Jan. 31, 2019

This paid piece is sponsored by JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars.

The temperature is finally back above zero, it’s safe to venture out of the house, and you need a trip to JJ’s for more reason than one, right?

Whether you’re restocking from the cold snap, preparing for the Super Bowl or just looking for a new way to warm up, Tom Slattery and his team at JJ’s Wine, Spirts & Cigars are ready to help.

We caught up with him – and braved the weather – for some timely advice.

I’m hosting a Super Bowl party. What are some of the beverages I probably shouldn’t be without?

Well, beer, of course. Offer a variety. We have over 300 varieties of single beers on our mix-and-match wall for you to choose from. You will have a few, what we call, beer heathens, so make sure you have enough Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Light as well.

OK, what if I want to take it up a level or two? Any ideas?

If you want to take it up a notch, then you need to dive into making cocktails. Paul Squyer, our director of cocktail culture, has fantastic ideas, customized to your specific needs and wants. I would stop in and pick his brain!

What about snacks? Can I pick up anything while I’m at JJ’s?

We have gourmet cheese, meats, chips and snacks available. You can also grab an assortment of Boozy Bakery treats for dessert.

How about if I’m a guest at a Super Bowl party? Any ideas for what to bring?

Nothing, unless you know exactly what the host wants. And if you tell us who it is, we often know what they enjoy if you’re looking for a way to say thanks. If they say don’t bring anything, don’t bring anything. Hosts that listen to us and supply fun drinks and a variety of beer styles tend to get offended if you bring your own thing.

I have no Super Bowl plan and definitely do not want to host a party. Can I just watch the game at JJ’s?

Funny you should ask. I am a longtime Patriots fan — yes, before we started winning. Since I have a bar now, I thought it would be appropriate to host any and all Patriots fans in the area, if they are so inclined. We usually close at 8 p.m. on Sunday, but we well stay open until the game is over. We will have some drink specials, and our pizzas will be available for purchase. We may have a few other snacks available as well, depending on how much response I get from interested participants. 

What if I’m not even a football person, I’m just really, really sick of the cold and want a beverage to warm me up. Any suggestions?

That we can certainly help with. With over 4,000 items at our disposal, we can certainly help you deal with the cold. Whether you are taking it home or enjoying right here in our newly decorated 3.0 Cocktail Bar, we certainly have what it takes to make you forget about how miserable it is. We also serve small snacks and pizzas, so we can keep you fed as well.