Check Out a Pop-Up Event at Good Spirits & Co.'s HQ

There are three main factors I pay attention to when reviewing a bar or restaurant. This includes the quality of the food and drinks itself, but also the ambiance and the service. Very rarely does an establishment completely nail all three categories, but when one does, I’m hooked. This is the case for the Good Spirits & Company Headquarters (1424 E. Cherry St.), and it’s no wonder considering who is behind the venture. Good Spirits has brought us some of Springfield’s most beloved bars, such as The Golden Girl Rum Club and Cherry Picker Package x Fare. But the hospitality group’s headquarters is what I consider their finest work yet.

One of the other main beats I cover is interior design, and I could wax poetic about the beauty of the space (what other local bar has Gucci wallpaper in the bathroom?!). Good Spirits uses its headquarters for internal meetings and client presentations but opens it up to the public several times a month via pop-up events and tastings. The menu for the pop-up cocktail service changes each time, but come expecting drinks infused with creativity. On my first visit, I tried the Garden Variety Show, which featured Hendricks gin, cucumber citrus cordial, celery, pineapple, lime, coconut water and clarified labneh. It was so light and refreshing, and the dollops of sesame mint oil resting on top gave it a wonderful aroma and presentation. On the food side of things, the nuts, pickles, olives, chips and pork rinds are all staple items. Your choice should depend on what flavor profile and texture you’re craving. If you want something smoky and crunchy, go with the mixed nuts. The olives come to your table warm, so they have almost a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The pickled veggies with the addition of dill are tangy and fresh, and the chips and pork rinds offer just the right amount of salt to cut through an acidic drink.

Overall, the GS&Co HQ is definitely where you’d want to go to celebrate a special occasion or impress a date. Follow their Instagram page at @goodspiritsandco to be the first to know about upcoming pop-ups and tasting events.

This story was originally published in August 2023
Josh Widner, owner of Springfield-based hospitality group Good Spirits & Company, and his team are opening a new headquarters in the Rountree neighborhood this fall. You might already be familiar with other Springfield spots owned by Good Spirits & Company, such as the Golden Girl Rum Club, Cherry Picker Package & Fare, Best of Luck Beer Hall and Sweetboy’s Neighborhood Bar.

The company’s new headquarters is set up as a “cocktail test kitchen,” which the team plans to use for internal menu ideation and creation for all of their restaurants, educational tastings featuring growers and makers, private events, and events like cocktail pop-ups.  Private event booking starts in September. Keep a lookout for Good Spirits’ first pop-up event in September and a Champagne, Oyster and Caviar tasting later in October.

In addition to their new headquarters, Good Spirits & Company is launching two new businesses. The Loveless Cocktail Club is set to open at the end of this year in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Loose Goose is set to open in summer of 2024 in Springfield.

“Challenging the limits of Springfield’s cocktail culture for the last 20 years has been a labor-intensive dream come true for us,” Beverage Director Rogan said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to pushing the envelope even further and showcasing my craft for every guest that comes through our door.”

We can’t wait for all the exciting new things Good Spirits & Company is bringing to 417-land!—Kali Salazar