A bar in the center of Copenhagen is the only one in Europe to have three living pieces of bar history, all in working order, on the counter. Two hand-cranked Coles shakers, a Minneapolis Brass & Iron Mfg Co. Ferris Wheel drink mixer, and a hand-cranked Alaska ice crusher are the prized possessions of Humberto Marques, owner of Curfew Bar.
An avid collector of vintage pieces and an enthusiast of cocktail culture, Marques is delighted to give these incredible machines a second life after being restored by Brandon Neal, who is known for his exquisite restorations of these unique pieces.
“These vintage shakers are significant pieces of bar history and are incredibly rare to find; few have survived over 100 years,”says Marques. “I am drawn to them not only for their historical value but also for the opportunity to demonstrate them in action to our curious guests to give them that experience.”
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The Coles shaker is used to blend two drinks simultaneously, and according to Marques, it was featured in the 1935 movie “The Plainsman.” These shakers were originally used in apothecaries to make milkshakes, but eventually made their way into saloons to craft cocktails.
“Functionally, the Coles shaker is excellent for drinks containing cream and eggs, as it was originally a milkshake machine, creating a perfect emulsion for such beverages,” says Marques. At Curfew, bartenders use the Coles shaker for the classic Ramos Gin Fizz, a cocktail that traditionally required 15 minutes of shaking in 1888.
The Ferris Wheel drink mixer also dates back to the 1890’s, designed to stir — not shake — cocktails in a gentle and consistent manner. The mechanism mimics the “throwing” mix method—a technique typically performed by moving a drink back and forth between two mixing vessels to aerate and blend the drink without the dilution that shaking can cause. It is ideal for stirring cocktails such as a dry martini, Vesper, Negroni, or Manhattan.
At Curfew Bar, staff use the Coles shaker to craft cocktails such as the Ramos Gin Fizz.
“This mixer was ahead of its time,” says Marques. “Ours is the only one of its kind in Europe. The Ferris wheel is ideal for mimicking the throwing method, making it perfectly suited for stirring cocktails.”
The Alaska Ice Crusher was a popular tool that saw widespread use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when ice played a crucial role in food preservation and beverage preparation before modern refrigeration became common.
The design of the Alaska Ice Crusher was simple yet highly effective. A sturdy cast iron or steel body holds sharp blades inside, which are operated by a hand crank. The ice goes into the crusher, and as the crank turns the ice is crushed into small usable pieces, falling into a container below.
The Alaska Ice Crusher at Curfew Bar is still in use after a loving restoration.
“Unrestored Alaska ice crushers are often prone to rust spots due to their original tin-coated steel construction,” says Marques. Neal addressed this issue by applying a food-safe powder coating during restoration of Curfew’s ice crusher.
“These machines offer much more than aesthetic appeal,” says Marques. “Their primary benefit lies in the unique experience they provide to our guests, allowing them to feel as if they are traveling back in time, which aligns perfectly with the ethos of Curfew as a speakeasy cocktail bar.”