After opening in 2018, The Winston has quickly become a Norman mainstay for its stylish environment and adventurous food and drinks.
Area partner Rick Patino and managing partner Brandon Kistler founded The Winston with the intention of owning an innovative and standout establishment.
“Anything that was weird and different that wouldn't work at another concept, they brought here, and it just all fell together,” General Manager Scarlett Burnett said.
Located on Main Street, The Winston takes pride in its extensive drink menu. It features a unique rotating selection of cocktails, beer, whiskey, wine and mocktails.
On top of its extensive happy hour between 3 to 6 p.m. daily, the restaurant also hosts $2 Tuesdays, where select menu items are $2.95 all day, and Whiskey Wednesdays, where the restaurant’s large whiskey and bourbon selection is discounted.
“Whiskey Wednesday is a fun way to experience our bourbon wall,” Burnett said. “It helps anybody who wants to get bourbon try it for cheaper.”
The Winston cycles through new cocktails seasonally, sometimes by replacing an individual drink at a time. Occasionally, special drinks, such as a homemade eggnog, are incorporated into the menu for holidays.
“It's always fun taking away one item,” Burnett said. “I'm so happy to add something that's crazy because then everyone gets excited about this new cocktail.”
Burnett’s favorite cocktail is the “I Can Sea Clearly Now.” The drink is a clarified milk punch that includes Kasama rum, Ciroc brandy, falernum liqueur, cinnamon star anise syrup, lime and pineapple.
Customers are often hesitant to order the drink because of its dairy base. However, clarifying the drink involves a straining process that removes the milk proteins along with the acidic elements of the cocktail.
“It's unbelievable, but a lot of people are afraid of it,” Burnett said. “It’s like science. The cocktail is crystal clear, and it’s to die for.”
The Winston features pictures and tributes to Winston Churchill throughout the restaurant. Churchill is the restaurant's namesake.
Around the holiday season, The Winston hosts specials and events such as the Elf on the Shelf special in December, which showcases the restaurant’s bourbon collection by serving half pours for half the price.
“We find and allocate bourbons or rye scotches that are really hard to find and only have three or four (bottles) available for purchase,” Burnett said. “A lot of places charge $65 for one single pour, but if we have it on our list, you can get half a pour for $30.”
The Winston differentiates itself and its menu from other restaurants by incorporating nontraditional ideas. Assistant manager Trevor Grose said the restaurant always looks to transform basic concepts into something unique.
“We want to elevate every basic thing you could think of,” Grose said.
The Winston’s convenient location makes the restaurant a prime spot for students and families.
“Parent's weekend is one of the best weekends ever. The moms and dads are so pumped up and they're ready to party with their kids,” Burnett said. “Even on game days, everyone will leave campus and walk down to the party here.”
The Winston always aims to go above and beyond to ensure customers feel seen and cared about, whether it be hospitality or the quality of food and drinks.
“People that come in aren't strangers. Every guest that walks in the building is family,” Burnett said.
The Winston, located at 106 W. Main St., offers discounted craft cocktails from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.
This story was edited by Karoline Leonard and Emma Blakley. Zoe De Leon, Avery Avery, Mary Ann Livingood and Nikkie Aisha copy edited this story.
