New York

11.10.08

Beekman Bar and Books

889 1st Ave, at 50th; 212.758.6600

While people incessantly bitch about "rules, man", restraining human behavior can be a positive: "don't touch the third rail" prevents certain death, and "don't touch your sister" prevents certain Elephant Babies. For elegantly strictured imbibing, hit Beekman Bar and Books.

Professorially swank with a fireplace, bookshelves, and leather arm chairs, Beekman's the third cigar & whiskey parlor from the Bar and Books vice-hounds, who're imposing two new rules for their latest: as ordained by NYC, smoking's backroom only (so those who wish can drown sorrows w/o adding "dry cleaning bill" to them), and patrons' threads must now match the tony surrounds (no sneakers, jackets preferred, and generally no dressing like Survivor: Orchard Street). Pours cover 150+ US and world whiskeys (Pappy Van Winkle 20yr, Michter's 10yr straight rye, Knappogue Castle, etc), plus scotch (Bowmore, Dallas Dhu, Fettercairn...), and 1/2oz tasting flights of six brands, e.g., The Macallan (12yr up to Cask Strength), and The Johnnie Walker, from "Red" to "Green" to the malt-heavy, almost bourbon-sweet,"Swing" -- named after the dancing of its era, today it'd be called Johnnie Walker "Krump". Beekman's stogies range from the Padron 3000 Corona Gorda (notes of coffee and chocolate), to the Partagas Purito (nutmeg and allspice), to the reserve list's Davidoff Anniversario No.1, which "smokes as a good novel reads" (neat, but can it prop up a coffee table?).

Beekman admits their dress policy carries a slight "f*ck you factor", but if you're denied they'll comp you a free drink at any other Bar and Books location -- initiating your new rule, "must show up nightly in man-tank and K-Swiss".

Beekman also has framed photos of monkeys. Check the cigar and whiskey menu at Thrillist.com