Bars+Lounges : USA : NY : New York : Bathtub Gin

Bars+Lounges : USA : NY : New York

About Bathtub Gin

A red light glowing inside the Stone Street Coffee Company (and the seemingly out-of-place gaggle waiting to get in) may provide a clue that there’s more than just coffee inside this tiny storefront. Behind an innocuous door, Bathtub Gin's name may conjure Prohibition-era moonshine (naturally they have a namesake copper bathtub prominently displayed in the center of the bar), but the owners wisely decided to focus their cocktail list on recipes predating the bathtub brewing decade. Try the Martinez (the precursor to the martini) made with junipero gin, dolin rouge, maraschino liqueur, bokers bitters and lemon oils or the Clover Club (gin, dry vermouth, lemon juice, egg white, raspberry liqueur, fresh raspberries), $14 each. Bar food is a modern fusion affair with menu items including truffle mushroom ricotta gnocchi, tuna tartare with taro root chips and mango salsa, and flatbread with fresh mozzarella and eggplant caponata. Weeknights offer an opportunity to sink back in one of the speakeasy’s plush, damask banquettes over a cocktail or two while weekends are more raucous, drawing twenty and thirtysomething crowds away from the nearby MePa scene with DJs spinning dance tracks. That said, late night bathtub lolling is encouraged—seven days a week.

Bathtub Gin Review By Victoria G. : New York, NY

Done and Done. This may be the first time that I have absolutely nothing negative to say!...Not only do I love speakeasies (ok, it borders on slight obsession), but I love gin...you know what else I love?...a gin-centric speakeasy with phenom food as well.

Once through the small coffeeshop (well done NYC), the vibe is very much like Raine's Law...though a bit darker and with more room to stand at the bar area in the front...in fact this was something I really appreciated about this place over Raine's and Death and Co--the ability to stand if need be and not feel like you're awkwardly in everybody's way, watching this weird throwback scene happening in front of you like a spectator--in this joint, you're very much in it to win it.

My girl and I arrived without reservation (didnt even know you could make them--so take note) and because she was planning to eat a little something, we were able to sit immediately--which was fabulous. We shimmied in between two couples and immersed ourselves in the menu. Our waitress was a doll and, another nod to the greatness of this place, was vry knowledgeable about the entire menu and was able to narrow down our options based on the flavor profiles we were seeking. We stuck with gin and I opted for the grapefruit based 'tail as well as one off the menu which was fabulous--gin, persecco, cucumbers---mmmmmmm. We also tried a few of the sweeter-sided drinks--all were perfectly balanced and really showed off the gin without being too overpowering or in your face. 

I wish I hadn't made plans to have dinner elsewhere because the food was amazing--luckily, my girlie was hungry and I got to sample the truffle fries (yumm-the spiced mayo/aoli was to die) and the caprese salad was fresh and a great light option. There so many other things on the menu I was dying to try--mushroom gnocci, flatbread, hummus, greek salad....I could go on.

All in all, Bathtub is the perfect spot to while away the hours (with a date, a friend, a small group you'd like to impress perhaps), bonny and clyde style--where the vibe will have you coming and the exceptional drinks (and creative small bites) will have you staying.


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Address 132 9th Ave (between 18th St & 19th St), New York, NY 10011 | Phone (646)559-1671

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