NY Barfly

Mr. West Dilutes the Vodka / Otto Lessens Their Pours

-DBTH has some shocking intel on Mr. West: the troubled haunt is pouring the cheap stuff into Grey Goose bottles. Business has apparently been bad. We’ll know its closing time when they give up the charade and just start using Witch Hazel.

-Looks like the money grubbing might be spreading. Eater has word that the wine pours at Otto are a bit lighter than usual. In another money saving move, the restaurant hired a genuine Italian street urchin to pick the pockets of diners as they exit the restaurant.

-Grub Street noted the closing of the Hell’s Kitchen haunt Selena. Looks like the SLA revoked their liquor license for unknown reasons. We’d venture a guess at what could cause the liquor authorities to close down a seedy midtown haunt: wanton flim-flammery.

Locally Brewed Summer Beers from L Magazine

Need something to drink for the summer and too prude for the Nude Beach Wheat Beer? L Magazine has some great suggestions for locally made summer brews. You should spend time studying their list. If you imbibe these in the right order, you’ll lose your inhibitions and upgrade to the Nudie brand. As we all know, pants and crappy beer are both for sissies.

We think their selection below sounds especially good. We’re not always into wheat beers, but think Blind Bat’s mesquite smoked ingredients sound yummy. And, in expanding the nude theme, we’ve always been a fan of Walt Whitman. Do like the old poet did: have some beers while reciting Leaves of Grass in your backyard. Walt was a fan of “natural” expression, so be sure to let it all hang out. That’s why they call it free verse.

BLIND BAT: Old Smoked Walt Wit
This Centerpoint brewery is a labor of love for Paul Dlugokencky, who runs the small-time operation — "one of the (if not the) smallest commercial breweries on the planet." This summer, he's making a wheat beer from wheat he smokes himself over mesquite, named in honor of "Long Island's Walt Whitman". Proud Brooklynites might not want to admit it, but technically their borough is a part of Long Island. (Same to you, Queens!)

Ideal Summertime Situation During Which to Drink It: Afternoons spent wandering Green-wood Cemetery, looking for Walt Whitman's grave before giving up because it's actually in NJ somewhere.

Check out the rest of the list at their website here! We suggest the New Jersey Flying Fish for a second round.

Citrine Launches a New Happy Hour (Free Drinks!)

There’s a new Happy Hour in Drunktown. West 21^st Street’s Citrine is launching their PRE party tonight. They’ll be offering a special happy hour cocktail and food menu every Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 11 PM. Yes, we know that the recession drink deals and happy hours have left you exhausted. Get over it, get to Citrine, and stuff your face. It’s called happy hour for a reason. With those prices, it sure beats prozac.

The new cocktail menu is specially designed by co-owner Adam Elzer and features cool summer treats made with fresh ingredients and adapted from traditional family recipes, such as Berry Blossom ($7), made with Blueberry Vodka, St. Germaine, cranberry juice, and soda with a cherry garnish as well as the Strawberry Nirvana ($8) a delicious blend of Strawberry mix, Stoli Vanilla Vodka, and Champagne.

Even better, their food menu (served daily from 5 to 10 PM) was specially designed by Markt, so were sure it's going to be chock full of Belgian goodness. Nothing like a plate of frites with mayo to wash down those 13 happy hour cocktails you just had. If you’re feeling a bit more sophisticated, try their tuna tartare with sesame seaweed salad. You’ll have to order two plates to soak up the sauce.

The launch event is free and (gasp!) open to the public. Stop by between 6 – 8 PM. Check out the flyer below the jump. 

Watch out, Soleil! Here's The Best Drunken Circus in Town

It looks like our favorite theatrical derelicts are at it again. FUCT is back with some new drunken theater. This time, they’ve joined forces with the Brooklyn Group Ladycircus. The FUCT boys will bring the booze, the ladies will bring the contortion, stilts, fire, and much more of that “talent” stuff. If you can only see one Cirque du Soleil spoof featuring naked twenty-somethings, death-defying stunts, and free beer for the audience, the upcoming Cirque du Quoi!?!? is the one.

Don’t think that tipsy clowns and titillating Brooklyn ladies sound fun? Well, you clearly need to drink more. The comedians have lined up Colt .45 as a sponsor of the show, and will be giving away hooch throughout the show. After a few brews and a dose of circus-like (use Big Top instead?) inspiration, you’ll want to march right over to Randall’s Island and go all Kooza on the sober acrobats’ asses.

The gig runs May 28 – 30^th and June 4^th-6^th at The Skybox at the House of Yes, 342 Maujer Street, Brooklyn, NY (between Morgan Avenue & Waterbury Street, just east of the Grand Street stop on the L train). It costs $20 for adults, $10 for students.

Check out more info at www.fuctnyc.com.

Where We're Headed: Beauty Bar

After Grub Street reported that Beauty Bar is going to open a new location in Brooklyn, we decided to stop by the original and see how the scene has held up. Beauty has been around for ages. The space has given what can only be thousands of manicures, making it one of the only places in the city where you can get drunk on beer and high on nail polish fumes at the same time.

Just as in its opening days, the bar was packed with hipsters on our visit. The manicurists were filing away and the DJ lived up to the stereotype with some tunes by the Smiths. All the years in business haven’t dulled these nails. The space is boisterous and the crowd is hip (but not so hip that they’re annoying). What could have been a passing fad seems to have withstood the test of time. Though, we suspect it’s the drinks more than the cosmetology that lets you walk away feeling beautified.

Bushwick will be well served by Beauty’s new outpost, if only because those dirty hipsters need some cleaning. The original location is at 231 East 14^th Street. Stop by during their happy hour (weeknights til 9pm) to get the best deal (cheap drinks + fumes!).

14 New Bars / A Vodka for Gentlemen

-New York Mag has a handy list of the city’s notable new bars, including Barfly favorites 675 Bar, Blue Ruin, and The Pony Bar. 3 Down, 11 to go. So much work. It will be hard to find the time between drinking in our apartment and drinking on our stoop.

-Ketel One launched their new advertising campaign. The catchphrase: Gentlemen, This is Vodka. What goes without saying? Ladies, give us your drinks.

-The Village Voice is looking for a new food blogger,  presumably to help expand their Fork in the Road Blog. We considered applying, but then they clarified that martinis don’t count as food.

Red Bull Gives You . . . Cocaine?

German authorities recently banned Red Bull’s Cola from the market because it tested positive for traces of cocaine. Yikes. We knew that Red Bull promises a kick, but we didn’t realize it was like that. No wonder the Bridge and Tunnel folk like it so much. Check it out:

Here's the problem: the Austrian-based company, Red Bull GmbH, boasts that its cola is 100% natural and it uses the coca leaf. The use of the coca-leaf extract led to positive tests for cocaine when German officials scrutinized Red Bull Cola. Actually, the head of the food safety department in Germany's federal ministry for consumer protection stated that it "examined Red Bull Cola in an elaborate chemical process and found traces of cocaine."

The good news is that there are only minute amounts of the drug in the Cola, and it shouldn’t have an effect on the normal drinker. Still, we hope that a certain element doesn’t get wind of this. There will suddenly be a black market for the stuff. Seeing a Guido try to snort an energy drink? Not pretty.

Dive's Alive: P&G Bar is Open

We stopped by the Upper West Side’s relocated P&G Bar on a lazy Sunday evening. After a rent increase, the bar closed shop and moved a few blocks uptown. The new digs on 78^th and Columbus (in the old Evelyn Lounge space) are at least 3 times the size of the former haunt. The setup is not only an improvement of the old P&G; it’s a new bar altogether. They kept the dive spirit very much alive in the transfer, but still managed to spruce things up a bit. The space comes equipped with two pool tables, a small stage for live comedy and music, and a kitchen (soon to open). Their iconic old bar now serves as a shelf in one of the billiard rooms (that's it on the left in the photo). If crusty old bars could talk.

We got a chance to speak to the owner, and he promises that the famed neon signs are on their way. He also has some words about his pending menu and P&G’s UWS neighbor Shake Shack: “I’m going on a moral crusade against shake-shack. Why do people wait an hour in line for a burger?” Their kitchen promises to be easy and quick, which is just what you’ll need to soak up all the shots you just did.

There are not many good low key joints in this part of town, especially if you want to avoid the Frat Boy heaven of Jake's and The Gin Mill over on Amsterdam. With Yogi’s gone, it’s up to P&G to uphold the dive bar tradition (getting wasted). Take a look at a few more pictures below the jump.

5 Summer Wines for Under $20

Memorial Day is behind us, and so are the heavier wines of Spring. It’s Summer! As the clothes get lighter, so does the Vino. We know you don’t have a lot of cash weighing down your wallet these days, so we came up with a few suggestions that will keep you refreshed and won’t break the bank. Rooftop BBQ or picnic in the park? Pick up a few bottles on this list to bring along. Just remember the cardinal rule of bringing a summery wine to these events: if you drink the entire bottle yourself, you won’t be invited next time.

1. Château de Campuget Tradition Rosé – Summer without Rosé is like beach volleyball without the beach: hot, harsh, and just plain stupid. This refreshing blend of 30% Grenache Noir and 70% Syrah pairs perfectly with hearty BBQ or lighter Thai alike. Most importantly, it reminds you what summer is all about: sipping Rose while artfully avoiding having to actually play beach volleyball. It’s available at Crush Wines & Spirits (153 East 57th Street, 212.980.9463), and the suggested retail is only $10.99.

2.  Cloudline Pinot Noir – If you’re looking for a lighter red, reach for Cloudline Pinot Noir, with a suggested retail of $19.99. The Oregon wine maker has come up with a laid-back, fruity red that is perfect to sip when you’re lying back in a field and gazing at the clouds. It’s also good for the New York version of cloud gazing: sitting on your roof, leaning back, and looking in the windows of the apartment across the way. Get some at Sherry Lehmann (505 Park Ave, 212.838.7500).

3.  Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – We admit it: we have a weakness for Sauvignon Blanc. It’s like our version of kryptonite. One sniff of this crisp and lively label from Marlborough (home of the best Blancs) and suddenly our powers are gone. We are just a mere mortal, wearing a cape and enjoying a flavorful white. That reminds us, it’s after Memorial Day. Time to switch to the white cape! Giesen is available at Garnet Wine & Liquor (929 Lexington Ave New York, 212.772.3211).

4. Enrique Foster Ique – Enrique Foster produces his wine right in the center of the world’s premier location for Malbec. At $11.99 a bottle, you’ll definitely be able to tell that he has access to some prime real estate. The Ique is fresh and young, like that starter apartment you could buy if you didn’t spend all your money on great wine. It’s also available at Sherry Lehmann.

5.  Nederburg Lyric – This South African combines hints of green peppers with flavors of peach and apricot to create perhaps the best vino value on the list. It’s only $10.99, but beware. Like the brand’s name suggests, you’ll want to sing after a few glasses. We highly doubt that your friends at the BBQ will be impressed with your rendition of Toto’s Africa. Get the deal at Manley’s Wines & Spirits (35 Eighth Ave, 212.242.3712).

Sailor Jerry Brings his Tattoos to Philly. You Bring the Rum.

Nothing like heading out of town to visit old friends, especially when your destination is Philadelphia and your old friend is a long dead tattoo artist who made some kick ass rum. The City of Brotherly Love currently plays host to a show on maritime tattooing. Skin & Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor runs at the Independence Seaport Museum and showcases the impact that sailors (drunken and otherwise) had on the rise of body art in western culture.

And how does this relate to all thins drink? You may remember that Norman Collins (aka Sailor Jerry) was a Hawaii-based tattoo artist. Amongst his collection of papers was a recipe for a modern day tippler: Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum. The spirit is just as bold as some of the mermaids and hearts that you’re bound to see at the show.

In the true spirit of rum and tattoos, we suggest sailing out to Philly, smuggling a flask of Sailor Jerry’s namesake into the exhibit, and then heading to a parlor afterward to carry on the tradition. You’re sure to wake up with a splitting hangover, full of regret for the stupid blob (is it an eagle? a flower?) that is now on your bicep. Glorious. Sailor Jerry lives on.