Tooker Alley — Restaurant in New York

I stopped by this bar on a rainy day after a visit to the Brooklyn museum – I’m usually one to go to dive bars or familiar places, order a beer or a whiskey – but the atmosphere of the day and the place put me in the mood for something new. So I decided to try a cocktail – since I don’t usually drink spirits I asked the bartender for a recommendation. He asked me a few questions – what spirits I like, whether I like fruity or sweet drinks, etc – he recommended the Jala Pina (a rum, pineapple, juice, and Serrano-infused honey, lemon, and orange mix). I liked it so much I ordered another rum-based drink of his suggestion, which came with shaved ice and tasted of grapefruit – it was also delicious. The bartender was very pleasant, knowledgeable, and friendly and took the time to tailor drinks to my liking. He let my husband and I sample a couple of other drinks – really it was a very personalized service. The drinks were perfect but the service is definitely a reason I would go out of my way to come back...

This used to be my local cocktail bar when I lived in the area a few years ago. The atmosphere is warm with lots of wood and soft lighting, this does mean it is pretty dimly lit so don't plan on reading a book. The cocktails are largely riffs on classics or have the feel of pre-prohibition drinks. The core cocktail list has changed little over the past 3+ years but there are about 4 seasonal cocktails that change regularly. The cocktails are generally solid but vary a bit from bartender to bartender as you would expect. The music is always jazz and is played at a reasonable volume. There are a few light food options. They also have a few beers and wines. They have also relatively recently started beer (8 oz) and a shot (1.5 oz) options. The bartender and waitress during a recent visit preferred to chat in the corner (it was not busy) rather than engage the clientele in conversation which is a departure from...

LET ME TELL ABOUT A WORLD

A WORLD WHERE WE STOPPED ACCEPTING MEDIOCRITY WHERE WE WOKE UP EVERY SINGLE DAY AND ASKED OURSELVES HOW GOOD CAN I BE TODAY? HOW CLOSE TO EXCELLENCE CAN I ACHIEVE?

A WORLD WHERE MECHANIZED FAST PRODUCTION, AND THE SHALLOW PLASTICITY OF OUR DECAYING WORLD IS JUST A FEVER DREAM

A SLIVER OF TIME AND SPACE SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD OF “GOOD ENOUGH”AND “THIS WILL DO”

IN A BROKEN LAND OF MARGARITA-VILLES HIPSTER DIVES AND ROTTEN TRUTHS TOOKER ALLEY HAS TAKEN A STAND TO EMBODY ARTISANAL MINDFULNESS EXCELLENCE AND CARE…

SO GO AHEAD AND LEAVE YOUR REVIEWS LET’S SAY “MY DRINK TOOK LONGER THAN EXPECTED” AND THEN GO AHEAD AND TELL ME WHERE YOU CAN FIND BETTER CRAFT COCKTAIL SERVICE IN NEW YORK CITY BECAUSE GUESS WHAT?

YOU WONT FIND IT

IF YOU LIKE GOOD COCKTAILS, YOU HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS IN NEW YORK, BUT IF YOU WANT EXCELLENCE, THEN YOU KNOW...