Events

Soda fountains were as prevalent as saloons in the U.S. until they fell out of fashion. Luckily, The Ice Cream Bar in Cole Valley is bringing back the tradition of the soda jerks and handmade, artisanal drink ingredients. And they're doing so in style with a vintage aesthetic that carries from the art deco letter styling to the black lacquered tabletops. The Ice Cream Bar makes high-quality sodas and sundaes using recipes dating back to the 1800s, with a staggering variety of tinctures and techniques. For the bar menu, owner Juliet Pries turned to Rickhouse bartender Russell Davis to recreate drinks that have long gone out of style, including frappes, malts, phosphates, lactarts, egg creams, and panaceas (sodas with healing properties). Come out and meet Juliet, Russel, and ice cream maker Ray Lai and learn a little something about the unexpected history of the soda fountain. You'll get to sample their most popular concoctions – including one of their elaborate sodas, a small version of their famous sundaes, and their house made candies – and learn a bit about how they're made as well at this private event for Bold Italic readers.