07/09/2026
I’ve never really looked at Vinyl Steakhouse as just a restaurant. In a lot of ways, it’s an homage to the people who shaped me.
I grew up in Akron, Ohio, a blue-collar kid surrounded by bosses and mentors who rode Harleys, smoked Marlboros, and always seemed to have the Rolling Stones playing somewhere in the background. They taught me how to work hard, take pride in what you do, and respect the value of a dollar. Somewhere along the way, they also taught me that great music makes everything better.
Years later, I fell in love with steakhouses—the glow of the dining room, perfectly marbled steaks, cold martinis, comfortable booths, and service that makes people feel like they belong. But I never understood why the soundtrack didn’t match the experience. I always thought a great steak deserved Can’t You Hear Me Knocking more than easy listening.
The very first record we dropped on Vinyl’s turntable was Sticky Fingers. That wasn’t an accident. It was our way of saying this place was going to do things a little differently.
So it feels fitting that we’re now pouring Crossfire Hurricane Rum, the Rolling Stones’ newest venture.
To celebrate, we’ve created our newest cocktail- Goats Head Soup- named after one of my favorite Stones albums produced in Kingston, Jamaica. Crossfire Hurricane Rum, housemade orgeat, orange curaçao, and fresh lime—our New York take on a Mai Tai.
Here’s to the people who taught us how to work, the music that stayed with us, and a great drink shared with good company.
