Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/98152
ROBIN BERWICK CO-OWNER, DOUBLE TROUBLE CAFFEINE & COCKTAILS Robin Berwick, co-proprietor of Midtown bar and coffee shop Double Trouble, always dreamed of opening a place of her own. Having worked for years with Robin Whalan at the well-established Montrose bar Poison Girl, the two, who frequently tended bar together, became known as Double Trouble. During their dual shifts, they dreamed of creating a place of their own. After a lengthy search and renovation process, Double Trouble opened its doors in November 2011. STATS: Robin, 33. YOUR HOME: ARCHITECT/ AGE/NEIGHBORHOOD. from the collection so that you can change the mood with each record. About 100 years old. I live on the ground ���oor of the twostory duplex in Montrose. The original owner of the home was Gordon Tex Beneke, a saxophonist from Houston, who played in the Glenn Miller Orchestra; architect Jack Heemer later purchased and updated the home. We wanted to create something that was a little different from other bars. Something cool but unpretentious. A place where people can hang out and enjoy themselves, have a conversation or a drink at the bar and really connect with the people they are with. We hired our staff with that in mind. In fact, many had no bartending experience prior to working for us. DECORATING STYLE. Bright and beachy, with a little kitsch. DESIGNER/ARCHITECT. Just me and partner Peter Zama. [Zama is hard at work perfecting a new line of ice creams, which he often pairs with cocktails that Berwick creates.] REMODELING STORIES TO SHARE? Painting was fun. The color in our living room, Sea Treasure by Valspar (from Lowe���s) has been used in my last three apartments. I took out the built-in ironing board since we don���t iron, and Peter installed a spice rack. DESIGN INSPIRATION. The island [Galveston], Andy Warhol and Golden Girls. TOP TREASURES OR CURATED COLLECTIONS. Vintage bottles of booze, sketchbooks and notepads full of drawings and recipes. GO-TO GALLERIES AND SOURCES TO COLLECT ART. I���m not a big gallery shopper. I went to painting school and befriended many artists who have given me their creations. I have works by David McGee, Cheyenne Ramos and Jermaine Rogers. Also ���nds from the DiverseWorks Luck of the Draw Auction, alongside acquisitions from the Printers��� Ball at Spring Street. WISH LIST AND NEXT ACQUISITION. I don���t make a list. Things just kind of ���nd their way here. A Tomi Ungerer print from the 1960s is my top request. SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER. Pot luck. Light the grill in the back ��� I make dips, Peter makes dessert [ice cream], and everyone else is in charge of everything else. Very casual. For music, we play records DOUBLE TROUBLE VIBE. ON DT���S DECOR. It���s really a re���ection of who we are. Robin [Whalan] studied interior design and has a fantastic eye. I was born in Galveston and feel a connection to the island and the sea. With DT, you can see and feel that in���uence. There���s a bit of an island vibe going on, but it���s not too literal. We���ve built a place that���s welcoming, relaxing, but we���ve stayed honest to who we are. TAKING THE BAR HOME: BLUE HUES, BAMBOO, TEXAS ART PLUS TCHOTCHKES. Yes, it���s really a great place to relax, listen to music and unwind. Most everything here comes out of my love of ���thrifting.��� I���ve bought almost everything at thrift shops (favorite haunts: The Guild Shop, DAV Thrift and Value Village). Much of the art comes from Peter���s collection which includes a number of prints by Pittsburgh-based artist Mike Budai. WHAT���S IN THE COCKTAIL SHAKER NEXT? I offer bartending to parties of 25 or less through my side business Service Belle (servicebelle.com). Also, at Double Trouble, we often host guest bartenders on Monday nights with 25 percent of sales going to various local charities. On December 3, Justin Burrow, formerly of Anvil, will tend bar with Brad Moore, owner of Pearl and Grand Prize; with proceeds bene���tting The Periwinkle Foundation. On December 10, DT hosts Rebecca Masson, owner of Fluff Bake Bar while Richard Knight of Feast will serve cocktails on December 17 bene���tting Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Clockwise from top: On her back patio, Berwick wears a Holly Fulton jacket from Laboratoria, pants by Balmain from Sloan/Hall, Valentino boots from Saks Fifth Avenue. The bar at Double Trouble. Thrifted ���nds. Cocktail collectibles. Vintage album covers grid the sea-blue wall. Tiki culture. Berwick wears an Au Jour Le Jour dress from Laboratoria. Island kitsch. ���DESIGN ANDY WARHOL AND GOLDEN GIRLS.��� INSPIRATIONS? GALVESTON ISLAND,