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Andre Sykes

@dacocktailpoet

2.7K

followers

2875

following

313
2x James Beard Semifinalist
1/2 of @blackonbothsidesdetroit
100% Black Excellence

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I want to thank me,
For the patience to master wrap
50,000 hours around my pinkies
As if no one had ever broken them
While holding my heart.

I want to thank me,
This Black Boy Magic
Didn't come easily when
My skin is bruised purple
By every doorway I enter.
No frame is safe from dunks now.

I want to thank me,
For seppuku sacrificing sacrilegious
Mentions when others speak ill
Of mastering sicker spirits,
There's honor deep in my soul.

I want to thank me,
And my demons as we share laughter
From the pain of proof slicing across
Our bellies to show the grit and guts
That most failed to see beneath
Banal social gullibility.

I want to thank me,
For mentioning names in bright
Rooms when no one hears
Their footfalls behind closed doors
And the windows I left open.

I want to thank me,
Because I rarely do,
Because I am worth it,
Because the pied piper
Is paying for the hissing
Of snakes trying to abate ambition,
Because Black Boy Joy deserves it.

I want to thank me for being me,
For staying me, trying to be a better me,
Crying for me, sweating for me,
Healing for me, killing past selves for me,
And for having the courage to be...

All of me at 33—
Thank you Dre.
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

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Meet the Honorees 2024
🥃 @dacocktailpoet - Andre Sykes
🍽️ @alpinodetroit + @blackonbothsidesdetroit
📍 Detroit

See you Saturday, June 1st at the James Beard House

#icondinner24 #foodandwine #asianchefs #blackchefs #latinxchefs #sommeliers #mixologists #nyc #BET #chefworks #heavenhill #sysco

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Delighted to introduce our Bar Manager / Head Bartender, Andre! 👏
Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Andre has been an agent of hospitality for almost 10 years. He has worked in acclaimed restaurants and bars such as Bad Luck Bar, The Sugar House, Oak & Reel, and many more.

His expertise in bar leadership and programming led to the cumulation of Shelby Detroit being nominated for a James Beard Award as a Semifinalist for “Outstanding Bar Program” in 2022. Andre is also the Co-founder of Black On Both Sides; A bar pop-up that focuses on celebrating the brilliance Black people have contributed to the hospitality industry.

We cannot WAIT to show you what Andre will be shaking up behind our bar very soon!

#alpino #alpinodetroit #alpsinspired #restaurant #detroit #detroitrestaurant #corktown #restaurantdesign #openingsoon

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Thank you to everyone who came out to this year’s first installment of @blackonbothsidesdetroit!

Thank you to @chrisandglori_cocktails for hosting his second @bacardi El CoCo with us and putting us in our judging bags! The competition was intense 😮‍💨

Thank you to @theegghunt_ for keeping everyone nourished in a room full of rum!

And of course none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for the two lovelies Matt + Hannah at @lostrivertiki / @aptdisco who opened their space and welcomed us with open arms! We are so thankful! 🌴🙌🏽

Can’t wait to see you all at the next one!

🎥: @standupguyllc

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Tonight our friends from @blackonbothsidesdetroit take over Lost River and @aptdisco with specially crafted menus! The fun starts at 5:00 with happy hour and then the official takeovers begin at 7:00. @theegghunt_ will be serving food. It’s going to be a great night!
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#rum #tropical #tiki #tikibar #tropicalbar #tropicaldetroit #detroittiki #tikidetroit #cocktails #cocktailbar #detroitbars #barsofdeteoit #barsofinstagram #miwesttiki #lostriver #lostriverdetroit #lostrivertiki #rumbar #craftcocktail #drink #mixology #detroit #detroitcocktails #tikiland #tikimugs #cocktailsofinstagram #retro #tikiroom #blackonbothsides

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Tonight! Yes, we are open on a Monday for once as our friends from @blackonbothsidesdetroit take over Apartment Disco and @lostrivertiki with specially crafted menus! The fun starts upstairs at 7:00, and happy hour begins downstairs at 5:00, and @theegghunt_ will be serving food. It’s going to be a great night!
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#aptdisco #disco #detroitdisco #italiandisco #detroitbars #apartmentdisco #barsofdeteoit #upsatirsdisco #DanceTheNightAway #CocktailsAndFun #detroitdance #blackonbothsides

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@dacocktailpoet
It almost seems as if I was fated to become a bartender. In truth, a friend recommended me to her boss to become a barback. I had no idea how that one kindness would change me and my path so much. But that kind of kindness is not rare in this industry, it really is the backbone of all bartenders.

Throughout my career I've been able to witness it and reciprocate it through my colleagues turned family, and guests alike. Skills notwithstanding, bartending has made me a better man, a gentler man, and a better human to face the trials of humanity.

I've been able to meet wonderful people that have mentored me, loved me, and cursed me out (sometimes warranted) But most importantly, I've witnessed the true kindness of humanity behind the sticks.

It's my turn to pay it forward as it was once paid for me. It's why my partners and I created @blackonbothsidesdetroit It's why I love what I do. Thank you hannaleepr for giving us the opportunity to spread our kindness beyond the confines of our city's bubble. It's why we do what we do, and we do it so well.

#hannaleepr #kindness
@tales_of_the_cocktail #bartenders

📷: @detroitfreepress

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Can't wait to shake things up for you with @princessdaddi.hd tomorrow night at @twobirdsdetroit!! ✨️🖤🍁
@daddycookin is bringing the food, and we have a wonderful menu, curated. We are using spirits represented by some of my favorite reps and ambassadors. These are reps who have supported Black Card since day ONE!! Special S/o to @chrisandglori_cocktails @scott_toddy @lisacarielle @coleswashere @lazarlegacyliason @hanginoutnormal and @detroitliquorlady for all you do for the culture of the city. I genuinely LOVE YALL! Thank you for being committed to supporting black excellence, success and creativity. Let's keep working!!
#BlackCardNight #BlackCardDetroit #detroitastoldbyellie #DATBE #detroitcocktails #lovedetroit #datbethetruth

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this past weekend was a world wind! take us back to Grand Rapids IMMEDIATELY! 😩

nothing but love for north of the mitten after our latest event at @buffalotraderslounge. there wasn’t an idle moment!

@streetchefshaw showed up and showed out and not a morsel was left on anyones plate!

and of course @angelsenvy was the baddest in the building courtesy of @whiskeyguardiandetroit! the drinks sold like hot mf cakes!

the best part had to be the last ticket: one of everything!

needless to say, we’ll be back 🤌🏽 thank you for everything @buffalotraderslounge / @a_rammy - the vibes were immaculate 😎

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The city is still on fire from this legendary night.

S/o @ro_spit

Big thanks to the sponsor @patron

Video cred to man himself 🎥@standupguyllc

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We are so excited to host the first ever B.O.B.S. event in Grand Rapids, this Saturday!

If you aren’t familiar with @blackonbothsidesdetroit, they are a collective of industry professionals from Detroit that celebrate back of house and front of house service industry locally, in a way that showcases their individual talents and culture.

ALSO, joining the fun is Street Chef Shaw! Who will be parking his food truck in-front if our spot, and slinging food starting at 6pm.

Doors open at 4, completely open to the public, no tickets needed.

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pretty safe to say I’m going to miss starting 🔥 with @prezzato at mutiny bar | @blackonbothsidesdetroit

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