How Patrick Dooley Brought the Boulevardier Story Back to Life

In this milestone episode of The Post Shift Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patrick Dooley -bartender, writer, and creative force behind the revival of The Boulevardier Magazine. Patrick’s work sits at the intersection of storytelling, cocktail culture, and preserving the spirit of old-world creative salons in a modern context.

Unearthing a Forgotten Icon

Patrick’s journey begins with a serendipitous moment in Paris: as he dug through archival illustrations, he encountered The Boulevardier -a Paris magazine from 1927 that celebrated art, literature, and the joie de vivre of the Parisian social set. That discovery sparked an ambitious revival effort, bridging past and present.

This magazine wasn’t just inspiration -it’s the namesake of a classic cocktail (bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth). Patrick’s vision is to honor both the drink and the magazine together, weaving culture and craft.

Magazine as Mood, Not Just Medium

Patrick and I dove into what make The Boulevardier more than a print project. It’s a mood, a curated voice, and a platform for writers, artists, bartenders, and thinkers to convene. The magazine isn’t just cocktail recipes -it’s essays, photography, architecture, culture, all delivered in beautifully composed issues.

He described the revival as a kind of creative salon - where ideas flow, conversations happen, and boundaries between disciplines blur. That thinking informs every page: the visual layout, the pacing, the contributors, and even the narrative structure.

Crafting in Two Worlds: Bar & Print

Patrick’s background as a bartender gives The Boulevardier a grounded sensibility. He doesn’t approach print from a pure publishing lens - he understands drink culture, bar stories, and guest experience. That dual expertise allows him to create content that resonates with both cocktail professionals and enthusiasts.

We discussed the challenges of balancing editorial ambition with constraints: print costs, distribution, audience, and maintaining creative integrity. Patrick emphasized that every choice -paper, typography, contributor voice -carries meaning in the context of cocktail culture.

The Business of a Legacy Brand

Bringing a legacy brand into life today isn’t just nostalgia -it’s a business. Patrick talked about fundraising, strategic partnerships, print runs, and knowing your audience. He’s running The Boulevardier as a high-end boutique product -limited editions, collectors’ appeal -not mass commercial. The scarcity and care become part of the value.

He also talked about how the magazine can serve as a platform to elevate voices across regions and genres -not just cocktail heavyweights in the usual hubs. It’s about curation, amplification, and creating a cultural touchstone.

Legacy, Stewardship & the Future

Patrick sees himself not as owner, but as custodian -someone stewarding a cultural project that transcends a single issue. He talked about the responsibility that comes with reviving a storied name: respecting the original spirit while letting it evolve. That means inviting new voices, allowing for change, and ensuring that The Boulevardier lives and breathes in the present, not trapped in the past.

We also discussed future expansion: digital extensions, events, archives, and cross-disciplinary collaborations (art, writing, design). The ambition is expansive but rooted in the integrity of each issue.

Whether you’re a bartender, a writer, a collector, or someone who believes that drinks and stories belong together -Patrick’s conversation is a reminder that creativity thrives where bridges are built between mediums.