Yacht Club sailed into illume Rooftop Restaurant for an epic nerd bar takeover

As the sun set over the Disney tourist district, guests at the illume rooftop restaurant were swept away on a memorable evening. Beyond the delicate cherry blossoms that greeted guests as they exited the elevator, fun, frivolity and a touch of the fantastical awaited them. While the sailor caps may have been a good sign, this moment of sailing was more than just a simple nighttime cruise to an award-winning drink. This yacht club does not require membership, but asks guests to leave that pretentious atmosphere on the shore.

Locals and tourists alike adore the Illume Rooftop Restaurant at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek. From its breathtaking views to its impressive food and drink offerings, it’s always a top choice in the Orlando dining scene.

On July 11, the lively space was transformed into a very different atmosphere. In partnership with Bacardi and Nestlé Premium Waters, Denver’s Yacht Club took over the space. The Anti-Club, one of the world’s 50 best bars in 2023, gave guests a taste of what they do best. Curious, aromatic, nuanced cocktails paired with some delicious hot dogs.

For those unfamiliar with the Yacht Club in Denver, the concept is quite different from the stuffy, well-mannered old-school clubs. Forget the old-fashioned Bushwood image. There’s no trust fund requirement or preppy dress code.

Denver’s Yacht Club may bill itself as an anti-club, but it’s much more than a can of Old Style and a bowl of corn nuts. Yes, there’s a nod to a dive bar, but the shag carpet and sticky floor have been replaced with a modern, exciting version that focuses on welcoming inclusion with a dash of the unexpected.

This idea is evident in their cocktails. During the special event at illume, the Yacht Club team brought some of their signature drinks and created a special cocktail in honor of the host restaurant. Specifically for the Orlando event, the team offered Beginner’s Luck. The take on the classic Rob Roy looked delicate in the glass, but was definitely not old-fashioned. Ambrato and fermented honey provided depth. Never overpowering, the Japanese-inspired cocktail was a nice nod to the host restaurant.

The cocktail of the evening was the Yacht Club’s signature The Hidden Valley Ranch Water. While many people enjoy the light, refreshing Ranch Water, this option is not that tequila-based cocktail with a dollop of HVR on top. This sophisticated sip is what the creative team does best. It’s a nod to the familiar, but twists the conversation in a way no one would have expected.

Watching the Yacht Club bartenders create this cocktail, the concept seems to start with a science experiment. When 2-liter bottles are forcibly carbonated, the magic begins. Those tiny bubbles aren’t meant to sing a Don Ho lyric. They’re meant to build anticipation for a savory cocktail that’s perfect for a warm summer night.

Those herbal notes, especially the dill, are vibrant and bright. It has all the flavor notes you’d expect from that ranch seasoning without the creaminess. It’s truly a game changer.

Of course, a matching food makes this cocktail even more special. Much like what the Yacht Club team offers in the Denver Bar, hot dogs were the food of the evening. But these hot dogs weren’t dragged through the garden or served with a squirt of ketchup.

The Caviar Dog embodies what Yacht Club does best. It’s the familiar with a little bourgeois twist. Of course, a tasty hot dog is always a treat, but it can be more than just that old-fashioned simplicity. A heaping amount of caviar, egg and a few pickled onions make it even better. It may not be caviar on Pringles or with Bugles, but it’s the combination that proves high and low can always find a way to come together.

Although this special event at illume was only for one night, the pop-up concept deserves more attention. Denver’s Yacht Club is a unique concept. Besides its atmosphere, it is the use of expired wine in its cocktails that makes this bar special. Few bartenders put this concept front and center. Perhaps these pop-ups can inspire the other bars to incorporate this ingredient into some of their new cocktails.

Additionally, these special events will draw people to visit the Yacht Club in Denver. Whether it’s sipping on one of their signature cocktails, sampling one of their impressive wines from the extensive collection, or simply ordering from 7-Eleven, there are plenty of reasons to sit down at the bar and sail into this special experience.

The illume Rooftop Bar at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek was one of several locations that hosted the Yacht Club’s pop-up event. The event took place on July 11, with another event set to take place in Arizona later this summer.

The Yacht Club is located at 3701 N Williams ST Denver, CO 80205. The JW Marriott at Bonnet Creek and Illume Restaurant are located at 14900 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando, FL 32821.