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We might have some interior shots of Billyburg's first cocktail palace, but we confess to being too hung-over after our visit from one too many elderflower tequila gimlets, which is what happens when you ask the barkeep there to make you something with tequila. The cocktail list boasts of one original, the Commandant’s Cocktail (it contains pear cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice, and green chartreuse), but mixologist Jeff Hanson’s renditions of the Last Word, Corpse Reviver No. 2, the Hemingway Daiquiri, and the Seelbach Cocktail are plenty revelatory. As for checking into the Hotel when there’s no vacancy: the place is operating à la Death & Co., with a doorman turning away parties and taking cell numbers. One other thing: Barchitect Michael Smart took a cue from Pastis when he installed the gorgeous communal sink and subway tiles in the bathroom, but he managed to trump even McNally with the W.C. proper. Bravo! Finally, a bit of trivia: You’d never know it, but the place used to be a tattoo parlor. Now the only thing that’ll hurt is the check. — Daniel Maurer