On March 15th, Mayor de Blasio announced that the city would close its bars and restaurants, except for delivery and pickup services, leaving waiters, bartenders and baristas uncertain about their next paycheck. Rachel Harrison, owner of RHC: Rachel Harrison Communications, reflects on this moment, and the silver lining that is the to-go cocktail.
I remember this moment - the moment that I knew many of my friend's restaurants and bars might not make it - but also, that my hospitality public relations agency might not make it. To say that my heart felt lodged inside my throat, and that I lost the ability to breathe for a few weeks, is an understatement.
During this time, however, one could hear people discovering a few silver linings here and there. This doesn’t minimize the devastation for so many people around the globe, but there have been a few slivers of light shining through. Some of us have reconnected with friends or have had the chance to spend quality time at the dinner table with teenage children. Some of us have discovered the forest and waterfalls within an hour drive of the city. Some of us have enjoyed the safe, socially distant to-go cocktail experience.
Milder than any experience on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but not without that tiny feeling of doing something a tad naughty, the to-go cocktail movement has been a tiny silver lining for restaurants, bars and… ME! I have loved walking up to a bar’s swung-open window to order a delicious Mr. Black espresso martini and a donut. And while I know I’m not supposed to walk down the street drinking an alcoholic beverage... come ON, it’s a pandemic, let us adults have a little bit of fun. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Alone. With Friends. With my new pandemic puppy. It’s half to help out my friends in the bar and spirits industry - but it’s also because I’m having fun enjoying a margarita at sunset walking down Lorimer Street in Williamsburg with Maddie, my new dog. By myself.
For those of you that feel the same, I have some suggestions of the best places to pick up a to-go cocktail in Manhattan and Brooklyn!
After a decade of hosting some of the best celebrations and dining experiences on the Lower East Side of NYC, The Fat Radish has closed its doors due to the global pandemic. Rather than close completely, the owners have decided to give their LES gem a fitting sendoff at its sister restaurant, The Orchard Townhouse (on 10th Ave & 24th St.) for a four-month long pop-up. They serve a variety of menu classics via to-go at their takeaway window. The team has partnered with award winning bartender Naren Young to create a signature menu of cocktails (non-alcoholic are also available.) Think Watermelon Fizz made with Reyka vodka, Lillet blanc/rose, simple syrup, watermelon juice, rosewater and chardonnay vinegar; Passionfruit Margarita, a mixture of El Tequileño blanco tequila, cointreau, Ancho Reyes, lime juice, passion fruit puree, agave nectar and jalapeno tincture; and many more.
The Orchard Townhouse
One might call Attaboy the bad boys of cocktails. Not because they’re bad. But because they are very, very good. So good that you usually can’t get inside the teeny tiny bar on Eldridge Street. Well, now you can. They’ve transferred the vibe, the drinks and the service outdoors with 10 seats in a space created by The Manscapers. And if there’s no room there, grab a Penicillin or Paper Plane cocktail to go with an empanada created by their friends in Bushwick! It’s worth the trip. Or, my favorite: a simple Dark & Stormy (yum - I’m drooling thinking about it now). The reason this place is still going strong six years on from its opening is great drinks and great times, without pretension or ridiculous showy-ness.
What can we say about Ward III? It’s just hands down one of my favorite haunts. I used to be here two to three times per month. Ward III was one of the original “dealer’s choice” bars. You would tell them what kind of flavors you wanted and they would create it on the spot. And they would write them down on notecards and save those cocktail recipes. They had hundreds of them. They can do that because they are just that good. Great bartenders, great people, great cocktails. If you’re in Tribeca, head over to Ward III for a to-go cocktail, and then take a walk around the area and see all of the amazing street art that’s popped up all over the place due to the pandemic and the protests. It’s like the museums of New York have been turned inside out. Our streets are now our museums. It’s just awe-inspiring.
Ward III
The grand dame of modern cocktails is Julie Reiner. And this is Julie’s second bar? Maybe it’s her third. She also owns Leyenda. Julie is responsible for mentoring more of the famous bartenders around the US than maybe anybody else. From Franky Marshall to Ivy Mix to Lynnette Marrero to Tom Macy... I mean, the list goes on. Julie has also created some of the worlds best modern cocktail classics. You definitely want to go here for a cocktail on their amazing outdoor dining space (or take one to go). Also: Julie and her biz partner, Tom Macy, just launched a line of canned cocktails called Social Hour. Like, just launched them. To be the first to try them, pop by and see if they’ll sell you one. They are probably the best canned cocktails I’ve ever had. They are equal to, if not better than, the classic cocktails sold in the best bars in NYC.
Bar Goto is perfection. Simple and stylish. These cocktails are no fuss, just delicious. You know that friend that always looks effortless stylish and you hate her for it, even though you love her? Bar Goto is her in cocktail form. Grab a highball cocktail with some Japanese whiskey, and do NOT forget the wings. I repeat: do not forget the wings. You will thank me for it. I have no clue why these wings have not made the global best wings in the world list. Perhaps that list doesn’t exist. It should - and these would be #1.
Bar Goto
Have you met Toby Cecchini? You should. Toby invented the Cosmopolitan cocktail. But he’s so much more than that. He’s funny, he’s grouchy, he’s achingly smart. You just kind of want to be in his presence because you learn something every time. But, it’s not the type of learning that makes you snore… it’s the type of learning that makes you snicker and laugh. That’s why you go to Long Island Bar. Sure, sure, the cocktails are amazing. Some of the best in New York City, in fact. But if you can go when Toby is there and have him make you a frozen cosmopolitan to go, it’s an experience all it’s own. Also, this is the first time he’s ever made his famous Cosmo cocktail in frozen form, and not many people know he’s doing it. So run - fast - because he may decide tomorrow that he doesn’t want to bastardize the original version of his cocktail creation, and you might find said slushy machine on the sidewalk because he’s decided to give it away. I love his frozen cosmo. And so does the rest of the world. But Toby may not tomorrow.
And if you’re down to take a drive…
Wonderbar (Beacon, NY)
Having launched in February 2020, Wonderbar is an art deco cocktail lounge that pays homage to the jazz club of the same name that was located in the Story Screen Theater from the 1930s until the mid 1950s. Offering expertly-crafted cocktails created by renowned Beverage Directors Lynnette Marrerro (Llama Inn, Speed Rack) and Jessica Gonzalez (Nomad), to-go options currently include the Clara Bow (bourbon, St-Germain, grenadine, lemon, mint), Bergman Island (rum, strawberry, green chartreuse, lime) and the Y Tu Mama (tequila, Cocchi Rosa, lime, salt) among others.
Wonderbar
Bedford Post Dining (Bedford, NY)
Located in the heart of Westchester County in New York, Bedford Post Inn is a historic Relais & Chateaux property, home to eight luxury rooms and three distinct culinary destinations. The Barn has reopened for outdoor dining and curbside pickup including cocktails. Chef Roxanne Spruances heads up the country bistro using fresh ingredients and serving American dishes with a global influence. Developed by Jason Cott of Alchemy Consulting (Pouring Ribbons, Violet Hour, Patterson House), The Barn’s cocktail menu offers four large format drink options for curbside pick-up, including the Summer Lovin’ (pictured - pimm’s no. 1, gin, lime, mint, blackberry, cucumber) and the Blueberry Presbyterian (bourbon, lemon, ginger, blueberry).
Bedford Post
