The drink, dubbed "It's Not a Bag, It's a Cocktail," went viral after content creator Mister Lewis filmed himself asking a server for the most expensive cocktail on the menu. The answer? A jaw-dropping five-figure libation, complete with one of the world's most coveted handbags.
@mister.lewis 💰$33,000 Drink 🍸 @Papi Steak ♬ original sound - Mister Lewis
Is The Birkin Even Real?
This leads to the obvious question: Is the Papi Steak Birkin even real? Skeptics online don't think so."Why would they fill a real fucking Birkin with drinks?" one user asked, pointing out the bag shown in the video lacked Hermès' signature logo. Others speculated the drink is served in a dupe, while the real bag is boxed nearby. One commenter went so far as to say, “Bag made in China for about 80 dollars.”
The French fashion house doesn’t advertise Birkin prices, but Sotheby's reports a Birkin 25 in Togo leather starts around $12,100 at boutiques — if you’re lucky enough to be offered one. On the resale market, prices can climb past $100,000 depending on the size and material. Given that Hermès is notoriously selective, requiring a spend history and store relationship just to be considered for a Birkin, many doubted a restaurant could so easily offer one up. Others speculated that the bag may be real, but purchased on the secondhand market for upwards of $12,000 and marked up as part of the luxe cocktail package.
Either way, for those not ready to drop the equivalent of a down payment on a house, Papi Steak also offers a slightly more approachable version: the same Belvedere 10 cocktail, but without the handbag. It'll still cost you $150 and comes with a peach garnish and a side of caviar.
This isn't the first time Papi Steak has gone all-in on spectacle. The flashy Miami Beach restaurant is infamous for its "Beef Case" tomahawk steak, a $1,000 cut of meat that arrives with strobe lights and celebratory fanfare. Co-owned by nightlife impresario David Einhorn, Papi Steak has become a magnet for social media influencers and celebs looking to drop jaws and dollars.@realhousewifeoflasvegas never gets old #papisteak #vegas #wagyu #briefcase #lasvegas ♬ original sound - Pats
Authentic or not, the stunt is clearly working. Even if no one orders the $33K cocktail, the headlines and TikToks may be priceless.
Papi Steak. 736 First St., Miami Beach; papisteak.com