Bucktown’s new Red Door, with its great patio, has been a fine summer spot, but what about winter? What will there be to do then? Why, the same thing people in cold climates always do to get through winter— they drink their way through it. And with that in mind, Red Door, so far known mainly for its excellent beer list, has announced that they’ve acquired one of the city’s top mixologists— Jay Schroeder. Schroeder, who was one of four finalists and won Judge’s Choice in a recent RedEye competition for best bartender, was most recently at Double A inside Mercadito, but his training came under Charles Joly, now of The Aviary, at The Drawing Room. He’s also been a globetrotter, taking courses and working bars in Mexico, Japan, Scotland, France and other spots. He says his approach is straightforward and gimmick-free, with an emphasis on quality ingredients.
