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Prince St (R, W)
Spring St-6th Ave (C, E)
Downtown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6, B, D, F, V)
Mon-Wed. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Thu-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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I've walked by this spot so many times without even noticing it! After checking out Little Branch's long line at 11pm last night, my friend and I ended up at Pegu -- no line, no attitude, and seated immediately. Judging from other reviews, seems like the place was particularly dead (I saw at least 4 other open tables)... but I liked the atmosphere -- relaxed, quiet and elegant. And this place is HUGE compared to PDT or Death & Co.
I had the Earl Grey martini and the Le Fleur de Paradis... Earl Grey was way better -- had a peppery kick combined with a floral tea finish. The Paradis was tart and citrusy, but not sure if it was worth $17. Altho I didn't try their menu, I liked how they recommended pairings of food with certain cocktails.. next time!
Decor is still nice if a bit dated (generic Oriental theme?). Even the waitresses had kimono-esque uniforms on! Credit card minimum is $40.
The first time I came to this place I had a chill night with my Yelp homie Young (Chun) L. He ordered shots of Hendricks for us and an Earl Grey MarTeani for me. The drink he ordered for himself was something terrible but it had whiskey in it so I drank it--- waste not want not.
The MarTeani was really good and very well made, I was really happy with the robust bergamot flavor, very complex--- peppery, cirtusy, just the right amount of bitter. The foam on top was very pleasant and fun to drink. On that particular visit the service was thoughtful and friendly.
So, imagine my surprise when I took another friend here (one that I wanted to impress) and the whole place took a 360. For starters, nobody was there--- not always the fault of a place but it was a Thursday night.
The server literary plopped our water onto the table, almost sloshing into my lap. The drinks were uneven, mine was too sweet, her's was too acidic.
Finally, as aforementioned, there was no one at the bar and yet the server rushed us out and gave us our check as soon as we took our final sip.
A classy bar/lounge that puts the drinks at the highest priority? Sounds great in theory, sign me up. Sadly the great drinks can't save this place from some of its own attitude.
Arriving close to 12 on a friday our taxi driver would have missed the small entrance hadn't it been for the small crowd outside. Luckily for us most of them was leaving at the time and were about to tear the meat off our bones to get first to the cab we were just leaving behind (getting a cab in SoHO/Tribeca at this time of night can be trying unless you opt to hustle for it).
The big doorman was courteous if brief and showed us inside with a minimum of fuss. Complimentary coat check is always a plus and the eastern-european looking attendant was nice enough.
Inside the club consists of a bar and numerous knee-height tables and sofas. While some people might object to the seating style it obviously fits the asian theme of the place. I also prefer it to far stiffer bars where the patrons are kept apart by oversized tables. I'll take intimate over formal any day of the week.
I got an oldfashioned and Earl Grey MarTEAni for my date. The bartender who whipped them up was a cute looking girl who we saw handling a horde of shakers all night and did it with a passion. My oldfashioned was STRONG, and I have guzzled bourbon for a good part of my life. While I appreciate the buzz it brings, when I'm paying $13 for a drink I'm doing it to rock my tastebuds not tranqulize them. The Earl Grey MarTEAni though was great but unfortunately my date was allergic to eggwhite so I basically ended up with two drinks for start.
To even this out we got a Cosmo for my date, from an asian looking bartender, that arrived as yellow as your Tropicana in the morning. When I asked the bartender why our cosmo wasn't the usual red I got the brief reply that "This is a cosmo. We [the club] don't do cranberry juice." Then he turned his back to me and took an order from someone else. I admit that I was kind of stunned at first. This struck me as an excellent way to ensure that I, none of my friends and anyone I can give word to will never come (back) to this place. Had I noticed the color before paying I would simply have left it on the bar. Instead we turned our backs as well and replaced the stylish but questionable Pegu Club for my date's hotel bar.
A shame really, especially since both of us liked the cozy if tight layout atmosphere of the place. The people there was also a good mix with anything from middle aged men in suits to tipsy young girls washing down brumanese food with their 3rd cocktail.
I expected more out of this place. As mentioned the drinks were $13, they could have charged more if only that meant proper service.
WTF is up with this meat market? Okay, first off, who the hell WAITS IN LINE, to get in somewhere on HOUSTON before 11pm? Secondly, the place is asses to elbows crowded, it took my friends and I 30 minutes just to get a drink at the bar. The bar itself is 5 people deep, no matter which way. Thirdly, whose bright idea was it to put 5-7 scattered seating areas around the place? There is no where to sit, let alone stand. And the crowd sucked. This is on a Friday night. I don't mean it wasn't crowded--I just mean the crowd absolutely sucked.
Oh and the "bouncer" outside...douchebag. You know him: the "I'm too cool to talk to this rif raff because I am a bouncer" -type douchebag.
Get this place OUT!
While in NY I was craving some Burmese food, so naturally I yelped and found this gem. Although it doesn't serve any types of Burmese dishes, they have some great cocktails. It's supposedly influenced after a captain's drinking quarters in colonial Burma (hence the association).
Its a nice intimate lounge
Love Love Love their Pisco Punch! extremely dangerous though.. the pineapple infusion excels at masking the taste of brandy. Tastes just like candy (seriously)
I've been on the search for a similar drink elsewhere but no luck.
Damn you Pegu Club for making such an excellent drink that I find myself only dreaming of you across the country.
My friend had recommended this place several times but I didn't realize it was right around the corner from my office until he called me to meet him for a drink. I walk past it every day and never noticed the discreet entrance that leads you up to the second floor lounge.
Very understated and classy, but not pretentious. When I got there it was early and fairly empty, but by the time we left it was pretty crowded- but not to the point of overcrowded.
I highly recommend the Pisco Punch. It tastes.. well yes like punch. Fantastic. My friend had the Pegu Club cocktail (their specialty one). The was a bit stronger but still quite good. We also snacked on some vegetable tempura which was a perfect little snack.
All in all a nice chill atmosphere to relax with a good cocktail and have a conversation with a friend (or date!).
FiVE reasons for FIVE
- the Pisco Punch: sweet, gorgeous
- the Sonia orchid
- the Earl grey martini: strong with the delicacy of the tea
- El jimador Fizz: a sweet alcoholic refreshing coffee
- the 3 seconds lemon slice on fire to increase the citrus scent
- the fresh mint
- unnamed specialty Cocktail with sweet ginger and apple slices
- Kenta
- .. oops this is more than five, isn't it?
Just to name some...
"Pegu club was a British Colonial Officer's club in Burma (Indochina) there around 1915. Pegu… Read more »
This kinda hidden second floor lounge offers great cocktails which balance taste, strength and aesthetics to be downright awesome. My favorite was the apple cucumber fizz. Light and summery with a kick.
Overall, the experience is understated but sophisticated. Small space, but still has a nice atmosphere about it. Not too packed, even on a Saturday night, though tables still seemed hard to come by unless you had a reservation. I was oddly obsessed with the wallpaper - gold, textured and almost paisley-ish that framed the luxe but not overdone surroundings. Good compliment to the fabulous cocktails.
Service was the weak point. Minus one star for that and one of the location, which I consider to be out of the way.
I celebrated my birthday on Saturday here, and it was terrific. The drinks here are delightful (especially the earl grey martini). We reserved a table for ten which worked out fine, and had the seats first come first serve. The friends who arrived later, happily drank at the bar.
Pegu has a nice vibe, we had champagne, shots and drinks throughout the evening, and didnt get tired of the venue. No one got overly annoyed with us singing the birthday song or snapping pics with flash. I'd come back for a normal night as well, even though drinks here do come with a price.
This place was great! The service at the bar was extremely slow (-1 star), but I suppose that's because of the time and attention that go into each cocktail?
I really wish I remembered what I had ordered. I want to say it was a french 75 b/c I def remember champagne. My friend ordered a whisky based drink that was shockingly good (keep in mind i don't like whiskey). Standard NYC prices.
I'd def go back. Good for dates, catching up with friends, and smaller sized parties.
A little different than all the others . i think they need to put out a sign of some sort , the drinks were good a little pricey , the crowd was okay . did not impress me .
Food: Only had a dessert there once. Fried bananas with ice cream and fudge. Not an exquisite, small, boutique style dessert, which came as a surprised (this place tries to be sophisticated). Instead, it was a large portion of deep fried goodness next to a huge scoop of sugar-packed ice cream and a guap of fudge. (This alone knocked it up to 3 stars.)
Drink: Fairly priced cocktails. Actually some pretty decent tasting concoctions here albeit a little weak on the alcohol. The cocktail choices are a bit gin-biased so it may not be suitable for non-gin drinkers. Garnishes and fruits used for drinks are fresh, not juices. Lifts the quality of the drink. Dom P is also fairly priced here, so pop some bottles if you want.
Service: Average
Crowd/Ambiance: I kinda want to hate on this place for trying to bring that uptown feel to downtown, but I'll cut it some slack since its in SOHO, which isn't exactly quintessential downtown. Coat check downstairs, spacious sofas, and dimly lit, which is their way of saying I'm swanky. Fellas, bring your high maintenance chicks here. Bring the cool ones elsewhere.
I had never had a proper cocktail so my friend Eli took me here. I can't remember the name of my whiskey drink but it tasted like delicious mint lemonade. I normally hate whiskey but I loved my cocktail.
A+
SOPHISTICATED LOUNGE WITH GIANT ICE CUBES AND A SPLASH OF ATTITUDE
I absolutely love this place, it makes me feel like I am on a Wong Kar-Wai movie set. Everything works--Asian décor, hand-crafted serious cocktails, giant ice cubes, and the right blend of music in the day and evening.
It truly deserves five stars but I have to knock off a star because of the serious attitude we received from the hostess. We sat at a table in the back near the illuminated windows and were told we could not sit there because we were not officially seated. I told the hostess I do not see anyone clamoring for a table so what was the big deal. She said, "We will have to move you." I said, "No, we just ordered and I don't feel like moving." She left and huddled with the other employees and pointed in our direction. She came back over and said, "We really have to move you to another table." I reiterated, "We are not moving." She left again, more hushed conversation and pointing. She then returned a third time and said, "You can stay at this table."
Old-Fashioned
I ordered an Old-Fashioned because I see Don Draper order them on the mini-series Mad Men and I like the taste of bourbon mixed with the flavor of orange and cherry. This version did not disappoint, it had a giant ice cube topped with undiluted bourbon and a flamed orange peel.
As you can guess, our customer service suffered after the seating scene. We stayed for one drink and decided to go elsewhere.
We came here on the recommendation of one of my local Houston-based bartenders. He's a cocktail expert, so I trusted him to steer me right, and my trust was well-placed.
Pegu Club is a warm, inviting place to go and have an expertly crafted cocktail. Sit at the bar and watch them ply their craft, or settle in at one of the tables and relax with your friends. They have some small bites that you can order to nibble on, each with a recommended cocktail pairing. Nothing was cheap, but nothing was exorbitantly priced either.
Every cocktail bar that I've been to has its own feel - some are more formal and reserved, some are full of hipsters, and some are very relaxed. Pegu Club falls into the latter category. Everyone seems happy (it's probably the booze) and there was a nice cross section of people. I'd recommend it to anyone who is an aficionado of well made drinks.
This review was a long time coming.
When I was first introduced to Pegu, I was still apartment hunting in NYC. Turns out, I ended up living 3 blocks away. But this is not a "this place is great because I live next to it" review. In fact, after I moved, it has been quite a few months before I came back to Pegu for the first time, and another couple of months before I went yet again. That's not because I disliked my experience, but rather because I wanted to see all the more elusive places: PDT, Little Branch, M&H, Angel's Share, Death & Co, etc.
After going through all of these places, several times over, Pegu's achievement is that much more impressive: the cocktails are easily some of the best you'll have in the city and the food menu is equally amazing. Where can I start? From the classic Pegu to the Gin Gin Mule, Jamaican Firefly, Tantris Sidecar, Pisco Punch to the seasonal drinks. Food-wise: duck bites, trout deviled eggs, scallop sliders are just a few of the favorites. All this, without imposing a strict person-per-chair limit as most of the places I mentioned and other classic speak-easies impose. That rule guarantees an intimate atmosphere with dedicated service. At Pegu though, you get the same quality cocktails and the same great service (assuming you avoid weekend rush hours) regardless. I don't know how they pull it off. But, get a seat at the bar, talk to Kenta, Del or anyone else that may be manning it that evening (if you're lucky you could see Audrey) and enjoy the ride.
I will continue seeking the newest secret, elusive, exclusive cocktail lounge or speakeasy that will appear in NYC. But, I'll always go back to Pegu to make sure I have not forgotten what the standard of cocktail quality should be measured to.
Great drinks in theory (esp. the french pearl and serendipity), if sometimes not always in practice; often poor--and on one instance, downright insulting-- service; uncomfortably too-far-apart seating.
These people take their drink-making seriously. Lots of precision and forethought. Next time, I will ask for recommendations instead of relying on the menu description. I selected my drink based on ameretto as an ingredient. While it smelled of delicious almond, the taste was overpoweringly whiskey. A bit expensive. Well, really expensive for an underemployed teacher-type. Still, I can afford a single drink before hitting the cheaper spots.
The Pegu Club is this hidden gem in the hustle and bustle on the border of Soho and Noho. It's an amazing place for a break from shopping on Broadway. Just step upstairs and you're transported to what seems like a classy Asian gangster hangout from the sixties. While their drinks are pricey, they are worth it, made with the best ingredients and always taste amazing.
All I wanted was a smooth, Earl Gray Martini, which did not mention the addition of any simple syrup. The first iteration was overly sweet and cloying. When I ordered a second from a different bartender, requesting that it be less sweet, the result was again anything but. The third was less sweet, but overly tart from the amount of lemon juice, which the bartender did not adjust to balance the flavors. When I asked him what he thought of it, he told me it was overly tart and unbalanced. And yet he served it to me. This is not respectable for a bar that vaunts itself as a mixology lounge. No true mixologist would ever serve anything he didn't enjoy himself.
This place can be fun if you are just going for the ambiance or to have fun with friends. Otherwise? I wouldn't go near it again.
Pegu Club is my new favorite Manhattan bar.
A few months back, I had some friends in town and they recommended we go to Pegu Club. I'm so glad they did.
I think that between our party of six that first night, we tried every drink on the menu. The Early Gray MarTEAni is heaven in a glass. My husband adores the Whiskey Smash. I can't say that I didn't like any of them, which says a lot considering I am not a whiskey or scotch fan.
I've been back probably 5 times since then and I'm still just as in love as the first time.
One thing to keep in mind - I've heard its better to go on weeknights or early on the weekends, which happens to be the only times I've gone and its been fantastic.
The drinks are a little pricey, but for the caliber of service and quality, its totally worth it.
I refuse to call bartenders mixologists.
Anyway, this lounge is great for people who want to sip a well made cocktail in a classy, chill, environment while enjoying conversation with your date or small group.
I don't expect to find a "scene", lively music, or to be entertained by a cocktail lounge. I show up with the idea that this place will provide a very nice environment to enjoy 1 maybe 2 rounds of well made cocktails. And considering what's going on just 1 block up on Bleeker, this place is an oasis for the area. Using this criteria, it gets 5 from me.
I appreciate the little things that Pegu does (syrups, infusions, garnishes, different ice shapes depending on the drink) It's a good date spot for conversation and it's usually easy to get a place to sit with no wait.
I was supposed to buy a bathing suit for my trip to Miami, but instead was dragged here by Chun to while away the time before he went to meet Rachel (who, surprisingly, was in my hood that evenin' - sprayside).
Because of said bathing suit purchase (and subsequent wearing) I was on some whack diet where I wasn't eating any carbs or fruit or dairy in major quantities. Kind of defeats the purpose of a cocktail if there's no simple syrup involved, but what do you know - the guy behind the bar had something to help me out with. Agave syrup.
Agave is used by diabetics and waif-models in their cocktails so that there is the sweet without the calories. So this lovely man who apprised me of this sugar-substitute subsequently created a tasty cocktail for me that had all the flavor and not as much sugar.
So I am a fan of agave syrup and kudo's to Chun for bringing me here.
One of New York's temples of the mixed drink. Come here, chill, and enjoy a heck of a good libation (clearly, don't order a captain and diet but try something "real" - bartenders are really helpful and will walk you through finding the perfect drink for your taste).
Place itself is beautiful with a great vibe perhaps even better now that the big crowds have thinned.
Someday I will move to New York and then I will sip amazing drinks here whenever I want. The drink menu was the most interesting I have ever seen, ranging from a very salty, manly version of a margarita to the sugary, fruity Pisco punch, to the subtle Earl Grey martini. My fiancee and I did our best trying to drink one of everything on the list. We didn't quite succeed but it was a valliant attempt. I wish we could have tried the food, but they stop serving relatively early. Our waitress was friendly and even gave us a plate of olives since we were so hungry.
The loose theme of British Burma really intrigued me, and the dark, heavy furniture became more comfortable with each cocktail.
Came here for pre-dinner drinks on a Saturday night while visiting in NYC.
LOVED IT!
The ambiance was great and our "mixologist" was awesome. It's a great place to lounge and chill out - a great classic cocktail spot. I don't remember which drinks we ordered but I've attached some pics ;)
I don't know as much as I should about "mixology."
I don't think this place is a "speakeasy."
I don't care if that means it's no longer "hip."
I'm not "with it."
I don't have "class."
I don't "shower often."
All I know is that I had a good time, and the service was impeccable. They brought me a tall glass of water, and kept it filled. They brought me a well-made drink. They brought me a nice little carrier with eyedroppers of lime, lemon, bitters and sugar.
And I'd do it again.
Pegu Club was one of the originators of the craft cocktail movement, but now they seem rather sad and dull out of step. Their space is laughable and not intimate at all. Their drinks list is short and uninventive and their cocktails are overpriced for the quality. Moreover, THERE IS A MANDATORY 20% SERVICE CHARGE ON ALL DRINKS ON THE WEEKEND. What?! Excuse me? That is plainly absurd. I got three drinks for $12 each and was charged a total service fee of $8, which is decidedly more than I would have paid in voluntary tips. Won't be going back. Go to Little Branch and have a great drink and excellent service in a perfect atmosphere. And leave Pegu Club to the ibankers and douchebags.
Desperately seeking?
- Chic low key atmosphere
- stellar yet unpretentious service
- interesting classy cocktails paired with little anecdotes on their origin
- tasty well-plated treats to pad your stomach from said strong cocktails
Pegu's got you pegged. Boasting the old school chic vibes and masterful mixologists, I wouldn't go to Pegu expecting a crazy party, loud music or scantily clad 18 year olds...this is a real classy spot. Something about the decor and spirit reminded me of a Delacroix or John Frederick Lewis painting...a place where the orientalist artists would hang out if they were hanging out two centuries later.
The one drawback, I have to say, was the food. While we only tried one dish, the duck rolls, it literally came out cold and too grisly for my taste. Our server had recommended it with such gusto that our disappointment was that much more salient. The table next to us ordered three dishes that came out stacked up like an old school tea platter and looked absolutely beautiful so if it was Iron Chef, I'd have to give them at least a 4/5 for plating.
My final ruling? It's an ideal place to take your parents, impress a date or catch up with visiting friends...satisfying an important niche in NYC nightlife.
Pegu Club is totally swank and I love it. The view is great, the drinks are amazing and the mixologists are passionate about their craft.
Get your stilettos on, ladies. Head down to Pegu.
More like the P-EHHHHHHHHHHHHH-gu club.
I took my mom here after a really nice meal at Kittichai. Naturally I wanted to get her schnockered up so I could tell her about all of the hedonistic and whorey activities my life is centered around without her freaking out.
Arriving early enough on a Saturday, we were seated at a cute low table with comfy deep arm chairs. The place itself is designed with the "Pegu Club" story/fantasy in mine, though it weirded me out a bit that the walls are bare in the front part of the bar. The low tables are cute though with the small tin lighting at the table and the deep arms chairs extremely cozy and perfect for sitting back with a cocktail.
The cocktail menu is interesting , not terribly expensive and very gin and whiskey-centric. There isn't much there for Vodka lovers, so sorry to all of you midwestern women in search of a really interesting (insert various fruit)-tini. I ordered the Pepper-Pepper which was really interesting and different. My brilliant red colored cocktail wasn't spicy but did have the distinct strong red pepper flavor i was expecting. My mom's apple cobbler cocktail was sweet and floral yet quite strong. In general our drinks were quite tasty.
While I love that they play jazz music, it is almost impossible to hear over the rambunctious, poorly-dressed and generally unattractive crowd. Yeah, I said it. The patrons there on a Saturday were just really not that cute and I saw more pairs of ill-fitted men's khakis in a 100 square-foot radius than I have in the mens' section at J.C. Penney. Of course this is shallow of me, but it's a bar and people do factor that in when looking at bar reviews. Plus I AM a shallow bitch. And my outfit was really cute. Anyways...
The service at Pegu Club blew goat balls. Our server was one of the most disingenuous people I have ever met. She may as well have rolled her eyes when she asked how we were doing that night. Bitch don't play me...I am sorry you hate your job so much but clearly you aren't getting cast in any off-off-broadway shows with an ass that big and an attitude like that. So suck it up and attempt to be gracious! Both my mom and I were brought out the wrong drinks. It took like ten minutes for us to hail down the girl who then brushed us off at first calling to get the problem rectified. Seriously??? I hope I'm not expected to tip generously for this.
Generally, I prefer bars that people go to to have fun rather than to sit around in the dark pretending to be cool, but I was dragged here by some friends.
When I lived in Asia, I was consistently embarrassed for locals who would try to make something seem really Western, but end up with something really lame. This was the same sort of scenario. It's supposed to be some sort of modern pan-Asian decor, but it's really just lame. I mean, the servers are white girls in kimonos. Come on. If you want to impress someone with an Asian-themed bar, spring for the plane tickets to Beijing and take her to "The World of Suzie Wong"
So, why even two-stars? After I accepted my fate, I sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed my cocktail. I had the "Gin Gin Mule," which is a ginger and gin mojito. That was a pretty awesome drink. However, I had some of a "Pegu Club Cocktail," and that wasn't really good at all.
Oh god, this kind of place is everything that is wrong with the restaurant/bar business.
Pretentious as crap. Why are all the little waitresses dressed in kimonos and the placed decked out in pseudo-asian garbage decor when NOTHING is remotely relevant on the menu??
Came here on a Saturday night, and arrived very early after dinner around 8:30pm - there were a few tables filled but very quiet - and they were playing some great jazz music.. ambience was fantastic
i had the punch cocktail which tasted just like punch.. loved it.. we all then tried a drink that came with imported cherries from i think italy or france?? my friends raved on the cherries and asked the waitress for more and she kindly obliged
they have some cute tapas as well - but nothing to write home about
what i hated was that around 10:30 - as the crowds began to come in, they changed the music into more of a "bump bump bump" music that you hear at all bars.. and it was loud so you couldn't sit on the comfy couches and talk anymore
but i would start my night off at pegu
"They have a bouncer?" I asked rhetorically, eyeing the burly guy occupying the entryway as Pockets and I walked passed. "That's unexpected."
Whenever I read articles or talk to friends about the "best bars" in the United States the same names are always mentioned: Bourbon & Branch, Velvet Tango Room, Milk & Honey, Death & Company, The Violet Hour, Pegu Club, etc. I've made it a goal to eventually visit all these places. When I found out my girlfriend, Pockets, lives a mere handful of blocks away from Pegu Club I knew we had to go.
We went the night after I noticed the bouncer, a Saturday. It was around 1:00 AM and we were in need of a well-crafted nightcap. Or two. We passed the same burly guy as we entered, climbed the stairs to the main level, and were instantly hit by a wall of noise. The room was beyond loud. Between the music, and the voices trying to be heard over the music, it was near deafening. It was also packed. As I plotted my approach to the bar (which I could barely see), we were saved by a host, who lead us to the last available two-top. It would be the only good-willed gesture of the evening.
Maneuvering through the sea of bodies, I assessed the crowd. The majority were young and attractive, and clearly more interested in exchanging phone numbers than experiencing how house-made bitters, infusions, or fresh squeezed juices make for a better cocktail. I don't say this as an insult, more as an observation. There was nothing to indicate Pegu Club caters to a more sophisticated clientele or is a venue people specifically seek out for high-quality cocktails. It seemed more a meat market than a Cocktail Mecca; I felt as if I could've been in any bar, lounge, or club in any city.
According to their website, Pegu Club is a place where they consider themselves "gatekeepers" of classic cocktail culture. "Our aim is to preserve the craft of a well-made drink through thoughtful preparation and respectful methodology." Scanning the battered menu, I didn't see how that was true. I did however understand why they don't post a cocktail list on their website: it's severely underwhelming. There were very few libations to suggest the bartenders at Pegu Club were authorities on classic cocktail culture. Out of two pages of cocktails, I only saw one drink I wanted to try.
That didn't really matter, though, because by the time we saw a server nearly fifteen minutes had passed and I was thoroughly bored. In the meantime, Pockets and I struggled to have a conversation, a futile effort, even though we were only a few feet apart. When a server finally reached us she was completely disinterested. She was busy, and as customers we were clearly interfering with her job. She offered nothing in the way of guidance or suggestion on the menu, not even recommending the Pegu Club's house cocktail, which they're evidently famous for. Also according to the Pegu Club website, you should drink water with your cocktail; she had brought none. When Pockets asked what a certain ingredient was the server, visibly annoyed, said she didn't know. Besides, they were out of it. What burdens we were. Clearly, we couldn't order fast enough.
And we did. Then we waited. And we waited. And we waited. I know a cocktail, when properly built, takes time but this wait was excessive. There was still no water. Our server had completely disappeared. Did she quit? I wondered. Pockets and I kept trying to talk. It was pointless. Finally, through the noise I heard Pockets say something along the lines of "oldest bar in SoHo" and "wood-paneled bar downstairs you'll love." The frustration had reached it's apex, and with the promise of cozier settings we left Pegu Club. I never even tried a cocktail.
Pegu Club is a place where they claim to "do lots of little things well." I found that they do quite the opposite. For all their pretension and bold claims, Pegu Club is not remarkable. Nor is it impressive or unique. Maybe it should have stayed in the Gulf of Mataban where it originated. While Pegu Club claims to be the torchbearer of classic cocktail cuisine, it seemes more like a place where I could order a "Cosmopolitan" or "Chocolate Martini" and not receive a second glance. Perhaps it is even encouraged.
I'll give credit where credit is due.....
Pegu Club was one of the first mixologist bars that popped up but that is about it. It's upscale but in a very boring way.
We stopped by after the Mercer Kitchen with a group of cocktail connoisseurs and none of us were impressed. We were already planning our next bar before we even finished our drinks.
The Zelda and Pesco Punch are probably your best bet!
Pegu club is in one word, sexy.
I absolutely recommend two drinks:
First, friends love the gin gin mule, a gin mojito. Second, if you're open minded, it will pay off in the form of an earl grey marTEAni (you wouldn't even know a raw egg is in the mix).
Overall, if you are looking to impress, this is the place! From the geisha dressed waitresses to the mixologists, this places exudes class.
Enjoy!
I had high hopes for Pegu Club, but I was really not feeling it. We arrived at about 10:30 or 11:00 on a Thursday and it was less than half full. There were definitely more couples here than anything else. Even though we sat at the bar and tried to chat up the bartender, he was still extremely unfriendly and inattentive, to the point that we had to finally ask a bus boy for our bill, even thought there were hardly any customers. I would chalk it up to getting stuck with one bartender, but the other guy working back there was rude as well. Come to think of it, the guy at the front door and the coat check girl weren't all that nice either, so I'd say this place has a serious attitude problem all around.
The drinks were nothing special either. Nothing on their cocktail list really wowed me or struck me as all that unique or inventive and my friend's dirty martini was subpar. It's too bad because the dim lighting and sultry decor could have made for a nice vibe if the service wasn't so snooty and there was a better crowd. Perhaps it's better on the weekends, but I'll never know because I won't be back.
Dull- (adj) boring: so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
For a mixologist bar it's a shame that is the only word that comes to mind when I think of Pegu.
After visiting somewhere like Angel Share or a certain other favorite apothecary it's nearly impossible to say I like this place.
I would have killed to have the Ocarina of Time after drinking the Zelda to transport us to the next bar.
With no expectations Karl H. and I stopped in for "just one drink" at 8pm on a Monday. The room was nearly empty and we were seated in what at first seemed an inconvenient table with 2 club chairs... but within 10 minutes I was in love with that cozy mohair friend; and I had a perfect view of the runway like aisle where the leggy nubile girls made their way up to the bar.
I'm not too hot on gin (the mixology of which they specialize in) so the drink menu felt limited to a "picky drinker" like myself. I almost ordered the apple cobbler cocktail, but my inner cool kid scurried through my head screaming "Don't be lame! Order a real drink you pussy!" So I ordered the Jamaican Firefly ($13), which is much like a Dark and Stormy at M&H, complete with a nugget of crystallized ginger. But I'm kicking myself in the shins for not ordering the Earl Grey Martini; damn you self imposed one drink maximum. Though I get nervous when challenged by either gin or egg white, I can't get this drink out of my head... next time I'll buck up and face my fears.
The crown upon this bar was the soundtrack; like a portal into the past the music bathed us in the warmth of Ella and Louis and all those wonderful 1940 orchestra standards... and I sat there pretending to be extra in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade; without this music the Pegu magic will die.
Neighborhood: SoHo
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Nolita
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: SoHo
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: East Village
Category: Lounges
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