Photo courtesy of Pawn Broker

For this month's edition of Cocktail Corner the head mixologist at downtown's Pawn Broker, Derek Stilmann, shares his thoughts on the bar and his inspirations behind the menu. Located on the rooftop level of the newly opened Langford Hotel, the bar is known for its creative craft cocktails and indoor/outdoor space that includes a rooftop with panoramic views of Downtown Miami.

"Pawn Broker is a cocktail bar where I myself would want to drink. When I first went up to the rooftop at the Langford and walked outside, I really felt the presence of a "downtown" in Miami and it sparked an excitement to work on this project. The Langford Hotel and the surrounding buildings have so much character that I was reminded of a rooftop bar in New York City with great energy and a vibe that inspires a good time, " says Stilmann.

Pawn Broker serves a combination of cocktails inspired by the great American classics and a bar bites menu that combines the tastes of Chef Jose Medin of the Pubbelly Boys. Behind the stick, Stilmann takes inspiration from the Golden Age of cocktails. 

"The menu at Pawn Broker reflects the image of a classy cocktail bar. Parts of it are inspired by American history and other parts are modern – it has something for everyone. One of my bartenders, Anthony Acuna and I went back and forth over the menu for weeks and yet it is still changing all the time. That's what I love about it. There are no boundaries with what we may put on the menu. Whether an item may be an homage to a historic American figure or may be complete nonsense, to me, that's what makes it fun and approachable."

As for the ethos of the bar? Stilmann refers to a quote printed on the menu by the Hunter S. Thompson, "Buy the ticket, take the ride." "I feel its a good representation of the menu and the bar itself," he says.  

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Pawn Broker will host a Gatsby inspired Halloween fete on Saturday, October 29th from 5:00 pm to close with VIP access to the hotel's presidential suite. Rutte Gin cocktails and bar bites will be served alongside live DJ sets spinning all night. Below, Stilmann shares the recipe for the popular drink the Corn Pop Fizz. 

CORN POP FIZZ

Ingredients | Serves 1
Instructions: Dry shake, then shake with ice and double strain over ice in a collins glass. Garnish with corn pops. 

  • 1.5 Troy & Sons Moonshine 
  • 3/4 Corn Pop syrup 
  • 3/4 Lemon juice 
  • 1 Dash Lemon bitters 
  • Egg white                                                                               

Pawn Broker
at the Langford Hotel
121 SE 1st St. | Downtown Miami