Lost Spirits NYC

On February 21, an exciting press event was held at Lost Spirits, a high-energy cocktail bar with all the glitz of the past and a drink menu inspired by the Prohibition Period and the 1920s, in the Flatiron District. Many media professionals, including food journalists, editors, and other food enthusiasts, enjoyed popular menu items as well as traditional cocktails, wine, beer, and small plates made with locally sourced ingredients (from Union Square Market).

While the kitchen continuously served shareable small foods such Grilled Dry Rub Wings and Crispy Chicken Sliders, guests danced to live music played by guest DJ Greg Grooves in the venue's spacious rear room. During the course of the evening, full-sized dishes such as Mediterranean Dips with hummus, baba ganoush, and red pepper, Loaded Filthy Fries with chicken, bacon, shrimp, pickled onions, and chili remoulade, a Smashed Burger, and more were rushed out. Among the most well-liked Lost Spirits' drinks of the night were the delightful Giggle Water with tequila, pineapple, lime, cassis, and cucumber and the widely demanded Bootleggers Bramble created with vodka, blackberry, lemon, saint. germain, and basil

Tamer Mahmoud, a former director of operations for The L Group, and Ron Rodrigo, owner and CEO of Rated R Management, are the owners of Lost Spirits, which debuted in November 2022. The warm and welcoming venue is furnished with exposed brick, Edison light fixtures hanging over reclaimed wood from high ceilings, leather banquets with giant flat-screen televisions scattered around, and is ideal for a small celebration of 100 guests.

Visit https://www.lost-spirits.com for further details.

Celebrating Drink Lightly Book Release with Lillet

Natasha David, a mixologist and author, hosted a party at the Showfields terrace to celebrate the publication of her book Drink Lightly. Guests enjoyed tasting light cocktails from the book, flower arrangements, delectable bites, and refreshing Lillet apéritifs.

Drink Lightly is a collection of low-alcohol aperitif style genre-pushing drinks that embrace a relaxed style of drinking while being based on the technical precision of craft-cocktails from award-winning bartender Natasha David’s expertise. Natasha also details in the book how her international upbringing, filled with food and music, and her journey in NYC brought her to where she is today. A collection of the book's recipes were available to try, like the “Endless Spring” with Lillet Rose, amaro, fresh lemon, and strawberry puree, or the non-alcoholic delight “Adult Supervision” with raspberry, verjus, and seltzer.

The “Giggle Fit” from Drink Lightly (Lillet Rose, aquavit, fresh lemon, pomegranate, carrot eau de vie, and sparkling rose)

Drink Lightly recipes sample

Lillet celebrated their 150th anniversary with Natasha as their brand ambassador this year. The French aperitifs, perfect for light and bright summer cocktails, can be found in NYC retailers including Astor Wine and Spirits, Warehouse Wine & Spirits, Bowery and Vine Wine & Spirits, and East Village Wines.

Pick up your copy of Drink Lightly and a bottle of Lillet to start making some relaxing summer sunset cocktails!

J.Bespoke, Sports bar for the sophisticated

NoMad, the neighborhood known for high concentration of trendy bars, lounges and restaurants, has a new speakeasy to add to the list. J.Bespoke is a new sophisticated cocktail lounge, that was created to fill an untapped niche – a refined venue that plays athletic events in an upscale, speakeasy setting.  

Helmed by brothers Jesse and Eric Jacobs, J.Bespoke was conceived with just 50 seats, personalized service, and a lounge that offers a luxe counterpoint to the city’s mainstream sports bars. Guests enter J.Bespoke through an unmarked brass door at the back of Devoción Cascara + Coffee – the well-appointed space, designed by Gregory Okshteyn of Studios GO, boasts high ceilings, wood paneling and a comfortable seating environment. The video and sound system is also top-notch, featuring 4K LED flat-screen TVs and immersive audio.

While major events like the Super Bowl, NBA Finals and World Series are big nights at J.Bespoke, the daily focus is on New York’s beloved sports teams; when games aren’t in session, the TVs recede into the background and cocktails, bites and music take center stage.

The cocktail program features libations like the Bespoke Old Fashioned (Old Forester bourbon, green chartreuse perfume, orange and Angostura bitters, demerara), Call Me Bell (Montelobos mezcal, fresh lemon juice, orange bell pepper, basil) and Nitro Cold Brew Martini

(Belvedere vodka, Montenegro amaro, Devoción cold brew coffee, honey; on tap) complemented by small plates like Karaage Fried Chicken Bites (ginger-soy marinade, yuzu kosho aioli) and Spicy Honey Pizza (soppressata, provolone béchamel, house fior di latte, mozzarella, spicy honey, black pepper).

Next time you find yourself looking for a place to watch the game without giving up the chic, come to J.Bespoke at 121 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016.

Photos by Andrew Bui and Nitzan Rubin