Best of Lounge 2012 - Winners

Lounger Number One for 2012 awarded posthumously to the impresario, Brian F. Paynter.
(Artwork by Dave Stolte)

The Loungerati readers have voted via PollDaddy for the 2012 Best of Lounge Awards and the results are in:

Lounge Scene Awards 

Best Burlesque Act or Performer: THE MINSKY SISTERS
Honorable Mention: Francine "The Lucid Dream", Angie Pontani, Grace Gotham

Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY AT GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
Honorable Mention: Club Wit's End - A Monthly Celebration of the Jazz Age,  Liberty Belle Fourth of July Spectacular at the Empire Hotel, The Salon's New Year's Eve Eve Party

Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: MICHAEL ARENELLA & HIS DREAMLAND ORCHESTRA
Honorable Mention: Gelber & Manning, Ray Gelato & City Rhythm Orchestra, Queen Esther & Her Hot Five

Most Sought After Ingredient for the Home Bar: PERRY'S TOT NAVY STRENGTH GIN from New York Distilling Company

Honorable Mention: Dale DeGroff's Pimento Aromatic Bitters, Home Bar Basics (and not so basics) manual by Dave Stolte, Bittermens Amere Sauvage

Best Dressed Lounger: GIN MINSKY of the Minsky Sisters
Honorable Mention: Brian F. Paynter, Jack Newcastle, Dandy Wellington

Brian F. Paynter Award for Lounger Number One: BRIAN F. PAYNTER (Impresario)
Honorable Mention: Nicole Desmond, Eff from Loungerati, Mr. Gotham 

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

Best New Cocktail Bar or Lounge: THE SHANTY (Brooklyn)
Honorable mention:  Experimental Cocktail Club - LES (New York), Middle Branch (New York), Pouring Ribbons (New York)

Best Veteran Cocktail Bar or Lounge: CLOVER CLUB (Brooklyn)
Honorable Mention: PDT (New York), Death & Company (New York), Fort Defiance (Brooklyn)

Best Barfood: The Prime Meats Burger - PRIME MEATS (Brooklyn)
Honorable Mention: Deviled Eggs with Four Flavors - Clover Club (Brooklyn),  The Cubano - DeCoursey's Side Car (Brooklyn), Derby Cobb Salad - Astor Room (Queens)

David A. Embury Award for Best Cocktail of 2012: SAUVETAGE, Nate Dumas for The Shanty (Brooklyn)

Honorable Mention: Death & Taxes by Joaquin Simo for Pouring Ribbons (New York), KYPX by Franky Marshall for Monkey Bar (New York), Absinthe Colada by Maxwell Britten for Maison Premiere (Brooklyn)

Editor and Staff Picks:
Best Seat in the House: The "Regular" at EMPLOYEES ONLY (New York)
Honorable mention: Back window seat at Rum House (New York), F14 at Clover Club (Brooklyn), Any bar seat at the original Milk & Honey (New York)

Best Cocktail for the Road: Fernet Branca Bottle Service at BOURGEOIS PIG BROOKLYN (Brooklyn)
Honorable Mention: Underberg bitters at Prime Meats (Brooklyn), Hanky Panky at American Bar, Savoy Hotel (London), Boulevardier  at Lantern's Keep (New York)

Best Saloon: WARD III (New York)
Honorable Mention: Daddy-O (New York), The Richardson (Brooklyn), Manifesto (Kansas City)

Best of the Internationals: ARTESIAN BAR at LANGHAM HOTEL (London)
Honorable Mention:  American Bar at the Savoy Hotel (London), Happiness Forgets (London), Upstairs at Callooh Callay (London)

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

Honorable Mention: Library Bar at NoMad Hotel (New York), Lantern's Keep at the Iroquois Hotel (New York), Breslin Bar at Ace Hotel (New York)

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

Honorable Mention: Jackies Fifth Amendment (Brooklyn), Montero Bar & Grill(Brooklyn), Arthur's Tavern (New York)

Don't Bruise the Ice Award for Best Ice Program: MIDDLE BRANCH (New York)

Honorable Mention: Dutch Kills Bar (Queens), Weather Up Tribeca (New York), Artesian Bar at Langham Hotel (London)

The back bar at THE SHANTY

Best New Cocktail Bar/Lounge: The SHANTY

Destinations: Halloween Eve 2010

There are plenty of "lounge" worthy events this Halloween weekend. However, we suggest you head on over to these jazz age themed masquerades from our friends Michael Arenella in Brooklyn and Wit's End in Manhattan.

The Halloween Eve Masquerade

The Green Building (450 Union Street, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
Saturday, October 30th, 2010
9:00PM - late.

$20 Advance (available here )
$25 Door

Join Michael Arenella & His Hot Dreamland Eight the night before Halloween, and rub elbows with other glamourous ghouls...

At Brooklyn's most enchanting little speakeasy, the Green Building, a 19th-century warehouse nestled along the banks of the Gowanus Canal, in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

We are pleased to present a hauntingly swell cast of characters for the night's entertainment:

- The Minsky Sisters - world renowned '20s tap duo
- Grace Gotham - burlesque sensation
- Special musical guests Drew Nugent & The Mindnight Society
Plus -
- Plenty of room to dance on our real-wood Dreamland Dance Floor
- Cocktails served by expert mixologist Fredo from Loungerati and Henry Lopez of Court & Spark
- Costume contests
- A tasty variety of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and treats will be available if you're feeling peckish.
- Exotic pumpkin and gourd exhibiton.
- And more to be announced!

Michael Arenella & His Hot Dreamland Eight will rouse up the ghosts of yore while you dance and drink up your tinctures pure.

This event will sell out - be sure to get your tickets today at Brownpapertickets.com!

Wit's End Presents: 2nd Annual Black Cat Masquerade

Flute bar (205 W54th Street, NY, NY)

October 30th 7:30pm - midnight

Join Wit's End and the Dorothy Parker Society for the hottest, spookiest, and jazziest Hallowe'en celebration you can handle! Hallowe'en is our favorite holiday of the year, and to celebrate, we bring you the hot jazz stylings of NYC favorites THE HOT SARDINES!!

-FREE Dance Lesson : 830pm, band 9pm
-Vintage Cocktail Menu
-Win Fabulous Prizes Playing our Vintage Hallowe'en Games!

In addition to this fabulous lineup, the Black Cat Masquerade is also the launch party for the third issue of Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau!! (http://www.zeldamag.com/) Every guest at the Masquerade will receive a FREE copy of Issue 3, as well as other lovely gift bag goodies to be announced! The first 50 people to arrive will receive a FULL SIZED eyeshadow from our friends at Sweet Libertine Cosmetics! (http://www.sweetlibertine.com/) ALSO! While they last, our gift bags will include a FREE pass to the November 13/14th Pier Antiques Show/Fashion Alley (a $15 value!) - find out more at http://www.stellashows.com/ !

DRESS CODE : Vintage/vintage-style evening attire 1910s-1940s; black tie is encouraged. Vintage style Hallowe'en costumes welcome, and masks are encouraged for all guests!

Destinations: Memorial Day Weekend

If you are not out of town this Memorial Day Weekend, please dust off your vintage summer attire and head on over to these exciting parties:


Saturday 
Wit's End: Star Spangled Soiree
Celebrate the vibrant history of America this Memorial Day weekend at the Star Spangled Soiree! Patriotic vintage dance tunes brought to you by favorites SLY BLUE & JESSE SELENGUT!

Free Hors D'Oeuvres 7pm-8pm...come down early and have dinner at Flute!

FREE BEGINNER DANCE LESSON - 830pm! Jeri Lynn Astra helps you tap those toes!

Fantastic Giveaways from Besame Cosmetics!! Try Besame's new Sweetheart Balm! http://www.besamecosmetics.com/

Come in your finest vintage patriotic attire - 1910s/1920s/1930s/1940s! Bring out that red, white, and blue and enjoy dancing and have some vintage cocktails with us!

Get your copy of the second issue of Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau- available at the Soiree! http://www.zeldamag.com/

$12, 21+


Flute
205 West 54th Street
New York, NY
www.flutebar.com
  

Sunday

The 1st Annual Dreamland Beach Party!

On the shore of the East River, Water Taxi Beach boasts acres of real sand and a tented 60x40 wooden dance floor. Add ocean air, live Hot Jazz and the panorama of Manhattan as backdrop, and you have the city's beachiest jazz party ever. Bring your hats, parasols and beach blankets!

 
SUNDAY MAY 30TH, 2010
12:00PM TO 5:00PM


WATER TAXI BEACH, LONG ISLAND CITY
2 Borden Ave., LIC, NY 11101


$18/Advance (available here) or $25/Door


Featuring:
Michael Arenella & His 11-piece Dreamland Orchestra
Drew Nugent & The Midnight Society
The Minsky Sisters - Darling, Toe Tapping Sensations


Plus:
Vintage Fashion Show and Sale presented by Odd Twin!
Bathing Beauties contests
Vintage portraits by Tsirkus Fotografika
Raffle featuring prizes from Ellen Christine Millinery, Flatiron Lounge,
dance legend and teacher Roddy Caravella, Odd Twin, and many other fabulous local vendors!


Beverages, full bar and hot food will be for sale; ATM cards accepted.


A limited amount of VIP picnic tables are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
They will be reserved for your party for the entire event and come with free parasols, copies of Zelda Magazine, and other special gifts!


Table reservations can purchased for $25 per table (each table seats four). Note: This does not include admission price. E-mail jen at dreamlandorchestra dot com for table reservations only. Don't delay!


Directions:

By Ferry
Shuttle Service to Water Taxi Beach - Long Island City from East 35th Street by the FDR approximately every 15 minutes from 1- 3pm and then from 5 - 5:45pm. The fare will be $5 for a one way ticket.
 
By Car
Travel to Borden and Second Street. At Borden Avenue and Second Street you will see the sign for the New York Water Taxi. We are not in all map and navigation systems. You can find us on Google Maps, by searching for, Water Taxi Beach 54-34 2nd Street, LIC NY 11101.

By Subway
Take the 7 train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue or the E train to 23rd Street/Ely Avenue. Then, take Vernon Boulevard. directly to Borden Avenue. Next walk past the Water Front Crab House and finally turn RIGHT into our driveway.

*Proceeds from the Dreamland Beach Party ticket sales will go towards supporting future public Dreamland Jazz Age events.*

Destinations: Valentine's Eve Ball Saturday Feb 13th

Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Sextet cordially invite you to The Valentine's Eve Ball, at Brooklyn's enchanting speakeasy, The Green Building.

Singles - take yourself out; you're a marvelous date and are highly entertaining, even when solitaire.
Couples - show him or her your good taste, and treat your baby to a romantic spin on the dance floor.

The Dreamland Sextet will play a special repetoire of swinging, romantic standards and ballads form the Great American Songbook.

Also:
* The renowned Minsky Sisters demonstrate the latest jungle rhythms of hot jazz tap-dance!
* Grace Gotham, lady of intrigue and Burlesque novelty, regales us with smart, naughty diversion.
* The sentimental syncopations of red hot piano player Drew Nugent.
* Hosted by the dashing Dandy Wellington

Mixologists from Court & Spark and Loungerati's very own Fredo craft heady and fragrant cocktails for your enjoyment.

A tasty variety of confections and desserts will be available.

Destinations: Champagne Riot at Duane Park on Jan 29th

Delovely Jen Minsky of the Minksy Sisters sends us the skinny on a new monthly party. There will be burlesque. There will be Champers. There will be a good old tyme to be had by all. TGIF!

"Come to Duane Park this month for the spectacular sensation and tantalizing temptation of Hot Jazz, Scintillating Burlesque, & Vaudevillian Frivolity!! A night of MUSIC, MERRIMENT & BEAUTIFUL WOMEN!!!

Meet The Rioteers...

Master of Ceremonies: Dandy Wellington
Musical Senations: Gelber & Manning
Resident Ecdysiast: Miss Jezebel Express
Vaudeville Personality: The Minsky Sisters
Captivating Contortionist: Ekaterina
Sexy Stage Kitten: Magdalena Fox

Join this raucous bunch, and bring sex, song and scandal to the Duane Park Stage.

FREE ADMISSION! Duane Park's delicious late night menu will be served, so you can come for dinner (or just a drink) and see what the Riot is all about!

Come on... what's wrong with a little bubbly now and then?"

Duane Park
157 Duane Street,
between West Broadway & Hudson
212.732.5555

Destinations: CHIFFEROBE: A Jazz-Age Cabaret, Jan 22nd

Our gal in Providence, the delectable Kristen Minsky is producing a real doozy of a Winter Ball. Here is the skinny:

The time is near for CHIFFEROBE: A Jazz-Age Cabaret, part deux! On the evening of Friday, January 22, Kristen Minsky and Tazza are teaming up again to bring you all of the dark nightlife sizzle of our premier event with all of the bohemian romance of early 1900s Paris! Think feathers, artists, champagne, chocolate and absinthe, but of course!

Entertainment for the evening includes the nostalgia music maestro himself Adriel Azure and His Dream Indigo Orchestra, who have invited special guests; vocalist Wednesday Greenbomb (new group member) and accordionist Tom Persinos (solo 9-10) sitting in. They will finesse our heart-strings with the majestic sound of Jazz, Tango and other gems of old. Having just been voted Best Burlesque Act 2009 by Loungerati, 1920s tap sensations The Minsky Sisters will be back on the floor for a flap, a tap and a celebratory glass of champagne with Greek goddess and New York-based burlesque phenomenon Pandora Scintillator. Puppeteer, Jeanne DelGiudice, will introduce you to her petit ami, and a little green fairy will be making her way through the crowd to serve you an inspiring taste of liquid inspiration!

Taste a treat by tazza’s own chocolatier and a period cocktail from the menu developed by Atlanta-based mixologist, Adam Fox… Don’t forget to visit vendor Calico, have your cards read by Maribeth or peek over the shoulders of artists Elizabeth Lamb and Amy Wynne Derry as they interpret the scene. In addition, please be sure to stop by and visit C.C. Acquistapace and Greg Romano for a portrait or two!

Come dressed to impress in your 1920s-40s best or evening wear. Tickets are available at an advance rate of $10 ($15 at the door) with a special VIP package of $35, which includes a private pre-show soiree (beginning at 9pm) with the entertainers, hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail, complimentary period cocktail tasting, chocolate, reserved seating, and more! Doors open at 10 for all guests and the cabaret will begin shortly thereafter.

Just keep in mind: anything goes as long as it’s over the top or under the table!

Please contact Kristen Minsky for more information at CHIFFEROBEcabaret@gmail.com.

For VIP tickets, contact TAZZA at tazzatickets247@gmail.com and for general admission, visit brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at TAZZA. 250 Westminster St. 401.421.3300

(Photo courtesy of the Minsky Sisters)

Destinations: The Winter Ball Dec 12th

Loungerati's best musical act of 2009, Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra team up with The George Gee Swing Orchestra to cordially invite you to...

THE WINTER BALL
Saturday Dec. 12th, 2009
Doors 8PM, Music 9PM
$20

Michael Arenella & His Hot Eight and The George Gee Swing Orchestra partner up to present December's hottest holiday dance event.

At Brooklyn's most enchanting little speakeasy, the Green Building, a 19th-century warehouse nestled along the banks of the Gowanus Canal, in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

A most festive assortment of winter follies:
- Grace Gotham - burlesque beauty
- The Minsky Sisters - world renowned '20s tap duo and Loungerati Best Burlesque Act of 2009
- Roddy Caravella & His Varsity Syncopators - wobbly-kneed Charleston-dancing troublemakers
- Special musical guest Drew Nugent
Plus -
-On-the-spot vintage portraits by Tsirkus Fotografika

- Cocktails served by expert mixologists from Court & Spark and Loungerati.
- A tasty variety of sweet treats will be available if you're feeling peckish.
- Raffle with fabulous prizes!

The Green Building
450 Union Street
just a short walk from the following major subway lines:
- F/G to Carroll Street
- R to Union Street

Destinations: Halloween 2009

Halloween falls on a weekend for the first time in years. That equates to dozens of ghoulish parties, a myriad of masquerade balls, plenty of parades, and Gotham City in full dress up mode. I predict lots of Zombies in Mad Men attire. The festivities begin on All Hallow's Eve Eve and keep going well into the All Souls Day. Below is a short list of Loungerati recommendations:

Friday, October 30th
The Halloween Eve Masquerade

Join Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra the night before Halloween, and rub elbows with other glamorous ghouls... at Brooklyn's most enchanting little speakeasy, the Green Building, a 19th-century warehouse nestled along the banks of the Gowanus Canal, in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

The featured performances include:
- The Love Show - sultry avant-garde dance troupe
- Jezebel Express and Lucy Lustgaarten - burlesque sensations
- Roddy Caravella & His Varsity Syncopators - wobbly-kneed Charleston-dancing troublemakers
- The Minsky Sisters - world renowned '20s tap duo
- Special musical guest Drew Nugent
Plus - Exotic Pumpkin and Gourd Exhibition!

- Cocktails served by the mixologists of Court & Spark. Fredo of Loungerati will also be slinging drinks.
- A tasty variety of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and treats will be available if you're feeling peckish.

The Green Building
450 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY
9pm - $20


Saturday, October 31st
The Black Cat Masquerade with Gelber & Manning

Brought to you by Wit's End and the Dorothy Parker Society - the Black Cat Masquerade is the place to be this Hallowe'en!

It's the big one, kids! We've been waiting all year to bring you a Hallowe'en evening of spooky hot jazz tunes and other surprises, and we're bringing it to you with the fabulous musical stylings of Gelber & Manning! Come on in, take off your skin, and dance around in your bones with us!

DRESS : Vintage evening attire 1920s-40s: the more glamorous and mysterious, the better! And MASKS of course! We'll have some masks on hand for those unfortunate few who come bare-faced!

This evening also features the OFFICIAL LAUNCH of Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau! Our hostess Diane (along with a bevy of amazing talent) brings you THE publication for lovers of early 20th century arts and culture!

ALL GUESTS AT THE BLACK CAT MASQUERADE WILL RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF ZELDA, AND AN ARRAY OF OTHER LOVELY FAVORS IN OUR HALLOWE'EN TREAT BAG! (treat bags while they last! arrive early!)

PLUS:
--FREE Balboa Lesson at 8PM with Jeri Lynn Astra and Neal Groothuis!
--Vintage party games to win prizes from our pals at Hey Sailor Hats and Cladrite.com!
--Best Dressed will take home a special prize provided by our venue, Flute Bar!
--Haute Chocolates from our favorite chocolatier, Chocolats Meurens!

Our venue for this special event has moved to Flute Bar, conveniently located at 54th Street near 7th Ave! Flute is in a quite legendary location : the very same spot as Texas Guinan's notorious speakeasy, Club Intime! (Also a longtime favorite of the Dorothy Parker Society!)

Flute
205 West 54th St @ 7th Ave
New York City

SWEET & SOUR SCARY SWING

Sweet & Sour Scary Swing returns to The Grand Harmony Palace in Chinatown on Spooky HALLOWEEN SATURDAY NIGHT, October 31st, 2009. LIVE HOT SWING JAZZ for listening and dancing featuring The Battle of the Bands with George Gee and The Jump, Jivin' Wailers (with vocalists John Dokes and Hilary Gardner) and Lt. Jim and The Blue Saracens (with vocalist Bess McCrary) duking it t all night long! A guaranteed good time with a heavy dose of Halloween Revelry and exciting, swingin LIVE BIG BAND dance music!

COSTUME CONTEST!CHINESE FOOD!COCKTAILS!TWO 12PC. BANDS, TWO CHARISMATIC BANDLEADERS!
SWINGIN' VOCALS!LIVE HOT SWINGIN' JAZZ!DIM SUM!LARGE DANCE FLOOR (MARBLE)DOOR PRIZES!
AND MORE.......

$20 Advance (Please make Paypal payment to "grandharmonyswings at gmail dot com" with indication of how many tickets and attached names - your names will be at the door night of the event)
$25 at the door.

Doors open for dinner at 7pm and music from 9pm to 1am.

GRAND HARMONY PALACE is located at 98 Mott Street (Canal Street) in historic Chinatown in lower Manhattan, New York City.

Dances of Vice Halloween: The DWINDLING PARTY

This Halloween, Dances of Vice presents "The Dwindling Party", an ominous Edward Gorey themed Victorian Halloween fete with a murder mystery undertone that promises to be most elegantly deranged.

The Dwindling Party will feature the murder ballads of special musical guests THE SCARRING PARTY, sensational crime scenes performed by resident rapscallions COMPANY XIV, fashions by that ruffled ruffian PUREVILE!, CORNELIUS LOY performing on the theremin, and the musical pandemonium of Ben Ickies' 24-piece chamber rock orchestra, THIS AMBITIOUS ORCHESTRA. Specialty cocktail menu presented by your charming bartender CHRX!

Artists FYODOR PAVLOV and LAWRENCE GULLO will be offering hand-drawn Gorey portraits to our dwindling guests, photographer STEVEN ROSEN will be offering specialty antiquated portraits, and PUREVILE! and COR-LEONIS will be vending handmade jewelry, candles and accoutrements!

303 BOND Street Theatre
303 Bond St.
Brooklyn, NY

Destinations: The Salon at Players Club - Oct 9th

She moved like a dancer through the night; dressed with a purpose and somewhere to go. As she passed, I asked; "The Salon" she said, “at the Players Club.” I found her at the bar, sipping a cocktail, looking rather coy as I approached. The night was a blur of dancing, lounging, music & art.

featuring
RON SUNSHINE & HIS ORCHESTRA
10 piece Big Band (swing/blues)

Burlesque dancer
LEGS MALONE

20's tap sensation
THE MINSKY SISTERS

DJ EFFERVESCENT
Spinning your Swing & Lounge favorites

MATT RAY on piano in the Sargent Room

Guest Mixologist & Specialty cocktail menu created and mixed by FREDO from Loungerati

Friday October 9, 2009
8:30pm doors open. Live Music starts at 9pm

The Players Club
16 Gramercy Park S.
(20th St., off Park Ave) New York, NY

$20 - Cash Only at door
$15 - Online in Advance
http://www.TheSalon.biz
Advance Sales end Thursday October 8th at 11:59pm.

Barfly's Beat: A Montauk Club Affair

Fredo rolling Park Slope Cocktails

Loungerati's resident cocktailian Fredo joined jazz crooner Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra providing entertainment for the Montauk Club's First Thursday event. The Montauk Club is a private social club based on 8th Avenue in Park Slope. The Club was founded in 1889 and has remained a private club since its founding. The magnificent Club House was designed by the famed New York architect Francis H. Kimball, who was inspired by a palace on Venice’s Grand Canal. The Club House was completed in 1891 and its Venetian gothic architecture, carved mahogany woodwork and beautiful stained glass windows remain its signature features.

Fredo was stationed at the vintage wood bar making drinks in the historic Oak Room. The cocktail menu included summer favorites such Pimms Lemonade, a "bathtub" Gin Rickey with Hendrick's Gin and muddled cucumber, a St. Germain & Champagne apertif, and an ode to the neighborhood called The Park Slope (Rye, Apricot brandy, Punt a Mes, bitters). While Fredo kept the Montauk members thirst quenched, Michael Arenella and his band played roaring 1920s jazz while visiting jitterbugs, like Kristen Minsky of the tap dance sensations the Minsky Sisters, cut a rug. What a way to say goodbye to summer!

Read more at the Montauk Club Event News.