[ABOUT THE BAR]
«POLUNOCHNYKY» («Nighthawks») is a classic cocktail bar in the style of an American 1930s bar in the city of Vinnytsia, which opened on November 13, 2021. In its first year, it became an important player in the Ukrainian bar industry.
MISSION: Developing the alcohol culture in Vinnytsia and promoting this city in Ukraine through the quality work of the entire team. Introducing the global community to Ukrainian bar culture. Introducing a wide audience to the history of classic cocktails.
REALIZING THE MISSION:
⬥ Preparing cocktails with the best ingredients and using modern bar technologies to create an experience based on the principle «Drink better, not more.»
⬥ Using craft and local ingredients to promote Ukrainian gastro-culture.
⬥ Cultivating the heritage of the global history of classic cocktails — respecting the history of each cocktail’s creation.
⬥ Providing friendly service, turning «clients» into «guests».
Initiating and supporting the growth of bar professionals' competence through lectures, guest shifts, and pop-ups.
⬥ Transmitting love and respect for the industry and awakening guests' curiosity about the bar industry in general, including by conducting cocktail master classes.
GOAL: Achieving inclusion in the most prestigious national and international rankings, which is the path to fulfilling the mission.
MAIN PRINCIPLES: Service, quality, cleanliness.
THE MOST IMPORTANT VALUE: People.
MOTTO: «People — with cocktails. Cocktails — with stories». Each cocktail on the menu has its story, described on the website and shared on social networks. It is VERY IMPORTANT to tell guests the stories: about the bar, about the cocktails, as this is a cultural value. Only by trying a cocktail with a story can one truly experience its taste, emphasizing the bar's motto.
NAME «POLUNOCHNYKY» is Ukrainian.
This word has been used for a long time, as there is a Ukrainian folk tale «Evening, Midnight, and Dawn», voiced by storyteller Sashko Lirnyk.
In English, "POLUNOCHNYKY" translates to «NIGHTHAWKS» (These are people who don't sleep at night or go to bed very late).
LOGO: Represents an entrance door symbolizing the transition to a special world of classic cocktails. On the door is depicted a refined glass of a classic cocktail, reflecting our commitment to the history and art of making these drinks. The logo not only indicates our bar but also invites every visitor to immerse themselves in an unforgettable experience of flavors and discovering new facets of classic cocktails.
It is an officially registered trademark (m202420871).
While searching for the name for the establishment, four friends were inspired by the painting by the famous American artist Edward Hopper, «Nighthawks», painted in 1942 and depicting four people in a night bar.
The painting painted at the entrance to the courtyard and serving as the establishment's signboard was somewhat modified — just take a closer look. It features the four co-owners and many small elements: a cat, the address, a scooter, and some modern elements.
Speaking of the CO-OWNERS:
⬥ Denis — responsible for the organizational structure of the bar, the team, and all work processes, including payroll, planning, and household issues.
⬥ Vlada — handles financial reporting, accounting operations, inventory, Poster, and helps with designing materials.
⬥ Mila — responsible for the bar's media presence, PR, networking, social media, overall marketing, and events (at the level of Vinnytsia, Ukraine, and worldwide).
⬥ Dima — coordinates the team of bartenders, responsible for the taste, quality, and level of the bar menu, the alcohol line, and supplies to the bar.
5 RANDOM FACTS:
⬥ The bar's history began with a friendly evening with wine, vinyl music, and the phrase: «Let's open a bar!»
⬥ It took 9 months and a starting investment of $350,000 to implement the project.
⬥ The name changed three times before opening.
⬥ Local archives and the history of the premises were researched.
⬥ Many details that guests now see at the bar counter were purchased at vintage flea markets in Kyiv, Odesa, and Barcelona.
PREMISES:
The location of the establishment is closely connected with the city's life. The building where the bar is located today was built in 1901 and housed stables and garages for city carriages at the beginning of the 20th century. During the bar's construction, two original stone walls were preserved, where there used to be horse feeders. Interestingly, during the renovation work, an old horseshoe was found at a depth of 1.5 meters, which was restored and placed above the entrance for good luck.
Another SECRET: a Negroni cocktail is walled up in the wall near the window, closer to the stage. It was walled up by the four co-owners in the summer of 2021 and is still there.
This was the design project of the bar by Chernivtsi designer Denys Zazubek from the design bureau «RIZDVO» and the bar counter by the legendary Stepan Tsutsman. The implementation was carried out as closely as possible to the project.
CONCEPT:
⬥ A classic cocktail bar, but at the same time, where author's cocktails are successfully mixed with classics and twists.
⬥ Experimenting in our own laboratory, producing craft products: Smoky Whisky-Cola, Sangrita, and sparkling RTD cocktails.
⬥ Working with passion. Continuous learning. Creating and supporting the bar community.
The bar team actively accepts GUESTS and goes on GUEST SHIFTS.
They hosted: Parovoz, Mad House, Flacon, Pink Freud, Talkies, People Place and HAIM, alcoholic brand NEMIROFF, LoggerHead bar, a gastro-dinner from 100 років тому вперед, the bar inventory brand BARTA tour, Смєна bar, Podil East India Company, The Room, bartender Roma Kutynsky, Philip White, 12 Monkeys bar, OTB Studio project, alcoholic brand SPISER. DIAGEO Bar Academy, a gastro-dinner by Artem Kabulakhin, bartender Nadir Kuchkarov, bar lady Maria Windsor, and Anna Gurieva.
Twice hosted the most stellar team of bartenders from various cities and establishments for the establishment's anniversary.
Visited bars: Pink Freud, Yeah/Not, Hendricks Bar, Flacon, Інші, Маніфест, Смєна, Shibo, Наново.
Shared experiences and knowledge and performed at bar schools and other events: Parovoz Bar Science, West Bartenders School, Mirror Hospitality Expo 2023 in Bratislava.
Gave interviews for Poster. Were speakers at Athens Bar Show 2022 and had their first international pop-up at one of Barcelona's best bars — Dr.Stravinsky. They were also a participant bar at BAROMETER 2024.
CHARITY:
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, they held many charity events, raising more than half a million UAH and donating them to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and various funds.
FOR US, THE BAR...
⬥ Acquired new meaning.
⬥ It ceased to be just a place where good alcohol is poured.
⬥ Became a safe place.
⬥ Became a place for therapy, and the bartender—the very therapist to whom you can honestly tell what you feel and fear.
⬥ And also became a place for stories.
EMOTIONS THAT DESCRIBE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BAR:
⬥ Inspiration.
⬥ Love.
⬥ Passion.
⬥ Professionalism.
⬥ Pride.
⬥ Attention.
⬥ Respect.
⬥ Honesty.