El Rincon Becomes French Pub, Starlight Room Update, More!

Today's EaterWire brings you fresh sips from the ever-churning drink scene...

Firelit Liqueur Batch No. 4 Released Today: The fine folks at St. George Spirits released batch no. 4 of Firelit Liqueur today. This coffee-lovers' liqueur (read: not too sweet, tasting robustly of coffee) has featured Blue Bottle and Weaver's Coffee in past batches. This batch uses Santa Cruz' beloved Verve Coffee Roasters. [EaterWire]

Joel Teitelbaum is Starlight Room's New Bar Manager: On the heels of the Starlight Room revamp, Joel Teitelbaum, who you may know as former bar manager of Zero Zero, just signed on to run the bar at Starlight Room, according to Signore Lucchesi. Hopes for fine cocktails to go with fresh decor and the bar's inspiring views look very possible now when they reopen post-Labor Day. [ISSF]

El Rincon Becomes Dear Mom: Yesterday, we mentioned the takeover of El Rincon by Paul Bavaro of Thieves Tavern. Today Grubstreet outlines details. With the name Dear Mom, Thieves Tavern bartenders, Oliver Piazza and Jay Beaman, will go a French-inspired gastropub route with food from Laurent Katgely of Chez Spencer and Spencer on the Go. Roquefort-baked sole and braised fowl pomadoro make this decidedly non-typical bar food. [Grub Street]

John Walker & Co. Officially Closes: As we reported back in June, SF's oldest liquor and wine store, John Walker & Co., has sat forlornly shuttered for weeks now with hopes of re-opening. Lady Hopstress confirmed yesterday that the landmark store is, in fact, permanently closed with a goodbye message on their website. John Walker, you will be missed. [Tablehopper]

Jim Kearns Guest Bartends at Delarosa Tonight: Hot off his run last night at Beretta, Jim Kearns of Brooklyn's ever-popular Prime Meats does one more night behind the bar tonight at Delarosa (5:30pm-close) serving cocktails like a Pavo Salvaje: rye, jalapeno-infused tequila, and mole bitters. [EaterWire]

Behind-the-Scenes at Beefeater Distillery: SF Bay Guardian takes a photo journey with master distiller Desmond Payne in London at the Beefeater Distillery, and to the Plymouth Gin Distillery in southwest England with master distiller Sean Harrison. [SFBG]

[Photo: Virginia Miller, The Perfect Spot]