Going to be in NYC for a day, anything whiskey related worth visiting?

[MtnDew]

So I'm going to be traveling to the DE area for a week and a half for work. During that trip I'm going to take a few days to visit a Jersey facility and during that side trip I'm going to spend this Saturday exploring NYC... or what little of it I can see in a day. Anyone have any whiskey related things that are fun to do/see/taste? My purchasing budget is rather low, so nothing too high brow (friggen BTAC's are killing me) and I'm a Seattle native so I don't dress very east coast ish (read too casual) so it can't be any place with a nice dress code. I'm just curious if there are fun places or shops to at least look at while I'm poking around. Likely I'll park and take the Staten Island ferry and then walk/subway/cab it from there.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[WhiskyRI]

If you are a literary type the Strand bookstore is well worth a stop. Tons of used books including good sections on Food, Beverage and Wine (ie old whisky books). Also bring a hip flask of your favorite tipple and go visit the Metropolitan roof garden late in the afternoon and watch the sun set over Central Park while sneaking the occasional nip from your flask. Another great place to walk that fits within your budget is The High Line - http://www.thehighline.org/ a very cool elevated park right through the center of the city - again the flask will keep you refreshed. And finally lots of good places to go have a dram - too many to list here.

[Guy Debord]

Hi MtnDew,

When I go to Manhattan, I hang downtown. If you can walk and read a subway map, you can see, eat, and drink a lot in NYC. PM me if you want tourist tips.

On the Bowery I like Mother's Ruin. On the Lower East Side I like Piano's on Ludlow. On Essex is the Whiskey Ward, which has a great selection of bourbon, scotch, and Irish offerings. No trip to NYC is complete without a stop over at McSorley's on 7th Street. If it was good enough for Abe Lincoln it's good enough for me. Not sure about their bourbon supply, I drink "the beer." In Greenwich Village over off Washington Square Park, I love drinking on and around McDougal, Bleeker, and Thompson Streets.

Whiskey Ward on Essex / Rivington

Piano's on Ludlow / Stanton

Mother's Ruin on Spring / Elizabeth

McSorley's on 7th Street / 3rd Ave near Astor Place

Daddy O's on Bedford / 7th Ave.

[michaelturtle1]

I am very close to Wilmington, DE . If you want to raid the bunker and share a few pours let me know.

[MtnDew]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm especially intrigued with the high line, I forgot about that and really want to see it. I'll pick a few items and likely just stick with the south end of Manhattan to "limit" things a little since I only have a day.

As for you Michaelturtle... expect a pm soon

[ChainWhip]

I am very close to Wilmington, DE . If you want to raid the bunker and share a few pours let me know.

Oh man... I'm so jealous!

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm especially intrigued with the high line, I forgot about that and really want to see it. I'll pick a few items and likely just stick with the south end of Manhattan to "limit" things a little since I only have a day.

As for you Michaelturtle... expect a pm soon

B-

You're in for a treat!

[gatsby]

There are many good whiskey bars in NYC, here are a few:

Idle Hands - Avenue B Between 2nd & 3rd - Total Dive

Maysville - W. 26th Between Sixth Ave & Bway -Casual

Rye House - W. 17th Between Fifth Ave & Sixth Ave - Casual

Both Maysville and Rye House are relatively close to the high line if that's in your plans. The Tippler is a cool cocktail bar also close at 15th between 9th & 10th.

As far as liquor stores, there's likely not going to be anything special. Most of the fall releases haven't even made it here yet and everything else is going to be more expensive than you would find in Seattle.

[MtnDew]

Wanted to do a quick update and let you all know that I did just about nothing on the recommended list... Oddly enough I found that going over to Michaelturtles the night before and sampling some of his awesome collection somehow satisfied my whiskey itch for the time being. Instead I ended up wandering from the Staten Island ferry dock as far north as Central Park and hit many fun places in between like the high line, Rock plaza, Grand Central, Library, Battery Park, Times Square, Wall Street, and even Lombardis Pizza (Thanks Michael for that recommendation). I took the subway a few times but mainly walked and after 7 or so hours I was exhausted. I ended up heading back to the hotel and enjoying a small pour of scotch for sleeping for almost 12 hours. Next trip, when I have more than a single day, I will get a chance to check out some of the above recommendations.

Thanks again everyone!

[Lazer]

McSorley's on 7th Street / 3rd Ave near Astor Place

To anyone still reading this thread, this is the place to go. Its the oldest Irish bar in NYC. They have light or dark. Tip generously. p.s, I haven't been there in over 10 years.

[michaelturtle1]

McSorleys is still the same, was there last weekend..

[Lazer]

McSorleys is still the same, was there last weekend..

good news..........

[bigtoys]

my brother-in-law lives on W 17 between 6th and 7th and we stay at the W Hotel in Union Square at Park & 17th. We walk up and back and I don't think I've ever noticed Rye House. May have to check it out next time. Menu looks tasty.

[smknjoe]

My brother was telling me about a place in NY called Angel's Share? It's supposed to have "the best" bourbon list in town. And as a bonus it's hard to get to and no signs! Is this some place I need to seek out the next time I'm up that way?

[BourbonGuy]

Nobody mentioned the Brandy Library. I have never been there and was wondering.

[WhiskyRI]

Was just in NYC and went to St Andrews pub on 46th St just off Times Sq. Great whisky selection, skewed heavily towards malt whiskies, and good food. If you are required to be in, or near, Times Sq for work or events it's a great place to go.

[danz]

Nobody mentioned the Brandy Library. I have never been there and was wondering.

I have been to the Brandy Library and I enjoyed it a lot. As the name implies, their primary focus has historically been on cognac and armagnac, and they have an incredible selection of those, but they also have a good selection of whiskeys. The other place I have been to recently, in the financial district, is Vintry Wine and Whiskey on Stone Street. They had a nice selection of whiskey and some great small plate dishes. They have a small seating area. Of the two, I prefer Brandy Library.

As for shopping in NY - the prices are bad and the selection is not great. Some of the better-known stores will, in fact, try to rob you blind. Do not buy anything without price checking it on wine searcher or against prices from another out-of-town retailer you trust. Every time I go (back) anywhere near the South I'm struck by how thoroughly NY does not have a longstanding bourbon culture and how much broader the selection is elsewhere. It seems like much more of a wine and scotch culture here.