Destinations: Wit's End Presents : Beyond the Silvery Sea - June 26th

News from our pals Don Spiro and Diane Naegel of Club Wit's End, so bust out starfish tiaras, sraw fedoras,  and summer jackets and head over to . The Moonlighters set the mood with their tropical Jazz and Hawaiian inspired music.

"Swing and tap those toes into the glorious summer season with us as we celebrate the wonder of the underwater world in Jazz Age style! Songs inspired by the sea and fabulous uke tunes brought to you by NYC favorites, THE MOONLIGHTERS !

FREE HORS D'OEUVRES from 7-8pm provided by Flute Bar! Make it a full vintage evening out, and come early for dinner at Flute!

FREE BEGINNER DANCE LESSON - 830pm!

ATTIRE : Vintage/vintage-style evening attire 1910s-1940s - NO CASUAL ATTIRE IS PERMITTED. We will have a fabulous prize for the best dressed guy or gal whose attire is inspired by the sea/vintage nautical attire!

$12, 21+"

Flute Bar - Midtown
205 West 54th Street
New York, NY

Tales of the Cocktail 2010: Spirited Awards Nominees

The Spirited Awards nominees for 2010 have been announced. The winners will be crowned  at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award Ceremony and Dinner on Saturday, July 24, 2010 in New Orleans. Tables can be purchased online at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com

We have added our Votes (*) and predictions (W - Winners). A wrap up of the awards after TOTC.

Best American Cocktail Bar
The Clover Club, Brooklyn *
Death & Co, NYC
Rickhouse, San Francisco
The Varnish, Los Angeles (W)

World’s Best Hotel Bar
The Artesian at the Langham, London*
The Bar at The Connaught Hotel, London
Florida Room at The Delano, Florida (W)
Hemingway Bar, Paris

Best Cocktail Writing
CLASS magazine
Gary Regan* (W)
Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller
Naren Young

Best New Product
Celery Bitters, The Bitter Truth
Cocktail Kingdom’s barware* (W)
Crème Yvette by Cooper Spirits
Meehan Cocktail Bag by Jim Meehan

Best American Brand Ambassador
Charlotte Voisey, William Grant Portfolio
Jacques Bezuidenhout, Partida Tequila
Jamie Gordon, Absolut (W)
Tal Nadari, Bols*

World’s Best Drinks Selection
Artesian Bar at The Langham Hotel, London* (W)
Bar Lebensstern in Café Einstein, Berlin
Macao Trading Co, NYC
Widder Bar, Zurich

American Bartender of the Year
Eric Alperin, The Varnish (W)
Kenta Goto, The Pegu Club
Murray Stenson, Zig Zag
Sam Ross, Milk & Honey*

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book
Beachbum Berry Remixed (W)
Gin Compedndium by Gaz Regan
MudPuddle Books by Greg Boehm*
Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails by Ted Haigh

World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Death & Co, NYC*
Lonsdale, London
Mayahuel, NYC
Rickhouse, San Francisco (W)

International Bartender of the Year
Agostino Perrone, The Connaught Hotel, London
Brian Miller, Death & Co, NYC (W)
Salvatore Calabrese, London
Sam Ross, Milk & Honey, NYC*

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar
Cure, New Orleans
Dutch Kills, Queens*
Mayahuel, NYC (W)
Rickhouse, San Francisco

World’s Best Cocktail Bar
69 Colebrooke Row, London (W)
The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
Death & Co, NYC*
Quo Vadis, London

Best International Brand Ambassador
Angus Winchester, Tanqueray*
Dan Warner, Beefeater (W)
Jacob Briars, 42 Below
John Gakuru, Sagatiba

Best Bar Mentor
Dale DeGroff
Robert Hess
Sasha Petraske* (W)
Tony Abou-Ganim

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
Brian Rea
Gary Regan
Murray Stenson* (W)
Tony Abou-Ganim

(source:  Ann Tuennerman of Tales of the Cocktail)

Destinations: The Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2010

What a gorgeous day for a parade! Get your fishtails out, your rubber crab claws, glittery pasties, and vintage beach bum wear, and celebrate Summer at the 27th Annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade!

Here is a little background from Coney Island USA:

The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression. The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed. 

 

Each year, a different celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid rule over the proceedings, riding in the Parade and assisting in the opening of the Ocean for the summer swimming season by marching down the Beach from the Boardwalk, cutting through Ribbons representing the seasons, and tossing fruit into the Atlantic to appease the Sea Gods. In the past, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa, Moby, David Johansen and Harvey Keitel have graced our shores, presiding over the assembled masses.

The Parade is followed by the Mermaid Parade Ball, a post-parade gathering where costumed parade participants can get together with each other and parade spectators to listen to live music, purchase raffle tickets, and watch burlesque and sideshow acts performed by some of New York City's hottest burlesque stars.

In addition to the parade festivities and Ball, we also suggest the following after party:

Yehoodi "Brooklyn Bombshell" Mermaid party at Flatbush Farms in Park Slope. 5pm. That's at 76 Saint Marks Ave at Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

(Photo of Brooklyn Bombshells courtesy of Rikomatic) 

Destinations: The Dubonnet Rouge Cocktail Party June 23rd

Do You Dubonnet? On June 23rd  you should!

Dubonnet Rouge,  the classic French fortified wine and cocktail spirit is throwing a complimentary cocktail happy hour party at the Hudson Terrace's rooftop bar. So channel your inner Embury and get over there for drinks with Loungerati!

Do You Dubonnet? What’s Old is Cool with Dubonnet Rouge at Hudson Terrace

THE SKINNY:


Vintage is perpetually in style - especially when it comes in a classic cocktail on a
beautiful summer evening. That's what's in store at Hudson Terrace when
Dubonnet Rouge, the vintage aperitif brand, is the star of the evening. Stylish
New Yorkers can “do Dubonnet” with a selection of complementary cocktails,
while taking in the summer evening from the rooftop bar. In addition, one lucky
guest will be selected at random to receive a $500 gift certificate to spend at
Hudson Terrace.   


Join together with friends to sip three classic preparations – the Dubonnet
Royale (Dubonnet with champagne), Dubonnet on the Rocks – and a Hudson
Terrace signature cocktail made by the house mixologist to show how New York 
“does Dubonnet.”

Hudson Terrace (rooftop bar!)

621W 46th Street

NYC

Destinations: Raven Page and JC Hopkins Quintet at China 1 June 11th

Newsflash: Biggish Band leader JC Hopkins teams up with songbird Raven Page and blat boy J.Walter Hawkes for a special performance! The place to be this Friday night is the China 1 Restaurant in Alphabet City.

Picture a Shanghai circa 1930s vibe, delicious Chinese food, a crowd in vintage attire, and strong drinks! So gals, put on that sexy Cheongsam silk number and fellas dust off your linen dinner jacket, dimsum and Raven Page are being served.

Doors at 6pm
Show from 7-10pm
$5 or FREE w/ dinner reservation (Call 212-375-0665)
Tables are limited, advance reservations strongly recommended
Dine before the show and enjoy delicious cocktails and dimsum to live music all night!

China 1
50 Avenue B @4th Street
East Village, NYC

What We're Drinking: Beefeater Gin - Summer Edition

The first week of June, I had the pleasure of attending The Beefeater® Summer Edition Gin launch party at New York's hippest hotel drinking destination - the Ace Hotel.

The event, part of their Fish, Chips, Dips, and Sips series, was thrown to introduce the industry, taste makers, and media to new product range. Beefeater, which part of Pernod Ricard USA group, has been flying it's colours with new twists on their epic brand. Beefeater 24 (which adds grapefruit peel, green and Japanese sencha tea to the recipe) debuted last year to critical acclaim. This year a limited edition "English Summer Gin" is showcased.

The classic Beefeater London Dry Gin has been infused with Elderflower, Black Currant, and Hibiscus Flower. It also has a lighter alcohol content of 80 proof, which adds to the general airy feel of the gin.

According to Gintime, Beefeater Master Distiller Desmond Payne explains: “I wanted to create a gin that would be ideally suited to lighter summer drinks and take advantage of those rarer botanicals that are less available to remind consumers of the wonderful aromas and tastes of summer in a gin.”

At the launch party, bartenders at two stations mixed up the refreshing cocktails (recipes below) using the honored spirit and handed out samples of the gin neat. Party goers were encouraged to tweet about their experience and the messages were shown on a projection screen in real time. There was also quite a spread, haute fish and chips, cured meats, pickles, etc which helped because the cocktails were easy to throw back.

Recipes by Jamie Gordon of Beefeater

Royal Regatta
1 1/2 oz Beefeater Summer Edition
1/2 oz Belvoir Farms Cranberry Cordial
Top with Club soda

Build over rocks in a highball glass and stir. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Summer Flower
2 oz Beefeater Summer Edition
1/2 oz Hibiscus Syrup
3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Dash Orange Bitters

Shake all ingredients over ice and fine strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with grated lemon zest.

English Summer Collins
1 1/2 oz Beefeater Summer Edition
1/2 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liquer
1/2 oz Matilde Cassis
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Simple Syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice into a highball glass. Top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with a lemon wedge and mint sprig.

The Beefeater Summer Edition gin will be available in 750 ml bottle and retail for around $20.

Follow Beefeater on Twitter @DrinkEnglishGin and #BeefeaterSummer

- Fredo

New York World Cup Bars 2010

The FIFA World Cup tournament kicks off in South Africa on Friday June 11th through July 11th. This is biggest sporting event on the planet and Loungerati's avid soccer fanatics will be watching the matches daily. Here is a short list of the bars that we recommend to watch the games in New York City:

Court & Spark
550 Court Street at 9th St
Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
www.courtandsparkbk.com
Subway: F Train to Smith & 9th

Jimmy Drago and Henry Lopez, the proprietors of C&S have put in a petanque court in their backyard and a big screen to show every World Cup match. So after you watch some footie, head in the backyard and toss some boule with the Carroll Gardens regulars.

Berry Park
4 Berry Street at North 12th
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
www.berryparkbk.com
Subway: L Train to Bedford Avenue

We hear that Berry Park, the new rooftop beer garden in Williamsburg is offering $1 beers to anyone showing up in a soccer kit. Games will be shown en vivo on a large projection screen. There is nothing like Al Fresco drinking, cheap beer, and footie!!!

Woodwork
583 Vanderbilt and Dean St.
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
www.woodworkbk.com
Subway: C to Clinton-Washington

Woodwork was just voted one of the best Soccer bars in America by GQ Magazine. So they started taking reservations. Try to get there for a game during the week because the weekends will be a mob scene.

Loreley
7 Rivington (btwn Bowery & Chrystie)
Lower East Side
www.loreleynyc.com
Subway: F, V to 2nd Avenue

The German beer garden across from Freeman's Alley will be showing games on multiple plasma screens and a new projection screen. We are still trying to find out if that projection screen will be large enough to be viewed from the garden. Reservations are taken for tables of ten or more.


Scuderia Restaurant & Bar
257 Sixth Avenue (btw Houston and Bleeker)
www.scuderianyc.com
Greenwich Village

Support the Azzurri at this popular bar to watch Serie A matches. The fare is Northern Italian and there are cocktail specials such as the Scuderia Shandy (Peroni beer/St.Germain/Lemon). Oh and Italy are the reigning Champions - the staff and regulars won't let you forget it!


Louis 649
649 East 9th Street
East Village
www.louis649.com
Subway: L Train at Avenue A

One of our favorite cocktail dens has rented several flat screens and will be showing every match. Count on Gianfranco, Zachary, Glenn, and company to keep the bar snacks from Russ & Daughters, artisanal beer, and cocktails flowing while you enjoy the beautiful game.

For a schedule of the matches  check out FIFA World Cup's website.

What We're Drinking: Il Siciliano

Effervescent's Il Siciliano

by Effervescent

I’m gonna make you a cocktail you can’t refuse…to put down! Godfather puns aside, this original cocktail combines American Rye whiskey, Solerno Sicilian Blood Orange Liquor, Cognac, Pimm's No 1,  plus modifiers such as Absente and Grenadine add to the complex flavor. There is also the lightest pinch of Trapani sicilian sea salt (ancient windmills power the stone wheels that grind the salt dried in the Sicilian sun). Shake up and serve in an old fashion with a few cubes of ice and lemon peel.  

The cocktail, which I showcased at my recent 40th Birthday celebration in Brooklyn, was the aperitvo before a multi-course meal. Needless to say, it did not disappoint. Probably best to leave the Gun, and take…Il Siciliano!

Il Siciliano

1 oz Michter's Straight Rye

1/2 oz Solerno Sicilian Blood Orange Liquor

1/2 oz Napoleon VSOP Cognac

1/2 oz Pimm's No. 1

Two Dashes of Blanton's Bourbon

Dash of Absente

Dash of Home made Grenadine

Pinch of Trapani Sicilian sea salt

Combine over ice and shake until chilled. Serve over ice in an Old Fashioned glass with a Lemon peel.

Editor's Note: Effervescent, who is a Sicilian dandy of the highest order, is our  Lounge Essentials and Angolo di Modo man about town. He also dabbles with cocktails and came up with this one to celebrate his milestone birthday. Grazie mille Eff!!

Destinations: Pandora and JC Hopkins at Duane Park, June 3rd

An Evening with Pandora and the JC Hopkins band featuring Plum Manchego

Come join Pandora, the Greek Goddess of Burlesque and The JC Hopkins Biggish Band  a classic jazz, swing ensemble. JC Hopkins/Amie Amis Trio is a combination of two of NYC's hottest and most original jazz, swing talents. JC leads the incomparable JC Hopkins Biggish Band, which plays the hottest and swinging-est music in the city. Amie Amis is an elegant, sexy chanteuse and French horn jazz virtuoso; Louise Brooks meets Louis Armstrong. Together they create a lush, romantic, scintillating sound. 

Special Guest Star for the evening, Plum Manchego, we will bump and grind while you wine and dine. 

Duane Park is a beautiful dinner cabaret in the heart of Tribeca with an exquisite menu for the discerning palate.

There is no cover, reservations are strongly recommended.

Duane Park

157 Duane St.

btwn West Bdway and Hudson

www.duaneparknyc.com

212 732 5555