8th Day Distillery is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Jaime and Matt Lamping, who first started making spirits in 2016 and have been growing and winning fans in Indianapolis ever since. Their “bottle shop and cocktail bar” in the Circle City Industrial Complex boasts an all-female team of bartenders, including Indy Maven’s beloved former team member Adrienne Harlow, who was recently named Bar Manager & Lead.
In addition to being co-owner, Jaime Lamping spearheads events and marketing for the brand, and she also creates and hosts pop-ups and collaborations with local brands (like Indy Maven), artists, and food trucks.
Another notable woman at 8th Day Distillery is Felicia Govan, who was formerly 8th Day’s Bar Manager and has recently transitioned into a Sales & Distribution Manager role. We chatted with Felicia to find out more about the cocktail program at 8th Day Distillery and what it’s like working with an all-female front-of-house team.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR SPRING COCKTAIL MENU?
It’s incredible. The theme is “Spring has sprung,” and we have our citrus fruits, but we also have a coffee cocktail, which is something that we’ve only done a few times in the past, and I think this one really hits the mark.
We also have a super spicy rift on an old fashioned with habanero peppers; on a scale of one to five, it’s like a 10 in terms of heat. We even have a fun drink with carrot juice in it, so there’s something for everyone here.
I heard that you have all women behind the bar, Is THAT THE CASE?
Yes! So, I moved here from Chicago, and in my bartending career, the majority of the time I was the only woman behind the bar. So, when I started working here, I was really over the moon that it was all women, because that’s something I’ve never experienced before.
It’s such a strong crew and it’s a group of women who are really getting it done. I absolutely love it.
What do you think the difference is having an all-women crew versus the situations that you’ve worked in in the past?
Honestly, cleanliness. I mean, that is just an aesthetic thing, but also, it’s really the amount of teamwork that goes on behind the bar. We are really working as a team, and we all want to produce the same amazing product.
Plus, we just have so much fun. I don’t think I’ve ever had a job before in my life where I just look forward to coming in on a Friday night or a Saturday night because I know I’m going to have a good time.
What does 8th Day Distillery have coming up that we can look forward to or be excited about?
I think one thing that people look forward to the most here at 8th Day is that during the summertime the garage doors are open. And, we also have our frozen cocktails, which the team knocks out of the park every single time. They’re boozy slushies, and you can’t really go wrong with that.
Stephanie Groves is the Executive Editor of Indy Maven.
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