Ward III

Ward III is different from the average mixology bar. While the similarities are indeed there (expert bartending, premium drink choices with some based on simply telling the bartender your liquor of choice, premium foodstuffs), the differences are what separate Ward III on a certain level. One doesn't get the feeling that he has to speak at a library level or sit with his hands folded until spoken to by the bartender. You don't need to be a party animal, but you can loosen up and relax, talk at a reasonable volume, and have a great conversation about just about anything with the bartenders while they concoct your beverage of choice. The owners are more than happy to shake your hand and thank you for stopping by, ask you what you think of the place, and make suggestions. The music is very good, usually a mixture of old school soul, classic jazz, and lounge music that virtually nobody would ever object to. And the crowd comes from all over the city, not just Tribeca. From the local businessman stopping by for a quick drink with a significant other to a group of ladies on a girls' night out excursion, to the solo bar traveler, Ward III welcomes all and treats them all with the same high level of service. Whiskey Monday is fantastic, and the signature drink, the Ward III, is tasty and potent. The bar is loungy in the front, a lengthy bar to the left and a dinner area in the back. It sometimes gets a bit difficult to navigate the walking space, but that happens. The bathroom is very clean and spacious. All around a solid experience you won't regret

The bartenders here are amazing, you can tell that they know exactly what they are doing and love doing it. I haven't had their bespoke cocktails yet, been going down the menu slowly (trying to not be an alcoholic, but it’s getting hard), but I can say this, their menu items are great. Go there on Mondays especially, free whiskey tasting with someone who will teach you a thing or two about whiskeys. Haven’t had any of the food yet, but it looks and smells good. Will have to go there for dinner or something one of these days. If you are ever down in Tribeca, definitely stop by this place, you don’t want to miss it.

Known for their bespoke cocktails, Ward III has been quoted as saying something to the effect of "bring in a twinkie and we'll make it into a drink." While their custom cocktails are a great idea, I strongly suggest taking your servers suggestions when it comes to your drink as I ended up not being a huge fan of the drink I created. Sometimes too many options can create a bit of chaos in your cup. Their preset cocktails however are thoroughly delicious, and I really enjoyed their charcuterie plate, especially since they have a late night kitchen and this is a good place to get that final drink and a bit of food in your stomach. The staff is also super nice and helpful when it comes to the menu, and when I told my server that I was a bartender as well they gave me 10% off the bill. Definitely check this place out for a cocktail bar that's on par with the rest of the city but also has a bit more of a laid back vibe.

Nestled away in TriBeca, this hidden bar is easiy to miss when walking by. Inside you will find an excellent, competent bar staff. The bespoke cocktails have turned out pretty well the couple of times I went. The drinks on the menu are also very good. The food is pretty good, but I wasn't wowed by it. I went for the drinks, but the food was a bit pricy for what it was. A great night to go is on Mondays when they have free whiskey tastings. A knowledgeable fellow imparted whiskey wisdom as we were led through different ages and types of whiskey to learn about how each difference affects the taste. Try to stop by for drinks.

It's another speakeasy, but this one doesn't take itself as seriously as your Angel's Share or Milk and Honey. It does, however, give you the same personalized treatment in cocktail tailoring, but with a set list of flavor/texture descriptions to, I suppose, guide the bartender's guesswork. I ordered a michelada, which wasn't on the menu, but the waitress said she'd see if the bartender could do it. He could, and it wasn't half bad. (Granted, a respectable bartender should be able to make standard drinks on cue, but you'd be surprised...) The din in this place is deafening. I literally couldn't hear the person sitting next to me (Grandma likes a nice quiet conversation), but the crowd is pretty smart and sophisticated and the drinks are great.