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 - 2017

A stellar year for all things lounge - Loungerati's 2017 Best of Lounge Awards go to:

Lounge Scene Awards 

Best Burlesque Act or Performer: DOTTIE DYNAMO & Speakeasy Burlesque at Black Lodge, NYC

Honorable Mention: Francine the Lucid Dream, Rosie Cheeks at Hotel Chantelle, Seedy Edie

Dottie Dynamo

Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: 2ND ANNUAL REPEAL DAY PARTY at Hotel Chantelle 

Honorable Mention: Prohibition Production's Bootlegger's Jazz Cruise, Green Fairy at the Red Room, Dances of Vice - Great Gatsby Party

Celebrating our right to imbibe at the
2nd Annual Repeal Day Party 

Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: Drew Nugent & The Midnight Society

Honorable Mention: King Solomon Hicks at Django, The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra - Big Band Mondays at Kola House 

Drew Nugent 

Most Sought After Ingredient or Bar Tool for the Home Bar: NEW YORK COCKTAILS by Amanda Schuster
Honorable Mention: Bulu Pineapple Barspoon, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, Pierre Ferrand dry curacao

A must have for the HomeBar!

Best Dressed Lounger: EFF BLANGIARDO (Seigo's Customer Number One)

Honorable Mention: Kayla Ferguson (Queen of the Nile), Don Spiro (Absinthe Afficionado), Dandy Dillinger (Miss Art Deco)

 Eff Blangiardo enjoying a Gibson at The Grill

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

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

Honorable mention:  Diamond Reef (Brooklyn), The Pool Lounge (New York), The Office at the Aviary (New York), Loverboy (New York)

Best New York Cocktail Bar or Lounge: LONG ISLAND BAR (Brooklyn)
Honorable Mention: Bar Goto (LES), Dear Irving (Gramercy), Suffolk Arms (LES), Maison Premiere (Williamsburg), Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog (FIDI), Clover Club (Boerum Hill), The Bennett (Tribeca), Nitecap (LES) 

Long Island Bar in Brooklyn

Best Barfood: CHOPPED CHEESE at SUFFOLK ARMS 

Honorable Mention: Okonomi-Yaki (Classic) at Bar Goto, Oyster Happy Hour at Maison Premiere, L.I. Burger at Long Island Bar, Ricotta Beignets at The Bennett 

Best of the New York Hotel Bars: NOMAD HOTEL BAR (Gramercy)

Honorable Mention: The Rum House at Hotel Edison (Times Square), Django at the Roxy Hotel (Tribeca), Latern's Keep at Hotel Iroquois (Times Square)

David A. Embury Award for Best Cocktail of 2017*: THE GIBSON (Tanqueray 10 Gin, Carpano Bianco vermouth, onion brine, pickled red onion)at DEAR IRVING

Honorable Mention: Improved Shochu Cocktail (barley shochu Mizu, Berkshire Etherial gin, cane syrup, Hitachino no Shizuku) at Bar Goto, La Marionetta (Gin, Carpano Bianco, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Boquerones) at Don Angie, The Alaska Cocktail (Tanqueray gin, Chartreuse, orange bitters) at The Grill

The Gibson at Dear Irving

* Editor's note: This year, riffs on the classic Martini and Gibson were all the rave - from Thomas Waugh's menu of pre-made perfectly chilled martinis at The Grill, to the Tuxedo # 2's return to multiple cocktail menus, and every Gibson in between. Naturally, the Loungerati drank our weight in gin and sampled a broad range of libations to ensure objectivity. The above cocktails represent the very best of the best. Meaghan Dorman's take on the classic Gibson at Dear Irving is not new for 2017 per se but it sure was our favorite!

Editor and Team Picks:

Best Seat in the House: DUG OUT SEAT at DANTE NYC 

Honorable mention: Parlour Bar seat at Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog, Any bar seat at The Grill - seriously we had to get there at 5pm on a Tuesday to snag one, a NoMad Hotel Bar seat, Dug Out seat at Ward III, & F14 at Clover Club of course when in Brooklyn

Best Cocktail for the Road: DUKE OF SUFFOLK (Ford’s Gin, Hot Sweet Tea (equal blend of English Breakfast & Earl Grey Sweetened 3:1 with Simple Syrup), Cream Float) at Suffolk Arms (New York)

Honorable Mention: Peroni Negroni at Dutch Fred's (New York), KANPAI! Sapporo & Choice of House Tequila, Bourbon or Scotch at Bar Goto (New York), Tecate & Montenegro at Loverboy (New York), Fernet Branca and Sessions Lager (in a can!!) at Bar X (SLC)

The signature Duke of Suffolk (rabbit ears not included)

Best Saloon: WARD III (New York) - Welcome back!!
Honorable Mention: American Whiskey, (New York), Dutch Fred's (New York), Hudson Malone (New York), Bar X (SLC) 

Best NY Tiki Experience: Garret Richard's EXOTICA NIGHT (various locations)
Honorable Mention: Tiki Tuesday's with Brian Miller (various locations), Mother of Pearl (East Village), Otto's Shrunken Head (East Village)

Garret Richard at Exotica Night in Raines Law Room
Photo Credit: Don Spiro

Best of the Internationals: LICORERIA LIMANTOUR (Mexico City)

Honorable Mention: Old Crow (Zurich), Caffe Propaganda (Rome), American Bar at Savoy Hotel (London) Employees Only Singapore (Singapore), 1930 (Milan)

Best Dive aka "The Gutter Award": BAR 169 (Chinatown, NYC)

Honorable Mention: Nancy Whiskey Pub (Tribeca), Ruby's Bar & Grill (Coney Island), Tracks in Penn Station (Midtown, NYC) 

Brian F. Paynter Award for Lounger Number One: LESLEY A. MARTIN 
Honorable mention: Mark "The Senator" Vasto, David "GOH" Talaga, Don Spiro

Lastly, the New York cocktail bar scene lost a few of our favorite watering holes this past year. Mayahuel, the iconic temple to all things tequila and mezcal closed its doors after almost 10 years as did new comer and industry favorite August Laura. We will miss these bars but always cherish the memories, friendships and hospitality.

Til the next whiskey sours!

- The Loungerati

Fredo & the Loungerati Team
Maloney & Porcelli, Dec 2017

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!

Celebrate Your Constitutional Right to Have a Cocktail!! - Repeal Day 2011 Destinations

Loungerati's Fredo at Employees Only Repeal Day Party 2010

Repeal Day Destinations
In ten years, Repeal Day partying will stand shoulder to shoulder with Cinco de Mayo and other alcohol related holidays. Luckily, it is still in its infancy but growing stronger every year thanks to ongoing cocktail renaissance. So enjoy these rather intimate gatherings now before the amateurs take over!  Lastly, I want to make a toast to the an unlikely hero in this tale of repeal - The State of Utah! Utah was the final state that ratified the 21st Amendment repealing the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution on December 5, 1933. Cheers to Utah!

We recommend the following 4 destinations for proper celebrating!



1. 1534 Cocktail Bar - Repeal Day Party to Support Bottomless Closet
Zacapa Rum teams up LUPEC's New York chapter, and the 1534 fellas to support Bottomless Closet, an organization that helps disadvantaged NYC women with professional development, financial management and personal enrichment. No secret passwords to get in, instead bring an item to donate to the Accessories Drive. In return,  guests will be treated to pre-prohibition style drinks courtesy of Zapaca, food and music! Finest prohibition dress highly recommended.
 
1534 - 20 Prince Street, SoHo, New York - 7pm - 9:30pm


2. Clover Club - Annual Repeal Day Party
Hot 1920s jazz from Michael Aranella and his Dreamland Orchestra fills Brooklyn cocktail den Clover Club for this special party. Drink specials all night long sponsored by Plymouth gin. Naughty surprises from burlesque mavens Darlinda Just Darlinda and Peekaboo Pointe! Don't miss the easiest holiday of the year. No presents to buy, no pies to bake and no costumes to rent. Just legal good times!

Clover Club - 210 Smith Street, Brooklyn, New York - 8:30pm - 11:30pm

3.  Louis 649 Bar - Francine's Pink Room Repeal Day Party
Francine (aka singer/burlesque performer Franny Fluffer) returns to Louis 649 to celebrate Repeal Day - the 78th anniversary of Prohibition's Repeal. Expect a decadent evening of classic jazz, burlesque and mixology at intimate East Village cocktail stalwart Louis 649. In addition to the tantalizing teasing by Francine, patrons will be treated to performances from Medianoche and Sapphire Jones.There is no cover charge for this special event, however an RSVP - rsvp@louis649.com.

Louis 649 - 649 East 9th Street, East Village, New York - Doors open at 8pm, performance set at 9pm, 10pm, and 11pm, free admission with rsvp, $15 minimum per set

4. Employees Only - Annual Repeal Day Party
This legendary party is invitation only so if you have the luck to be an attendee, put on your sharpest suits or flapper dress and get ready to call in sick tomorrow to work. Employees Only has been celebrating since being named World's Best Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail. So expect this shindig to be over the top. Typically, the party include complimentary cocktails from the biggest booze sponsors. Last year guests were treated to Plymouth Gin drinks concocted by the stellar team behind the bar. Punches in monster tea cups, Southsides made to order, hot jazz, burlesque on the bar, tasty treats from the EO kitchen, and whose who of bar industry stopping by. 

Employees Only - 510 Hudson Street, West Village, New York - Private party

PS: Loungerati will be turning 5 years old. The group and blog were formed at a Repeal Day celebration in 2006. We will let the Repeal Day have its day and be celebrating Thursday December 8th at the Rum House in midtown!

(photo of Fredo by Gabi Porter for Metromix)

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)

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.

Vote for Loungerati's 2009 Best of Lounge

We have boiled down our categories to the Top Ten for the 2009 Best of Lounge.

Vote Here

Voting ends at midnight November 26, 2009. The winners will be announced at Loungerati's annual Holiday Cocktail party and anniversary, Repeal Day December 5th. We are still working on a location for the party and will let you know shortly!

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

Happy Repeal Day!!

by Fredo


Today is the 75th anniversary of the day the 18th Amendment to the Constitution was repealed in 1932 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment! This monumental legislation effectively ended Prohibition and Americans could once again consume booze!

The 21st Amendment of the United States Constitution
Ratified December 5, 1933
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 there in 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.

It is also Loungerati's first birthday! So the New York chapter be celebrating at a Dewar's Scotch sponsored event at Conker Hill pub in Hell's Kitchen. Rumor has it Fredo may be guest bartending.

Come on (hiccup)down and drink..it is your right!

Bottoms up from Loungerati!