Jan 24, 2020

The Cocktail Room at 18th and Central Opens in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

A new airport dining experience featuring HMSHost food and service alongside Tattersall Distilling spirits

MSP AIRPORT (January 24, 2020) – Bringing the finest in craft distilling into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, global restaurateur HMSHost recently opened The Cocktail Room at 18th and Central in partnership with Pady Regnier of Airport Retail Group, INC. and Robert Grace of Be Graceful Bakery and Catering, LLC. A collaboration between HMSHost and Tattersall Distilling formed The Cocktail Room at 18th and Central which captures the essence of craft distilling in Minnesota and beyond.

“The Cocktail Room at 18th and Central speaks to the trend of elevated cocktail bars in American cities and airports. It’s great to work with locally-based Tattersall because they represent the culture of MSP,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Michael Price. “Along with our partners, we are thrilled to develop unique experiences like this in partnership with the MAC.”

“One of our goals when we set out to redevelop MSP International Airport’s food and retail program a few years ago was to curate the airport as a representation of Minnesota culture and flavors,” said Eric Johnson, director of Commercial Management and Airline Affairs for the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “Thanks to HMSHost and Airport Retail Group, we can now share craft spirits and liqueurs from Minnesota’s Tattersall Distilling with travelers from around the world.”

\"We're thrilled to see all of the hard work by the HMSHost, MAC and Tattersall teams coming to life at The Cocktail Room at 18th and Central,” says Jon Kreidler, founder and chief officer of Tattersall Distilling. “We’re looking forward to sharing a taste of the Tattersall experience with travelers flying in and out of MSP, even if they aren't in town long enough to visit the distillery.\"

Tattersall Distilling is a nationally acclaimed Minneapolis-based craft distiller, known for the incredible quality and breadth of their spirits portfolio. This includes award-winning designations such as their organic vodka, straight rye whiskey, apple brandy, aquavit, gin and an extensive portfolio of liqueurs, which are highlighted in the menu at The Cocktail Room at 18th and Central. All of Tattersall’s products are the result of research, experimentation and dedication to the finest local ingredients and sustainable practices.

Making this exclusive adult beverage program more distinctive is that the full-service bar offering is integrated into a fast casual service, creating an overall richer experience with enhanced convenience and choice for travelers.

Along with the exclusive drink options and specialty cocktails, the menu by HMSHost features bar bites and plates also made from locally-sourced ingredients when available, giving guests the chance to taste fresh flavors from the region such as local Wisconsin cheese. Signature must-try items include smoked salmon, lemon pepper wings, house made onion dip, and chicken bacon flatbread. And, house popcorn is the perfect cocktail pairing for a light snack.

The Cocktail Room at 18th and Central gets its name from Tattersall Distilling’s location, tucked away in Northeast Minneapolis, and one of its most popular drinks. In addition to their on-site distillery, the original location houses a stunning cocktail bar and the Clover Club, its new private event space. The new restaurant is located in MSP Airport’s Terminal 1, Concourse A.

HMSHost operates several of MSP Airport’s leading dining locations including Smashburger, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks Coffee, and MKT. Recently, HMSHost opened Shake Shack, Bottle Rocket, and PinKU Japanese Street Food with Chef John Sugimura. Visit the HMSHost location finder to see them all.

HMSHost Leading the Industry
HMSHost is recognized by the industry as the top provider of travel dining with awards such as Restaurateur with the Highest Regard Customer Service, as well as Best Brand Restaurateur for Shake Shack by Airport Experience News. USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards gave first place honors to both of HMSHost’s Whisky River locations at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. HMSHost is a leader in sustainability practices which includes its award-winning food donation program, as well as plans to eliminate conventional plastic straw use by 2020. The company also creates original award-winning events and campaigns including Airport Restaurant Month, Channel Your Inner Chef live culinary contest, 1,000 Acts of Kindness, and Eat Well. Travel Further.

About HMSHost
Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 120 airports around the globe and at more than 80 travel plazas in North America. The company has annual sales of more than $3.5 billion and employs approximately 41,000 associates worldwide. HMSHost is a part of Autogrill Group, the world’s leading provider of food & beverage services for people on the move. With sales of €4.7 billion in 2018, the group operates in 31 countries and employs over 60,000 people. It manages more than 4,000 stores in more than 1,000 locations worldwide. Visit HMSHost.com for more information and connect with HMSHost on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Metropolitan Airports Commission
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) owns and operates an airport system that includes Minneapolis-St Paul International and six general aviation airports. One of the nation’s largest airport systems, the MAC delivers more than $16.7 billion annually for the local economy and supports more than 90,000 jobs in the region. The MAC’s airports connect the region to the world and showcase Minnesota’s extraordinary culture to the more than 38 million passengers from around the globe who arrive or depart through MSP each year. Though a public corporation of the state of Minnesota, the organization is not funded by income or property taxes. Instead, the MAC’s operations are funded by rents and fees generated by users of its airports. For more information, visit www.metroairports.org.

About Tattersall Distilling
Founded just four years ago, Tattersall’s portfolio has grown to more than 30 all-natural spirits and liqueurs available in 23 states. Products are always made from the best ingredients available, which are locally sourced whenever possible. As such, Tattersall has gained national recognition with top honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, American Craft Spirits Association Awards, American Distilling Institute Awards and more. Tattersall is proudly a member of Minnesota Grown, meaning all products include at least 80% of Minnesota grown ingredients. Recently, Tattersall was named on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.

For more information visit www.tattersalldistilling.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @tattersalldistilling.