High Treason is a neighborhood wine bar in the middle of San Francisco’s Richmond District. Despite the pretentious stereotypes around wine, High Treason nailed it in bringing this district’s chill family vibe into its atmosphere. In this episode of The Muddler, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with Justin Myers, the Cocktail Program and Marketing Director at High Treason to talk about the story behind the bar’s name, how they endured the pandemic and the uniqueness of their aperitif cocktail menu. Tune in and join us in one of the friendliest and most local bars we’ve featured this season. Plus, listen to a 101 on the history, aesthetics, and culture behind delicious wines. 

Jump straight into:

(00:00) - An unpretentious experience: High Treason’s Richmond’s laid-back vibe with a high-end wine bar experience.

(02:45) - The story behind the name and the location: Finding Michelin Star cocktails in your family-oriented neighborhood bar.

(08:08) - Changing to face the pandemic: How High Treason stayed open by pivoting into online retail and focusing on staying connected with regulars.

(17:09) - An aperitif cocktail menu: The culture and aesthetic behind the pre-dinner drink + Trying out The Bamboo.

(26:28) - How to serve “Ready To Drink” cocktails: The science behind creating and batching aperitif cocktails.

(35:14) - Last call!: The reason why Justin misses stroller happy hour.  

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

High Treason

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.