Porchlight

Address: 271 Eleventh Avenue, (corner 28 St), New York, NY, 10001, United States
Tel: +1 212 981 6188
Website: view Porchlight’s website

Door: Make reservation
Style: Restaurant bar
Food: Tapas/plates & dishes
Established: 2015

This is the first standalone bar by restaurateur Danny Meyer (March 2015) so it has a lot to live up to. Porchlight borrows elements from his barbecue restaurant chain, Blue Smoke with Southern-style bar food and cocktails such as the Sazerac helping convey a subtle Southern theme.

The interior of this large bar, complete with games room at the back, is best described as raw with bare brick and block walls. The concrete floor bares the marks of a previous floor covering and looks like it is yet to be finished.

The 11-strong cocktail menu, by Booker & Dax veteran Nicholas Bennett, is perhaps best known for its blue drink, Gun Metal Blue (Vida mezcal, blue curaçao, peach brandy, lime juice and cinnamon) while
Storm's Brewin (Hamilton Jamaican gold rum, Appleton rum, lemon juice, grenadine and passion fruit) and a Sazerac made with Louis Royer Cognac, Herbsaint and Peychaud's pull on the Sothern theme.

"Lil Somethin" snacks include Smoky Beef Jerky, Salt & Vinegar Gaufrettes and Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread. If you fancy "Somethin' More" then consider the likes of Boiled Peanut Hummus and Vegetables, Avocado & Crab Toast or Daddy Jack's Fried Frog Legs.

This is a relaxed venue and it's not all about cocktails with 17 bottled and canned beers, plus a further eight on tap. The wine section stretches to five whites and five reds (all available by the glass) - all French with the exception of a Drovers Oregon Pinot Noir and a Handley Californian Chardonnay.