ReALTO review of Gin Palace
ReALTO review of Gin Palace
ReALTO review of Gin Palace
95 Avenue A
Five words changed my life 3 weeks ago. “Gin and Tonic. On. Tap.” A metaphor isn’t even needed for Gin Palace, because its title speaks for itself. I skipped through those magical doors one Saturday night at the behest of my friend Rosemary. (I already feel like I am writing a fairy tale. Palace? Rosemary? Yes, it’s all true.) I met her on the corner outside its unmarked entrance at the corner of 6th and A. I was half expecting there to be a line– it was Saturday, it was 11, and I was running late. Instead we were let in and passed through a black curtain into a dim room with what appeared to be a cage and patrons strewn about like some sort of brothel in Deadwood. The space is small but utilized with crate-like banquettes lining the walls (and cage) to the right and what I like to call “stadium seating” to the left and across from the bar. A three-tiered stack of long leather backed benches.
The stadium seating at right.
We wound our way to the bar, feeling like I was playing basketball in gym again and all the cool kids were in the bleachers watching. We were handed a menu of gin drinks of all kinds but I had my heart set on one thing and didn’t even sample any of the more intricate options. “Two gin and tonics, please” I said, almost breathless. I really was going to have gin and tonic from a tap. There really was mass amounts of gin in this bar. It was all too surreal. It may seem base to review a gin and tonic but this is Gin Palace and so, a G+T had to be enjoyed.
We sat with the cage to our backs and toasted. It was delicious. I had feared the worst, of course. I was nervous that coming from a tap, a G+T would be all tonic and no gin. But I was wrong. It was perfectly in balance; which also made it perfectly dangerous… as all gin drinks should be. We sipped our well-curated beverages and chatted over loud music.
It was dark but we were just able to watch the two women across from us make-out on one of the banquettes. Gin Palace is not a place for inhibitions. I felt all at once that it would be a great place for a date or to be single. I was running zero on both accounts. As two straight girls looking to have a good time and catch up, Gin Palace was a little bit too much gin and not enough tonic for us but we enjoyed two drinks and were able to engage in some serious people watching.
Banquettes and cage.
It was not long after my adventure that Gin Palace was slapped on the wrist for it’s most beautiful offering, yes the G+T on tap, and forced to shut the tap down. (You can view that story here.) And I was deeply saddened by the news. I believe Rosemary posted the article to my Facebook wall exclaiming, “Nooooooooo!” We loved those damn drinks that much.
At any rate, I would definitely check out Gin Palace the next time you are looking for a dark spot with attractive singles or dark corners to sip drinks with your significant other. The tap may be gone, but cocktails are still being poured the way we all know and love.
Check out some of Amanda’s other posts!
Editor’s Note: Pictures from NyMag’s Grub Street.