Caracas Arepa Bar is charting nuevo NYC-nightlife territory, with its Williamsburg “Roneria”. Boasting thirty-plus Caribbean/Latin American sipping rums, a ron-based cocktail menu, and beach shack-chic décor, Caracas brings a little bit of paradise, and a lot of warm energy, to Brooklyn.
The Roneria’s cocktails, created by mixologist Orson Salicetti, were inspired by the (fairly recent) proliferation of date-aged rums. This refinement has elevated rum to the pantheon of “gentleman’s spirits”, and opened the door for mixologists’ artisanal experimentation. Traditionalists will enjoy the Roneria’s Rum Manhattan, while patrons who prefer the sweeter things in life may favor the fragrant Flores Daiquiri. For an enjoyable, educational experience, connoisseurs and novices alike should try one of the rum flights.
Beyond the bar, Caracas’ Brooklyn outpost retains the essence of the East Village original. Executive Chef Iilse Parra a “Roots Reggae Authority”, embeds the rock steady origins of her favorite genre into the traditional Venezuelan dishes. This food isn’t meant to be fast, but rather steadily savored.
There’s a Venezuelan proverb that states: “he who doesn't look ahead gets left behind.” Caracas is in no danger of suffering that fate, as it surges past the trends.