We Say...
Henry Hemmans stands gatekeeper to this fabulous cocktail lounge and you'll likely to become acquainted with this jovial gentle giant as you wait in line for one of the covered 88 seats upstairs.
Pouring Ribbons is owned and run by a team of bartending legends: Toby Maloney, Troy Sidle, Jason Cott and Joaquín Simó (Tales 2012 American Bartender of the Year). Collectively known as Alchemy Consulting, they are the hired expertise behind bar openings across the U.S. and Pouring Ribbons is their first bar.
Circular tables dot a long rectangular, wooden panelled, olive green room lit by dimmed Art Deco lighting, appropriately situated above a neighbourhood liquor store in Manhattan's East Village.
The menu lists 15 'house cocktails' and 15 classics, the style of each drink represented by two simple and informative scales: 'refreshing to spirituous' and 'comforting to adventurous'. The classics are headline favourites and judging by our experiences, the 'house' offerings are inspired genius. An excellent liquor selection includes a whole page dedicated Chartreuse vintage bottlings. 'Bites' of charcuterie, cheese, nuts, hummus and pate are served on small paper bowls.
The name? Apparently Pouring Ribbons "refers to the double-helix of alcohol moving through air."
last reviewed: 15/01/2013
