It's spring in New York, and new bars are sprouting up everywhere. With the economy stabilizing, bar owners are cautiously optimistic that the crowds will come. The slew of new openings highlights some recent trends in the bar biz—tiki drinks, craft beer mania and punch bowls—are all on the menu. Here are five notable New York openings that give a glimpse into the greater world of drink.
La Biblioteca - 622 Third Avenue
The massive Midtown restaurant Zengo has something special in its basement: a tequila library. La Biblioteca has one of the city's best agave spirit selections, with over 400 bottles of tequila and mezcal in stock. Tequila is undergoing a renaissance in serious cocktail circles, and this library seeks to spread the word about the spirit as well as entertain.
The spot plays host to a series of tastings every Tuesday which seek to educate consumer's palates as the spirit becomes more ubiquitous. They've also got tequila lockers to encourage the purchase of full bottles. If you spring for one, the bar lets you store it on site for up to six months.
Cienfuegos - 95 Avenue A
Cienfuegos showcases two trends of the moment. First, they're running with the entire hidden bar model. It's tucked away above a Carteles, a Cuban sandwich shop which you have to enter to find the door to the bar. They've also broken out the punch bowls. Charlotte Voisey designed the spot's rum heavy cocktail list, and a number of options are available by the bowlful.
The breezy Anchor Punch mixes Seven Tiki Rum with ginger juice, brandy, guava, and nutmeg. Various bowl sizes are available, and if you get too punchy, you can order sandwiches from downstairs. |
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The Breslin - 16 West 29th St.
Located in the ACE Hotel, The Breslin showcases the pig-heavy cuisine of chef April Bloomfield (if anyone knows how to use every part of the animal, it's her). The bar showcases New York's love of a scene. Though it's the menu that started the buzz, it's the bar in the front of the space that's packed night after night. Part of the crowd is there because of logistics.
The spot doesn't take reservations and the 90 minute wait goes by faster with a few cask ales. A good chunk of folks stop by because restaurant bars have quality drinks and an environment that's more laid back than most lounges. Chef Bloomfield stocks the bar with snacks—try the boiled peanuts cooked in pork fat—and everyone sips away as they wait for the chance to head to the back dining room for a feast.
Mission Dolores - 249 4th Ave., Brooklyn
A number of bars have recently opened in remodeled spaces that keep many original features intact. Mission Dolores, a new beer bar in Brooklyn, used to be an auto repair shop. The owners got rid of the hydraulic lifts and car parts, but they kept the oil stained concrete floors and iron fixtures around the space.
The result is an industrial feel that's fitting for this gritty neighborhood. They've also added some new touches that fit with the vibe, like a glass ceiling (pictured) that shelters the bar but still lets the sun in. Gigantic metal windows slide open to create an open air space, and the middle of the bar houses a courtyard filled with picnic tables for outdoor drinking. Dolores also highlights New York's growing love for craft beer. They've got 21 options on draft, and the rotating list focuses on small American labels.
Painkiller - 49 Essex St.
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There's a tiki-drink resurgence going in the concrete jungle, and new Lower East Side spot Painkiller is leading the way. The spot was formerly Lower East Side Company, a bar that featured carefully crafted artisanal cocktails. So many spots are doing top-notch drink lists, that the bar shuttered and decided to revamp themselves, this time with plenty of coconuts.
Even though there will be bamboo, the owners won't overdo it with the hula skirts. They promise a tasteful tiki vibe, with the focus on their extensive list of classic tiki cocktails. This is the first of many tiki themed bars that are scheduled to open in New York, and the competition should be as stiff as their mai-tais. Julie Reiner, owner of the well-respected Flatiron Lounge, is getting into the game with a new tropical-themed den. Tiki drink lovers will soon be able to say mahalo all over town.
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James Mulcahy writes about spirits and cocktails on his website,
NYBarfly.com
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