Nestled in the vibrant heart of Nob Hill, Albuquerque, Happy Accidents is a one-of-a-kind craft cocktail bar and fully operational distillery. Conceived and brought to life by owners Kate Gerwin and Blaze Montana during the pandemic, this colourful establishment is a labour of love – every wall is hand-painted, every table constructed, and each booth upholstered by the duo. Kate, a graffiti artist, has infused the space with her artistic flair, making it a visual feast where whimsy meets functionality.

This eclectic decor is bursting with personality, from their eye-catching “goat wall,” featuring a giant hipster goat framed by an expansive mirror, to the playful astro turf ceilings and quirky monkey chandeliers. Happy Accidents ensures inclusivity for their guests through thoughtful design elements, such as three table heights catering to guests of all sizes and abilities, and bathrooms uniquely painted by local street artists, each a conversation starter in its own right.

Happy Accidents operates under a unique “distillery bar” concept, crafting almost every spirit used in their cocktails from scratch. This means that when bartenders dream up a new cocktail, they can create bespoke spirits tailored to the drink’s flavour profile. Whether it’s a gin with enhanced citrus notes or a high-proof whiskey, the team has complete creative control over every aspect. Their commitment to sourcing any spirits they don’t make is also commendable; Happy Accidents pays an average of $4 more per litre to small producers and farmers, ensuring fair compensation and fostering community connections.

With a menu boasting 50-80 cocktails at any given time, there’s something for every palate. The drinks are organised into three sections: “Non-Alcoholic Cocktails,” crafted from in-house NA spirits; “Bangers,” which are familiar yet fun concoctions; and “Flex,” featuring adventurous ingredients and innovative techniques. Every front-of-house staff member is trained as a bartender, ensuring that guests receive personalised bar service at their tables.

Among the standout offerings are approximately 30 cocktails on draft, meticulously crafted for optimal freshness and flavour. Highballs, carbonated drinks, and other selections are batched and stored away from light and heat to maintain their integrity. The house-blended smoked whiskey & kola exemplifies this dedication, providing a unique and effervescent experience without the dilution of traditional soda guns.

The commitment to sustainability extends to the glassware as well, with all vessels upcycled from estate sales and thrift stores, creating a charmingly mismatched collection that each tell a story.

As for the ambiance, Happy Accidents knows how to set the mood. The music selection ranges from Motown during brunch to yacht rock on Sundays, and low-fi Hip-Hop/R&B on weekends, using tempo to shape the bar’s energy and vibe.

Behind the scenes – training is extensive and carried out bi-weekly with many opportunities for staff to travel or take paid externships at global educational industry events. 

They quite rightly take the utmost pride in the diversity of the team. The majority owner is a queer woman and all staff are required to take diversity, equity and implicit bias training. They not only hire people from all genders, backgrounds, ethnicities and religions, but make themselves available for accommodating disabilities, health issues, economic disparities and provide mental health coverage within their staff health insurance.

In regards to their comfort – the bar specifically was designed to minimise any injury from working. Built at exactly 44 inches to ensure bartenders do not have to lean forward, the wells are built like cockpits without speed rails so staff can bartend standing up with a 90 degree bend at the elbow. These small details make an enormous difference and understanding and actioning them was yet another reason they were named Drinks Innovators of the Year from Seven Fifty Daily specifically for the way they prioritise their staff.