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East Broadway (F)
Delancey-Essex Sts (F, J, M, Z)
Grand St (B, D)
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the place for the creative cocktail. no typical bull shit.
be ready to throw down CA$H only. and a lot of it!
but worth it because they are delicious and strong :)
I love this place, especially early in the evening before the idiots asking for Captain Morgan & Diet Coke show up...
The drinks are absolutely incredible, just as good as Milk & Honey. Danny, our bartender, made me my first London cocktail, and I'm never ordering anything else. Orange flower water & nutmeg? Yes please!!!!
The best seat is at the bar, in my opinion. If you get a seat at the bar you can still maintain your chill vibe even when the place gets run over by people who don't understand that this is a special place for special drinks.
We, namely a party of 6, arrived here at about 12:30 AM on a Saturday night. The bouncer welcomes us with a - wait for it - cheerful smile! NYC, you know just how to warm my heart on cold rainy nights.
Inside, it is busy, the crowd near the bar happily chattering among themselves and with the two bartenders, and as if by magic, there is just one booth open, quietly offering us its comfortable upholstery. We quickly settle down and order our drinks. I ask for something spicy and the bartender shakes up a nice Dark and Stormy for me. Nice, but M&H does it better.
They make pretty much every cocktail at Milk & Honey, but at 3 dollars less, AND you don't need reservations, AND they have absinthe and other sipping spirits. All they ask for in exchange is that you order your drinks at the bar - no table service. Small price to pay, I say.
I loved the chrysanthemum that my friend ordered (and since he wasn't a fan I happily sipped away at his glass). I ordered another Chrysanthemum next and they girlified it for me - a.k.a added more syrup and served it in a prettier glass. Both were yummy.
There's also this awesome guy called Mark who works there - so friendly and cheerful! This is one of the nicest experiences I've had in New York as far as service is concerned. Also, what exactly do you put in your drinks, White Star? After consuming a couple, one of my otherwise even-keel friend started having pyromaniacal inclinations - he tried to set a paper napkin on fire till we begged him not to.
P.S. I googled Sasha Petraske a little while ago and the pictures look uncannily like one of the bartenders at White Star that night. Did I just get served by the man himself?!
P.P.S: After the numerous speakeasies I've taken my friends too, they almost expect every cocktail bar to be hidden! One of my friends who arrived a bit later and had some trouble finding the place, almost got beaten up a couple of disgruntled guys next door because he thought it a good idea to knock on a locked door in the hope of finding a swanky place tucked away behind. Haa.
Certainly a nice atmosphere....low-lit and pretty. Friendly bartenders. I guess I'm just not into the new-cocktail-culture hype. Or I'm not rich enough to be.
$11 for a teeny tiny whisky sour? Yes, our bartender mixed the juices and whisked the foam and poured on the bitters with flair that could easily be seen onstage at Dance Theater Workshop. And it was tasty. But still, $11 for a drink that took about 5 sips to down?
Guess I'm just a bang-for-my-buck kinda gal. If I want to watch deft moves I'll go to Lincoln Center. When I go to a bar, I want to get lit. And not shell out $50 to feel it.
White Star is doing its thing well, no doubt. It's just not *my* thing.
Amazing Mint Julep in the LES. Without trying to keep up with a phone number?
Oh God, Yes. I'll take two (nights per week).
Hey, is that Tatum O'neal buying crack across the street again in the projects?
An unassuming location (i think "hip" is the word when talking about the pj's), but a very small place that seems like it would be more comfortable in a W hotel than the ghetto in chinatown.
Nice bartenders as you would expect, drinks were very good. It was a quiet evening when we went, kind of a quiet and boring crowd (i,e, I fit right in), but cool people and cool drinks, will try again.
Comes close to being a speakeasy.. Well almost.. haha.. Imma really feelin this bar.. Perfect place to meet up wid an ole friend..
The whole vibe of the place was something close to my personality.. Chill but not pretentious.. haha..
Love the bartenders.. They not only know how 2 make a drink but they know how to engage wid you about what u like to drink.. Quite subtle and definitely the mark of a great bartender and establishment..
If you like great drinks and trust a mixologist to whip you up something new and unexpected then this is the place for you! I went on a Tuesday night because I'm in a phase where I cant deal with crowds anymore and it was perfect. All seats were taken but no overflow. This spot is tiny and intimate so perfect for conversation-bring a date or a few girlfriends. I think it would be tough on the weekend because the drinks take some time so i would recommend Mon-Wed, when you have a chance to really appreciate the art of mixology.
As expected, White star delivered to standards of Milk and Honey. We wandered into White Star early Friday morning after being right out rejected by locked door at Milk and Honey, sans a key and text response, and this bar provided what I needed. And why shouldn't it? It's Sasha's establishment, after all. My friend followed my example and got a bartender's special mixed drink with Absinthe. One milky deliciousness and strawberry goodness later, we headed out to Fat Baby.
I like taking my friends to specialty cocktail bars, not even "speakeasy" kind, because I just love hearing a few days later, "Yo, you definitely raised a bar with drinks last night." Ah it's a good feeling to make an impression on New Yorkers while being from Jersey and all.
There is not much to add to what I told before. But this is actually why I'm updating:
Consistency is the key
and now after a long tour along sister places including PDT, M&H, Little Branch.. et cetera et cetera.. White Star is one of my favorites for many reasons. To name 2:
- Dark Storm cocktail
- sweet crystallized ginger.. I know, I know, looks out of sense .. but just try it and let me know
Second try at M&H.... and we fail again.
So, second time we decided go to White Star because we…
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Awesome, quiet, great and affordable drinks.
Will revisit at some point and write a more comprehensive narrative.
A grown-up fantasy of mine is to discuss beautiful cocktails with a fluid liquor (pun? yes.) lexicon with high-brow mixologist friends in a smart cocktail dress, ALL WHILE incurring the envy of everyone in the room by flashing an immaculately sparkly smile beside my perfect-physical-counterpart hubby before a barrage of admiring cameras.
Ah, but until geneticists, God, plutonium exposure or wormholes can somehow make KRey's iden-stiny my own, I'm going to have to tag along, slowly ponder the $10-12 menu at White Star (the least-exclusive, least-expensive Petraske child), and hope that urban glamor can be (l)earned through association.
Great space in the back; a little narrow up front - very pleasant conversation with the barkeep Aaron (who probably won't remember my name, but hey), great Gold Rush and bitters-bettered mojito (the 'Something-something Sizzle'). Here's to the hostess; cheers to the cheer.
Goodness, a second review update?!
I only write it because I read the talk threads and I see many of you are looking for venues to host parties. You all want:
*A private area for your friends
*A spot that doesn't require you to put down a deposit or fork over fees per hour
*A way to avoid all-you-can drink "deals" that rip off those who don't drink or can't stay long enough to get their money's worth...plus, your sophisticated circle is over the well / tap offerings that come with these "deals"
*A convenient location
*A place that allows you to bring your own snacks
*Somewhere with tasty cocktails (duh)!
Well, look no further than White Star. If you can get 20 people, they'll give you the back two rooms (everything except the bar). If you have over 30, they'll close the whole place for a few hours. The latter is the way to go. Ideally, of course, we could have used more than two bartenders, but my friends have never had problems cozying up to the bar and getting their fill.
I would also add a few feet to White Star's narrow hallway behind the bar, which might have prevented me from "stiletto-ing" another guest's poor foot as I flitted back and forth between rooms...oops!
On the plus side, WS provided a doorman about an hour in to stop outsiders from crashing, so we didn't have to kick the riff raff out ourselves ;-) And if they were willing to pry away from the bar, there was plenty of room between the booths and the spacious back room banquettes for guests to mingle, chat, sit or snack.
I love throwing parties at my own place, but I'm happier when someone else is pouring the drinks and happier still when the entire planning process is hassle- (and money-) free on my end.
In sum: finding that elusive, perfect party spot just got a lot easier, so create an occasion, assemble your entourage on Essex St...and please, stop asking about it on the threads ;-)
Echoing sentiments from two of favorite partners in crime (my dears, Becca S. and Kate S.),… Read more »
Ok, I forgot to make a reservation for Milk & Honey and we could not get in at 11 PM. However, they were nice enough to direct us to their sister bar White Star, for people who need some serious drinks - us. No reservations, no waits!!
When we got there it looked like middle of nowhere and small. But when got in, I instantly liked the small but cozy.. dark and intimate... cool vintage and old fashioned bar. The deco seems like 1930's or so but, they are new! and clean.
We checked out the back seatings and all but sat down at the bar for some famous drinks that we heard about for Milk & Honey. the bartenders here work there too so basically we get the same drinks mix. He told us that he works at M&H Monday and Tuesday night.
The drinks are cheap. $10-12 ish cocktails. But the menu and ingredients are old fashioned, rich and rare - by the book - professionally measured and mixed using european liquors like absinthe (well the original spirits recipe w/ wormwood are still banned anywhere in europe and US - it was what made the Van Gogh alcoholic and hallucinating), Jenever (Dutch house liquors- very cheap in Holland like $2 a shot and taste like cheap vodka, all the pub or bars in holland used to make their own Jenever and sell to locals i was told when i was in Amsterdam - I saw various vintage containers displayed at some old bars) and Rum, Scotch Whiskey and all those hard liquors.
Menu here likes to mix with honey, lemon and ginger flavors. We had honey bees, Dark and stormy, margarita and something else, i can not remember all the names but all of them are unique and amazing. it was fun to watch bartenders making drinks. The dried ginger sweets at the bar was so yummy. We kept asking more for nibbling. Not dry and still moist inside.
It was not so crowded. it seems that not many ppl know about it and the crowds are mature, who want to talk rather than get drunk. This is a bar for grown-ups. Even with two cocktails each, we were very buzzed and soaked into our good conversations. I will definitely coming back for some drinks after work and to chat with friends.
Highly recommended. Cash only but ATM just outside.
P.S. A psychic next door was so tempting me to go in. We didn't go in but, who knows? She might tell you what White Star will lead you to.
Great chill spot! Our second night visiting NYC and White Star had exactly what I needed after a full day of walking and to be able to catch up with friends. Tasty drinks, friendly staff, and plenty of elbow room.
Tiny spot that only accepts cash btw :)
We ordered a glass of absinthe (first time I had it and the taste just doesn't appeal to me), and a mojito-type drink which was pretty good. It had a long rectangular block of ice in it - cute! There was a guest "mixologist" in the house from SF and he was quite a character. He made some pretty awesome drinks with mountains of crushed ice filled up in the glass and fresh crushed berries. Wish I had ordered that!
Anyway, it was a cozy place perfect for a pre or post-dinner drink.
Went there with a friend last weekend... the Sazerac was awesome and the margarita I had was one of the best I've had. I'd make the trip over there if you're a fan of great drinks that take some time to make. It's quiet and dark... just how a bar like this should be.
If you're brining a few people, check out the far back room... it's quite nice.
I need to revisit White Star again since it was the last stop on a long night of bars. I've never had absinthe so I was excited to try the absinthe and champagne cocktail... turns out I don't like it much.
It was super dark in White Star so I didn't see much of what the bar actually looks like, but I liked the fact that it wasn't overly crowded on a Wednesday night.
The night began at a neutral 75 points.
11:35pm: Arrive at now forgettable lounge on Park Av, no line (+5)
11:36pm: Deafening music cripples both eardrums. (-25)
11:48pm: Apologetically point to ear; mouth, "Can't hear you" at person attempting to engage in tepid small talk. (+10); we escape (+10)
12:07am Arrive, get denied at Back Room - "Your party maxed out the guest list." (-20)
12:18am: Bump into friends at Schiller's (++10)
12:22am: Leave Schiller's - "No tables." (-10)
12:57am: Arrive at White Star without a key, a secret password, or names to drop; just 2 door liabilities in the form of guy friends. (-25)
12:58am: (+ 50) b/c we didn't need any of the above.
No drama, no hassle, no wait.
WS cliff notes:
- M&H type cocktails; $10-$12 (+25)
- drink of choice appropriate for both genders: Aviation #2 = now my top 5 (+20)
- ...which i knew to order bc i checked yelp! (+35)
- fyi 1: the airmail (white rum, honey, lime juice, prosecco) is a girl drink served in a champagne flute. had a taste of this; flat and very warm (-5)
- fyi 2: the mint julep. drink first half = panic you'll get a DUI. drink remainder: forget you don't own a car. (+5)
- no table service; order at the bar. only 2 bartenders that night, the labor intensive downside of hand cracked ice = 30 min wait. (-10)
- credit cards accepted (+15)
- bar architecture: dark narrow space like railroad apt. bar (sits maybe 12); tables (3 booths); intimate back room (good for a sm. group)
- decor: none, really. neutral/charcoal/minimalist. star shaped lights dangle above the bar and that's about it.
- not a scene. unobtrusive music. perfect low-key hideout to catch up with friends. (+10)
Final Point Tally: about +385 for saving our night. thanks WS + senor SP.
Went on an early Saturday evening and managed to get a booth. There's a back area where you can fit a small crowd - I definitely wouldn't mind going back there with a group of people to just dominate.
The crowd was quiet compared to other LES bars and the bartenders seemed friendly. There's a menu, so you don't have to make up drink options. The wait staff didn't come around enough to clear the tables, which is slightly disappointing.
The drinks themselves weren't actually that spectacular. I had a dark and stormy, and it didn't have enough of a ginger flavor to it. A friend of mine got a champagne and absinthe drink - tasted horrible.
I'd probably come back only if I had a large group and we needed somewhere to chill. It's not quiet enough to have a low-key night.
I have a new crush and its name is White Star.
Sleek, inviting, non-scenester spot with Prohibition Revival done right. My first cocktail involved gin, cucumber, lime, salt, cracked black pepper, and the essence of heaven. My second cocktail involved bourbon, St. Germain, lemon, and a glimpse of paradise. My appertif tasted like I had swaggered into an apothecary in 1857 and declared, "I have shingles. Fix it." Bartender Katie is snappy as punch and sweet as pie.
I left happy, tipsy, and with a reason to hop on the J train again soon.
A friend of mine that lives in the neighborhood recommended that we stop by for drinks. So we were wandering around the LES, per usual, and decided to check this place out.
I have to admit, I enjoy a fancy beverage.... but I'm not always wanting to spend the cash (or hang out with the crowd) at places like Pegu Club, Flatiron Lounge, etc.
White Star can craft a beautiful cocktail, and for a reasonable price. I love gin and ordered a "Bees Knees" - All I know, is that there was honey involved, and unicorns, and magic. mmm. only $9.
Very laid back and comfortable atmosphere. Plus the bartenders REALLY know what they're doing. If you're feeling adventurous, ask for a recommendation.
Also, if you're only 100 pounds - a 4th drink MIGHT be too many. They're strong. ; P
my new favorite date place. It is quite small and quite intimate. Not only is the room dimly lit, but the walls are painted black. Those whose eyes have trouble adjusting quickly, beware of the stairs leading to the restrooms, or up to the seating area for that matter, I found out the hard way.
The bar definitely does not cater towards the meet-market crowd. If you're looking to meet your next date, this is definitely not the place. The bartender is a middle aged man, dressed in suspenders and floods that will bring you back to the 40s. He is a man of his craft, perfection is key, down to the way the ginger candy was placed on the rim of my cocktail. If you're feeling risque, order the "bartender's choice" and you will not be disappointed.
The bar is lit nicely and great for socializing with neighbors and even the bartender. Towards the back, the few seating nooks are great for canoodling with your date.
My only confusion was in the selection of music playing in the background...it ranged from Beyonce to Erasure to Bob Dylan... strange indeed.
although this is more of a corner bar that reinvented itself as a speakeasy without anyone knowing it, I'll still implement ACADS.
A- atmosphere
C- crowd
A- allure
D- drinks
S- service
Atmosphere- its got more of the local yokel thing going on than anything. Its set up is boring, and while many appreciate the toned down, no frills atmosphere, it was a little odd. No wait, that was the rotation between bachata, Jayz's lucifer, bachata, and Kanye West. To be fair, the music was played at a reasonable volume where you could hold a convo without shouting, but still, I cant give a full star. +0.5
Crowd- what crowd? place was empty. Great place to take a friend who doesnt care about the atmosphere for a drink. But you can go anywhere for that. +0.5
Allure- Their menu was on a clipboard - are we going to coach high school basketball afterwards?
Drinks- Fortunately, I learned from the beauty of yelp. "Mix me something special, heavy on bourbon." This yielded positive results, multiple times, off the record / clipboard. First time I saw this mixing spoon/straw combo, I saw it as the new spork. I stole mine. +1
Service-relatively prompt. The barkeep was friendly. But really, how could he not be when we were the only folks at the bar? +1
Soooo... Great place if you are catching up with someone you know from within city limits who could care less about NYC aura. It was $18 for a bourbon mix plus a Guinness. Even so, this aint Death & Co, but then again, what is.
I was curious to check this spot out after reading that M&H's crew was opening up a new spot. I thought the entrance was cozy, but the rest of it felt almost more like a bar versus a speakeasy. That said, I did really like the drink menu. It was a nice mix and did contain quite a few containing abisinthe (my oh my - punchy stuff). And any place which has mint juleps on the menu can't be half-bad.
I'd like to go back and try more off of the menu. I thought they gave you a lot of bang for your buck, which means I didn't get to try much. Definitely will be back.
Aaaaaannnnnnnnnnnndddddddd...........we have cocktails!!
No longer just a den for "sipping spirits", White Star now serves a full classic cocktail menu, with most drinks a reasonable $10. The bar doesn't have quite the arsenal of syrups, purees and fresh produce you'll find at Milk & Honey or Little Branch, but it does seem to be headed in that direction. On a recent visit, we heard the sweet sounds of the shaker wafting across the room, and a table-side chat with none other than Mr SP himself revealed plans for even further development and expansion.
I'd like to say that SP and I are now total BFFs, and that when he saw how knowledgeable I was in the matters of fine potables he comped me a key to M & H, since I pretty much epitomize the kind of clientele he's always hoped to attract. The unfortunate truth is that I was in so much shock and awe at having him there, seeking our advice on important bar-related decisions (example: would we prefer our servers leave the menus at the table after ordering, or take them away?) that I could mostly just stare and mutter encouraging words of agreement. I'm usually very calm and cool when in the midst of royalty, but seriously, folks....it's like looking at the sun.
It's no secret that I'd pretty much follow Sasha Petraske to the ends of the earth, so when it's a… Read more »
Went here with a total of 6 people on a Friday at 9 or 10pm. It wasn't too packed at all so we were able to get a booth in the back which is cool. The drinks are a little more unique and old school which is awesome in my opinion. Price of the cocktails was not bad.
The crowd was definitely an interesting mix of people that kept changing during the 2 hrs we were there. White Star is pretty narrow and it does get crowded. The booths are nice and private, but it gets super hot really quick with no air circulation. You can have conversations quite easily in this area without having to scream and shout.
White Star is a little bit dark and mysterious and a cool experience. You'll get interesting drinks and a mellow vibe from the bar. I don't know if I'll frequent this bar, but it's a nice stop during your night of bar hopping.
I went here for a birthday a month ago and it's a very low-key cool spot. I had the absinthe that was actually tasty. I've had absinthe straight up, but here they made it lighter and more drinkable and more sweet, but not too sweet, but you could still taste the absinthe. After that, I ended it up going with scotch straight up which was reasonably priced. It's a narrow bar with a few intimate seats in the back.
I like the ambiance of this place and the bartenders were cool and unpretentious. Service can take a while when the crowds come in. I believe this used to be a hip hop joint called King something.
This is definitely a place that would be better on a weekday than weekend based on the size and recent write up in UrbanDaddy.
Basically what Siobhan said-- although Milk and Honey and LB are much better. But if you cant get into those, WS comes close.
We had the Honeysuckle (white rum, honey, lemon) sweet but nice and the Old Fashion which goes down smooth bc of the egg whites. Definitely getting the absinthe next time.
Takes credit card, $10 av drink, and low key.
Small petite place, friendly staff for a small group (don't bring more than 6 people)
Cocktails are classic and pretty reasonable ($10).
Music is not loud (nothing fancy, a mix of jazz and blues, depends which day you're goin). So it's a good spot to have a nice chat with your friends or by yourself (not a place to look for people).
Dudes, $7 recession special until 9pm for the best two drinks I've had in NY is still blowing my mind. We were the only people there at 6:30pm on this Sunday, which was sweet cos we got to talk to the bartender a lot, who was awesome.
I had a Dark and Stormy first, which was nice with the crystallized ginger, and Matt had a Manhattan. For the next round, the bartender just asked what we felt like having next, and during our cigarette break, made the two best drinks. Mine was an Aviation #2 with creme de violet and Matt had a Gold Rush. Aviation #2 is intense and floral and insane. So so good. To have that kind of service and personal attention to your drinks, for 7$...dude! Insane. So so good.
I had a great time at White Star and would definitely go back. The bartender was super sweet and made some tasty drinks as I have come to expect from a bar in the LB/ Milk & Honey family.
I really liked the low key atmosphere - it was nice to be able to sit and chat with friends over some good drinks without the music overwhelming the conversation. We sat at the bar, which I thought was nice. We got to see the bartender making all of the drinks which was fun. Especially watching the absinthe fountain - I want one! They're so pretty. The absinthe itself wasn't bad either.
The fact that you can pay with a credit card here is a major bonus (not so true at the sister bars) but Little Branch is still my favorite in the fam. White Star would rank a very close second though.
Definitely a good place to bring a date, but this is a very specific crowd...hard to describe...i'd say mostly guys with long hair and long beards, girls with bangs/red lipstick/occasional piercing....does that make sense??
anyway the cocktail menu is very good, although the drink my friend and I had (made with rum, honey, lime, prosecco) tasted mostly like a mimosa, although i think we picked the wrong drink since everyone elses drinks looked great. They have a nice little back room with tables and the bar is definitely long enough to find a seat or get the bartenders attention. I cant imagine more than 50 people fitting in here so probably not the best place for a big group unless you can find a table.
Absinthe and Whiskey...what a concept for a bar!
Don't worry, White Star also serves other drinks, but "when in Rome..."
The atmosphere is much like the owner's other successful speakeasy-like bars: East Side Company Bar or Little Branch (perhaps Milk and Honey too, though I've never personally been there). White Star is recognizable by the white star-shaped light fixture above the door, just steps down the street from East Side Company Bar on Essex. Just inside the door you'll find a long bar area, but if you pass through there, you'll get to the booths and the private back room. Low, warm lighting, approachable and helpful bartenders (with sexy accents), and tin-plated walls/ceilings make White Star a very cool destination, especially if you want to impress a date.
This place was dead when I went with a friend. Good drinks, but if you are into these types of speakeasies go for Milk&Honey, it is incredibly easy to get into now because of the recession. I had a drink with absinthe in it, and found it incredibly strong. For a speakeasy that is a little more lively I would head to Little Branch in the West Village.
I was really underwhelmed by the atmosphere at White Star, particularly after reading a promising write-up in a recent UrbanDaddy newsletter. It's a tiny, dimly-lit place with a really low-key vibe, but nothing different from what I've seen in a lot of other bars in the city. We were there on a Wednesday night so it wasn't that crowded and we were able to snag seats in the back room. If anything, it's worth a mid-week stop-by for drinks and convo with a friend or two.
On a more positive note, the drink I had was great. My friend went to the bar to order drinks and I'd asked for my standard Ketel soda, which the bartender apparently scoffed at and said he wanted to be challenged. Um, ok. So I just asked him to make me something with vodka in it. The resulting concoction (I don't remember exactly what was in it) was delicious.
This is Sasha Petraske's way of telling downtown that The Secret Bar Is Over. There's no hidden door or buzzer or anything -- the doors open right out onto Essex St. and Seward Park. And I'll quote UD's early review of the place: "no muddling, no infusions, no tinctures, no gooseberry/unicorn hair simple syrups." That pretty much sums it up.
Like the previous reviewer, I also went here on the soft-opening night, and it's difficult not to be impressed by the fact that Petraske himself is behind the bar pouring absinthe cocktails. It's clearly a very personal operation. I didn't have absinthe because it was fairly early in the evening, but it looks like a lot of love has been poured (pun intended!) into White Star.
I'm giving this four stars instead of five because it just isn't my kind of bar. I'm a fan of the "secret bar" phenomenon because you can actually hear yourself think. This place is going to be very crowded, and given the slant toward very strong drinks, likely full of dudes.
I love Sasha's aesthetic. This has been the week of Absinthe parties and single malt scotch and it is so much more fun at White Star. Love the classy rules, love that my best friend just snatched up one of the 250 private keys to gain entrance.
Everything was so perfect from the music to the noise level to the bartender to the owner, to the lack of Banana Republicans in the bar that I need to think about this more before I write more about this magical evening.
Preliminary Review:
A beautiful quiet space tucked within the boisterous, diverse, growing Lower East Side. This is set to be a wonderful establishment. Currently, the bar is not completely set up for all that it will be able to offer. But, as a SP establishment it is likely to be something pretty great and has amazing potential. I know I'm excited!
I stuck to the Swiss Absinthe, as it had been reviewed as the tastier of the two. [Currently only offering a Swiss and French Absinthe]. The cocktail was nice and light, not too Anisey, a little sweet, with a nice big kick in the patooty. Although, I have to agree with one of my companions, it's not a refreshing drink and thus I think I will enjoy it more in the Winter.
I can't comment on more than the space and the Absinthe at this point as they just got the lease four weeks ago and it's just not quiet fully ready. But, it gets five stars for potential and service. Michael, from Milk and Honey, was on tap and a wonderful host. SP was also there and behind the bar, then on a bike in the street, then stocking beer, and lastly fiddling with what looked like a flash light.
I cannot wait to come back and try the Hemingway inspired drink "Death in the Afternoon" which consists of Champagne and Absinthe. Sounds like it will knock me on my tushy.
Oh and apparently Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder...no comment.
I made my maiden voyage to WS this weekend with bff/mixology enthusiast Kathleen R., and it did not disappoint. Having visited White Star's sister establishments, I had high expectations which were easily met and exceeded. I have to admit, though, that the fifth star may just have come from a rush of giggles after a certain proprietor dropped by our table to ask our opinion of the newly furnished regular, non-absinthe cocktail menu format. Giggles notwithstanding, Enzo, the bartender made fantastic drinks, and while I'm not totally won over on the Absinthe concept yet, he made a concoction good enough to cause me to forget my last, unfortunate run-in with that liquor.
Besides the obvious goodness of the drinks, the music, lighting, temperature, sized crowd, and company made this a five star experience.
Drink Specials:
Neighborhood: Park Slope
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Category: Bars
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