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| Veteran Loungers J. Walter Hawkes & David "GOH" Talaga at the Beefsteak Dinner. |
2024, au revoir! Truth be told, was a mixed bag of a year. The Loungerati only visited a few new cocktail and food destinations like the outstanding Cafe Spaghetti in Brooklyn and Bartley Dunnes in NYC; however, more often, we tended to stick to classic New York City stalwarts like Walkers, Tom & Jerry's, Milano's Bar, Dutch Kills, Minetta Tavern, Clover Club, Bemelmans Bar, The Grand Central Oyster Bar, The Rum House, Jimmy's Corner, and without question, legit red sauce destinations like Sam's, Noodle Pudding, and Bamonte's.
During our journey, we discovered plenty of new lounge worthy musicians, enjoyed sublime libations and food, dressed to impress, and met fellow travelers. On a somber note, we unfortunately had to say good bye to two wonderful people and bona fide lounge/bar scene all-stars - Cindy Rolenc-Worell and Francine Cohen - who passed away. They are truly missed and the Lounge remembers.
Please raise a glass of bubbles to Loungerati's 2024 Best of Lounge Awards:
Lounge Scene Awards
Best Burlesque Act or Performer: PEARLS DAILY
Honorable Mention: Murray "The hardest-working middle-aged man in show business" Hill
Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: LOUNGERATI 3RD ANNUAL RED SAUCE DINNER at BAMONTE'S, Williamsburg
Honorable Mention: Dandy Wellington's EASTER EGG STROLL
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| Loungerati Annual Red Sauce Dinner at Bamonte's |
Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: HARLEM SLIM at THE RUM HOUSE
Honorable Mention: CHARLIE ROMAN HOT CLUB
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| Viva La Musica Award winner Harlem Slim |
Most Sought After Ingredient or Bar Tool for the Home Bar: HEAVEN HILL GRAIN TO GLASS KENTUCKY STRAIGHT WHISKEY
Honorable Mention: Haymans London Dry Gin
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| Heaven Hill pulled out all the stops for this gem! |
Best Dressed Lounger: MARLO GAMORA, Aperitivo Guy
Honorable Mention: Tiki Adam Kolesar, Jungle Bird Extraordinaire
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| Marlo Gamora, Best Dressed Lounger 2024 |
Cocktail Bars and Lounges
Best New NYC Cocktail Bar or Lounge: MIDNIGHT BLUE, Gramercy
Honorable mention: Dante West Village, West Village
Best NYC Cocktail Bar or Lounge: INGAS, Brooklyn Heights
Honorable Mention: Milady's, SoHo
Best Barfood: PORK BELLY BAO BUNS at BARTLEY DUNNES, Midtown
Honorable Mention: The Cheeseburger at WALKERS, Tribeca
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| Bartley Dunnes gets bar food and hospitality RIGHT! |
Best of the NYC Hotel Bars: THE RUM HOUSE at HOTEL EDISON, Time Sq.
Honorable Mention: Bemelmans at the Carlyle Hotel, UES
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| Dale "King Cocktail" DeGroff hosted a special night of cocktails at the venerable Bemelmans |
Best NYC Restaurant Bars: CAFE SPAGHETTI, Brooklyn
Honorable Mention: M. Wells (RIP), Long Island City (thanks for the memories!)
Best Cocktail of 2024: OLIVE OIL MARTINI (EVOO washed gin, Cocchi extra dry vermouth, olives) at Cafe Spaghetti, Brooklyn
Honorable Mention: The Spaghett' (Miller High Life pony with an Aperol/lemon shakeratu back) at Bar Primi, Midtown
Editors and Staff Picks:
Best Seat in the House: "REGULAR" SEAT at THE RUM HOUSE, Times Square
Honorable mention: Any bar seat at Walkers, Tribeca
Best Drink for the Road: GUINNESS + POWERS at IRISH EXIT, Midtown Honorable mention: 52nd Street Old Fashioned at Gallagher's Steak House, Midtown
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| Split the G at the Irish Exit! |
Best Dive Bar aka "The Gutter Award": MILANO'S BAR, SoHo
Honorable Mention: Jimmy's Corner, Times Square
For 2025, the Loungerati continue our focus on quality over quantity and supporting establishments that are not a flash in the pan.
The Loungerati non-negotiables:
- We will not frequent any bar, restaurant, or lounge that requires reservations for bar seats or imposes a time limit on occupying a bar seat. Bar seats should always be for walk-ins and as long as we are paying, we can sit there.
- We will keep supporting establishments that get hospitality right and treat their customers like actual guests.
- We will embrace the fellowship of true friends and invest our time wisely with them.
- We will be on the lookout for individuals displaying outstanding hospitality at authentic establishments. The gold pineapple pin is awarded to the best of the best.
Til' the next Manhattans!
- The Loungerati
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| Loungerati Capos Fredo & Eff. |
