Theatre space and retains many of the old theater’s charms.  These include the balcony and gorgeous 30 ft high metal ceiling.  

My first date in college around 1980 was here at this theatre watching “All about Eve.”  The relationship, like the movie, was short and not that interesting, but the memory of the beautiful theater remains.  You can still see the outline of the theater seating on the brick walls.  The lounge in its name is descriptive, harkening back to the late 50’s and early 60’s cocktail lounge scene with love seats, velvet chairs, and candle lit tables for an intimate yet shared experience. The wall art showcases local talent, and there is live comedy, Karaoke, and local bands regularly. Happy Hour is Monday through Saturday 4pm -7pm.

What truly makes this place pop are the seasonal hand-craftedcocktails.  A true crowd favorite. I must admit, however, I tend to judge a bar on its ability to make an Old-Fashioned. This drink’s exact origins are debated, but it seems it started in the early 1880’s for those who did not prefer their whiskey straight. Some believe it was one of the first cocktails. When cocktails increased in popularity and variety in the mid 1880’s, this cocktail became known as the Old Fashion, referring to the original cocktail with 3 main ingredients: spirit (usually whiskey or rye), sugar, and bitters. During Prohibition, the quality of the spirits produced dropped, and fruit was added to help soften the rougher edges. After prohibition was repealed, the fruit (usually orange and cherries) became preferred. Vorshay’s Old Fashioned pays homage to this grandfather of all cocktails.  My wife and I both chose the Old Fashioned and thoroughly enjoyed them. Usually we dissect the character, flavors, and overall feel as we evaluate the drink, but tonight, we just enjoyed it.  I guess that in and of itself speaks volumes.  We will return again and again to one of our favorite dives!