recipe for a night on the lower east side.
“I’ll have what she’s having.”
Ingredients
I love that the Lower East Side has high end cocktails to dive bars all within a 10 minute walk and the so-called dive bar has one of the best whiskey lists in all of the city. Of course it all centers around spending a few hours seeing new music at a venue that’s been open for almost 25 years and is integral to the rock revival of NYC in the early aughts.
Happy hour at Death & Company
Dinner at Katz’s Delicatessen
Concert at Mercury Lounge
One last drink at Whiskey Ward
Preparation
Start early & get to Death & Company shortly after they open at 5pm to be sure you’ll get seated. This cocktail lounge is known for their wait as they will only allow in patrons when there are seats available.
Appetizers at Death & Co to pair with their signature cocktails. Expect to get fancy - order a vodka soda and you won’t get service.
Build a base at Katz’s Delicatessen. It’s been on the corner of Houston (pronounce How-stun) & Ludlow since 1888 and is a little bit of old LES in the midst of all the new development. It’s well known for the phrase “Send a salami to your boy in the army” and an extraordinary performance by Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. You’ll probably want to split the fries and the sandwich, but get your own plate of pickles. Dr. Brown’s sodas are the beverage of choice here.
Time to rock out. There used to be music venues on three of the four corners of Houston & Avenue A/Essex Street, but now it’s just Mercury Lounge remaining. Go support whoever is on stage when you arrive as they are likely to be the next big thing.
Order your drinks. Try at the front bar of the Mercury Lounge or from a server at the rear of the performance room toward the left of the entrance.
Wind down the evening. Have “one” last drink at Whiskey Ward on Essex between Stanton & Rivington. They have hundreds of whiskeys on their shelf so treat yourself to one you’ve never had before. Soak up all the night’s booze with a complimentary bowl of shelled peanuts before heading home.
Tips
If Mercury Lounge is sold out, try Pianos on Ludlow Street between Stanton & Rivington. Tip your servers in cash if you can.