The Top 3 Speakeasy Bars in New York

The non-descript entrance to Death & Co 

The passage of the Brooks High License Act in Pennsylvania in 1888 requiring saloon owners to increase their taxes from $50 to $500 immediately resulted in the closing of "legal" drinking establishments thus opening the doors for speakeasy's to operate under the radar to sustain their businesses. One McKeesport, Pennsylvania "illegal" saloon owner, Kate Hesler,  is credited for coining the term "speakeasy" when she instructed her saloon guests to
"Speak easy, boys! Speak easy" when things start getting out of hand. The resurgence of the speakeasy became more prominent during the prohibition years.

The allure of the speakeasy continues to this day. Speakeasy's usually have a secret code, passageway or a fake storefront to cover up the "illegal" activity inside the bar. New York claims three of the top speakeasy's in America. Each with it's signature libation and seductive appeal.

On this fateful night in the city, my speakeasy tour guides were my brother, Brian, and his girlfriend, Vivian. No online research can replace the inside knowledge of locals. Brian and Vivian are the perfect companions for they provide first hand experience from each joint along with the occasional friend guarding the door or tending the bar. We hit four bars but one bar, PDT, failed miserably on the guest service portion by putting us on a 45 minute wait list but neglecting to call us when a table became available. So much for the hype on the Travel Channel - PDT is banned from my list of reputable speakeasy's.

MAYAHUEL

304 E. 6th st.

212.253.5888

Subway: Astor Pl. 8th st Lexington

Dig: home to the best bar tacos and tequila cocktails in NYC

Mayahuel's basement bar is home to the finest tequila cocktails. From the 

basic blanco to reposado to anejo to mezcal. Every cocktail on the list

raises tequila's status from bar shot torture to cocktail heaven. 

Michelada - spicy sangrita with citrus & beer $9

I've had my share of incredible tacos, but Mayahuel's is special. Above is

the chorizo and tinga (stewed pork) tacos with cilantro, radishes and lime.

DEATH & Co.

433 E 6th

212.388.0882

Subway: Astor Pl 8th st Lexington

Dig: NYC's best mixologists work here

The menu ups the ante on bar food - Goat Cheese Profiteroles with red

pepper and Mexican honey $12 to Crispy Pork Belly with polenta, mission

figs, port glaze $14.

Last train to Oaxaca - Pueblo Viejo Anejo, Los

Amantes Joven Mezcal, Lillet Blanc, Don's

Spices $13

Floor to ceiling wood sets the masculine tone at Death & Co

Chandelier above our booth

Hotel Delmano

82 Berry St Williamsburg, Brooklyn

718.387.1945

Subway: take a cab

Dig: Old Buenos Aires atmosphere, good but pricey cocktails

Despite the name, don't expect a bellman to escort

you to your room because there are none. This

former tattoo parlor is divided into three salons

filled with thirty something Brooklynites

The red salon

Delmano's unisex bathroom is a voyeur's legal

delight.

An authentic Parisian absinthe dispenser

Buenos Aires finds

Why not...
PDT
113 St. Marks Pl
212.614.0386
Take the steps down to Crif Dogs, go inside the
phone booth and beg for admittance

"Secret" entrance to PDT

Vivian on the phone - only to be forgotten by
the hostess guarding the secret door

14 Things I learned during ArtPrize

There is no question that ArtPrize 2.0 topped 1.0 in many levels. The crowds were huge every day. Hotels and restaurants were considerably busier throughout the whole 19 day duration and not just the weekends. And the debate about "what is art" is bound to continue just like the debate about the BCS and college football playoffs. ArtPrize is about the joy of witnessing young children peering behind a "pretty scary monk" sculpture. ArtPrize is seeing busloads
of senior citizens underneath a gigantic steamed pig; wondering whatever happened to the still life's of floral vases and portraits of farmers with pitch forks. ArtPrize is always about the "conversation" and not necessarily about whose interpretation of "art" is more qualified to pick the winners. So as we close the books on this year's ArtPrize, here's my own version of what I learned during ArtPrize 2010.

1. In the end, regardless of all the "what is art" debate, the best art wins...

 2. Some artists participate for the love of our city...

 3. I learned that I love taking pictures of empty benches in front of art...

4. And photos of suspended objects...

 5. Some are simply amazing for it's complexity...

 6. And scale really matters in cracking the Top 100...

7. That I am fascinated with artists who collect "stuff" and organize them...

8. Some art are worth a second look...

9. That I'm bound to be disappointed that one my favorites doesn't make the Top 10...

10. That I really didn't care for art carved in wood, made of toothpicks or of animals...

11. That long lines, while daunting, is a pleasant sight in Grand Rapids...

12. That music can invigorate an art crowd...

13. And some pieces are creepy for appearing so real...

14. And finally, conversations about art is always better with a glass of wine. 

ArtPrize: One Last Look

I can guarantee you that I wasn't the only fan who made a last ditch effort to see as many entries on this last weekend of ArtPrize. The picture-perfect, 75 degrees and sunny weekend brought every living soul out on the streets of Grand Rapids. The hotels were full. The restaurants were packed. Lines outside the Art Museum were reminiscent of the first

weekend. After 19 days, the downtown buzz of activity has become, yes, almost normal.

I do regret missing out on seeing at least 60% of the 1,700+ entries. But, it's just impossible to see every entry with work and family obligations. And I feel bad because after seeing so many fantastic pieces this past weekend, I'm sure that there are many more world-class pieces I never had the chance to see. That's ArtPrize.

Unlike last year, when crowds hit ArtPrize on the three weekends, this year, every day was like a weekend. It was simply amazing to see the enthusiasm and energy in the city. Art was the topic of conversations in every nook of the city - from the coffee shops to the office. I looking forward to ArtPrize 2011, though, I am so glad to get back to some sort of normalcy tomorrow. Even the best things, must come to a close.