www.cheersonline.com
16
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JUNE 2014
SCENE By Kelly A. Magyarics
Omni Creates a Rum and
Tequila Experience
A new Northeast Florida resort bar concept appeals to true spirit aficionados
U
ntil its transformation earlier this season, the area adjacent to one of the
pools at the oceanfront Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort was vastly
underused. "It was basically a dead space," notes Chris Walling, food and
beverage director for the 404-room resort on Florida's Amelia Island. "We were
only using it as a soda station."
So Walling and his team last fall decided that to better utilize the space, they
would design and execute a beverage experience unique for its setting. Opened in
early March, the Rum + Tequila Experience is now generating profits and buzz for
the resort.
e Experience was inspired by his nine trips to Jalisco in Mexico, where he has
watched the jimadores pick and cook the agave used to make tequila and helped
select the barrels for storing and aging
the spirit. e 34-seat concept (including a
four-seat bar) boasts a laid-back vibe, a few
used barrels on display, and a selection of
100 tequilas, 60 rums and 10 mezcals.
e Rum + Tequila Experience creates a
point of differentiation from the other eight
onsite food and beverage concepts, and
appeals to true spirit aficionados, Walling
says. Tequilas range from a $7 pour of
Tarantula Blanco up to a $250 shot of
Omni's Amelia Island Plantation resort
has taken a little-used space near its
pool and carved out an outdoor bar
area specializing in rum and tequila.
16-17 scene amelia island CH0614.indd 16 6/3/14 6:59 PM
