Mixology: Idle Hands Bar, NYC1

by Annarose

A column which highlights some of SG’s fave watering holes and the house specialities served up in them. This week we pull up a stool at the Idle Hands Bar in NYC.

Bourbon, beer, and rock…oh my! Celebrating a one year anniversary in the East Village of New York City, Idle Hands Bar is a classy place to toss back a few brews and rock out. The libation station carries over 85 different bottles of bourbon and over 50 craft beers from across the globe. In addition, they recently partnered with That Burger and now serve some of the best burgers in Manhattan at a reasonable price (ranging from $5.50 to $11.00).

After talking with Marc Schapiro and Rob Morton, partner owners of Idle Hands, it became clear to me that their overall goal is to have a good time with delicious drinks and rockin’ music. They frequently host parties for bands and have a reputation for awesome post-concert afterparties. Prior to opening the bar, the guys worked in the music/entertainment industry with bands like Shadows Fall, Thursday, Dillinger Escape Plan, and various record companies. Marc also told me that As I Lay Dying and All Time Low have partied at Idle Hands, which just so happen to be two of my favorite bands.

Rob, the head bartender, sent me the recipe for his signature drink, the Battle of New Orleans, which is a twist on an old-fashioned whiskey cocktail called the Sazerac that Rob’s finessed with his own unique spin.

Idle Hands’ Battle of New Orleans

2oz bourbon
1.5oz Simple Syrup
Dash Angostura Bitters
Dash Peychaud’s Bitters
Touch of Herbsaint to rinse the glass

Served in a champagne coup

In a pint glass add bourbon, simple syrup, both bitters and lots of ice. Stir for 8-10 seconds to chill the liquid and impart a little water. In the coup add the Herbsaint, tilt the glass and rotate to coat the inside, and then dump the extra. Strain the cocktail into the coup and garnish with the lemon twist.

I’m planning on heading to New York City in December and will absolutely be stopping by to check out the scene. Marc told me that he is a “big fan of SuicideGirls” so I’m pretty positive that I’ll quickly become a big fan of Idle Hands. Unique bourbons, cold brews, and rock & roll?! Sounds like a party I am not going to want to miss!

Find Idle Hands on the interweb, Facebook and Twitter.

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