Last night we had the pleasure of attending the Biblio Bar opening night cocktail party in Itz’ana Resort and Residence. (I’ve written about the property before when they raised the bar for hospitality on the peninsula, when I scooped up some bargains at their off-season wine sale, when they started pizza by the pool on Sundays, and when we lucked in to living the dream for a day and had the whole resort to ourselves) This was an event! Like a real, honest to goodness, proper EVENT!
It’s been ages since we’ve had a real event and I was so excited before we even arrived because it was just such a rush to put on some makeup and actual shoes for once; we’ve had precious few reasons to even brush our hair much in the past two years. Well! Last night felt like old times. It actually felt like old old times, when I still worked for the radio group in New Jersey and we would get to attend special events like the launch party for a new liquor at a nightclub or the opening of some celebrity chef restaurant in a casino. The Biblio Bar opening was top notch. They had professional lighting and a renowned, international DJ. They had a velvet rope and celebrity guestlist (Miss Belize was there). The MC for the night was John Palacio, co-host of Belize’s most popular morning show, Open Your Eyes on Channel 5. They had a live artist, a local chocolate experience, and signature cocktails by Flor de Cana (a premium Nicaraguan rum imported by BIG limited. Itz’ana is the only resort I know of doing imported rum- this is, after all, Copalli country and Tiburon territory. Belize has lots of high-end rum but I guess having Flor de Cana as their signature rum goes with the international theme of the resort). I’m telling you- this was a legitimate event and it was so wonderful to be able to attend and see everyone looking so smart and enjoying themselves.
Okay, so here’s the 411: Biblio Bar is located upstairs from the resort’s main restaurant and bar. It basically encompasses three rooms; the main bar area in the library, a speak-easy type lounge with comfortable oversized sofas, and a super-secret cigar lounge that you enter through a cabinet… Narnia style! It is a very hip place that would make a lovely wedding venue or place for a cool corporate party. I could see myself in the future lingering over a pre-dinner libation at this bar or popping up there after dinner to waste an hour or two chatting with friends and pretending we’re the fancy jet-setting type. The cocktails are artfully crafted and meticulously poured here- even in the mad rush of the party last night I watched the bartender carefully mix some beautifully garnished gin-and-tonics, delicately pouring the tonic water down the spiral handle of the bar spoon. How classy is that? To me, ‘luxury’ is the big picture that’s been painted with a million thoughtful brush strokes. Itz’ana is paying attention to the details and it shows.
I’m so happy our friends’ Stephanie and Tom Hitchcock thought to invite us. Tom is the Biblio Bar’s ambassador and he and his beautiful wife (seriously beautiful, Stephanie is one of the prettiest people in Placencia hands down!) were such amazing hosts. They have a true talent for mingling and an effortless elegance I envy. I’ll try to emulate their style the next time we visit Biblio Bar!
