For Cocktail Lovers
Balance, the new home for the Museum of the American Cocktail and the location for a bartending school called Beverage Alcohol Resource (B.A.R.), opened in April. Seated in the bar area, patrons can take in exhibits organized by cofounder Dave Wondrich (who serves as a contributor to Esquire, Wine and Spirits, The New York Times, and Drinks) on the history of cocktails in New York while choosing from the rotating menu of drinks—one for each significant period in cocktail history. The entire space holds 200 for receptions.
For Trend-Watchers
It’s taken a while, but Buddha-Bar finally opened in New York in April. The design of the new meatpacking district restaurant and lounge—the American counterpart to the legendary Paris property—has the requisite 17-foot-high statue of the eponymous god, as well as a collection of Buddhas imported from Thailand, India, and Paris. There is a 150-seat lounge and a 24-seat bar, and DJ Sam Popat is manning the venue’s soundtrack.
For an Uptowner Downtown
Even though it’s in the East Village, you can keep your suit on for after-work drinks at the new cocktail haven Blue Owl. Bar manager Charles Hardwick (who’s shaken and stirred at Mercer Kitchen, Odeon, and Pravda) has created a specialty drinks menu heavy with gin concoctions. The bar itself has a hammered copper surface, and informal lounge areas feature vintage touches like cocktail tables embellished with decorative pressed tin. There’s also an intimate private room that holds 20.
For After-Dinner Lounging
Last June, the partners in meatpacking district hotspot Lotus quietly opened a 1,900-square-foot lounge, Double Seven, across the street with an unmarked entrance. Los Angeles-based interior designer Dodd Mitchell gave the place its masculine, yet warm look, with eight roomy booths upholstered in deep brown, crocodile embossed leather, and a wall covered by a sculpturally decorative glass that gives off an amber glow. Master mixologist Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey developed the list of bespoke cocktails, which are paired with Debauve & Gallais chocolates. It all adds up to a sophisticated spot with grown-up taste, where guests can hold a civilized conversation without straining their voices.
For a Chatty Downtowner
Since its April opening last year, the Stanton Social’s handsome AvroKO-designed trilevel space has attracted a mixed crowd—from curious epicures, to the well-heeled, to members of the beau monde. This restaurant and bar is always bustling with activity—it’s a great place to show off, but it’s not the sort of place for a quiet chat. Order the house cocktail, “Social Tea,” a mix of Stoli Citros, gunpowder green tea, and orange honey marmalade, or sample a dish from the multiethnic menu of small, shared plates like the imaginative French onion soup dumplings, paella cakes, or red snapper tacos. For a group of 35 to 40, book the top floor’s lounge, or try the mezzanine for a seated meal for 17 to 20.
For a Low-Key Night Out
If fussy isn’t on the agenda, wander into the casual wine bar and café Epistrophy. The dimly lit NoLIta space has bohemian touches, with a small rustic bar appointed with vintage-style stools reminiscent of metal and wood schoolroom furniture, whitewashed brick walls, and café tables. The straightforward wine list matches the rustic charm of the space—it's great for an informal discussion. There’s also a no-nonsense light menu of crostini, salads, and panini, or you can head around the corner to the sleek Room 4 Dessert for a glass of bubbly or a dessert wine paired with artfully presented sweet creations that change seasonally (the fresh brioche dabbed with hazelnut and chocolate butter and plated with caramel ice cream is devastating).
For Comfort in the Meatpacking District
The third floor of the brownstone that houses the restaurant 5 Ninth does double duty as a private party space and a lounge for cocktails when it’s not booked. The exposed brick walls, wood beams, and fireplace all make for a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and with one of the owners usually on hand, you might momentarily forget you're not at a friend’s house.
More Options
Centovini
What do you get when you pair up Nicola Marzovilla, proprietor of the charming I Trulli, with Murray Moss, the arbiter of chic design known for the SoHo store-gallery-design museum that bears his name? It features 100 wines—all from Italy, natch—and a menu of Italian fare to go with them. Everything from the wine glasses to the salt and pepper shakers has been painstakingly selected to be functional, beautiful, and for sale. Jadis
With a French-leaning wine list and a menu of meats, cheeses, and panini, this new Lower East Side wine bar has a rustic, intimate feel with brick walls and café tables. A semiprivate loungelike space in the back replete with sofas and low tables works for small groups.
—Caryl Chinn, Mark Mavrigian & Anna Sekula
Posted 05.26.06
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Ask the Experts: Business Entertaining
Balance, the new home for the Museum of the American Cocktail and the location for a bartending school called Beverage Alcohol Resource (B.A.R.), opened in April. Seated in the bar area, patrons can take in exhibits organized by cofounder Dave Wondrich (who serves as a contributor to Esquire, Wine and Spirits, The New York Times, and Drinks) on the history of cocktails in New York while choosing from the rotating menu of drinks—one for each significant period in cocktail history. The entire space holds 200 for receptions.
For Trend-Watchers
It’s taken a while, but Buddha-Bar finally opened in New York in April. The design of the new meatpacking district restaurant and lounge—the American counterpart to the legendary Paris property—has the requisite 17-foot-high statue of the eponymous god, as well as a collection of Buddhas imported from Thailand, India, and Paris. There is a 150-seat lounge and a 24-seat bar, and DJ Sam Popat is manning the venue’s soundtrack.
For an Uptowner Downtown
Even though it’s in the East Village, you can keep your suit on for after-work drinks at the new cocktail haven Blue Owl. Bar manager Charles Hardwick (who’s shaken and stirred at Mercer Kitchen, Odeon, and Pravda) has created a specialty drinks menu heavy with gin concoctions. The bar itself has a hammered copper surface, and informal lounge areas feature vintage touches like cocktail tables embellished with decorative pressed tin. There’s also an intimate private room that holds 20.
For After-Dinner Lounging
Last June, the partners in meatpacking district hotspot Lotus quietly opened a 1,900-square-foot lounge, Double Seven, across the street with an unmarked entrance. Los Angeles-based interior designer Dodd Mitchell gave the place its masculine, yet warm look, with eight roomy booths upholstered in deep brown, crocodile embossed leather, and a wall covered by a sculpturally decorative glass that gives off an amber glow. Master mixologist Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey developed the list of bespoke cocktails, which are paired with Debauve & Gallais chocolates. It all adds up to a sophisticated spot with grown-up taste, where guests can hold a civilized conversation without straining their voices.
For a Chatty Downtowner
Since its April opening last year, the Stanton Social’s handsome AvroKO-designed trilevel space has attracted a mixed crowd—from curious epicures, to the well-heeled, to members of the beau monde. This restaurant and bar is always bustling with activity—it’s a great place to show off, but it’s not the sort of place for a quiet chat. Order the house cocktail, “Social Tea,” a mix of Stoli Citros, gunpowder green tea, and orange honey marmalade, or sample a dish from the multiethnic menu of small, shared plates like the imaginative French onion soup dumplings, paella cakes, or red snapper tacos. For a group of 35 to 40, book the top floor’s lounge, or try the mezzanine for a seated meal for 17 to 20.
For a Low-Key Night Out
If fussy isn’t on the agenda, wander into the casual wine bar and café Epistrophy. The dimly lit NoLIta space has bohemian touches, with a small rustic bar appointed with vintage-style stools reminiscent of metal and wood schoolroom furniture, whitewashed brick walls, and café tables. The straightforward wine list matches the rustic charm of the space—it's great for an informal discussion. There’s also a no-nonsense light menu of crostini, salads, and panini, or you can head around the corner to the sleek Room 4 Dessert for a glass of bubbly or a dessert wine paired with artfully presented sweet creations that change seasonally (the fresh brioche dabbed with hazelnut and chocolate butter and plated with caramel ice cream is devastating).
For Comfort in the Meatpacking District
The third floor of the brownstone that houses the restaurant 5 Ninth does double duty as a private party space and a lounge for cocktails when it’s not booked. The exposed brick walls, wood beams, and fireplace all make for a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and with one of the owners usually on hand, you might momentarily forget you're not at a friend’s house.
More Options
Centovini
What do you get when you pair up Nicola Marzovilla, proprietor of the charming I Trulli, with Murray Moss, the arbiter of chic design known for the SoHo store-gallery-design museum that bears his name? It features 100 wines—all from Italy, natch—and a menu of Italian fare to go with them. Everything from the wine glasses to the salt and pepper shakers has been painstakingly selected to be functional, beautiful, and for sale. Jadis
With a French-leaning wine list and a menu of meats, cheeses, and panini, this new Lower East Side wine bar has a rustic, intimate feel with brick walls and café tables. A semiprivate loungelike space in the back replete with sofas and low tables works for small groups.
—Caryl Chinn, Mark Mavrigian & Anna Sekula
Posted 05.26.06
Related Stories
10 Business Entertaining Biggies
10 Hot Restaurants for Business Entertaining
5 Conversation Starters for Business Entertaining
5 Under-Hyped Spots for Business Entertaining
5 Quiet Cocktails Spots for Business Entertaining
5 Sparkling Scenes for Business Entertaining
Ask the Experts: Business Entertaining
Double Seven
Stanton Social
5 Ninth
