Consumer Reporter: Bar Crawl – New York Style

Well I am back from the Big Apple, still feeling a little jet lagged but had a brilliant time.

To be straight to the point, I think my whiskey days are now over. I did attempt to give it another chance in New York but by the end of the trip I was right back to my good old faithful…vodka .

So in this blog, I want to share with you some top places to visit in NY if you get the chance to go over there.

Highlands, NYC

First up, carrying on with the whiskey theme is Highlands.  A great little bar and restaurant recommended to be me by a friend.  Located in the west village, this hidden little gem is hard to spot due to its dim lighting.

It looks more like a florist from the outside, with gorgeous flowers and little pot plants and tea lights but don’t be put off by its cool exterior because inside it has more of a homely feel.  Walls laden with different Scottish whiskies and malts and very friendly staff, this place offers a warm environment where you could happily sit for hours putting the world to rights.

Although the food is a little above average price, there is a good selection of Scottish inspired hearty meals –Cullen skink, cured Loch Duart salmon, oysters and cockles.  I am sad to say I did not try a whiskey here as the wine selection was soo good but if whiskey is your thing there are plenty to choose from.

Following our fairly civilised start to the evening, we thought we would then take it up a level to Hogs and Heiffers in the Meatpacking district.

For those that have never visited this haunt, you are in for a bit of a treat/shock depending on how you look at it.  Be prepared to be, well shall I say heckled.

Top tips here are:

1. don’t order a soft drink,
2. don’t be rude/demanding/generally obnoxious/draw attention to yourself (bit like walking in late to a comedy club, i.e. your asking for it)
3. it might help if you wear some biker/rocker gear or if you don’t have that to hand be prepared to put on a tough face.

Face girls, you're no Piper Perabo...

Coyote Ugly-style, the server girls are not afraid to stand on the bar and shout/sing/abuse via a megaphone.  Drink of choice here is ideally a shot of jager and a bit of Dutch courage (just in case you’re the one getting heckled at…and believe me they are not afraid to hold back their thoughts!)

Once you can’t take the insults anymore and are sick of not being able to hear your friends, there is really only one place to end the night whilst you are in this neck of the woods….The Jane.

The Jane shouldn’t really need an introduction, go for yourselves and see…

Long before it became a hotel and bar, The Jane was home to all those that survived the sinking of the Titanic.  Docking up across the road at Chelsea Piers, the survivors were bought here for much needed respite and refuge.  Keeping this special heritage in mind, The Jane has since been transformed into an affordable hotel and bar with a maritime theme noticeable throughout.

At night the ballroom is decked out in luxurious chaise lounges, exotic trees and chandeliers a plenty resembling what could be a grand room on the great Titanic itself.  On first sight The Jane can appear a little pretentious what with all the luxury and decadence but once the DJ gets going and the drinks begin to flow, The Jane turns into a very fun place.

Don’t be surprised to suddenly find yourself dancing  on all the expensive tables and pouffes.  One warning with this place is that you never leave here sober.  I am not sure what they put in the vodka but I don’t think I have left here in one piece…and if the night really takes its toll…you can always stumble upstairs to the $99 per night rooms!

Adele Walker is a firm advocate of responsible drinking.

So by the end of my trip, I am firmly back on vodka – hard to resist when most places in the US are pretty much free pouring measures!  And in celebration of the return of my vodka days, here is a recipe for a classic but timeless New York City drink courtesy of the New York Times:

Apple Martini

• 5 ounces vodka
• 2 ounces Berentzen apple liqueur
• 1 ounce Midori melon liqueur
• slice of green apple, for garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into an 8-ounce martini glass, and garnish with apple.

Hogs & Heiffers

859 Washington St

www.hogsandheifers.com

Highlands

150 West 10th St

www.highlands-nyc.com

The Jane

113 Jane Street

www.thejanenyc.com