Labor Day Celebrations and Corresponding Cocktails

As we look ahead with anticipation mixed with a tinge of sadness for the Labor Day celebration and the summer exit —  the best thing to do is to send it out with a bang. After the parades and fanfare of the last holiday of the summer, you may want to stop off at a local hot spot (pun intended) and make some cocktail memories to float you through to the fall transition. –roz edward

Chicago
Navy Pier Fireworks, Chicago
Saturday, Sept. 3

The Boutique is an exclusive outlet for entertainment moguls looking to get away from the main club district. Owner Marc Bortz (Hogs & Honeys, Sangria nightclubs) is behind this hip-hop focused club. Bortz beefed up his hip-hop cred when he partnered with John Monopoly, a hip-hop talent scout, music video producer, CEO of GOOD Music and Kanye West’s manager. The tri-level club aims for a Tibetan vibe with rich woods, stone and ample artifacts from the region.

New York
Labor Day Parade and March
New York City – Fifth Avenue and 44th Street
Saturday, Sept. 3

In real Blue Toast fashion, after the parade stop by and pay homage to one of the late greats, Nick Ashford of the legendary musical duo Ashford & Simpson. He and wife, Valerie, established the Sugar Bar in a converted brownstone on Manhattan’s trendy Upper West Side. Celebrity patrons include Stevie Wonder, Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Ewing, Al Sharpton, Eddie Murphy, Johnny Gill, Freddie Jackson, Maya Angelou … it’s a veritable Who’s Who list.

Detroit
32nd Annual Detroit Jazz Festival
Hart Plaza and Detroit Riverfront
Sept. 4–7

Just up the street at the Motor City Casino, step into one of the citiy’s newest nightclubs, Amnesia, and order a Hennessy Black Apricot Sunray. But as the club’s name indicates, you’re bound to not remember much.
1 375 ml bottle – Hennessy Black
1 bottle of Chandon Brut
24 ounces of Orchard Apricot Liqueur
12 ounces Kern’s Apricot Nectar
12 ounces fresh squeezed lemon juice
32 ounces fresh squeezed blood orange juice
15-20 apricot slices
5 thinly sliced lemons
1 blood orange, halved and thinly sliced
12 brandied cherries

In a large punch bowl or pitcher, add all ingredients and stir with ice.
Note: Since President Barack Obama will be in Detroit on Labor Day for the annual celebration of workers, security will be heightened.