Ted Talk X
When you think of a cocktail bar, the first things that come to mind might be dim lighting, sultry jazz, and an expertly stirred Negroni—not intellectual talks about design theory, cultural identity, or the art of storytelling. But Velvet Shaker has never been just a cocktail bar. It’s a space for moods, moments, and movement. That’s why, on a crisp January evening, we dimmed the lights and lit a fire under some of the city’s most original minds for a night we called Ted Talk X.
Inspiration infused with atmosphere
Inspired by the famous red dot and global stage, Ted Talk X reimagined what a talk could feel like when infused with the right level of atmosphere and attitude. We weren’t interested in powerpoints and polished lectures. We wanted raw voices, passionate ideas, and vulnerable thoughts—served up alongside heady aromas and slow-sipping cocktails that matched the mood.
The format was simple: five speakers, each with fifteen minutes, no slides. Just stories. They spoke of rebellion in creative industries, of nostalgia and the role of scent in memory, of how bartending itself can be a form of theater. One speaker, a local ceramicist, shared how heartbreak led to a residency in Kyoto and changed the way she sees silence. Another, a choreographer, deconstructed masculinity by breaking down the body’s natural rhythms—and brought the room to full silence.
But this wasn’t a night about sadness or introspection. It was electric. The bar became a circuit board of reactions—laughter, gasps, cheers, stillness.
Our guests leaned in not just to hear better, but to feel closer. Between talks, music filled the air—not loud, but lingering—curated to match each speaker’s energy. Candlelight flickered against mirrored tiles. Bartenders paused their movements just slightly, creating a rhythm of anticipation between each session.
It's time to disconnect
What surprised us most was how naturally it all worked. No one checked their phones. No one rushed their drinks. There was a kind of collective agreement to be present—something rare in city nightlife. And as the final speaker stepped down, applause erupted not in the theatrical way, but in the grateful, genuine kind. A toast followed, of course. And in true Velvet Shaker fashion, the final cocktail of the night wasn’t printed on any menu: Takeaway. A blend of sage, fig, and black rum—something earthy and unexpected, just like the evening itself.
Ted Talk X wasn’t just an event. It was a reminder that conversations and cocktails aren’t that different. Both are about balance. Both are better when shared. And both, in the right environment, can linger in the mind long after the night ends.
