Banzarbar — Restaurant in New York

BANZARBAR, the hidden gem nestled on the second floor of Freemans Restaurant, has certainly captured the essence of a bygone era, earning a well-deserved 4 stars out of 5.

Entering this vintage New York establishment felt like stepping back in time. The rustic colonial American decor, adorned with carefully preserved animal heads like deer, elk, and moose, created an ambiance that truly transported us to another era. It's a colonial tavern tucked away in a New York alley, and the rustic vibes were on point.

The hospitality was top-notch, with hosts who were welcoming, and a bartender who was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly attentive and friendly. Their warm service added to the overall charm of the place.

The drink menu was a delightful journey. We started with complimentary French dessert wine that set the stage for what was to come. The Pineapple Sage and Mount Pelee cocktails, both priced at $22, were a revelation. They offered a perfect balance of flavors, with the use of tinctures as a delightful bonus.

The subsequent round of drinks didn't quite match our personal taste. The Sea Silk and Realm of the Nagas cocktails, also at $22 each, were decent but didn't leave as lasting an impression.

One notable aspect was that none of the four drinks we tried felt overly boozy, which was a pleasant surprise. It allowed us to savor the intricate flavors without being overwhelmed.

Ultimately, BANZARBAR impressed us with its captivating decor, exceptional staff, and an ambiance that transported us to a different time and place. We're already planning to return and explore their fall and winter cocktail menu. It's a speakeasy gem that promises a unique and memorable experience in the heart of...

Vibe: Intimate space beautifully tucked away within a restaurant within an alley. A special experience. Value: The most inventive cocktails and knowledgable staff in the city. Truly know their menu and the intentionality behind each drink. It's the place I hope people don't discover.

Shackleton’s Urn - Absolutely delicious. Wonderful combination of fruits for the sweetness. Perfect amount of heat as well from the chili.

The Heart & The Hind - Not as multi dimensional as I would have hoped. Most of the flavors were muddled together in a way it didn’t lay enough respect to each.

Divine Lantern. Really interesting use of Baiju. Delightful balance of everything. Thought the sift/grit of the sesame was the tiniest bit unpleasant

Sumarr & Vetr - Banana and sarsaparilla was fascinating.

Road to Kerala - Got the mezcal, rye, and Thai chili notes. Chili added a nice bite to the end. Well made but didn’t get a lot of the other flavors, not even the chartreuse.

Moonraker Sail - Plum flavor was brought forward very well. Clean and crisp.

Arctic Willow - Well done not making the whiskey too dominant. Pleasantly, almond was the star. Hibiscus was nice and subtle towards the end.

Ulu Edge - Mint lavender garnish went well w/ the cocktail. Tea was the most prominent. Other flavors blended well together, almost too well though because it was difficult to distinguish.

Tempura Squash Blossoms - Have never had them fried before. Was most interesting from a texture stand point. Flavor was lackluster. Sauce was delicious but overpowered when dipped.

*As always, remember everyone has off days, check your bias, and consider...

We were a party of 6. To start with, one of us booked a table for 4 and another one booked a table for 2. We thought that when we get to the bar we could ask to either be seated together, or at least be able to hand out with each other. The bartender was reluctant to accommodate, stating it is the bar's policy is not to allow more than 4ppl parties. When we told him that wasn't mentioned on the reservation details, he said: well - you should have figured it out given that you couldn't book a table for more than 4 ppl. He was extremely rude, seated the couple on the bar a bit distant from the 4ppl table (though the table was large enough to have 2 joining on a bench + one chair, plus there were couple's seats closer to the 4ppl party) and scolded us when we tried to hang out near each other to chat. Scolded, as in saying out loud: "Everyone should stick to their seats. No standing allowed". It was such a turnoff. despite our initial excitement and anticipation, we decided to stick to the one round of beverages and we left the bar after only one hour only (reservation was for 2 hours). That was a pity, as the place is pretty cool, and the vibe of the non-human elements was very appealing, despite the overpriced cocktails. I am convinced that there's a better way to communicate the bar's policy, and make the people feel welcome. Our party will probably not go to this place again, even if we are less...