Best of Lounge 2024

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 

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

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  

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

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

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

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

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

 Loungerati Capos Fredo & Eff.

Best of Lounge 2023

And just like that, 2023 is a wrap. This past year, the Loungerati visited several outstanding new joints like the Press Club Grill and Albert's Bar in addition to seasoned NYC haunts like Old Town Bar, Hudson Malone's, Minetta Tavern, The Rum House, Jimmy's Corner, and of course the venerable  red sauce destination - Bamonte's. 

We also visited many noteworthy bars in other cities like Mac's Club Deuce in Miami, Best Intentions in Chicago, Copper Shaker in Tampa, Shore Leave and Bar Volpe in Boston, and The American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London. 

During our journey, we discovered plenty of new lounge worthy bands, enjoyed sublime libations, dressed to impress, met new friends, and said good bye to several legendary New York bartenders. It really was a terrific year! 

So, please raise a glass of bubbles to Loungerati's 2023 Best of Lounge Awards:

Lounge Scene Awards 

Loungerati's Annual Red Sauce Dinner at Bamonte's

Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: LOUNGERATI 2ND ANNUAL RED SAUCE DINNER at BAMONTE'S, Williamsburg 

Honorable Mention:  GREEN FAIRY at RED ROOM, East Village

Charlie Roman Hot Club performing at The Rum House

Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: CHARLIE ROMAN HOT CLUB 

Honorable Mention: ISAAK JAMES & THE BAND

Most Sought After Ingredient or Bar Tool for the Home Bar: HEAVEN HILL Bottle in Bond 7yr Bourbon 

Honorable Mention: Foraged Ramps for Gibson cocktails - IYKYK

Best Dressed Lounger: NEAL "EFF" BLANGIARDO, Proprietor of Fine Haberdashery at Eff's Style Emporium    

Honorable Mention: Tiki Adam Kolesar, Jungle Bird Extraordinaire

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

Best New NYC Cocktail Bar or Lounge: THE PRESS CLUB GRILL, Herald Square

Honorable mention: ALBERT'S BAR, Midtown East

Barman  Extraordinaire Troy serving up Mojitos
with a side of panache at The Rum House in NYC

Best NYC Cocktail Bar or Lounge: THE RUM HOUSE, Times Square

Honorable Mention: DUTCH KILLS BAR, Long Island City, Queens

The  delicious French Dip at Minetta Tavern
is only available during lunch service on Thursday & Fridays!

Best Barfood: THE FRENCH DIP at MINETTA TAVERN, Greenwich Village

Honorable Mention: Grilled Alligator Sausage at ALLIGATOR PEAR, Midtown

Best of the NYC Hotel Bars: LOBBY BAR at the Hotel Chelsea, Chelsea

Honorable Mention: King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel, Midtown

Best NYC Restaurant Bars: HAWKSMOOR NYC, Gramercy

Honorable Mention: SARDI's 2nd Floor Bar, Midtown

Best Cocktail of 2023:  DUKES MARTINI at LOBBY BAR, Hotel Chelsea

Honorable Mention: THE MARTINIQUE at THE PRESS CLUB GRILL, Herald Square

Editors and Staff Picks:

Best Seat in the House: "REGULAR" SEAT at THE RUM HOUSE, Times Square

Honorable mention: Any bar seat at OLD TOWN BAR, Union Square

No better way to spend waiting for your train
 than at the Irish Exit in Moynihan Hall at NY's Penn Station.
Pint and a shot will do!!

Best Drink for the Road: GUINNESS + POWERS at IRISH EXIT, Midtown

Honorable mention: HANKY PANKY, AMERICAN BAR at SAVOY Hotel, London

Best Dive Bar aka "The Gutter Award": JIMMY'S CORNER, Times Square

Honorable Mention: MAC's CLUB DEUCE, South Beach, Miami

For 2024, the Loungerati are focusing on quality over quantity: 

- 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 it right

- We will embrace the fellowship of true friends and invest our time wisely 

- We will be on the lookout for outstanding hospitality at authentic establishments that are not flash in the pan. The pineapple pin is awarded to the best.

Til' the next Manhattans!

- The Loungerati

Wishing legendary Sardi's bartender Joe Petrsoric
the best in retirement! End of an era!!

Best of Lounge 2022

                                                               

Mark " The Senator" Vasto

 Lounger Number One 2022
 "Drinkify Me "Artwork by Dave Stolte

Its been two long years since we handed out the Best of Lounge awards. The global pandemic pulled the rug out from all of us and sadly, we lost many friends, family, & yes, even some of our favorite watering holes. We thought it would be the new Roaring Twenties but the decade got stalled in the starting gates. So 2022, a year when COVID was still taking its toll but, fully boosted, we started venturing out more. New joints began to pop up and a limited sense of normalcy began to take root. 

In the spirit of new beginnings, we went out on the town in many cities across the country with old and new friends. In NYC, the Loungerati revisited some classic dining and drinking stalwarts like Balthazar, Minetta Tavern, Gallagher's Steakhouse, Blue Ribbon, Grand Central Oyster Bar, Bemelmans, Heidelberg Restaurant, El Quijote at Chelsea Hotel, Smith & Wollensky, and of course the venerable Bamonte's. So please raise a freezer cold Martini to Loungerati's 2022 Best of Lounge Awards:

Lounge Scene Awards 

Tansy Tandora
The Elizabeth Taylor of Burlesque

Best Burlesque Act or Performer: TANSY TANDORA

Honorable Mention: GIN MINSKY

Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: GREEN FAIRY at the Red Room, East Village 

Honorable Mention:  LOUNGERATI RED SAUCE DINNER at Bamonte's, Williamsburg

Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: GEORGE GEE SWING ORCHESTRA at Swing 46, NYC

Honorable Mention: ALAN GRESIK'S SWING ORCHESTRA at Green Mill, Chicago

Most Sought After Ingredient or Bar Tool for the Home Bar: AMARO SAN SIMONE aka "Sansi"

Honorable Mention: FORD'S SLOE GIN

Marlo Gamora
Best Dressed Lounger 2022

Best Dressed Lounger: MARLO GAMORA, Rum Ambassador & Gentleman      

Honorable Mention: DAVID "GOH" TALAGA, Scotch Connoisseur

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

Best New NYC Cocktail Bar or Lounge: MILADY'S, SoHo

Honorable mention: Sunken Harbor, Brooklyn

Fredo @ The Rum House in NYC

Best NYC Cocktail Bar or Lounge: THE RUM HOUSE, Times Sq.

Honorable Mention: EMPLOYEES ONLY, West Village

Best Barfood: MOROCCAN FRIED CHICKEN at Zou Zou, Hudson Yards

Honorable Mention: Deviled Eggs, Clover Club, Brooklyn

Best of the NYC Hotel Bars: BEMELMANS BAR at the Carlyle Hotel, UES

Honorable Mention: Lantern's Keep at the Iroquois Hotel, Midtown

Best NYC Restaurant Bars: MINETTA TAVERN, Greenwich Village

Honorable Mention: THE BAR at KEENS STEAKHOUSE, Midtown

Best Cocktail of 2022: RHYME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER at Sunken Harbor 

Honorable Mention: PINCH HITTER (Japanese Whiskey, Koji, Apricot, Honey, bitters) at Chez Zou

Editors and Staff Picks:

Best Seat in the House: "REGULAR" SEAT at THE RUM HOUSE, Times Sq.

Honorable mention: Any BAR SEAT at Jimmy's Corner

Best Cocktail for the Road: MILLER HIGH LIFE & BUFFALO TRACE SHOT at MILADY'S, SoHo

Honorable mention: GUINNESS & POWERS SHOT at MOLLY WEE PUB, Midtown

Best NYC Tiki Experience: ROCKAWAY TIKI BAR, Rockaway Beach, Queens

Honorable Mention: ZOMBIE HUT, Carroll Gardens 

Best Dive aka "The Gutter Award": JIMMY'S CORNER, Times Sq.

Honorable Mention: MILANO'S BAR, Little Italy

Brian F. Paynter Award for Lounger Number One: MARK "THE SENATOR" VASTO (Awarded Posthumously)

For 2023, we have a laundry list of joints to visit, shows to see, bands to hear, & rugs to cut. These include -  Gus's Chophouse in Brooklyn, Hawksmoor NYC in Gramercy, and Albert's Bar in Midtown, among many more in NYC. We hope to travel to other cities and visit old friends and new joints. The Loungerati keep looking forward to new adventures, the fellowship of true friends, and outstanding hospitality.

Til' the next Manhattans!

- The Loungerati

Enjoy the Lounge Life, baby!

Lounge 2020: In Memoriam

There will be no Best of Lounge Awards for 2020. Instead, we raise a glass in a somber mood to the memory of some of our favorite New York City haunts & watering holes that permanently closed in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic. The Lounge remembers:

• Pegu Club
• Lucky Strike
• Daddy-O
• Existing Conditions
• Monkey Bar
• Maloney & Porcelli
• Ward III
• 21 Club
• Donna
• Grand Havana Room
• Grand Central Oyster Bar*
• Nightcap
• Rye House
• Jack the Horse Tavern
• Black Emperor
• Ghost Donkey
• Mermaid Inn
• Bar Veloce (East Village)*
• Saxon & Parole
• Otto Enoteca & Pizzeria
• The Good Fork
• Blue Ribbon (Brooklyn)
• Jules Bistro
• Augustine
• Bar Sardine
• Fedora
• Black & White
• Copacabana
• Porsena
• Blue Quarter
• Honeybee
• Mother of Pearl

* Closed temporarily with no announced return date

Last but certainly not least, we remember Mr. Jimmy Glenn, a true NYC legend who passed from COVID-19 on May 7, 2020. Jimmy was a consummate barman, proprietor of Jimmy's Corner & a veteran prizefighter. He always met you with a welcoming hand, a smile, and a story. Rest easy Jimmy, you are missed.

- The Loungerati

Best of Lounge - 2019

Don Spiro Lounger Number One 2019
 "Drinkify Me "Artwork by Dave Stolte

Aaaannnnd another decade down! 2020 used to sound like a distant future with flying cars and trips to Mars but all of a sudden it's next year! So let's get ready for a new Roaring 20s' only without that pesky Prohibition thing or sadly flying cars. Loungerati's 2019 Best of Lounge Awards go to:

Lounge Scene Awards 

Velvetina Taylor
Photo Credit: Richard Velasco

Best Burlesque Act or Performer*: Velvetina Taylor

Honorable Mention: Francine Dream (the 2018 winner), Sir Richard Castle's Wiggle Room, and the lovely Seedy Edie

* Editor's Note: We went out allot this year and saw many great performances. Velvetina Taylor was everywhere - from the Wiggle Room to private Art Deco apartment parties to The Salon events and everything in between! A super performer who has not even hit her peak yet. I am sure there is more to come from VT!

Dandy Dillinger holding court at the Shanty for Repeal Day!
Photo credit: Scott Stanger

Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: Don Spiro & Dandy Dillinger's Repeal Day Triple Party at the Shanty, Red Room, & Barrow's Intense Ginger

Honorable Mention: Loungerati Beefsteak Dinner, Fancy Camp 2019, The Salon's New Year's Eve Eve

Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: Mike Davis & The New Wonders

Honorable Mention: Kate Curran & Rogues Gallery, Michael Arenella's Dreamland Orchestra

Most Sought After Ingredient or Bar Tool for the Home Bar: Tempus Fugit Creme de Banane

Honorable Mention: Bitter Truth Olive Bitters, De Soto Petit Cocktail Shaker

Kenny McCoy, Barman Extraordinaire &
True Yorker in Esquire Magazine
Photo Credit: Aaron Richter

Best Dressed Lounger: Kenny "I'm in Friggin' Esquire" McCoy

Honorable Mention: Toby "The Gent" Maloney, Ashton "Dandy Dillinger" Warren

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

Best New Cocktail Bar or Lounge: Osamil Upstairs (Midtown)

Honorable mention: Stayton Room (Midtown), Black Emperor (East Village), Bar Pisellino (West Village), Sugar Monk (Harlem)

Best New York Cocktail Bar or Lounge: Existing Conditions (Greenwich Village)

Honorable Mention: Long Island Bar (Cobble Hill), Dead Rabbit's Parlour Room (FiDi), Maison Premiere (Williamsburg)

Best Barfood: Sando at Katana Kitten (Midtown) 

Honorable Mention: Deviled Eggs at Ward III (Tribeca), Steak Tartare at Employees Only (West Village), Oysters at Blue Ribbon Sullivan Street (SoHo), Miso Wings at Bar Goto (LES)

Best of the New York Hotel Bars: The Rum House at The Hotel Edison(Times Square)

Honorable Mention:  The Sunken Lounge at the TWA Hotel (JFK Airport), Monkey Bar at Hotel Elysee (Midtown), Lost Hours at Hotel 3232 (Midtown)

Spumoni Cocktail with Espresso back at Bar Pisellino

Best Cocktail of 2019: Spumoni (Neversink gin, Campari, Pink Peppercorn syrup, Fever Tree Indian Tonic water, fresh Ruby Red grapefruit, cracked pink peppercorns)at Bar Pisellino(West Village)

Honorable Mention: Yellow Bird (Plantation 3 Star Rum, Galliano L'Autentico, Cointreau, fresh lime, acid lime cordial, saline, lime twist) at Existing Conditions, The Runnable Stag (Dalmore 12-Year Scotch, Suze, Sales, Star Anise, Orange Bitters) at Sugar Monk

Editors and Staff Picks:

Best Seat in the House: Dug Out seat at Ward III (Tribeca)

Honorable mention: Any seat at The Grill, The "Regular" seat at Rum House, & F14 at Clover Club when in Brooklyn (natch!)

Best Cocktail for the Road: Ichi-mas Boilermaker (Sapporo lager & Toki Japanese Whiskey) at Katana Kitten (West Village)

Honorable Mention: Irish Coffee at Dead Rabbit (FiDi), Old Pal at Dante (Greenwich Village)

Best Saloon: Hudson Malone (Midtown East) 

Honorable Mention: American Whiskey (Midtown), Ward III (Tribeca),The Gaf West (Hell's Kitchen)

Best NY Tiki Experience: Garret Richard's Exotica Night at Raines Law Room (Midtown)
Honorable Mention:Cellar 335 (Jersey City), Mother of Pearl (East Village), Polynesian (Midtown)

Best of the Internationals: Fifty Mils (Mexico D.F)

Honorable Mention: American Bar at Savoy Hotel (London), Dirty Dick (Paris)

ALIBI in SLC, bartender owned, Loungerati approved.

Best American Cocktail Bar (ex-NYC) Visited in 2019: Alibi (Salt Lake City)

Honorable Mention: Cafe La Trova (Miami), Better Days(Miami), The Man Behind the Curtain at Platform 18 (Phoenix), Raised by Wolves (San Diego)

Best Dive aka "The Gutter Award": Jimmy's Corner (Times Square)

Honorable Mention: Patriot Bar  (Tribeca), Tracks in Penn Station - RIP (Midtown)

Brian F. Paynter Award for Lounger Number One: Don "Sazarac" Spiro

Honorable mention: Ashton "Dandy Dillinger" Warren, David "Grumpy Old Hepcat" Talaga

Last year we lamented the closing of many New York cocktail favorites, like the venerable Flatiron Lounge. This year we look forward to a new decade and what seems to be many eagerly awaited new bars on the horizon. These include two new Brooklyn additions -  Bar Goto Niban (from the Bar Goto team) coming to Park Slope and St. John Frizzel's The Sunken Harbor at the newly renovated Gage & Tollner on Fulton Street in downtown Brooklyn. Tis' a new decade with new possibilities and adventures to come! The Loungerati look forward to more great times, the friendships to be made, and superb hospitality.

Til' the next Manhattans!

- The Loungerati

Beefsteak Dinner 2019

Best of Lounge - 2018

Fredo Ceraso is this year's Lounger Number 1 despite his ardent protests.
He humbly accepted the award at the Loungerati Staff Beefsteak Dinner held on Repeal Weekend in NYC.

Wow! 2018 done already? What happened? It was a blur and we are looking forward to the last year of the "teens". Loungerati's 2018 Best of Lounge Awards go to:

Lounge Scene Awards 

Best Burlesque Act or Performer*: Francine The Lucid Dream's Pink Room Burlesque, NYC

Honorable Mention: Gin Minsky, Miss Puss-n-Boots, Gal Friday, Glitter Gutter at Slipper Room

Francine The Lucid Dream & Friends

* Editor's Note: We could probably list dozens of terrific shows, performances, and acts that Francine was involved with this year - it is truly remarkable. We are convinced she must have doppelgangers to do it all and wish her best of luck with her nomination for Broadway World Cabaret Awards Best Burlesque Show!! 

Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: Don Spiro's Green Fairy at the Red Room  

Honorable Mention: Dances of Vice - Great Gatsby Party, The Easter Parade, Loungerati Beefsteak Dinner

Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra

Honorable Mention: Brian Newman, Dandy Wellington & His Band, Michael Arenella's Dreamland Orchestra

Glenn Crytzer

Most Sought After Ingredient or Bar Tool for the Home Bar: Nikka Coffey Gin

Honorable Mention: Bigallet 'China-China' Amer, I Just Came for the Drinks by Sother Teague, Old Overholt Bonded Rye

Best Dressed Lounger: Ashton "Dandy Dillinger" Warren 

Honorable Mention: Eff "Occhi Azzurri" Blangiardo, Brian "Showboat" Newman, Lesley "Jee-Jee" Martin

Dandy Dillinger with Don Spiro of Green Fairy

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

Best New Cocktail Bar or Lounge: Tie: Katana Kitten (West Village) & Osamil (Midtown)

Honorable mention: The Polynesian (Times Square), Gibson & Luce (Midtown), George Washington Bar at Freehand Hotel (Gramercy)

Ben Rojo of GW Bar & Jelo of Osamil at Osamil

Best New York Cocktail Bar or Lounge: Dante (Greenwich Village)

Honorable Mention: Long Island Bar (Cobble Hill), The Dead Rabbit (FIDI), Clover Club (Boerum Hill), Dear Irving (Union Square)

Best Barfood: Korean Fried Chicken at Osamil (Midtown) 

Honorable Mention: Deviled Eggs at Ward III (Tribeca), Steak Tartare at Employees Only (West Village), Katsu Sando at Bar Moga (Greenwich Village)

Best of the New York Hotel Bars: Rum House at Hotel Edison(Times Square)

Honorable Mention: Lantern's Keep at the Iroquois (Times Square), Nomad at Nomad Hotel (Midtown), Gin Parlour at Intercontinental Hotel (Midtown)

Best Cocktail of 2018: The Calpico Swizzle (Bombay Sapphire East, Nigori Sake, Calpico, lime, sansho pepper, blanc de blanc)at Katana Kitten (West Village)

Honorable Mention: K-Town Sidecar at Osamil (Midtown), Commodore Perry Cooler at George Washington Bar(Gramercy), Permanent Vacation at Grand Banks (Tribeca)

Calpico Swizzle at Katana Kitten

Editors and Staff Picks:

Best Seat in the House: Dug Out seat at Ward III (Tribeca)

Honorable mention: Snug booth at Dead Rabbit's refurbished Tap Room, the seat farthest from Phil Ward in Long Island Bar or Rockwell Place, & F14 at Clover Club of course when in Brooklyn (natch!)

Affinity Cocktail with Harleston Green Blended Scotch and
Deviled Eggs in the Dug Out Seat at Ward III

Best Cocktail for the Road**: Army & Navy Cocktail (London Dry Gin, Lemon, Housemande Orgeat) at Flatiron Lounge (Chelsea)

Honorable Mention: Irish Coffee at Dead Rabbit (FiDi), Ichi-mas Boilermaker (Sapporo lager & Toki Japanese Whiskey) at Katana Kitten (West Village), The Derelict (rums, bourbon, banana, cinnamon, passion fruit, absinthe and juices) at Polynesian (Midtown West)

Army & Navy Cocktail at Flatiron Lounge (RIP)

**Editor's Note: The last cocktail we ordered at Flatiron Lounge the week before it closed was the classic Army & Navy. What a way to say good-bye to a cocktail stalwart!

Best Saloon: Hanks Saloon (Boerum Hill) 

Honorable Mention: Hudson Malone (Midtown East), American Whiskey (Midtown), The Gaf West (Hell's Kitchen)

Best NY Tiki Experience: Exotica Night at Raines Law Room (Midtown)
Honorable Mention: The Polynesian (Midtown West), Sunken Harbor at Ft Defiance (Red Hook), Cellar 335 (Jersey City)

Best of the Internationals: El Pequeno Bar (Montreal)

Honorable Mention: American Bar at Savoy Hotel (London), Fifty Mils (Mexico D.F.)

*NEW* Best American Cocktail Bar (ex-NYC) Visited in 2018: Water Witch (SLC)

Honorable Mention: Rosina (Las Vegas), Lost Lake (Chicago), Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co. (Miami)

Best Dive aka "The Gutter Award": Hanks Saloon (Boerum Hill)

Honorable Mention: Jimmy's Corner (Times Square), Nancy Whiskey Pub (Tribeca), Tracks in Penn Station (Midtown) 

Was lucky enough to have a last drink served by
veteran bartender Jeannie Talierico. Thanks for the memories!  

Brian F. Paynter Award for Lounger Number One: Fredo "Don't Give Me this Award" Ceraso 

Honorable mention: David "GOH" Talaga, Joe "The Leisure Master" Desmond, Don "Mr. Absinthe" Spiro

Lastly, the New York cocktail bar scene lost too many of our favorite watering holes this past year. Flatiron Lounge, Julie Reiner's pioneering cocktail bar served its last drink after almost 15 years, Hanks Saloon, the iconic downtown Brooklyn dive bar shuttered, as did relative new comers Suffolk Arms. We will miss these joints and fondly remember the good times, friendships made, and hospitality.

Til' the next Manhattans!

- The Loungerati

Happy New Year!