Last summer, while preparing for the Country Club of Buffalo’s annual bash, Catering Director Cathy Payne came up with an idea she knew members of the Williamsville, N.Y.-based club would love: a surprise speakeasy—a secret event within an event. She, Banquet Manager Samantha Koval, and the rest of the team worked together to execute an experience members still talk about with excitement to this day.
“Our summer bash is our biggest event of the season,” says Koval. “We try to come up with ideas to go above and beyond every year, and this was something we’d never done before.”
On the day of the event, Koval and Payne greeted members at the door as they walked in. They chose a few women they knew would love the idea and could be counted on to spread the word discreetly, in true speakeasy-style.
“They were super excited,” says Koval. “They ran upstairs right away.”
CCB has about 500 total members, 300-400 of whom attended the bash. The speakeasy took place in the ladies’ locker room, though it was open to all members. The door was guarded, and members were only allowed up when a telephone monitor gave the bouncer permission, based on a password that changed throughout the night.
“Word spread pretty quickly,” says Koval. “We had specific glassware and cocktails for the speakeasy. Once [those first few women] left, and other people saw them, [they’d wonder] where the cocktail came from.”
In keeping with the bash’s overall art theme, the speakeasy was styled to resemble ancient Greece, plus a live guitar player for added ambiance.
Specialty cocktails, designed by the club’s bar manager and assistant general manager, included the Starry Night (blueberry vodka, creme de violette and lemon juice), Ross on the Rocks (bourbon, Cointreau, fresh chai, bitters and honey) and an Aperol Spritz variation.
“[Members] are still talking about how amazing [this event] was,” says Koval. “The speakeasy was so unexpected, and it really added to the overall experience of our summer bash.”
