Atlantan Justin Staples loves how spirits bring people together. He’s created a sustainable entertainment destination that aims to do just that when it opens on October 11. Nestled just off the Rail Trail in Chamblee, Georgia, lies Block & Drum, a new kind of distillery named for the tools of musicians and distillers that will play within the adaptive reuse space. The multi-hyphenate space will feature a micro-distillery and tasting room, café studio, listening room, live music and stage, event hall, hydroponic farm, and container kitchens. Here, Staples is taking his extensive background in the spirits industry to create something innovative and new in a “farm-to-bottle” experience.
Visitors can walk through the hydroponic farm growing fresh botanicals and ingredients used in the distillery’s spirits utilizing sustainable, organic farming techniques and technology. Complemented by a rainwater harvesting system, this setup underscores Block & Drum’s commitment and passion for sustainability and urban agriculture. The team at Block & Drum is experimenting with rum, whiskey, vodka, and gin, but Staples’ passion is rum, focusing on a natural style of rum called rhum agricole derived from fresh-pressed sugarcane juices. Check out his signature Hemingway Daiquiri using their Baterí Rum below. Tours of Block & Drum’s unique craft-spirit production processes are available to observe the impressive vacuum still in action or create a custom bottle of spirits using the ultra-fresh flavors extracted from botanics grown in the onsite hydroponic farms.
“The ethos behind Block & Drum is about connecting people with the raw product and doing it in an environment that is enjoyable. We have a hydroponic farm, that’s why we’re able to take what we’re growing here onsite, put it in a bottle, and then we can do it in an enjoyable environment where we have local bands come in and listen to music. Our tasting room is also a vinyl listening room, so it gives people that chance to listen to some vintage music and really connect with that spirit,” says Staples.
Block & Drum will feature a Listening Room dedicated to analog audiophile music culture in addition to an outdoor music stage and courtyard that will host performances from top local and national musicians, comedy acts, and poetry readings, creating an engaging and memorable experience for all attendees.
Soon, the distillery will open up their container kitchens, acting as an incubator for local culinary talent. This dynamic collaboration ensures guests encounter tasty, creative food options, while providing an affordable entry point for up-and-coming chefs eager to make their mark on Atlanta’s culinary scene. Until then, expect a lineup of local food trucks serving up the highlights of the multicultural food scene in Chamblee.
Lastly, check out the Café Studio’s charming espresso bar with premium coffee beverages and a curated selection of breakfast pastries. Guests can enjoy their coffee on the pet-friendly outdoor patio overlooking the Chamblee Rail Trail or cozy up inside the vintage, audio-inspired interior space.
Justin’s Hemingway Daiquiri
recipe 
yields
Makes 1 cocktail
2 ounces Baterí Raw Cane Rum
½ ounce Block & Drum cherry liqueur
¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
½ ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
Lime wheel for garnish
Ingredients
steps
- Add the rum, cherry liqueur, lime juice, and grapefruit juice into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
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