Me, too. I did one of my first booze book events there, for "The Old-Fashioned" in 2014. The space on Smith Street has cycled through so many businesses since then, none of them staying for very long.
It was right there - in my neighborhood, near the subway, so it was the site of many solo drink and a bite on nights I worked late (still don't have a satisfactory replacement for that, and Leyenda which was closest is moving!), weekend brunches and dinners with family and friends, and many a first date (as well as a couple of serendipitous encounters that were likely better than the planned ones) . The food was delicious, the liquor amazing, the staff warm and thoughtful... There are other bars on Smith Street obviously, but none with quite that vibe and certainly not that quality of food. Any recommendations? Long Island Bar is great but definitely not on the subway-home axis.
What a great start to the week! Readers of Robert Simonson better know the definition of "the aughts" ! I wonder if the bourbon boom is coming to an end as suggested by recent industry statistics.
Robert: I always enjoy the way you are able to put so much of the cocktail world into context. Also: If you are a Mix reader in NYC, please do go visit Eric and Daniella's pop-up at Bar Snack. They're good people who make great drinks.
Great memories! I started in this industry in 2000, doing PR at Heaven Hill's agency. I actually wrote the back label copy on the first Bernheim Wheat bottling. Those were the days!
what an interesting welcome to B&R week! 100% agree with the earlier comment about context … love the learning of where we were / are & how we got there in your writing (and the Wondrich article mentioned in O&E)
I'm sorry that I am very behind on Bourbon & Rye Week as it's been a hell of a week for me, but this was incredible. Cannot wait to dive into the rest. Char No. 4 was my wife's favorite bar in NYC when she lived on State Street in the aughts. When we met, her drink was a Henry McKenna Old Fashioned (she called it George McKenna), which, as you know, is not easy to come by anymore. I tracked it down a year or so ago and I doubt it is the same product you briefly mention here. As an aside, the Wondrich article was so satisfying - thank you for recommending. For the last few years, I thought I was the only one who had no idea what was going on when I sat down at a high-end, culinary-type cocktail bar. Love how he ties history in to understand this phenomenon. Stay warm!
This article was an emotional rollercoaster. These were my formative years in the industry. Char 4 is where I was when I decided I wanted to become a distiller. Thank you so much for a beautiful walk down memory lane.
Definitely another “wish I had a Time Machine”situation. Even just during the past ten years with you. So many changes.
If I had a Time Machine, I would go back to 2005 with several suitcases and fill them with Bourbon and rye.
Damn, I miss Char No. 4. That place was the absolute best for so many reasons.
Me, too. I did one of my first booze book events there, for "The Old-Fashioned" in 2014. The space on Smith Street has cycled through so many businesses since then, none of them staying for very long.
It was right there - in my neighborhood, near the subway, so it was the site of many solo drink and a bite on nights I worked late (still don't have a satisfactory replacement for that, and Leyenda which was closest is moving!), weekend brunches and dinners with family and friends, and many a first date (as well as a couple of serendipitous encounters that were likely better than the planned ones) . The food was delicious, the liquor amazing, the staff warm and thoughtful... There are other bars on Smith Street obviously, but none with quite that vibe and certainly not that quality of food. Any recommendations? Long Island Bar is great but definitely not on the subway-home axis.
What a great start to the week! Readers of Robert Simonson better know the definition of "the aughts" ! I wonder if the bourbon boom is coming to an end as suggested by recent industry statistics.
That question will be addressed in a post in a couple days!
Do you still communicate w LeNell? Have you sent her a copy of the article yet?
Yes, I do.
Robert: I always enjoy the way you are able to put so much of the cocktail world into context. Also: If you are a Mix reader in NYC, please do go visit Eric and Daniella's pop-up at Bar Snack. They're good people who make great drinks.
Thanks, Kenney. I've been around so long I'm Mr. Context, I guess!
I'm going to try to get to Bar Snack, but it's a frightfully busy week, what with Bourbon and Rye Week and it also being MK's birthday week!
Weeeee! Birthday week baby!
Great memories! I started in this industry in 2000, doing PR at Heaven Hill's agency. I actually wrote the back label copy on the first Bernheim Wheat bottling. Those were the days!
Did you?! Wow. Bernheim remains a very unique American whiskey. Nothing like it really.
what an interesting welcome to B&R week! 100% agree with the earlier comment about context … love the learning of where we were / are & how we got there in your writing (and the Wondrich article mentioned in O&E)
I'm sorry that I am very behind on Bourbon & Rye Week as it's been a hell of a week for me, but this was incredible. Cannot wait to dive into the rest. Char No. 4 was my wife's favorite bar in NYC when she lived on State Street in the aughts. When we met, her drink was a Henry McKenna Old Fashioned (she called it George McKenna), which, as you know, is not easy to come by anymore. I tracked it down a year or so ago and I doubt it is the same product you briefly mention here. As an aside, the Wondrich article was so satisfying - thank you for recommending. For the last few years, I thought I was the only one who had no idea what was going on when I sat down at a high-end, culinary-type cocktail bar. Love how he ties history in to understand this phenomenon. Stay warm!
This article was an emotional rollercoaster. These were my formative years in the industry. Char 4 is where I was when I decided I wanted to become a distiller. Thank you so much for a beautiful walk down memory lane.