I'm not sure why this place didn't pop up on my radar sooner! A friend of mine, from out of town (Chicago no less) had to tell me about it. He suggested we meet up on one his fly-bys and I obliged. The bourbon and whiskey list is EXTENSIVE. If you're an aficionado of either, I challenge you to think of something they might not have. I bet you they'll have it. If you're not into whiskey/bourbon they have cocktails too. They've also got a solid menu of food an snacks. The setup is a really classy looking bar with clean woodwork. The dining area is pretty open spaced. The tables didn't look too close together. I would say this is an excellent date spot. Take a look around the corner to the back of the establishment and you'll find a smaller room with a pool table. We migrated there the moment we found it. I could keep going on about the service (STELLAR) and the tasty drinks but the bottom line is that you need to go! Grab your inner circle and make a visit! read more

The Richardson - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Love this place! Don't sleep on the frozen Bee Arthur's Knees drink, it's delicious and comes in a cute honey bear shaped glass.

Great ambiance. Solid cocktails. Jovial atmosphere without being too crowded (Saturday night). read more

The Richardson - Old fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This place great ambiance, very chill spot. I don't drink and they have cute tasty mock-tails. The only thing I have to say is I wish there were more food selections. Their hummus and chips were really yummy. One server in particular was great, very attentive and amazing memory, her name is Haley. read more

I recently rented out the back private room for a wedding event for my daughter. We had a variety of appetizers that were excellent, the host Chris was helpful and attentive. The wait staff was excellent. The cocktails were delicious. I highly recommend this spot! read more

Old school tavern atmosphere where the bartenders wear aprons and the lighting is dim. Pretty impressive whiskey selection with a lot of bottles that I don't see often. Pricing for these rare whiskies is at a premium with a handful of ~$100ish pours. I decided to go with the 13 year old Russell's Reserve as I haven't seen it before and thought the pricing was more favorable than some of the other options. Service was superb. The bartender was quick, attentive, and accommodating. If you're into the Pappy Van Winkle hype, then you'll love the selection here. read more

Really really liked this place and specifically the Oaxacan Reviver drink that I (and three of my friends) ordered. It was probably one of the best and most unique cocktails I've ever had in NYC - as soon as I saw 4 different liquors, thai coconut milk, AND espresso in the description I knew I had to have it. It was kind of like a combination of an espresso martini and a Vietnamese coffee? Regardless it was delicious and STRONG. Other than that, I love the way they divide the menu by flavor / type (laughed at the category 'mas fuerte') - all the drinks sounded delicious and I want to return to try the Harvester of Sorrow. The one thing I will say is that they charge $5 for a bag of chips still in the bag which felt like a slight con but hey, that's New York. read more

The Richardson - Oaxacan Reviver - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This spot is so, so cute! It's right off the highway and away from the hustle and bustle of Bedford. We went on a Friday night and it was super mellow. We had a table and back area pretty much to ourselves. Inside it's dimly lit with tons of candles, tables, bar tops and a killer cocktail menu. Cocktails range from $9-13. I tried both gin cocktails and really loved the Have A Heart. There's also some outdoor seating and a small bar menu with meat & cheese, hummus, etc. I highly recommend it here! :) read more

The Richardson - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I love this place! I used to live a few blocks away, but moved further up into Greenpoint and then to Astoria. I still take the train and 2 buses to get here because it is that good! They have an old-school speakeasy kind of vibe. There is a lot of dark wood, fancy wallpaper and fancy drinks! The bartenders even do the whole slicked-back hair, white shirt and vest type thing. They have a great cocktail menu with a lot of variety (and beer & wine too). Cocktails will run you $9-12, but you get the same quality and booze-content as a place like PDT or the Flatiron Lounge for less dough. I have never had a bad drink or experience here. On my most recent visit (3-days ago), I tried some of their meat and cheeses and those were very tasty as well. The bartender was fairly new to The Richardson, but he fit right in by A. making expert cocktails B. being friendly and C. being quite handsome *wink wink*. Had a birthday party here a few years ago and was able to get a section for me and my friends - no muss, no fuss, no minimums. It was the least stressful birthday I've ever had! Note to self - have next birthday at The Richardson! read more

Great drinks and staff, but what is the deal with them keeping all the doors open and the bar at like 50 degrees? My entire group was wearing our coats, hoods and hats indoors. I barely had a drink and a half, ordered some apps (they were alright, but got cold immediately), but was shivering and so tense the entire duration of my two hour stay that when I arrived home I promptly threw everything up. Gross. And annoying. Who wants to hang out at a bar where it's uncomfortably cold, despite being bundled up to the neck in your coat? Maybe I should have had a stronger cocktail or something? Don't come here if you're looking for a cozy place to hang out on a chilly night. Oh, there was also someone smoking a cigar or pipe just outside the open back door and the entire place smelled nauseating. read more

The Richardson is in my neighborhood and I've been going there occasionally for the few years that I've lived near Graham Ave. I've known for a while that this spot has a great whisk(e)y selection, solid wine list, and is a mainstay for late night food. The establishment is very detail oriented, from the presentation and professionalism of the staff to the interior design and cleanliness of the space. Recently I hosted a party there for a friend's birthday and I must say that Joel and the Richardson staff did a fantastic job. The arrangement of the reservation was clear and straightforward. They were very prompt responding to questions and very patient with me as I gathered details about the guests. Perhaps most importantly, the service during our event was spot on and our night went without a hitch. read more

Most Saturday nights, all I want to do is curl up on my couch with a white wine spritzer, watch Nights in Rodanthe and have a good cry. But if that's not happening, The Richardson is a close second. The bar is beautiful, the staff is friendly and the entire place is much, much classier than the clientele (me) and the prices ($9 cocktails and $5 pints) would have you believe. read more

Whenever I find myself wandering about in Williamsburg, I'm either eating something wonderful or drinking something stiff. When it comes to cocktails, the drinks don't get any stiffer than The Richardson. Away from the action of Bedford with the feel of a speakeasy, this is a place to get away without actually getting away. A good way to start is with any of their classic cocktails ($11). I can always depend on a quality Manhattan here, doused in 81 proof whiskey. An Old Fashioned is also recommended, but the Brooklyn (dry vermouth, amer torani, maraschino liqueur, whiskey) has been slowly winning me over. There is no doubt that these drinks are some of the most consistently well made in the house. The house cocktails ($12) deserve some mention as well. Even though I'm not really a fan of Polish Rye Vodka, the Dandy is surprisingly refreshing with its cucumber and lime juice base. The tequila (reposado) based Borderlands is an awesome choice, with just enough kick and bitters to keep you from falling asleep at the table. The potency of each drink leaves lots of potential for quality intoxication. That is especially true for the $16 Barrel 69 Old Fashioned, made with a 110 proof bourbon that supposedly can only be found at The Richardson. It is smooth, very strong, and is unlike most Manhattans one can find in the borough. Beware, 1 or 2 rounds may result in the room spinning a bit. Sip slowly and accordingly. Where the drinks thrive, the food disappoints somewhat. A $10 Hummus and Egg sandwich was less than satisfying and the El Royale ($12) is skimping a tad on the speck. I'm still not sure what to make of the salads or the cheese / meat plates, but I haven't particularly enjoyed them given the price tag or portion. I'll stick with the drinks for now. read more

Most of my dates end successfully. I don't say this to brag. It's the truth. An excruciatingly stylish, painfully handsome, impossibly classy gent like me has a hard time failing in seduction. It's my art. It's my burden, too, I know. We all have one to bear. Yours is probably something else. One key tactic - aside from nice teeth and well-groomed sideburns - to unlocking an incessantly-winning track record like mine is selecting the right joint to work the craft on a date. I frequently tell my disciples to pick a relaxed atmosphere, an upscale experience, something not flashy. Divulge your refined sense of taste but don't flaunt it, I say. Time and time again, I lure a dame to the Richardson, a relaxed, upscale, but not flashy bar with good house drinks and a small but well-developed menu. Because it's the only game I have, I ask, "have you ever heard about Yelp"? And they say "Yeah." And I say "I occasionally write reviews on Yelp." "Are you a writer?" she typically asks. "Like a Chaucer of chow, Balzac of bites, the Rabelais of regional restaurant reviews," I respond, regardless of what she actually asked. Chicks dig guys who can read books or reference lyrics from the Broadway hit The Music Man, which I just did. Doe-eyed and already breathless from impending mental exhaustion, the date inevitably asks for recommendations. "One word for you, sister," I say. "Gravlax Platter." Soon we're ordering deviled eggs and pickles. I try to eat only 3 of the 4 eggs on the plate. We alternate turns stabbing briny cucumbers with our toothpicks. Things really heat up and it's on to cheeses. Maybe cured meats too, if she's not said something about not eating animals because of "ethical principles", a common Williamsburg type. Who has time for principles? Neither one of us has breath to be shared in polite company after these small plates. All standards are out the door. Game on. I think I'm pacing myself over a few Big Red One cocktails but really, you can't. They're too potent. I'm using the smoothest conversational skills. I escalate, going for the kill. "I have a bicycle," I say. "Oh," she says. "That's... nice." "I work in the arts industry and often with non-profits, trying to do good for the disadvantaged rather than profit purely by gaming the financial system." She checks her phone to look for that bail-out call or text from her friends. I continue on, ask about her family, where she's from, what her most traumatic childhood memory is, what she would do if the zombie apocalypse happened tomorrow, and how many times she's seen Scarface. Having completely worn her down, I make my move. She rejects it. I accept the new challenge. "Can I call you?" "No," she says. "What if I email you?" "No, not that either." "How about Facebook? Can I..." "No." "Right. You find me," I say, "Let me give you my name." And I spell out my 11 character, unfortunately too-Polish last name. She's stopped paying attention at the "szew" part. I don't know why it's not a considered a sexy ethnic group to the average American, like the Bulgarians are, in spite of radiant counterexamples such as myself. In the case that she's not sneaked out the bathroom window or alternate exit by now, she gets up at this point. Holding back tears as she reflects on that childhood memory I dredged up before, as she walks for the door and leaves me to pay the check, violently, aimlessly, swatting at the air in a way I read as an aroused goodbye wave, I think about how I'm going to cyberstalk her tomorrow. Broseph, let me tell you, I am so good at this. read more

It is so sad when you can't remember a beautiful place like this until perhaps a year later, you accidentally stumble in and desperate to answer nature's call and all of a sudden, the memories flood back in. I do remember it was one of those nights where we ventured into Brooklyn and spent the whole time bouncing from bar to bar, but a lot of it is a blur. I remember my head was swimming. I do remember ordering a few snacks and it was way too much food. Deviled eggs was good. And also sardines on toast wasn't a bad choice either. We also ordered up 3 more plates, but couldn't finish anything. I remember having one strong cocktail, but can't recall the name. I remember wandering outside to get some fresh air because my mind was so foggy. But I also remember the interior being very sexy, with handsome waitstaff, all in suspenders. Lots of candles everywhere, sure to put everyone in a good mood. I also remember falling asleep on the subway with my head on your shoulder. And for a brief moment, I thought I could do this with you. But then in the morning, I realized it was all a dream that was conjured up from the Whiskey the night before... read more

"It was on the afternoon in the small wooden town that I was so mired in my act of jealousy I did not pay attention to the beauty of the dark church in front of me." - "The Open Sound of French," Dorothea Lasky The cheese is a dream. So are the bartenders. So are the Sunday afternoon waves. read more

The Richardson - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This charming and comfortable bar offers a cozy counter or table to pass the night away. The dapperly dressed bartenders (like Jon) work hard to create fine cocktails but also leave you with a bottle of water (lifesaver!) The damask, dark wood, and chandeliers has all been done before, but I still love it. The tables come with wait service, which would be annoying if the waitresses weren't so prompt and friendly. They serve simple foods and have a pleasing cheese and olive toast on the menu (Super-nice Alex is often back there making it for me... whoops good bye Alex we hardly knew ye). My only complaint is the actual cocktail menu - everything sounds good but includes at lease one of my no-no ingredients (gin, brandy, whiskey...) I've been pushing for a little more diversity on the menu... its called a Violet and it will be a hit, I swear! read more

The Richardson - Halloween! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Came here for a couple of drinks recently and it was enjoyable. The bartender Ben was very nice and just chilled out with us and talked. It's nice when you can just chat and enjoy a nice drink. The bar itself is a little dark and dreary for my liking, but that's honestly personal preference. The drinks are really good, strong, but good. They are on the pricier side with no happy hour to my knowledge, but it's Williamsburg, so that's that. They have a really nice outdoor seating area with ash trays. I would imagine it would be a very nice place to sit and relax with a drink in the summer because there was a lot of natural shade from the bar itself. read more

The Richardson - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We stopped by before dinner on Saturday night. The place was half full with most people crowded on or around the bar. The interior is very dark and sleek. This seems like a great place to come with a group of friends at the end of a night. I tried the Higgins' Sarsaparilla cocktail. Service was quick. We had to leave after a drink because of dinner reservations. The waitress gave us the number of a car service that helped us get around Williamsburg for the rest of the night. It didn't seem speakeasy to me because of the wide open area between the bar and tables, or am I just too used to crammed Manhattan speakeasies? read more

Old school Italian mixology place, they don't try to cater to vegans or GF, (my one friend who brought me here.) However, they have lots of great little dips hummus, olive spread, just no veggies instead of bread. I really liked the blue fish pâté. The prices were reasonable, I just wish the waitress had brought my bill instead of automatically charging the card I used to open the tab. I was planning to pay cash. read more

The Richardson - Blue Fish Pâté - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Steven was the best! Had a great time. Always an amazing experience here! Great cocktails, great service. What more could you ask for?

Love the Richardson. Great outdoor area in front. Delicious drinks. Covid safe. Sometimes it's hard to find a solid place in the area with so much to choose from - I'd say choose the Richardson read more

Total letdown. A quality bar experience requires more than a staff clad in old-timey outfits. One of the staff came to our table and made it clear that she wasn't here to take our order, only to take glassware (sorry, are we hogging all of your glassware??? Don't mean to inconvenience you). If a server is going to lead with what they're NOT going to do for you, they'd better be remarkably efficient or funny or have some redeeming quality, whereas this place was just too busy to care (and not busy with customers, it was far from full the last time I went). They did comp one drink for being out of one of the appetizers on the menu, which I give some points for, but when (out of our own confusion) we pressed them about it, we got a mini-lecture about how what they've been doing has been working for nine years (nine years!) and we'd best just be happy with their dressed-up bush league service. read more

They only serve snacks and cold food. I ordered clams but got served mussel. Pickled mussel is canned not fresh ones. read more

The Richardson - Cocktail & snacks menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Such a cute space with lots of charm! The bartenders have an elevated look in their aprons that give this place a more heightened feel. The cocktails are well made, well priced and thoughtfully curated. It's a great place for a date or hanging with friends and definitely feels way more special than many surrounding bars. read more

Was not there long but loved every bit of the decor and service. I trusted the bartender to make the decision of what wine to drink. The wine was amazing pic is posted to this review. Love the lighting. Prices were high but that's what ya get in a hip area in Brooklyn. Will return. Great stuff. Bathrooms clean and awesome. read more

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Awesome cocktail bar. It has a dark, intimate vibe to it... it will make you think- wow, this is quite a classy spot. The Richardson is absolutely beautiful. And the neighborhood knows it too -- this is the kind of place that draws in crowds from all over during the weekend nights and can be on the busy side up until the wee hours of the night / morning. Prices are right... service is on point... and the place has an awesome vibe to it. They've also got small bites on the menu (they should expand their food options out some more!) incase you find yourself craving something to nibble on. Check it out, for sure. read more

Swanky & cool yet friendly and casual at the same time, The Richardson fills a gap in the much needed hipster Williamsburg scene. Love The rat-pack vibe put front and center by manager / bartender Jon DeRosa. Choose from a variety of Mad Men inspired cocktails. A votre sante mes amis! PS - the nibbles are out of this world, baby! read more

Stopped in today for a quick take away beverage with my husband. Mike the server and the bartender (sorry! Don't remember his name) were so incredibly lovely, personable, hospitable, welcoming. I am a hospitality professional and this Staff made me so proud of our industry. Well done. Keep up the great work. read more

this new bar is classy. the atmosphere is warm and inviting with low key background music, a great place for great conversation. The tenders are swift, kind, and happy. stop by for a drink, or two. read more

The Richardson - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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This is the quintessential date night post date cuddle up spot. The food is really good and the cocktails are amazing.

This is one classy joint. With $9 cocktails that could knock out a hippopotamus, helpful tattooed bartenders in vests and shirtsleeves, beautiful vintage wallpaper, moody lighting, thoughtfully designed and sparkling clean bathrooms, and a cool, slightly older crowd, I'm going to go ahead and say that The Richardson is my favorite bar in Brooklyn. The prices scare my somewhat-employed-former-art-student-self, but you get serious bang for your buck, and anyway...every time I've come here I've been taken care of. I think the warm, late-1950s interior has something to do with this rash of generosity, as our bartender also brought over two free drinks for the big spenders in our group. If you go (and you must), get your inner Don Draper or Joan Holloway on. Wear something snappy, order a glass of aged Whiskey or an Old-Fashioned, and it'll be a night to remember. read more

The Richardson is the bar that every neighborhood needs. Imagine a bar in the spirit (ugh, pun not intended) of the recent prohibition-era speakeasy explosion, but without all the fuss. The Richardson is not a speakeasy--it has a sign on the door, and big windows you can see through from the street. To get in, you're not required to make a reservation using an unlisted number, pass through a phone booth, or troll a subterranean alleyway. You just go! How novel! And once you're there, you're in for a truly lovely evening. While not as plush and detailed as its local competitor Hotel Delmano, the Richardson is well-appointed with Damask-patterned wallpaper, dark mahogany paneling and frosty vintage-style (though I think not actual vintage) light fixtures. Our server was super friendly and nice (a sad rarity in high-end cocktail bars), and very helpful in recommending drinks from the balanced cocktail list. And the drinks!! Really excellent, easily rivaling their fancier contemporaries, even without hand-chiseled ice. I loved my Scottish Dew, a refreshing cucumber-y Scotch-based cocktail, as well as the signature drink, the Richardson Aperitif, made with Campari and grapefruit juice. Now, ladies and gentlemen, here's the kicker--all of these expertly-made and delicious-tasting drinks will run you just NINE DOLLARS. You heard me. No, you did not just step back in time to 1998--one Alexander Hamilton (with change!) is all it takes. I feel like somebody finally got it right, here. Quality drinks, nice people and a pleasant environment, without forcing you to eat ramen for the rest of the month. I'm super jealous of Kaelea A and her proximity to the Richardson--if I lived around the corner, I'd be here four nights a week, minimum. read more

I had heard tons of great things about this bar and had been avoiding a visit in fear that I'd be sorely disappointed. Finally, the chance arose to start a drunken pilgrimage to Graham and Richardson from Pete's Candy Store. We stumbled over with a wonderful crew, and it was history. As Mo has said, these drinks are STRONG. You are definitely getting your $9.00 worth at this joint. The $9.00 also pays for the ambiance. It's a classy, beautiful bar and the staff follow that route as well. They are dressed in white shirts and black vests, sleeves rolled up to show off their very Williamsburg tattoos. When I went I tried the Brooklyn and the Old Fashioned, of which I preferred the Old Fashioned. I think it was the Dry Vermouth in the Brooklyn that kind of turned me off. These drinks were made with such care. I hadn't seen such devoted bartenders in a long while. The man and I scored a free shot of some very fine whiskey as he knew one of the bartenders. It was after that shot, which came after the Brooklyn, where things get fuzzy. You know you had a good time when your boyfriend tells you that you were requesting that people touch your bum, and that you were discovered passed out half on the bed. I remember having a great time, but it's what I don't remember that seals the deal. Thanks you, Richardson! read more

I have a crush on The Richardson. It must be said that for certain bar components - say, green damask wallpaper, dark wood paneling and a Scotch-forward cocktail menu - I absolutely swoon. The same aesthetic that keeps me going to pricey pubs like Raines Law Room is applied more modestly here, and the ripple effect of a little bit of temperance - say, $9 cocktails and no doortitude - is endearing as hell. More than just a pretty face, Rich is no slouch behind the bar. The bartenders (I'm not sure, but I think they might take offense at the term 'mixologist'), in rolled-up-sleeves and sleeve tattoos, deliver hard-hitting, second-to-none, single-malt-based mixtures that make me - I've no apter words - very, very happy. read more

Place is good. Menu too large. Food selection too small. Ordered the beer plate - $12.00, got one cheddar in it (Expected more) If I could sum this up in one word I would say: Completely ok and don't expect much (Disappointing just like me using one word to describe this place) 10/10 would come back again but would not recommend to my friends. Maybe my coworkers though read more

On the day that we headed to the Richardson, the Twitter exchange between Colin S., The Richardson, and I looked something like this: Me: Just looked at The Richardson's cocktail menu & I want one of everything. Colin: We could make that happen! The Richardson: Good choice! * Oh boy. Colin was waiting for me when I got there, drink in hand. "You need to catch up!" a friendly bartender joked with me. Scanning the interior of the bar (there is also an outdoor seating area, but it was way too hot to think about drinking outside), I noticed beautiful wallpaper, the wooden floor, furniture, and bar area, and the numerous bottles of bitters placed at the bar. The bar is spacious and although sophisticated, has a very approachable and welcoming quality to it. On a scorching hot summer day, there's nothing as refreshing as a gin-based cocktail. The Singapore Sling, a cocktail made of gin, lemon juice, Angostura and Regan's Bitters did the trick. The orange bitters and lime juice really packed a tangy, citrus flavor. This is what I affectionately refer to as a "Patio Pounder" - the type of drink that is so refreshing on a hot summer day with dubious alcohol content (until you stand up and feel that pang of dizziness). For the second round, I ordered a Jack Rose - the bartender told me it was one of his favorite drinks to make and that I would not feel as though the apple brandy was overpowering on such a hot day. The lime juice and grenadine did a great job of making for a refreshing and smooth, yet strong cocktail. Because it was in our best interest to eat something after drinking 100 proof apple brandy, the two of us shared the Beer Drinker's Platter. Fortunately, this platter was also the perfect accompaniment for non-beer drinkers. Colin ate most of the pickles, but I was in heaven picking at the Cabot Clothbound Cheddar cheese. This was one of those hard, extra-sharp, stinky (read: amazing) cheeses. There were also crunchy pretzels served with a zesty mustard that also helped mitigate the effects of any drinking. In summary, I was a bit ambitious to think I could take on the drink menu in a single visit, but I'll be back to eventually accomplish this noble feat. * Yes, the bar definitely intervened on Twitter. read more

Not to steal Ethan C's review, but this place did kind of make me want to rock a fedora, smoke a Lucky Strike, and degrade women. I have a fedora... now I just need to take up smoking and learn to dis' the lassies. The Richardson does have a great interior--- it falls somewhere in the middle of classy midtown bar and a speakeasy. Love the wallpaper (I hear it's making a comeback)! Sipped an Old Fashioned and it was stuhhh-rong. The type of drink you nurse while immersed in good conversation... and don't expect to be interrupted... this was not a rub-elbows-with-your-neighbors bar, so bring your own date, your own conversation, and your own fedora. read more

Cleanest taps in all the beer drinking land. If you're a beer drinker, apparently this is totally important. Cocktails pack a punch. My choice bev was the Konik Tonic, I was buzzin off of two. Standard prices @ $10 a pop. AC inside. But on a hot to humid day, the patio is where it's at. Outdoor burger grillin during the summertime. Didn't get one but they looked tasty. Left wishing I had ordered one. Was kind of hard to order a drink and pay my tab but whatevs. Live music on Sundays. read more

Beautiful old-timey joint. The cozy vibe transports you back to the 60's, with the dim lighting, wood paneling, and paisley wall paper. I always feel all Don Draper-ish, sippin' on my legit hand muddled Old Fashioned, served by a dude in a vest and a handlebar mustache. To be honest, the place makes me want to rock a fedora, smoke a Lucky Strike, and degrade women. A bit pricey, and a bit pretentious. But definitely recommended for a nightcap with a date, or to kick it old school with your latest bromance. read more