Cocktails at the Castle

Super fun time and very unique experience.

Wow! What a huge turnout of people — the event was SOLD OUT! So glad I won a pair of tickets to attend the party. Thanks again, Jonathan.
I loved seeing so many people dressed up — some really cool and beautiful ensembles. And bow ties, dresses and skirts.
They served three different and not too sweet cocktails, red or white wine, and a few different beers, along with soda pops. I really enjoyed my Wandering Sunrise cocktail — tequila, Crème de Cassis, simple syrup, topped off with sparkling wine. My companion loved his Cucumber Collins, made with Swedish vodka. We each tried the other’s drink and agreed that both drinks were very tasty and just right on the sweetness.
Next we did some wandering around and noticed tags hanging on the trees along the north side of the property — the tags turned out to be hand-​written notes of peoples’ thoughts on how they perceive an «ideal world». As we went further along, we found tall tables set up with supplies of blank tags and pencils with which to write down our own thoughts on our idea of an «ideal world». We each wrote down our message and then shared it with each other. Another couple joined us at the table and wrote down their messages. I asked the woman next to me to share her message with me and I with her. Lo, and behold! We had just written down basically the same ideal — on seeing beauty in the world. She and I had a «few moments» together, basking in our sympathy. We hugged each other and exchanged names and wished each other well. I feel like we now have a bond. I have a new friend in the world — knowing just her first name and where she’s from, I will remember we’re totally «simpatico» in the world.

Beautiful venue! Perhaps the event could use a few more food vendors (the lines are horrendous) but the setting is amazing. We plan to come back here to tour the institute as it is quite busy here currently. :)

I loved this event! From the firedancing, SnapYourself, and the Banana Nutmeg ice cream, this was a great time. I loved making the pendants with ModgePodge, it was a fun way to get crafty and get to know the people around us. I had fun showing my best friend around the Institute, and watching the troupe perform in the foyer. All around, I’d say I’m coming back if this is hosted again next year, but leaving earlier to get better parking.

This was a really fun event, I like ASI and it was fun to hang out and listen to music on such a nice night. The glass blowing was really cool to watch and the music with the castle lit up was a fine sight, there were even some people with neon hula hoops dancing around which looked really cool in the dark. Pumphouse Creamery was kind of hidden in the back but I liked the surprise while walking around, plus their Ice Cream is awesome. The Glass Forest Exhibit inside was cool to see, but there wasn’t much on display other than that.
For the grounds I give 5 stars all the way, ASI rocks. I don’t feel as good about the food and drink options. I think it was Fika for food and there were only about 4 options total, two of them being bratwurst, one with and without cheese a melon salad of sorts and a cod sandwich. Food was expensive as hell though, $ 9 for a brat, $ 13 with cheese and $ 13 for a cod sandwich. We ordered a brat with cheese for $ 4 extra dollars but the cheese wasn’t there, it was good but $ 9 was insane!
Indeed Brewing was the beer vendor and they only had 2 kinds of beer one of them only being served from a can for around $ 6 each. Day Tripper was the beer on tap which is good with me but they end up running out about 90 minutes before the event ended. That left only Shenanigans Summer out of a can… Disappointing!
I would like to have seen maybe one more food choice and of course more beer, Indeed is fine with me just bring more! The cost is what prevents me from rating higher but I will go to another one, I think it’s a great way to spend a night doing something different while enjoying ASI.

What a fun event and a great way to experience Swedish culture!
Live music, hula hoopers, glass blowing demonstrations, beer (from Indeed) and cocktails, tasty eats (brats with yummy fixings, fried zucchini, and more), Kubb tournaments and ABBA karaōke! It was fun to be able to wander around outside and enjoy the weather and also to go inside the mansion and check out the beautiful architecture as well as the current art exhibit.
For how many people were in attendance, the waits for food and cocktails weren’t too terribly long as there were multiple bars set up on the grounds and several food lines.
Last evening was my first Cocktails at the Castle event and I would definitely attend another!