Brandy Library 25 N. Moore St. (Varick & Hudson Sts.)
TriBeCa
212.226.5545
Brandy Library:
Ladies, if you’re wondering where all the men are, this is your spot. Brandy Library is the brainchild of Flavien Desoblin, a brandy lover and native of Burgundy who dreamed of opening a bar devoted to his favorite spirit. Rows and rows of amber and green bottles line the shelves, and “Spirit Sommeliers” climb ladders to pluck them down for serving and tastings. Don’t be surprised if you spend the entire evening poring over the menu: These leather binders have “chapters” and even an acknowledgments page. A “retail” section offers perfumes, jewelry, and even an umbrella ($15). The literary theme continues in décor evocative of the reading room in the Bryant Park NYPL, and there are no bartenders—that’s “librarians,” thank you very much. Soft amber lighting tops off the romantic-meets-deal-making atmosphere.
Giving one star for the booze selection and one for the space itself which is gorgeous. but our bartender totally ruined the experience. slow as molasses, plus he didn't seem to know how to work the computer/register. he then forgot to pour my shot, b/c i dashed off to the loo after ordering my whisky, and this is a place that insists you be there for your pour so you can sample, then yay or nay it. (they then put 'your' bottle in front of you on the bar). so he finally poured my shot about 10 minutes after i returned from the loo, and only after i had to harass him while he stood baffled at the register. he poured with nary an apology, just an 'oh, i forgot.' later, when we asked for the bill, for some reason he only charged us for our accompanying bottled water, our two whiskys weren't on the bill. so we would have been within our rights to give him the $6 for our bill and head for the door. instead, we waited another ten minutes for him to mosey down to our end of the bar where we pointed out his $30 omission. we left wondering if he was simply the worst bartender in the world, or if he just didn't like us. maybe the table service is better, but i'll never know, there are a thousand bars in this city, so i won't waste another cent or evening at this one.
