Impromptu Nolitan Pub Crawl

Last night a friend and I decided to do an little tour of Nolitan bars we had never been to before.... well...it didn't start out that way but you know how it is when one drink leads to four hours later...

Tea Kettle for Two at 1534

I had been hearing about 1534 (or walking by it everyday for the past 3 months) so I decided last night would be the right time to head down those stairs and check it out. Located below the French bistro Jacques, it's a bit hard to see from the street. A chalkboard sign usually pops up around 5:30pm letting you know the fun is ready to start. We headed down the stairs, through some doors, and into a one room lounge. There are large banquettes, so groups of people are easily accomodated, although we were comfortable as a twosome. The menu reminded me a bit of my favorite bar, Cienfuegos, offering single drinks, tea kettles for two or three people or large punch bowls. My friend and I split a tea kettle and I cannot even pretend to remember what was in it. Some sort of rum and Jalapeno and someone ingredients, probably about 10 that created a delicious and potent drink- green too! We each got about 4 glasses out of it- hiccup! The music was good, the atmopshere chill and the bartender (James) very friendly and helpful. He also informed us that on weekends they have a DJ that plays soul and funk and it gets pretty crowded. I'll be be back!

Red Egg for some Dim Sum

We were a little hungry and were ready for the next spot so we then headed over to Red Egg on Centre Street. A moderately swanky Chinese restaurant, it is perhaps most popular now for hosting Simonez Wolf's new Madame Wong's  late night pop-up parties on Friday and Saturdays. When it is not being flooded with models and hipsters alike, it is a laid back bar/ restaurant (although the trendoids smoking their tobacco-less cigarettes at the bar were a little peculiar). My old friend Roberto was bartending so we sat at the bar while he hooked us up with some Dark and Stormys, dumplings and fried rice from the Dim Sum menu. I don't recall there being any music but it seemed more of a quiet dining spot on the weekdays. If I ever work up the nerve, I'll swing back again for some Madame Wong action.



Mother's Ruin



Ready for a new place, we headed over to the three-month old Mother's Ruin. Located on Spring Street, next to Bread, this bar has been a head scratcher, as there is no sign and it always looks under construction during the day. We wandered in and sat at the bar. Comfy stools surrounded the bar, more stools along the wall and about three large tables filled the space. Two chandeliers hung in the front windows and a couple of jars acting as vases with wildflowers were strewn about, but other than that there was very little decoration. TJ (the bartender/ owner) rocked a large Mohawk and talked us through some of their drinks. There was a frozen concotion of rum and banana and lots of other delicious sounding ingredients but, given the chilly rainy weather, I opted for another one of TJ's creations. Another rum drink this time with cinnamon and spices. Tasted like like Christmas. After that, when my Negroni (my next drink of choice) was a little two strong, he cut it with Cava, exactlty as I used to have it done when I lived in Italy (la-di-dah!). Once (as TJ called it) Shot O'Clock came around..we were out! But not finished for the night...



Skaterboys at The Randolph at Broome


We then picked up some coworkers and headed over to The Randolph on Broome.  Not our first time there, this is a casual bar, always playing good music with a decent crowd so it makes for an easy after work spot. During the day it is a coffee shop, offering much more than a standard coffee (I had something infused with sasparilla and other goodies once). At 5pm they stop serving coffee drinks and it turns exclusively into a bar. Their happy hour is daily from 1pm-8pm where their specialty cocktails are 1/2 off. What I like most about this bar is that while it is low-key and a little bit rock n roll, their bartenders act as mixologists, and great care is taken in making each drink.

 Their Castaway is a favorite of mine, with Gin, cucumber and ginger flavors-yum!

We had a great time visiting all of our new friends at the local bars, each one offering a new experience and great cocktails..I just wish I remembered more of it ;) !