Spiegelworld speaks to Niko Novick, Executive of Beverage for Diner Ross at DISCOSHOW, the brand new Spiegelworld show and venue at 3535 Las Vegas Blvd.
Niko, we always love having you. What has been your journey up until this point?
It’s been a very awesome wild ride. Like a 1000 mile road trip from A to B but with so many unexpected stops every 5 miles. In the last two years, I’ve made almost 200 original cocktails for Spiegelworld, which is no easy feat. Along the way there have been so many parties and ideas that we’ve been simultaneously working on from Nipton to F1, there is never a dull moment.
How would you describe the cocktail menu vibe at 99 Prince, glitterloft and Diner Ross?
99 PRINCE
This bar is the entry point for the entire DISCOSHOW experience. A New York City subway station. The cocktail menu at 99 Prince celebrates the convergence of past and present with the authenticity of the gritty 70’s AND the sophistication of contemporary cocktail culture. Inspired by a pivotal era, our opening menu is a tribute to the New York cocktail scene of the 2000s, a time celebrated as the second golden age of cocktails. During this vibrant period, visionary bartenders, who have since become titans in the industry, opened bars that transformed entire neighborhoods with their dedication to crafting impeccably balanced and irresistibly delicious drinks. Now that those places are gone and in the wake of the pandemic, the cocktail industry has evolved in so many ways, making the magic of that era even more cherished and unique. At 99 Prince, we honor those trailblazers by serving 6 specific cocktails from 6 specific places. These people include Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey, Julie Reiner of Flat Iron Lounge, Leo Robitschek of NoMad, Dave Arnold of Booker & Dax, Jim Meehan of PDT, and Alex Day of Death & Co.
GLITTERLOFT
This bar is directly inspired by the Glitterloft spaces and its inspirations of the roots of disco, specifically David Mancuso’s Loft Party. These parties provided marginalized communities and artists a safe space to express themselves freely. Clubs like The Loft, founded in 1970, were revolutionary, with invitation-only parties that prioritized curated music, high-quality sound, and a welcoming atmosphere. Our bar program here mimics the experience of early Loft attendees with a few modern twists. Think of the intimate vibe of an underground house party, where drinks are served in custom, double-insulated black solo cups, and there’s no menu in hand—just a big board featuring a specially curated selection of the best bottled and canned beers, RTDs, and cocktails. We offer classic drinks like vodka sodas, gin & tonics, and Jack and Cokes, along with three specialty era cocktails on draft: unique riffs on the Wallbanger, Mind Eraser, and Margarita. Here, every drink is a nod to the disco era’s celebration of freedom, diversity, and the pure joy of dancing the night away.
DINER ROSS
Our bar program at Diner Ross blends old-school charm with the freshest modern flair. In the 1970s, the bar industry saw a boom in artificial sweeteners and liqueurs like Rose’s Lime Juice and Sweet and Sour mix, a period often referred to as the ‘dark ages of craft cocktails.’ We draw inspiration from an alternate reality where high-quality ingredients were always the norm. Our aim is to keep it real and ensure everyone feels at home. Our festive menu combines serious drinks with a light-hearted nod to the past, resulting in unexpected and delicious creations. Where else can you find a Midori Negroni, Champagne Colada, Cherry Paloma, and an Appletini all on the same menu?
Can you tell us what inspired you to become a beverage creative?
It was a moment of pure inspiration. I was sipping an overpriced latte in a cafe overflowing with hipsters, and suddenly it hit me like a caffeine-induced epiphany: art isn’t just on canvas or in marble sculptures—it flows, it bubbles, it’s liquid! Just kidding.
In reality, I had no choice in the matter. I’ve always been knee-deep in the art of whatever’s in front of me, from painting to washing dishes, so, it was only a matter of time before I found myself slinging cocktails like a drunken Picasso. Lucky for me I was in the right place at the right time which translated into artistic work in a very young, very booming industry where cocktails are the canvas.
What are some of your inspirations behind the Diner Ross cocktail menu?
Diner Swing, Funk Lounge, Le Freak so Chic, Retro Summer, Glam Fresh, Neon Groove, Nostalgia Fever Dream.