Best of Lounge - 2016

The Loungerati have voted and the 2016 Best of Lounge Awards go to:

Lounge Scene Awards 

Best Burlesque Act or Performer: CALAMITY CHANG

Honorable Mention: Rosie Cheeks, Gal Friday Burlesque

Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: DARDANELLA at The Plaza Hotel 

Honorable Mention: The Salon's New Year's Eve Eve Party, Dances of Vice - Phantasmagorey

Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: QUEEN ESTHER & HER HOT FIVE

Honorable Mention: Dandy Wellington & His Band, Brian Newman Orchestra at the Rainbow Room

Most Sought After Ingredient for the Home Bar: REGARDING COCKTAILS by SASHA PETRASKE

Honorable Mention: Amer Picon, Del Maguey Mezcal Chichicapa

Best Dressed Lounger: J ROSSER LOMAX (Suntory's Man)

Honorable Mention: Marlo Gamora (Barman & Ambassador), Eff Blangiardo (Scion of Sprezzatura)

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

Best New Cocktail Bar or Lounge: THE BENNETT (New York)

Honorable mention:  Suffolk Arms (New York), August Laura (Brooklyn)

Best New York Cocktail Bar or Lounge: CLOVER CLUB (Brooklyn)
Honorable Mention: Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog (New York), Attaboy (New York)

Best Barfood: SEAFOOD PLATEAU at GRAND ARMY (Brooklyn)

Honorable Mention: Mutton Burger at Seamstress (New York), Matzo Ball Soup at Suffolk Arms (New York)

Best of the NY Hotel Bars: THE RUM HOUSE at EDISON HOTEL (New York)

Honorable Mention: Elephant Bar at NoMad Hotel (New York), Lantern's Keep at Iroquois Hotel (New York)

David A. Embury Award for Best Cocktail of 2016: AMARETTO SOUR (Gozio amaretto, Don Ciccio & Figlio Nocino, lemon, lime, simple) at the AUGUST LAURA (Brooklyn)

Honorable Mention: Loops Lips Sink Ships at Slowly Shirley (New York), Casa Rosada at Grand Army (Brooklyn)

Editor and Staff Picks:

Best Seat in the House: ERNEST HEMINGWAY BARSEAT at BLACKTAIL (New York)

Honorable mention: Seat F14 at Clover Club (Brooklyn), Dugout seats at Rum House (New York)

Best Cocktail for the Road: PERONI NEGRONI at DUTCH FRED'S(New York)

Honorable Mention: Modelo can & shot of Cynar at The Pennsy (New York), Trinidad Sour at Suffolk Arms (New York)

Best Saloon: DEAD RABBIT GROCERY & GROG TAP ROOM (New York)

Honorable Mention: Sons & Daughters (New York), Dutch Fred's (New York)

Best American Tiki Experience: A tie: LOST LAKE (Chicago)
Honorable Mention: Tiki Mondays with Miller at Pouring Ribbons (New York), Smuggler's Cove (San Francisco), Latitude 29 (New Orleans)

Best of the Internationals: OLD CROW (Zurich)

Honorable Mention:  The Oriole (London), Sherry Butt (Paris)

Best Dive aka "The Gutter Award": JIMMY'S CORNER (New York)

Honorable Mention: Fanelli's Cafe (New York), Milano's (New York) 

Brian F. Paynter Award for Lounger Number One: PATRICK SOLURI (Maestro, Musician, Producer)

Happy Repeal Day and 10th Anniversary to Loungerati

Loungerati Beefsteak Dinner  2016 at Maloney & Porcelli - A Repeal Weekend Tradition

Happy Repeal Day and 10th Anniversary to the Loungerati readers, staff and contributors past and present! Raise a glass of bubbly because - it is your right!!

The Legalese:
On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution became the law of the land. This piece of legislation repealed the 18th Amendment's Prohibition of alcohol.

XXI Amendment 

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Featured Cocktail tonight:
Cognac Sazarac
3 oz Martel XO Cognac
4 dashes of Peychaud bitters
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 brown sugar cube
St. George Absinthe (for coating)
lemon twist

Method: Add sugar cube to mixing glass and add bitters. Muddle the sugar and bitters gently until broken down into a paste like consistency. Add Cognac and cracked ice. Stirred for 20 seconds. Separately, coat a chilled old fashioned glass with Absinthe and swirl until the interior is covered. Add the mixture to the glass and express the lemon oils from the twist over the glass and discard. Drink up!

The original Sazarac was made with Cognac!

Loungerati continues to serve as an outlet to those who enjoy Lounge culture, the sporting life, exquisite cocktails, classic music, and a good time! Enjoy the holidays and drink responsibly.

~The Lounge



Happy Repeal Day and Loungerati's 9th Anniversary! Enjoy your Constitutional Right to Imbibe!




Three cheers to the 21st Amendment!

Happy Repeal Day and 9th Anniversary to the Loungerati readers, staff and contributers past and present! Raise a glass of bubbly because - it is your right!!

The skinny:
On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution became the law of the land. This piece of legislation repealed the 18th Amendment's Prohibition of alcohol.

XXI Amendment 

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Loungers Unite:
On December 5, 2006, Loungerati was born on a cocktail napkin at a bar called Brooklyn Social in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn and memorialized with the epic Lounge Doctrine delivered by one of the forum's founders, The Senator, at the legendary Algonquin Hotel bar the following year. Dorothy Parker would have been proud!

Loungerati continues to serve as an outlet to those who enjoy Lounge culture, the sporting life, exquisite cocktails, classic music, and a good time! Enjoy the holidays and drink responsibly.

~The Lounge



Senator delivers the Lounge Doctrine at the Algonquin Hotel

 

Happy Repeal Day! Three Cheers for Utah!!

Salt Lake City's Oldest Bar opened Dec 5, 1933

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution became the law of the land. This piece of legislation repealed the 18th Amendment's Prohibition of alcohol. The last state to ratify the amendment in the State conventions, thus passing the 3/4 majority required to amend the Constitution under Article 5, was Utah! So let's all toast Utah!

XXI Amendment 

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

On December 5, 2006, Loungerati was born on a cocktail napkin at a bar called Brooklyn Social in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn and memorialized with the epic Lounge Doctrine delivered by The Senator at the Algonquin Hotel bar the following year. Loungerati continues to serve as an outlet to those who enjoy Lounge culture, the sporting life, exquisite cocktails, classic music, and a good time!

To toast this joyous occasion try out a modern take on the classic rye buck from one of Salt Lake City's top barman - Jacob Hall of Bar X, Utah's oldest post-prohibition bar!

 Mr. November
adapted by Jacob Hall for Bar X

1.5 oz rye whiskey (try High West Double Rye!)
.5 oz fresh ginger juice
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
.5 simple syrup
2 barspoons muddled cooked bell pepper
candied ginger
bell pepper slice

Tools: Mixing tins, jigger, rocks glass, Hawthorne strainer,

Method: Muddle the cooked bell pepper in a mixing tin,, add the rest of the ingredients and then ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with candied ginger and bell pepper slice.

Please raise a toast December 5th to celebrate your right to imbibe and Loungerati's 8th Birthday!

Happy Repeal Day! Raise a Glass to Utah!

Loungerati Editor Fredo Ceraso enjoying
Repeal Day cocktails at Employees Only
(photo credit: Gabi Porter)

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution became the law of the land. This piece of legislation repealed the 18th Amendment's Prohibition of alcohol. The last state to ratify the amendment in the State conventions, thus passing the 3/4 majority required to amend the Constitution under Article 5, was Utah! So let's all toast Utah!

XXI Amendment 

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

On December 5, 2006 Loungerati was formed to fill the void for lounge website Tommywhitetie.com which was closed down by it's eponymous founder. A select group of Loungers refused to go quietly. It wasn't last call yet, and there was an open bar of opportunity and ideas.

Loungerati was born on a cocktail napkin at a bar called Brooklyn Social in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn and memorialized with the epic Lounge Doctrine delivered by The Senator at the Algonquin Hotel bar the following year. Loungerati continues to serve as an outlet to those who enjoy Lounge culture, the sporting life, exquisite cocktails, classic music, and a good time!

To toast this joyous occasion, try out this exquisite libation I adapted for a multiple Best of Lounge winner in the categories of Burlesque and Haberdashery - the lovely and dangerous Gin Minsky!

The Gin Minsky
adapted by Fredo Ceraso

2 oz Hendricks Gin
1 oz St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
3/4 oz fresh lemon
2 dashes of Bittermens Burlesque bitters
Champagne

Tools: Mixing tins, jigger, coupe, Hawthorne strainer, fine strainer

Method: Combine bitters, citrus juice, gin, and elderflower liqueur in a mixing tin, add ice. Shake until well chilled. Double strain into champagne coupe. Top with bubbles and garnish with sprig of rosemary.

Please join us at the legendary King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City around 10pm December 5th to celebrate your right to imbibe and Loungerati's 7th Birthday!

Happy Repeal Day!!

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution became the law of the land. This piece of legislation repealed the 18th Amendment's Prohibition of alcohol. The last state to ratify the amendment in the State conventions, thus passing the 3/4 majority required to amend the Constitution under Article 5, was Utah! So let's all toast Utah!

XXI Amendment 

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

On December 5, 2006 Loungerati was formed to fill the void for lounge website Tommywhitetie.com which was closed down by it's eponymous founder. A select group of Loungers refused to go quietly. It wasn't last call yet, and there was an open bar of opportunity and ideas. 

Loungerati was born on a cocktail napkin at a bar called Brooklyn Social in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn and institutionalized with the epic Lounge Doctrine delivered by The Senator at the Algonquin Hotel bar the following year. Loungerati continues to serve as an outlet to those who enjoy Lounge culture, the sporting life, exquisite cocktails, classic music, and a good time! 

Please join us at the legendary Monkey Bar in New York City late Saturday night December 8th  to celebrate your right to imbibe and Loungerati's 6th Birthday!

Loungerati Holiday Cocktails and 5th Anniversary - December 8th

December 8th, 2011
8pm -11pm

Loungerati teams up with Angel's Envy Bourbon and Rum House for a special Holiday Repeal Day Cocktail Party to celebrate five years of "Lounging, Life, and Libations."

There will be Angel's Envy drink specials, world class cocktails, and live jazz from the J. Walter Hawkes Trio.

Cocktail Party attire encouraged.

Please RSVP on Facebook.

Please mention "Loungerati" to the hostess to get in.


Rum House
228 West 47th
at the Edison Hotel
NYC, New York

(Artwork by Shag)

Happy Repeal Day!! Three Cheers to Utah!

Party like it is 1933!

Seventy seven years ago today, the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution became law. This piece of legislation repealed the 18th Amendment's Prohibition of alcohol. The last state to ratify the amendment in the State conventions, thus passing the 3/4 majority required to amend the Constitution under Article 5, was Utah! So three cheers to Utah!

XXI Amendment

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Today is also the Fourth anniversary of Loungerati. In 2006 as the lounge website Tommywhitetie.com was closed down by its' founder, a select group of Loungers refused to go quietly. It wasn't last call yet, and there was an open bar of opportunity and ideas. Loungerati was born on a cocktail napkin at Brooklyn Social in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. It continues to serve as an outlet to those who enjoy Lounge culture, the sporting life, exquisite cocktails, classic music, and a good time!

(photo courtesy of Metromix)

Destinations: Loungerati Holiday Cocktails - Hawaiian Style Dec 2nd

Aloha Loungers,

Loungerati teams up with our gracious host Julie Reiner at SoHo's newest cocktail destination, Lani Kai, for a Holiday Liquid Luau, and to celebrate four years of Lounging, Life, and Libations.

There will be Loungerati drink specials, world class cocktails, a fireplace, and delicious Hawaiian food.

Dress your Lounge best and bring the liver too. Please mention "Loungerati" to the hostess to get in.

See you there! Please RSVP to loungers at loungerati dot com or on Facebook.

The Loungerati Staff

Happy Repeal Day!!

On this day, December 5th, in 1933, the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution became law. This piece of legislation repealed the 18th Amendment's Prohibition of alcohol. The last state to ratify the amendment in the State conventions, thus passing the 3/4 majority required to amend the Constitution under Article 5, was Utah! So three cheers to Utah!

XXI Amendment

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Today is also the third anniversary of Loungerati. In 2006 as the lounge website Tommywhitetie.com was closed down by it's eponymous founder, a select group of Loungers refused to go quietly. It wasn't last call yet, and there was an open bar of opportunity and ideas. Loungerati was born on a cocktail napkin and continues to serve as an outlet to those who enjoy Lounge culture, the sporting life, exquisite cocktails, classic music, and a good time!

So please join us at WARD III in Tribeca, NYC tonight to celebrate your right to imbibe and Loungerati's birthday.

Happy 75th Anniversary of Repeal Day!!!

December 1933 saw a world in turmoil: The Nazis come to power in Germany; the Great Depression was in full swing; America seemed on the ropes and dry as the Mojave. The future seemed bleak, but then something momentous occurred: The peoples' representatives said NO to teetotaling and YES to civilized drinking! On December 5th, Utah became the 36th U.S. state to ratify the Twenty-First Amendment to the United States Constitution, establishing the required 3/4th of states needed to enact the Amendment (this overturned the 18th Amendment which had outlawed alcohol in the United States). Yes, even holy, rolling Utah agreed that Prohibition was for the birds.

Well, Friday, December 5th, 2008 marks 75 years since that day, and we at Loungerati are especially excited. See, enjoying decent cocktail forms one of the four pillars of our philosophy. The others being civilized attire, respectful behavior toward the opposite gender, and listening/dancing to great music that makes you say "wow". Incredibly, we couldn't have done it without Utah!

In addition, this watershed date not only has great historical importance to the cocktail-imbibing Lounger, it is also Loungerati's Second Birthday. Yes, on December 5th, 2006, I decided to make a break from the darkness that was a Lounge website called tommywhitetie.com. I reached out to fellow disenchanted Loungers who knew that website's promise to be a place where "good taste hardly goes out of style" was indeed as dead as the Sacco and Vanzetti. The place used to be a creative forum to exchange ideas, publish stories, cocktail recipes, and meet like-minded loungers. But like many good things (and no thanks to infighting and lack of leadership) the party ended. Those of us who saw the Lounge living as more than just a "singles pick-up joint" came together and formed Loungerati. As we approached our first anniversary, the Senator proclaimed the now infamous "Lounge Doctrine" at the legendary Algonquin Hotel bar. He reaffirmed it just last month at Little Branch in his beloved West Village. As we go forth into our third year, we will be branching out into a full service website and continue to partner with The Salon and other like-minded organizations and individuals to bring you Lounging, Life, and Libations - the way it should be.

Now get out there and have a few cocktails! Show 'em how Americans appreciate what Utah did! Happy Repeal Day!!

Salute and Bottoms up!

The Loungerati Staff