A Trifecta of NYC Kentucky Derby Viewing Parties

Saturday May 4th will be the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The "most famous two minutes in sport" unites classic fashion style, 19th century cocktails, gambling, and an age-old sport of kings in a quintessentially American event. The fellows suited up in seersucker, ladies in elegant straw hats, bourbon mint juleps in icy tins, and wagers on a long shot to win are a tradition. For loungers, it is a friggin' national holiday and expect us to be celebrating in full regalia, julep chalice in hand, at our favorite watering holes!

This Derby Day we recommend the grand daddy of mint julep variations adapted by historian David Wondrich from a recipe in an 1857 edition of Harper's Weekly and trifecta of authentic Derby viewing parties in New York City for the win!

Prescription Julep

1 1/2 oz of Cognac (VSOP or better)

1/2 oz Rye Whisky

1/4 oz of rich simple syrup

8-10 mint leaves

Tools: Julep chalice, jigger, bar spoon

Gently rub the mint leaves on the inside of the julep tin and discard. Add cognac, rye and rich simple and stir mixture gently. Fill cup with crushed ice and garnish with mint sprigs. Insert sterling silver straw in between mint sprigs.

Maison Premiere - 2nd Annual Derby Party featuring Four Roses Bourbon

12pm-8pm

Julep master Maxwell Britten and his crew of dapper drink slingers will be throwing one hell of a pre-race BBQ in Maison Premiere's backyard. Icy platters of oysters will be plentiful and an extensive menu of mint juleps served in silver beaded tins will be available. The Maison Premiere House Band starts at 3pm and goes to 7pm. This year there will be a fashion contest for the most Derby outfit. Prizes range from booze (hurrah!) to $100 gift certificates! The Derby will also be broadcast live on the cocktail den’s famous old-fashioned radio from 6:28 to 6:30.

Maison Premiere - 298 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn - 347-335-0446

Clover Club - 4th Annual Kentucky Derby Party featuring Bulleit Bourbon

4:30pm-8pm

Bulleit Bourbon will provide complementary passed hors d' oeuvres and mint juleps. Mixtresses Elayne Duke and Julie Reiner set up shop in the front of Clover Club with their julep bar again this year. They encourage guests to sport fancy hats, seersucker suits, and crank out juleps for all. Oh yeah, there will be a very short horse race shown;) Don't miss it!

Clover Club - 210 Smith Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn - 718-855-7939

Rum House - Derby Day Party featuring Larceny bourbon specials

5pm-7pm

The gang at Rum House breaks out the julep cups, crushed ice, and copious amounts of mint and partner with Heaven Hill  Distilleries' new Larceny Bourbon for $8 Julep and Old Fashioned drink specials. Come watch the race live on the big screen with Larceny bourbon cocktails. There will be food. There will be fancy hats. And there will be ponies.

The Rum House at the Edison Hotel - 228 West 47th Street, New York, NY  - 646-490-6924

Our trifecta picks for the 139th Kentucky Derby are All Other Three Ye (5:1) to win, Verrazano (6:1) to place, and Goldencents (7:1) to show!

Destinations: Japan Week In New York March 4 - 21

Loungers who are inspired by the Japanese culture should not miss this year's Japan Week which will take place between March 4th and 18th in New York City. 35 restaurants will participate and feature local and regional dishes inspired by 21 Japanese prefectures to create a "culinary tour" of Japan.  Many will be serving them in special "ekiben" bento boxes that are traditionally sold at Japanese railway stations. Their prices range from $12 to $25. Japan Week will culminate with a cultural fair in Grand Central Station's Vanderbilt Hall from March 19th - 21st.

The following is a list participating Japanese restaurants in Manhattan: Aburiya Kinnosuke, Aki on West 4th, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Cha-An, CURRY-YA, Donguri, Greenwich Grill, Go Go Curry, Hakata Tonton, Hakubai / Kitano Hotel, Hasaki, Hatsuhana, High-Collar, Kubo-chan Ramen, Kyotofu, Marumi, Megu Midtown, Misoya, Ootoya, Rai Rai Ken, Restaurant Nippon, Robataya, Ronin, Sakagura, Sake Bar Decibel, Shimizu, Soba Koh, Soba-ya, Sunrise Mart, Sushi Ann, Sushi Azabu, Sushiden Madison Ave., Sushiden 6th Ave., Tori Shin and Wasan.  Additional details on the menu items and pricing will be posted to japanweek.us.

Also new this year, diners will be encouraged to post photos to Japan Week's Facebook page of the dishes and drinks they enjoy at the participating restaurants, along with a short essay of why they'd like to visit Japan.  The winning essay's writer will win a round-trip ticket to Japan!

Please get out there and get your umami on!

Destinations: The Salon - Mardi Gras at the DL Feb 12th

Loungerati's choice destination for your krewe's Mardi Gras fun is The Salon's swank event at the DL Lounge. Here is the skinny from nightlife impresario Patrick Soluri: " The Big Easy comes to the Big Apple on Fat Tuesday, courtesy of THE SALON! Our creole carnival features a spectacular lineup of more than 25 performers (incl. 3 bands & 3 DJs), for your lounging 'n dancing pleasure...plus we've got Mardi Gras beads for every dame & dapper gent. For those craving more Nawlins, bring an appetite 'cause we've got the crawfish cookin! THE DL's fab chef is preparing a special Cajun 3 course Prix-fixe menu at the restaurant on the first floor... we'll keep your toes tappin to live music during dinner, then head upstairs for two more floors of live music, dancing, lounging and imbibing from some of the top talent in town." featuring Live Music by GRAND STREET STOMPERS traditional dixieland & New Orleans-style jazz septet on the 3rd floor with GORDON AU and vocalist TAMAR KORN. on the 2rd floor "Red Room" with BABY SODA JAZZ BAND New Orleans jazz & 30's era swing - developed by hobos, perfected by science! Featuring EMILY ASHER and BRIA SKONBERG. on the 1st floor for dinner, lounging and dancing JESSY CAROLINA AND THE HOT MESS featuring "Blind Boy" Paxton DANDY WELLINGTON Master of Ceremonies and Emcee Extraordinaire burlesque by LEGS MALONE GAL FRIDAY Specialty Craft Cocktails menu featuring New Orleans classics from: CLAUDIA SCHUMACHER (from Lucy's Lounge & LUPEC) -------------------------- THE DL - 95 Delancey Street (Corner of Delancey St & Ludlow St) New York, NY F/J/M/Z subway to Delancey/Essex or B/D to Grand St. 21+ (ID required) for 2nd & 3rd Floor Under 21 allowed on 1st floor only -------------------------- **TICKETS** GENERAL ADMISSION $25 - Advance Ticket (online) $30 - At the Door (cash only) General Admission tickets include dance lesson, Mardi Gras beads and access to all floors. -------------------------- for more info and tickets, please visit:http://www.thesalon.biz/

Lounge Essentials: The Daily "Classic" Shave Routine

One of our classic shave aficionados, The Stone Man, believes that the daily task that men perform can actually be enjoyable when done right. The idea is to use the classic shaving style of our forefathers and the right equipment (double sided safety razor, badger hair brush), creams, and balms. There are no Mach3s or other moisturized strips on his blades - he is no hurry!

These are his recommended steps which can easily become your routine:

• Shower, this will open up the pores
• Then lather up your face and neck with a "pure" badger hair shave brush. We recommend Proraso, Proraso Omega, and Eshu shaving creams.
• Using a double sided safety razor, make 2.5 passes - once With The Grain (WTG), once Across The Grain (XTG) and once - on the neck only, Against the Grain (ATG) but in the opposite direction (remember the neck can be very sensitive, so take it slow
• Rinse off with ice cold water - this serves to close the pores and stop bleeding from any "weepers" (small nicks) that may occur
• Apply a toner - Stone prefers Thayers Lavender 
• Apply an after shave balm - Stone's current go to is Eshu, but whatever you choose remember to keep it alcohol free!  The idea is to moisturize and heal here - not touting one's machismo by applying crap with alcohol in it to a freshly shaved face!

This whole process should take about 15 minutes, although the slower you go,

the more satisfying the experience.  

Resources:

Check out Classic Shaving.com and EMS Place for an excellent variety of shaving equipment - razors, blades, shave cream, after shave balm, etc.  

For shaving info (why, how to, etc.) Badger and Blade and Loungerati's Classic Shave series are terrific resources.

-  The Stone Man

Happy New Year Loungers! Best for 2013!

Buon Capo D'Anno from Loungerati!

Happy New Year Loungers! We enter Loungerati's 7th year with optimism and a renewed vigor. I hope your festivities were successful, safe, and classy. 2012 was a fine year for the team and included such noteworthy highlights as:

• The 1st annual Loungerati Beefsteak Dinner at Maloney & Porcelli for the staff and selected stalwarts of their craft.(pictured)
• Loungerati field trip to London for a visit to award winning watering holes The American Bar at Savoy Hotel and the Artesian at Langham Hotel were the standouts.
• Contributing to Umamimart's Happy Hour for the third year, special nod to the Paystyles, Vanessa, and Kayoko for bringing me into the family.
• Another year of Loungerati curated cocktail menus at the following swank affairs: Sweetheart's Soiree at Bogardus Mansion, The Salon's Silver Screen at Rebel, The Liberty Belle Spectacular July 4th Extravaganza at Empire Hotel, and The Salon's 5th Annual New Year's Eve EVE party at the DL.
• Special acknowledgement and gratitude to the following bar industry pros who stood toe-to-toe and supported us at these events: Eryn Reece, Nino Cirabisi, Kenneth McCoy, Michael Neff, Brian Quinn, and bar staffs at the former Lani Kai, Pouring Ribbons, Silver Lining,The Rum House, and Ward III.
• We look forward the opening of the re-located Milk & Honey, the Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog, Golden Cadillac, and Attaboy bars in 2013!

As tradition calls for, I leave you with the inspiring words delivered by the Senator, one of Loungerati's founding members, at the first Lounge Summit at the Algonquin Hotel in November 2007:

"We shall drink to the end, we shall drink in the morning, we shall drink in the night, we shall drink in the gutters and the streets, we shall drink in the hills, ... we shall order after dinner drinks and digestifs, no matter what the cost, we shall never throw up, and even if we do, which I do not for a moment believe, we shall boot and rally and make it to the last call!

And so my fellow Loungers, in closing, let the word go forth that the torch has been passed [from] an older generation. Let every dancer, lounger, and barfly know, whether they wish us well or premium, gin or beer, whiskey or soda, that we shall pay any cover, tip any bartender, meet any manager or maestro, in order to assure the survival and the success of the lounge." 

All the best for the New Year!

The Loungerati staff

THE SALON: 5th Annual New Year's Eve Eve Party

The place to be this Sunday December 30th is THE SALON's 5th annual NEW YEAR'S EVE EVE party. This year, the Salon continues the tradition with another spectacular lineup of more than 40 performers for your lounging and dancing pleasure! 

This year's venue is THE DL, an elegant new club built into two brownstones that were combined to create a beautiful three floor venue, each featuring its own bar and dance floor, plus the huge rooftop lounge even has a separate outdoor smoking area... bring your cigars and pipes!

Live Music by:

** The 3rd floor features live music by:

THE GEORGE GEE SWING ORCHESTRA
featuring vocalist John Dokes

QUEEN ESTHER & THE HOT FIVE
Grand Prize Winner, Jazzmobile Vocal Competition, 2008

plus
DJ VaVaVoon Spinning tunes to keep ya dancing all night

** The 2nd floor is all about the blues in the gorgeous "Red Room" with DJ FLOUER (from Friday Night Blues)...

and live music by 
RON SUNSHINE & BAND

** The Hot-Jazz 1st floor featuring
GELBER & MANNING The feuding vaudeville lovebirds. 

THE RED HOOK RAMBLERSDixieland Hot Jazz

MIKE “the barber” HAAR of the Ragged Phonograph Program
Spinning 1920’s hot-jazz & dance

**The Salon also proudly presents**

THE MINSKY SISTERSThe '20's Tap Dancing Sensation

DANDY WELLINGTON Master of Ceremonies and Emcee Extraordinaire

burlesque by
MEDIANOCHE
HAZEL HONEYSUCKLE

Plus, our lovely Go-Go dancers and Stage Kittens
STELLA CHUU
SYDNEY SUNRISE
MISS KACIE MARIE

FREE Beginner swing dance lesson from 7:30-8pm by
ARTURO PEREZ
The NYEE Salon tradition continues with Radishes for dapper gents by MICHAEL INGBAR

The Salon's signature commitment is equal billing for quality performances, dancing, AND cocktail culture. In that spirit of bon vivant, Loungerati is honored to be included in The Salon's 2012 NYEE party as their in house cocktailian along side award winning bartender ERYN REECE of Mayahuel!

THE SALON: New Year's Eve Eve
Sunday, December 30th, 2012
DL Lounge
95 Delancey Street
(Corner of Delancey St & Ludlow St) New York, NY
Doors open at 7pm with live music from 7:00pm to 1:30am
21+ (ID required)

TICKETS
* General Admission
$25 - Advance Tickets (online)
$30 - At the Door (cash only)

* VIP Tickets
$100 - Advance Tickets (online)
$110 - At the Door (cash only)VIP Tickets - Two hour premium top-shelf open bar from 8-10pm. Skip the line at the door, and gain exclusive access to VIP-Only area, with cocktail tables, seating and more. Limited availability. Food not included.

* All Ticket sales will be capped to prevent overcrowding.
* Early-Bird discounted ticket sale ended on Dec 16th.
* All advance ticket sales end Sunday Dec 30th at 12 noon.

Lounge Essentials: Last Minute Holiday Gifts

Revive your corpse after painting the town red with the Breville Dual Boiler. 

Espresso perfection requires precision temperature and pressure control, consistently, every time. At the heart of this machine is its dual stainless steel boiler heating system. The dedicated espresso boiler is adjustable (190°-205°F) for different bean roasts and origins, while a separate steam boiler offers instant and powerful steam on demand. So you can extract your shot at the right temperature, delivering optimal flavor, while simultaneously steaming your milk to cafe quality.

Luigi Borrelli corded slacks, in burnt orange. 

Owned by the Naples-based Borrelli family, this upscale Madison Avenue boutique is known for its slim, elegant suiting. Set apart from the work of more stolid English haberdasheries, Luigi Borrelli clothing features trim, stylish look. may we suggest their delightful handmade pants in festive orange this season? 

Need to make notation barside of a new cocktail discovery? Grab for the Rhodia Webbie. 

Why settle for the (Moleskin) imitation when you have the original, as French schoolchild have known for years. The  Webnotebook (aka Webbie) is the  pocket-sized journal goes everywhere and is filled with functionality. It has a hard leatherette cover embossed with the iconic Rhodia logo, plus a convenient expanding rear inner pocket and elastic closure that matches the cover color.Choose from lined, blank or dot paper - all 90 g, ivory-colored, acid-free, and pH neutral paper. 

Voyage d'Hermes Eau de Parfum: a fragrance to share for both men and women.

The composition is built around the above notes of the original Voyage d'Hermes with added floral notes of rose and warm amber. The composition provides lemon, cardamom and spices in top notes. A heart hides hedione, floral notes with accentuated rose, green notes and tea notes, with a strong trail of musk combined with blond wood and warm amber. To die for.