Vanilla don’t cut it.
Whiskey’s on Main needs no introduction, as it is one of the best spots to visit in Ketchum to catch good vibes, smart drinks, outdoor sports onscreen, and often some bigger bands.
Whiskey’s does and is the supplier of a vibe. They also host a zillion sports screens and a spacious vibe with (probably 10 or so screens, including every type of outdoor sports from skiing, surfing, tennis, hunting, baseball, to whatever, and, yes, you can even request).
I watched the last couple rounds of a women’s tennis match (yes, I’m a tennis freak), then it ended and so I shifted attention to their surfing coverage. (Remember, life is chill, just dance to the next tune). It’s a way of spending the night.
Riley Boone
Boone is a 24-year-old Rhode Island native who’s found the ski-bum lifestyle of Ketchum to work for him to absolute aplomb. A fascinating, funny, cool young man, he is an athlete and skiing pro who has eyes on teaching during our snowy winters.
Boone is here for the foreseeable future. “I spent the last six winters in Breckenridge, Colorado, coaching and skiing there. And then every summer I choose a different place to travel to. So, Ketchum was on the list. I moved to Ketchum in May of this year. I’ve been working at Whiskey’s since. It’s a fun place. It’s like the whole town’s in and out and it’s just amazing. The people, the community. This place is sick, and it’s more than a lot of the places I’ve been. What I appreciate about Ketchum is that it still has a big sense of community, whereas Breckenridge is more focused on the tourism aspect, where it seems like this place is still pretty local and has a lot of its roots.” Boone gets it and has plans to settle down.
Well, we all know Sun Valley, the Wood River Valley, and Blaine County in general have one of the tightest, caring communities in the U.S. From summer to winter, this is what we do here. Live, laugh, lust and let the cameras find us.
“I just love skiing. It’s like my biggest passion,” said Boone, who is a professional skier and, while working at Whiskey’s, has his sights set on taming the slopes. “I’m hoping to get to work in some capacity teaching skiing for the mountain or for a different program this winter.”
Attention sunvalleyskischool.com and skiracing.com/academy/sun-valley-community-school. All scouts—this is your guy! Boone is an avid surfer, skier and all-around athlete who should be on your short list of potential teachers. And a danged good bartender to boot!
Whiskey Jacques’
Well, what’s Whiskey’s like these days?
Boone: “It’s a cool mix. One of the things I like about it a lot is that we do a pretty classy dinner service. So, it’s kind of like nice comfort food, but I can make some nice cocktails. And then at night on the weekends we shift over to a club vibe where it’s fast-paced with a DJ. So, it’s like the best of both worlds, right? It can be fancy, but then it can also be, like, you know, a little bit of a rave at night.”
J1 Nights
Boone continues, “So, last Sunday, for example, we did a J1 night which, if you don’t know, is the name of a visa that international students get. So, every other Sunday, we do a special night for them where we bring in a J1 DJ. And then they all come in, which is a great way for them to meet each other, and feel involved in the community. But, you know, they’re college kids on summer break, so they get down, for sure!”
What a blast. Boone shared a special cocktail, of his own creation, that was ridiculous. OMG, ASK for it—the FLORA. It has elderflower (St. Germaine), gin, simple orange bitters and a dried blood orange. It is absurdly refreshing, gentle yet exciting (the elderflower) and sets you up for a night of fun.
Get OUT
Visit Riley Boone at Whiskey’s on Main in Ketchum Thursday through Sunday, DEMAND his bespoke cocktail the FLORA, and vibe on the night. Ketchum is always the place to be when you want that thing in the shadow of the mountain.
Seek out Boone—a wealth of knowledge from Hawaii, California, Colorado, and just cool.
