On Monday, April 28, Le Tourment Vert absinthe hosted a launch event at The Bowery Hotel. The venue’s rooms were transformed into a fin de siecle ambiance that transported guests back in time.

DJ Johnny Dynell provided the period soundtrack for a cast of characters comprised of Manhattan’s most impressive performers. Throughout the evening Flambeaux raised the temperature with his fire shows, Amber Ray and Sequinette preened in their spectacular finery, Albert Cadabra mesmerized with his sleight-of-hand, nationally ranked pool player Sharon Weis hustled unsuspecting gentlemen, Molly Crabapple sketched naughty Victorian portraits, Stefan Pildes juggled, Jared Williams from absintheology shared historical facts and serving suggestions, Kae Burke was the sexy stilter, Olga Karmansky amazed with her sensuous contortion, five delightful green fairies proffered samples of “the torment” to guests as they arrived and Gabrielle Penabaz and Jennifer Upchurch were the well-dressed wranglers.

In addition to the human eye candy, the 300-plus guests who braved the torrential downpours were treated to delicious passed hors d’oeuvres and assorted absinthe cocktails, as well as bottle service at each table, where they could serve themselves absinthe the old fashioned way: by dripping water from icy absinthe fountains over sugar cubes delicately perched on absinthe spoons down into the awaiting Le Tourment Vert.

It was a truly magical night.