This year’s Skrewball Thanksgiving event at Ainslie Brooklyn exceeded expectations with its immersive atmosphere, inventive peanut-butter-whiskey cocktails, and uniquely crafted Thanksgiving-themed pies from Chain. Packed with lively music, playful activities, and countless thoughtful details, it turned a typically mundane holiday into a standout, joy-filled celebration.
Few things truly impress me in NYC anymore— the yearly Thanksgiving ritual has turned into a mundane event that leaves me looking at my calendar and counting down from 365 until the next. When I say that this year I was pleasantly surprised, thoroughly impressed, and left wanting more, I am not saying this lightly: Skrewball spared no expense in ensuring that this year’s Thanksgiving proceedings were bold, daring, and oh so fun.
Ainsley was a superb venue, Courtesy of Skrewball.
The event, dubbed PIE HARD in a clever pun, was hosted at Ainslie Brooklyn, a beautiful multi-space Italian restaurant with exotic greenery and wooden accents that made the whole area have an arresting outdoor tavern vibe. With ample seating on both benches and stools, multiple bars serving, you guessed it, Skrewball, and plenty of employees around ensuring that all the guests’ needs were met, I was appreciative of just how much thought went into only the space itself. Plus, upon entering, I was greeted with friendly smiles, a peanut butter twist on a classic cocktail promptly put into my hand, and some of the most fire music I have heard in recent memory. Seriously, DJ Karl Brisseux was phenomenal in his music selection, and several people were commenting that they’d be more willing to go clubbing if music like this was spun the whole night. I was hungry, though, so before I had a chance to fully absorb all of the various details I was seeing, I put in my pie order.
DJ Karl Brisseux held it down, Courtesy of Skrewball.
Enlisting Chain to craft a series of Thanksgiving pies with a twist, Skrewball really did not mess around when it came to their recipes. Each different and each representing an aspect of Thanksgiving, the mini pies were simply a delight. My favorites were the Green Bean Supreme Pie and the Margherita Pizza Pie. Each pie also came with a drink pairing, which was ingeniously meant to be drunk from a baster. These drinks were all unique and paired really well with their corresponding pie, and of course, all revolved around Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. I was surprised by the sheer variety of flavors they managed to encapsulate, even with a peanut butter base; I really enjoyed the apple, cherry, and banana cocktails. After these curated drinks, I was able to splurge from the bar for some more cocktails with Skrewball twists, like a peanut butter margarita or mojito. As a peanut butter lover, I happily sipped the night away.
I got BASTED
Courtesy of Skrewball
I’m sure that with just how amazing the food was, this event would have already stood amongst the best I have experienced. However, Skrewball was not ready to end the night so early. They also had multiple festivities planned, from games to activities that all added to the Thanksgiving mood. I happily took multiple rounds in the photobooth, where they had a “grandma” and “grandpa” to pose with for a family portrait. I completely lost it when the “emo cousin” entered the room, complete with a sour grimace and black makeup; the general unseriousness of the whole operation had me cracking up. Pretty soon, they announced the start of several rounds of trivia. Some daring guests participated despite the heavy penalty for getting a question wrong: a pie to the face. Hilarity ensued as pies were smooshed and faces were covered. Finally, the night ended with an open dance floor and an instrumental performance by a band that rocked the venue. I could not help but grin the whole time.
Skrewball went above and beyond with this year’s Thanksgiving celebrations, and I cannot think of a better drink than Skrewball peanut butter whiskey to take the limelight this holiday season. Completely versatile, taking many forms, and always tasty, the drink itself was one of many highlights that made PIE HARD such an amazing event. The multitude of little things to do and see that were arranged cannot be overshadowed, however. Heck, they even came around at the end and passed out turkey-shaped Jello shots and gift bags with whiskey and shirts. I had so much fun, got completed “basted”, and this Thanksgiving will surely go down as one to remember as a result. I implore you all to sit back and unwind with some Skrewball peanut butter whiskey this holiday season. It’s the best way to give thanks.
