Walk into a hot dog place screaming with clutter, inside enter an ancient phone booth, pick up the phone, gain access, exit on the other side into a dimly lit cocktail bar (PDT). Stride a flight up to a bustling Asian restaurant with an open kitchen and indistinguishable chatter, walk through it, knock on a unmarked door and enter a sophisticated bar overlooking the street (Angel’s Share). Walk through a Lower East Side pawnshop, through a door and enter a luxurious lounge and restaurant (Beauty and Essex). Sneak into a back alley, graffiti covered door, walk through narrow passages and boiler rooms to reach the very core of the cocktail world. In this land of skeptic story tellers and whiskey drinkers was born the prototype of the cocktail as we know it and the speakeasy.
If you know where these speakeasies are, you can consider yourself a well-versed gentleman of wealth and taste. For a date that’s seen it all, business-leisure or out of town friend those hidden gems will set the mood for an adventure. You will be greeted briefly by the masters of this intriguing world and given a ledger to search for inspiration. The poetic names and off the beaten path ingredients alone will keep the conversation going. The mixologist’s speedy hands, delicate measuring vessels and giant ice cubes make the bar a worthy stage of this performance of spirits and herbs. Three piece suits recommended.
A tribute is duly paid here to the classics. And then… Clockwork Orange, Sinister Hand, Frankie Wilde, Outside Time are what you are going to be sipping on while your job at entertaining your companions will be significantly simplified. The entire universe of spirits and mixers is available and although you could be charged a leg and an arm for calls such as vodka soda, special request are more than welcome. The sound of the ice cubes clinging into the well-balanced drink reminds me of travel. You are certain to travel through fields of flavor complimented by a good chat with well-heeled patrons. Stay frosty.
— Milen Vasilev
Author
