ANOTHER REASON TO LOVE SPRING >>>

Friday, March 29, 1022 South - the craft cocktail lounge in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood - will throw a party to celebrate its fourth anniversary and spring menu release. Beginning at 4 p.m., patrons will be able to sip the new concoctions for $6 a pop, as well as taste new treats out of the kitchen.

Since this lounge opened in March 2009, then bar manager now owner Chris Kiel,bartender Corey Lund and crew have entertained drinkers with discussions ranging from fermentation yeasts to ice density - offering a vibe and drink menu that suggests a throwback to the pre-Prohibition era when tempting cocktails and stimulating conversation highlighted a cosmopolitan American nightlife. With ingredients such as housemade bitters, botanical infusions and herbs including yohimbe, damiana and tulsi gracing the stemware, it's safe to tag the folks behind 1022's bar as apothecary rather than bartenders.

Kiel says the new menu will be a lot lighter and more refreshing that the current winter menu, which leans toward the spirit-driven - boozy - and comforting.

"Unlike previous years, we've changed the entire menu with only three favorites coming back," says Kiel. "We also dug deeper into the classic cocktail books to showcase more obscure or overlooked drinks.

"A couple of the new ones that I'm really excited about are the Tarragon Rickey, which is gin, yellow chartreuse, lime, tarragon, goji berry and soda water, and the classic De Rigueur, which we're making with blended scotch, blackberry honey and grapefruit," adds Kiel.

The food menu will be tweaked a little bit as well. Expect a few more sandwiches, including a vegan option and a couple more salads.

1022 SOUTH: Maria Jost's collage-drawings of 1022's botanical ingredients now hang at in the Hilltop Tacoma bar.

Those who haven't attended past menu release parties at 1022 South should know the cozy, handsome joint will be a popular spot Friday. While waiting for your craft cocktails, be sure to browse Maria Jost's seven permanent collage-drawings paying homage to 1022 South's botanical ingredients.

Also, 1022 South's Beet and Blue Sandwich is currently competing in the Tournament of Sandwiches. It squares off with Darby's Café's Tempeh Reuben Saturday, March 30.

1022 SOUTH, SPRING MENU DEBUT, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 4 P.M. TO CLOSE, 1022 S. J ST., TACOMA, 253.627.8588