New York, NY

 I had, perhaps, my BEST whiskey bar experience ever here!  But first let me tell you how I ended up here.  In town for Lainey Wilson’s first ever show at Radio City Music Hall, I had a block of time the night before to select a spot for an Old Fashioned review.  On The Rocks, NY was not my first choice, although it came up repeatedly in my searches.  My first choice was the Blue Bar, a bar I have been in several times over the years.  It offered a cool vibe, great craft cocktails and staff dressed in tuxedos.  It has been featured in the hit TV series Mad Men many times.  A bar that I was excited to include in my Old Fashioned reviews. So, I made my way on foot from my Midtown Manhattan hotel. 

When I arrived, something was off.  The bar had shut down.  A casualty of the epidemic.  It had been years since I had been here, and I was devastated this no longer existed.  They had basically moved it next door to the attached Algonquin Hotel’s lobby.  Nope, not the same.  Not even relatively close.  I left almost immediately after I sat down in total disappointment. It was time for Plan B.

As I mentioned earlier. On The Rocks came up in my initial searches.  Reviews were strong.  But it was painted as a small joint and I didn’t really want to be part of a standing room crowd.  Have you ever had the feeling that when plans go south that maybe it happened for a reason?  This is where I was mentally. This bar continued to poke at me, so I decided to give it a shot.  I love walking in NYC and in no time, I found myself on 49^th Street and Tenth Avenue, in Hell’s Kitchen.  I walked past the place on first approach.  Checking the nearby addresses, I double backed and made my entrance.  Yep, it was as small as advertised.  But I was happy to find a few seats at the bar. 

It was 90 degrees that day and I was warm after the walk.  Their air conditioner was on the fritz and I questioned my decision if I should even stay.  But I was thirsty and gave it a go. The place was warm inside, dimly lit.  No frills. Thirteen seats at the bar.  That was it.  No lounge chairs, no furniture.  I later learned, with standing room, total occupancy was 25 patrons. This was a bit counter to NY’s elaborate bars.  As I settled in, I liked it more and more.  Call it a hole in the wall or call it a dive bar.  But don’t judge this book by its cover. On The Rocks was a hidden gem and just got better as the night progressed.

Upon entering, I was greeted by Patrick, behind the bar.  I hesitate to limit him as a bartender as he was an encyclopedia of whiskey knowledge. I told him a bit about myself, what I liked to drink, and this being included in my blog.  Patrick explained that he made his own Old Fashioned base, a 2:1 mixture of brown sugar to Demerara syrup.  He concocts his own bitters.  Ha!  I was outmatched and I knew it immediately.  We decided upon the Sagamore Double Oak.  He added a Luxardo Cherry, ice and stirred exactly 15 times.  It was delicious.

One thing I enjoy about whiskey is that is that it is a community.  Not only was Patick beyond my expertise, but he was also honest, and open to discussion, never once making me feel lesser for my questions.  It was such a great sit that  I, of course, sampled a few other bottles and was enjoying the entire experience.  Their AC even started to work.  Then something magical happened…

Howie, the proprietor of On The Rocks, called me down to sit by him at the other end of the bar.  I didn’t know he was the owner.  I believed he was just a patron who called me down to buy me a round.  He did, then told me a bit of his story and 55 years in the business. Howie was a character.  A mid 70’s gentlemen with a more sprightful attitude. He’s been around and told me some great stories. He asked Patrick to bring this bottle down and that bottle down, pouring me samples to savor.  I didn’t know what was happening, I was like a kid in a candy store.  I guess he took a liking to me. 

At this moment, their Brown Forman rep appeared and ordered a pour of their Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition-a $3,000 bottle!  She left after a bit and he poured me one.  I don’t think I’ve ever drank something so expensive.  And it was so good!  Then he pulled down the Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 Year Rye.  I’ve never had that, and it was the tastiest pour I’d ever enjoyed.

As I left three hours later, I was thinking how great this night turned out.  My expectations were low after my initial plans fizzled. But how high they turned out!  I even went there the next night after the Lainey show. Listen, I love new places and new whiskey experiences. This was a place that exceeded expectations.  If you are ever in NYC with an hour to kill, get to On The Rocks. Ask for Patrick and he will tailor a drink that suits your taste.  And if you see a gentleman on the end of the bar chewing on his cigar, tell Howie that The Nashville Whiskey Guy sent you.