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Little Branch

Critics' Pick

20 Seventh Ave. South, New York, NY 10011
at Leroy St. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-929-4360 Send to Phone

Reader Rating:
7.1 out of 10
|
10 Reviews | Write a Review
Scene: Hot Spot, Live Music, Private Party Space, Romantic

Photo by Carmen Lopez and AJ Wilhelm

Map Rate & Review

Hours

Daily, 7pm-3am

Nearby Subway Stops

1 at Houston St.; A, B, C, D, E, F, V at W. 4th St.-Washington Sq.

Payment Methods

Cash Only

Profile

The third arm of hallowed drinkslinger Sasha Petraske’s empire is a kindler, gentler, larger permutation of its predecessor: The bartenders wear suspenders and many of the old rules still apply (no talking loudly or misbehaving), but Milk & Honey’s pressed-tin aesthetic has been replaced with a warm color scheme of mustard-painted walls and low ceilings made from orange-painted sheets of corrugated steel. An old standup piano occasionally used by jazz trios also lightens up the subterranean location. Yet, although the vibe is looser, the mixology is still rigorous: The staff arrives two hours ahead of opening to squeeze fresh juice, chill glasses, and cut blocks of ice (to keep the drinks from diluting quickly). Name your favorite liquor and they’ll give you an encyclopedic list of old-fashioned cocktails and egg flips that incorporate it. Yes, they may serve the best mojito this side of Havana, but why settle for that when they also make the Trinidadian version: the Queens Park Swizzle. This ruby-colored variation uses bitters to give it a tart, eye-opening flavor. An abundance of booths makes walk-ins a cinch. But for a lesson in libations the true alcohol aficionados will stand at the bar. — Daniel Maurer

Live Jazz

Sundays through Wednesdays at around 10:30 p.m. catch performances of different styles of jazz, from standards to Brazilian.

Anyone complaining about the large blocks of ice in thier drinks is completely missing the point of this bar. This is not a place to get drunk. This is a place to enjoy well-crafted, artisanal cocktails made by bartenders who have truly mastered the art of mixology. The short wait to get inside is completely worth it (I went on a Saturday night and waited for only 5 minutes). The bar is never too crowded, no loud music plays over your conversation, and the staff is as polite as can be. This bar exists for its cocktails, and each is made to perfection. I began with a Dark and Stormy and instantly fell in love. I decided to see what else these masters could whip up. I ordered a Sazerac, a Sidecar, a Ramos Fizz (it was the single best Ramos Fizz I've had in my life). I apologized to the waitress for ordering so many drinks that weren't on the menu. Her response: "Oh, that's what we do here! The menu is merely suggestions." The only drawback is their cash only policy. I recommend this bar to anyone looking for a well-made cocktail.

Beyond absurd

uwsfoodfan from 10025 | Posted on 4/5/09

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)

A friend is moving abroad, so we wanted a quality cocktail night out on Sat., April 4. She was already downstairs, so I told the tall, young doorman I was meeting her. He replied that there was a capacity issue and that I'd have to wait. She then came up and verified I was her date--to no avail. At that moment, 7 people left between us, and he said he'd have to check with management before anyone could enter. He explained he was subbing, as if no one should expect the EMT to perform brain surgery. I asked my friend to get her money back so we could leave. 3 other women on line left, disgusted. Then an Asian woman came up and asked for me by name. I joined my friend to finish up. Tables were full, the bar nearly empty. The place is a spare, dim, colorless room. Drinks were rushed at the bar, as was the waitress. By the time we left, the bar was full (capacity be damned!). Yes, the drinks were tasty, but the incompetent hospitality just makes the place irrelevant, especially at this point in time.

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