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.

Grey Lady Happy Hour

Grey Lady (77 Delancey St) — the Lower East Side restaurant and late-night bar inspired by the casual beach towns of coastal New England. Offering an unpretentious, farm-to-table menu of seafood dishes and seasonal cocktails, Grey Lady is a laid-back escape for locals and visitors alike. They’ve been open for 10+ years (a feat in NYC) and are truly better than ever! This place is the spot for happy hour after a long day at work.

What’s On Tap at Grey Lady This Summer?

• Dollar Oysters: All summer long, Grey Lady will offer weekday happy hour from 4pm - 6pm — including $1 oysters, $6 drafts, $9 wine, and $10 cocktails

• Lobster Rolls: Make sure you don’t miss Grey Lady’s 1¼-lb freshly-shucked Maine lobster rolls – perfect for those who know you don’t have to leave New York to find great seafood

• Nantucket-Inspired Cocktails: Enjoy refreshing libations like Grey Lady’s Nantucket Blueberry Lemonade, Sconset Slammer, and Spicy Watermelon Margarita

Grey Lady is open every day of the week until midnight or later (and until 4am on weekends), with reservations via Resy.

Review: Patent Pending + The Lab

I think it’s safe to say that, at this point in the year, a drink or two just might be the thing we need to keep us going. Luckily, with the city slowly and safely reopening, we’ll have more than a few options for an alcohol infused night out — starting with Patent Pending + The Lab, a steampunk esque bar at the foot of the legendary Radio Wave building. An intimate addition to the New York night scene, Patent Pending + The Lab is an upscale yet inviting space serving delicious bites and indulgent drinks that are inventions all by themselves. 

Walking to Patent Pending, the first thing you’ll notice (gratefully, I might add, as the months get colder), is the presence of an outdoor dining area that includes five weather proof canvas huts. Inside, you’ll find the Lab portion of the bar, which features a second bar with stools, as well as banquet style seating ideal for private group gatherings of up to 40. Pending city guidelines, the combined spaces can be rented for groups of up to 100. But logistics aside, the space, both indoors and out, is beautiful, with 19th century basement arches, restored penny tiles, and fresh, fragrant greenery. Especially intriguing is the menu, which, presented as an inventor’s sketchbook, is accompanied by painstakingly hand drawn illustrations that are nothing less than works of art. 

But, of course, the most stand out features the bar has to offer are its many delicious yet eccentric cocktails. From Currents & Coils (Venezuelan & Guyanese Rum, Malted Milk, Coconut, Banana, Patent Coffee, Pineapple Lime) to the Impossible Idea (Chichicapa Mezcal, Navazos Rum, Blackened Banana, Luxardo Maraschino, Oloroso Sherry, Nardini Amaro), each of the bar’s high end drinks are infused with an almost scientific spirit. Imaginative yet luxurious, they juxtapose well with Patent Pending’s easygoing yet gourmet bites: three types of grilled cheese, a creamy crostini, and several boozy, delectable desserts. 

But if you aren’t necessarily an alcohol person, you’ll be happy to know that, during the day, Patent Pending + Lab undergoes an electrifying transformation in order to emerge as Patent Coffee, a specialty grab and go coffee shop where you can pick up a S’Mores Latte (Housemade Cinnamon Chocolate Ganache, Espresso, Milk, Garnished with Toasted Marshmallow and Graham Cracker), a Spicy Boy (Mike’s Hot Honey, Cayenne, Ginger, Espresso, Oat Milk), or, if you like a little kick in the morning, spiked Apple Cider or Bone Broth.

So if you’re looking for something a little off the grid, something a little unique, and something that pushes the boundaries a bit, Patent Pending + The Lab might just be the place for you. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or coffee loving fiend, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your pending cravings. 

Check out Patent Pending + The Lab on their instagram, @patentpendingnyc, or on their website, https://www.patentpendingnyc.com/.They are open from 4pm - Midnight daily, and have takeout and delivery available via phone (212-869-4002).

Special thanks to Rachel Vanni for photos.

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

Naughty or Nice at The Skinny

First there was Jingle Hells, then it was Helliday Inn and now The Skinny on the Lower East Side transformed into its newest anti-holiday pop-up Naughty or Nice. Naughty and nice guests attended a preview that debuted the floor-to-ceiling over-the-top gaudy Christmas decor, unique cocktails like Milk n’ Cookies, The Horny Stag and Grinding up Against the Gingerbread Man and food menu offerings including Reindeer Balls (deep fried sausage stuffing and gravy), a Turducken Burger and Elf Weenies n’ Blankets. 

A boozed up angry Santa greeted revelers as they walked in and seductive burlesque performer Velvetina Taylor had the crowd going wild. Guests also enjoyed games like a Wheel of Misfortune and the Holiday Claw Machine, which offered a chance to win absurd prizes.

As the holiday approaches NYC, it becomes difficult to choose the right bar to go to, but the holiday pop-up at The Skinny definitely merit a trip. The ambiance is extraordinary and the cocktails and staff are truly exquisite.  You will be treated like royalty upon arrival and every aspect of your experience will be amazing.

Naughty or Nice will welcome visitors now through through December 31st. For more information, visit: https://www.theskinny-nyc.com

Photos by The Skinny NYC

The Springs NYC

New York is great and all, but there are definitely some times where the concrete doesn’t cut it, and I crave Cali -- palm trees, beaches, and dreamy 80’s pop. Cut to The Springs, a combination bar, lounge, and patio located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 

With colorful umbrellas, pink flamingo decor, an outdoor patio and plenty of frozen cocktails to go around, The Springs is a step into 70’s era Cali, a la Palm Springs. And this year, they’ve handed another West Coast element to their repertoire -- Desert Hideaway, a conceptual food truck serving elevated bites.

Created by Executive Chef Natalie Mitchell, Desert Hideaway is a comfort food lover’s dream. In addition to classics like Baja Shrimp Tacos and Fried Chicken, Desert Hideaway also serves up a delish Fried Pimento Cheese dish, a Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Jam, and my personal favorite: the panko crusted avocado, served with a delish cilantro sauce and a few stray jalapenos. 

In addition to the bites, of course, The Springs offers an extensive cocktail menu, with drinks such as the Desert Star (Milagro Silver Tequila, Dolin Blanc, Cucumber, Mint & Thai Chile), the Neon Palm (Spring 44 Gin, Grapefruit Cordial, Lillet Rose, Lemon & Absinthe), and the Midnight Mirage  (Mezcal, Campari, Blackstrap Rum &  Pineapple).

So if you’re looking to get your Cali fix, be sure so stop by The Springs while summer’s still in town. For more information, check out https://www.thesprings-bk.com/ or @thespringsbk

The Water Tower Bar

The Williamsburg Hotel (96 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, New York) is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated opening of The Water Tower, a sleek, intimate lounge and nightclub, which is set to open its doors today, Friday, November 16.

Photo Credit: Liz Clayman

The Water Tower, located high in the sky above the hotel’s rooftop, boasts unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows encased in steel. With cozy sofas throughout the intimate space, the unique bar transitions from a sophisticated lounge to a contemporary nightclub in the later hours, featuring nightly live entertainment from a rotating list of DJs from around the world.

Photo Credit: Liz Clayman

The beverage menu offers inventive libations, all created by renowned mixologist, Rael Petit, whose forward-thinking approach to mixology led him to celebrated restaurants like L'Orange Bleue and The Standard, before taking the helm at The Williamsburg Hotel in May 2018.

Cocktail highlights include the luxe Heart of Gold (Patron Gran Platinum, Cocchi Americano, white truffle-infused aperol), Message in a Bottle (Bacardi 4yr, clarified milk, Chinese cinnamon cordial, blue majik pineapple juice, lemon), Purple Rain (Empress Gin, Cocchi Americano, Pear Williams, Plant People CBD oil) and Les Gnomes (Absolut Elyx, Singani 63, Ancho Reyes, ginger syrup, lemon juice). Guests are also able to enjoy luxurious bites created by Executive Chef Nic Caicedo, like the Seafood Plateau (chef’s selection of fresh local and wild seafood with seasonal accompaniments), White Truffle Grilled Cheese(fontina, comte, smoked gouda, and white alba truffles, on Brooklyn Bread Lab brioche), and Caviar Tastings (Siberian sturgeon, classic osetra, and golden osetra served with traditional accoutrements).

Photo Credit: Liz Clayman

The Water Tower was constructed with industrial materials like steel, glass, and brass, and the decor is punctuated with plush velvet couches and chaises. The lounge is accessible via a VIP elevator, and colorful murals painted by a local artist line the walls, offering an apt mix of grit and glam that pays homage to the neighborhood’s history.

The launch of The Water Tower will mark the opening of the hotel’s sixth property concept, with others including The Ballroom, The Library Bar, The Restaurant, The Rooftop + Pool, and Brooklyn Bread Lab, a warehouse kitchen focused on crafting artisan breads, pastas, pastries, and pizza dough from house-milled grains.

The Water Tower will be open Wednesday - Sunday from 10:00pm - 4:00am. Reservations can be made by emailing watertower@thewilliamsburghotel.com.

For additional information, please visit thewilliamsburghotel.com.