Drink opening tomorrow?

[looseygoosey]

I heard though the grapevine that barbara lynch's first fort point venture will open tomorrow, John Gertsen's bar. Has anyone else heard the same?

[jgg13]

Hmm, I read in a review over on Yelp that the different bartender stations are all themed a bit differently in terms of how they're stocked w/ different liquors (which would affect the specific drinks being made). I've only been to the one station furthest from the entrance though, so haven't noticed this. Is this true, and if so, what are the themes for the different stations?

[MC Slim JB]

I've sat in each of those sections and gotten served a broad range of spirits without noticing that particular difference. (That doesn't mean it's not so.)

[jgg13]

Thanks ...

Ah, here's the link to the specific review:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/drink-boston-...

I suspect if this is the case, that the effect would be minimal, based on what you say.

[jgg13]

Was back this weekend, at the "ice block" station and didn't really notice any thematic differences vs. the station on the opposite side. They've changed their menu yet again, btw - John noted that they just came out w/ it that day, but I didn't try anything. The one downer of the evening was that I sensed that I managed to annoy Josey, so hopefully either I was just mistaken or she was irritated with something else.

[jgg13]

Just curious if folks here had been to Drink recently? I was talking about it to my gf (who works in the area) and she mentioned that it's so crowded that you have to basically register at the front and wait until there's space to get in (which echoes the whining of a Yelper who was complaining that they told her that they'd send her a text message when there was room to come in).

I like the place, but not so much that I'd deal with that sort of crowding when I can much more easily hit up places like Green St, Craigie, Hungry Mother, etc closer to me. Is this generally the case or is it the "after work crowd" that's causing this effect (and thus can be easily avoided by not going "after work")?

[rlh]

Two of us went around 7p on Saturday two weeks ago, walked in, waited under 5 minutes and had seats at the ice block bar where Misty proceeded to take really good care of us (introducing me to The Refined Speech - an improved Last Word in my book, which was an excellent starting point anyway!). I walk by sometimes after work and it seems like the real crush is on Thursday and Friday - have others seen it extend to other days as well? I think I'll check tonight, for that matter!

[MC Slim JB]

I was in on a Wednesday not too long ago and didn't find it ridiculously crowded.

[jgg13]

Thanks rlh & MC. I know that she hasn't gone w/o me, so it's likely either word of mouth from coworkers or just visual eyeballing on the her way past (and I don't think that she directly walks past it normally). Based on some other comments I've seen elsewhere I was thinking that it was likely a matter of particular times & days of the week being bad - sounds like that's probably the case here.

[rlh]

It was GREAT last night - lively, busy, but not crowded or hectic - both at 7:30p and after 10p (before and after Sportello dinner - amazing again - already posted on the last one) - Josie was an awesome bartender - right up there with favorite Misty! I tried a Tom and Jerry for the first time and LOVED it.

[jgg13]

Were you able to get actual bar space in your first session there? That's what really puts the place over the top for me, it's amazing how much you can learn just watching them do their work and interacting with them.

[rlh]

Absolutely! - upon walking in at the farthest "bay" (favorite is the first one with the huge block of ice being used) - our group of five all sat at the bar entranced as Josie made amazing cocktails (Aviation, Manhattan, Pegu Club, Seelbach, and Last Word) for each of us and provided a great education at the same time, as well as recommending some great New Orleans inspirations at our request (LOVED the Vieux Carre with its own handcrafted iceberg in the glass) - weeknights after happy hour times may be the way to go!

[jgg13]

Awesome. Thanks for the research :) Yeah, Josie was the one that turned me on to the vieux carre, and it's definitely a favorite of mine these days.

[dfan]

We went on a Wednesday around 10pm and it was practically empty (maybe 10 customers). The key may be to wait for the after-work crowds to empty out.

[T.Clark]

Went on wednesday at 6:15 and waited 5 minutes for two stools. Steady turn over until we left at 7:30. Loved the cocktails. For me it was an eye opening experience.

[Bob Dobalina]

Drink in the news - agree that John Gertsen is a "minimalist?"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/din...

[jajjguy]

I saw that too, and had roughly the same (???) reaction at first. On closer reading of the article, though, it seems that perhaps we provincial Bostonians simply have not sampled even a fraction of the diverse range of cocktail craftsmanship currently afoot, and have no use for these minute distinctions between revivalists, neo-classicists, minimalists, etc. Is the article full o' bull, or do we just need to get out more?

By the article's ad hoc definition of minimalism -- 5 ingredients max, any change in ingredient makes it a new drink, and focus on ice -- John seems to fit the bill well enough. Not to pigeonhole him of course.

[Bob Dobalina]

We can have fun fitting in various places into the categories:

Liquid locavores: That fig-infused bourbon that is made in Somerville and featured at Tremont 647 among others; the infusion jars at Savant Project....

Pre-repeal revivalists: The Marliave

I know you all can weigh in better than me.

[MC Slim JB]

Drink / No. 9 straddle five of those categories, in my mind: revivalist, neo-classicist, molecular, minimalist, farm-to-glass.

[pollystyrene]

Interesting. Thanks for the link. There are so few serious bars in Boston that maybe they don't have the luxury of niche mixology. They've got to please us all. A purely molecular approach would gross me out, I think. On the other hand, I'd practically live at a Farm-to-Glass bar, but might not have much company.

[jamaicaplain]

DC and I went a couple of weeks ago on a Thursday night. It was packed - John reported an hour wait. Luckily, we already had a friend inside who had put our names on the list, so we got in no problem. Drinks were wonderful, as you would expect with Gertsen & Co. The snacks, however, were disappointing. I know this is not the focus, but I found them quite boring, particularly the cheese plate and crudites. Deviled eggs were good, but we also encountered the $4 for one egg. I would definitely go back again for drinks, but would probably hit Flour to take the edge of the hunger beforehand.

[soxchik]

I made it there on Friday night just after work. The place was mostly full by 5:30pm. Really great space and helpful, friendly, knowledgable bartenders. Two of us split the deviled eggs (just ok, too salty for my taste - two halves for $4) and the Gougeres (really great, light and fluffy with a great flavor - six puffs for $5). I had two cocktails - both fantastic. One was vodka with elderflower and lime, the other gin and rosemary with lemon. My DC had a good take on a Cuba libre.

[Joanie]

One egg for $4, nice.

[Bob Dobalina]

Good point.
Perhaps the name of the place should be called "Bath."
Although it fits perfectly into the Lynchian School of Economics.

[MC Slim JB]

I don't know if the plates are shrinking already or soxchik is mis-remembering, but my order of deviled eggs was six halves for $4. In general, I didn't think the food prices at Drink were the kind of semi-swindle I see at The Butcher Shop.

[soxchik]

Nope, not misremembering. I was quite surprised when it was one egg for $4. The seats next to us got the same thing, so I'm guessing this wasn't a mistake.

[jgg13]

I could have sworn when I went there that they were either $0.50 or $1 per egg.

[soxchik]

Maybe they decided to test a new theory that people would pay $4 for one egg. From the look around the tables on Friday, its working since there were several orders. I wouldn't do it again though.

[jgg13]

Yeah, I don't know that I'd even bother to get them at the old price, much less $4. That's insane ... I love deviled eggs, but it's pretty hard to make one that's truly remarkable IMO (and the ones I had at Drink were good but fall under the 'pretty hard to make one that's truly remarkable' area).

[MC Slim JB]

It is possible to do a remarkable deviled egg, as is done at Oleana. Crazy good.

[jgg13]

Didn't say that it was impossible, just that it was pretty hard :) I've not had them at Oleana. I was also sad that by the time I made it to Hungry Mother that they were no longer on the menu, as many folks had raved about them there.

[Joanie]

I must have missed something with the HM deviled eggs, didn't think they were that great. Super mushy yolk mixture.

[wcantonese]

We were among those paying $4 for an egg on Friday evening. Yes, it was "beautiful," and no, I probably wouldn't do it again. Well, not deliberately. See, the challenge with a place like Drink is that on your arrival it's the giddiness of anticipation of the superb cocktails that might lower your guard against what you'd otherwise see as questionable snack prices, and after a couple of said cocktails, it's pretty much the liquor itself taking over that job. Either way, you're feeling expansive, and before you know it saying things like, "Eggs all around!" As long as the offerings at Drink remain outstanding -- and they were: I had a Hanky Panky and a Last Word and my DC had a Toronto and an Old Pal -- racking up a triple-digit food tab will continue to be one of the hidden dangers of the place.

[yumyum]

Eggs all around! That's funny. Welcome to the board.

I loved the eggs at Hungry Mother, but I think it was the bacon "sail" that got me. Didn't notice a mushy texture.

[Rubee]

$4.00 an egg? Holy cow! I was planning on grazing for dinner at Drink tomorrow, but maybe I'll check out Sportello for my meal beforehand instead.

BTW, a new favorite out here in Phoenix that we like is a place that just opened called Arrowhead Grill. We just enjoyed their delicious deviled eggs last week, and for the Happy Hour price of a whopping 37 cents apiece ; )

[gini]

Stop parading your cheap eggs in front of us!

Rubee, you could do what we chose to do at Drink - grab a bite at Persephone then walk over for cocktails. Or some combination therein. They're only about a block and a half away from each other. Of course, the real draw to Persephone was their Wii consoles in the lounge, so I'm not sure we were really looking for good food.

[Rubee]

Great idea Gini! Thanks, that's exactly what we'll do.

[gini]

Though...if you get there before 7, I'd love a report on Sportello!

[hsquare2southend]

Sportello is now open for dinner, so this may be the answer!

[MC Slim JB]

Anyone else experience the confusion over reserved seating that this writer cites? http://www.metrobostonnews.com/us/art...

[jgg13]

Only went there once but didn't have this happen. It does bring up in my mind one potential issue I have with the place - I wouldn't want to be there unless my party at least had one person actually at the bar (as it was, when I was there, 2 of us managed to sit down in the very last pair of empty seats that were together). It got pretty crowded that night, and I don't think I'd have had *nearly* as much fun if I was standing around in the main space (ie not *at* the bar) waiting for John to come around and take my order (he was the one mainly working the crowd that night).

[Rubee]

At No 9 Park we'd see people confused by what they thought was reserved seating - where people had come in earlier who were already waiting for seats to open up. If the bartenders know you're hoping to sit at the bar, they'd keep an eye out and then do some maneuvering. We'd see customers who had been waiting for an hour, some spaces open up, and then someone would walk through the door and make a beeline for the open seats. John would have to explain that the seats were already taken. Maybe that's what this writer experienced?

BTW - has anyone noticed a 'good' time to go to get seats - later or earlier? We're planning on our first visit on a Wednesday night.

[hsquare2southend]

I agree that the phenomenon must be what Rubee is describing. I've been almost a dozen times already (all different days and times) and never had that happen to me (but I've always been able to get a bar seat). Too bad it happened to the writer. I think the Thursday after-work crowd is one of the busiest. Otherwise, my suggestions are early as possible, or late as possible.

[MC Slim JB]

For at least the last couple of years, the bar and cafe seating at No. 9 has been carefully managed by the host. I haven't seen that so far at Drink: we've been able to wander in and sit down at unoccupied bar seats, but I wonder if they're moving to a more host-managed model there as it gets busier.

[Rubee]

Hopefully it won't be too crowded on the late side on a Wednesday. I'm really looking forward to our first visit next week. I think I'll start with a Blinker, or maybe a Hoskins, or a Greenpoint, or a Ward 8. Decisions, decisions.

[FrankieSandals]

The writer (Kate Coughlin?) should have asked what the policy was if she wanted to report accurately. Rubee is spot on with what probably happened. A lot of well-run restaurants with bars (#9, Mistral, Sorellina, Green Street, Central Kitchen) will ask when you walk in if you are joining them for drinks/dinner, and whether you'd prefer to sit at the bar. They queue you up according to order of arrival. There are times when restaurants will reserve seats at a bar under special circumstances (loyal regulars, friends of the owner/mgt./staff,...etc.) A reporter should know this. Many clueless people will blow right by the hostess stand, without engaging the staff, and often lose out on good bar seating because they don't know how things work. Many good bartenders will keep lists and seat people in the order of their arrival, and work in concert with the front of the house to keep things as fair as possible. If metro wanted to report accurately, they should have found out how things worked the night they went to Drink, instead of being 'confused' and 'perplexed.' A simple inquiry would have solved the mystery. Before someone points it out, I realize that Metro is free and the reporting is very junior.

[Canadian Tuxedo]

First off, Drink is not a restaurant. It is a cocktail lounge that serves a few snacks.

That said--and an important point in terms of preconceptions, I'd be curious who else has run into this practice around town. I've been to Green Street many times, including weekends, and have never experienced this. The only place I ran into this practice was Eastern Standard. With their traffic (even on non-Red Sox or weekend nights) having a queue at the bar was a good thing--but they also made sure to inquire whether I was planning on eating dinner each time. I can see its usefulness for popular higher end restaurants with small bars (or, in the case of ES, big bars in a very popular restaurant) that wish to maximize space and serve food at those seats, but most people are likely to assume that bar seating at a bar (or cocktail lounge that doesn't advertise a reservation policy) is first come--first serve. It is truly not a standard practice at mid-range restaurants in this town (No.9, Mistral and Sorellina are definitely not mid-range).

In defense of the "junior" reporting, if the reporting was not so "junior," I'm betting this would not have occurred. The bartenders and other staff at Drink would most likely recognize the regular reviewers for the relevant publications in town. As such, they would most likely not have had to deal with this issue (as in they would not have been denied "reserved" stools), as opposed to those of us from the general public without leverage or prior relationships with any of the staff.

[FrankieSandals]

Well-run 'cocktail lounges' with snacks or restaurants with bars often will take your name and queue you for seating. Either the bartender will do it, or the hostess/Maitre'd will coordinate with the bartender. It doesn't matter if you're a first-time customer, a Globe reviewer, or a junior reporter, all you have to do is ask to get the lay of the land. Kate Coughlin should have asked and reported accurately. I've experienced queuinq of customers and reserved bar stools at mid and high-end places all over town, including; Oishi, Toro, Gaslight, Estragon, Stella, Union, Pho Republic, The Franklin, B&G, The Butcher Shop, Tremont 647, Sibling Rivalry, Grill 23, Abe and Louie's, Bristol Lounge, KO Prime, Olives, Upstairs on the Square, Pomodoro, Anchovies, Davio's, Mooo...., Highland Kitchen, Pizzeria Regina, Scampo, Grafton Street, Beacon St. Tavern, Green Street, Central Kitchen, Oleana, Neptune, Dali, and Prezza, to name a few. It happens at a lot of places, and not just with regulars. It HAS been a standard practice at a lot of places for the last 10-15 years. If the cub reporter had asked, she would have found out what the policy was at Drink. Most people are likely to assume that they are better of not engaging the staff and fighting for barstools because they are clueless and/or don't get out much.

[Chris VR]

If, as you say, most people would not understand this arrangement, then it seems to me that it's the staff's responsibility to convey that knowledge. The staff was able to convey the info to the reporter that the seats were reserved- why couldn't the staff also convey the info that the reporter could put her name on the reservation list?

[Whisker]

I don't think there's any problem with the reporter conveying what she experienced on her visit. When you think of a bar/lounge, you don't automatically think of reserved seating. There are no meals being served at Drink, only snacks. Maybe reserved seating at a bar will become the new norm, but I think she was justified in feeling a little bit miffed by being denied the open seats. It made her feel less important, just as it would any "Joe" walking in off the street. Is Drink justified in holding the seats for the five that came in after the reporter? Definitely, but it doesn't mean her percieved snub was softened. And Canadian Tux? There are dozens of foodwriters in town. There's no way the staff can recognize all (or even most) of them, especially with someone newer to the scene.

[FrankieSandals]

Please read Rubee's post again. It is more common that customers who arrive first put their name in with a bartender, and when barstools open up they are offered the seats first. Some restaurants do allow reservations in advance for barstools, but that's less common. It happened to me at Via Matta a few weekends ago. In my opinion, if the reporter wanted to do a more thorough job, she should have asked why they couldn't occupy the barstools, and then reported the outcome. Yes, the staff should have explained the policy, but don't reporters get paid to ask questions and gather facts?

[Alcachofa]

Don't bring "Joe" into this debate, too!!!

[FrankieSandals]

Seriously, how much rhetoric can we take?!?!?

[hsquare2southend]

Ha! True, true. A few things. First, one can easily choose to make a "meal" out of the bar snacks at Drink. Second, to reiterate, those of us who know we want to sit at the bar, when faced with a completely full bar, will speak with someone at the FOH to let them know we will be waiting until a seat at the bar becomes available. In the meantime, we'll take our drink standing. You might think the seat should be awarded to you if you happen in the moment it is being vacated, but you should be aware that others may have been waiting quite a while for that seat. I have never seen a bar reserve seats for anyone who is not physically present and I highly doubt that is happening at Drink. Finally, I'm quite certain that this is the function of the host at Drink. To greet you, welcome you, and explain the lay of the land. I've been a dozen times so far and have seen this happening with almost every party that walks in, except on crazy jammed evenings when it's impossible to be everything to everyone in every place at one time.

[MC Slim JB]

I made a very nice meal of nearly one of everything on the Drink menu. A lot of it is really tasty.

[jgg13]

when the gf and i went we also made a meal of it. a bit too much of a meal actually, as we completely underestimated the size of some of the items (the cocktail weiners especially). everything we had was really good (i remember the chips & dip, the meatballs & the weiners, i'm almost positive we had something else too).

[Canadian Tuxedo]

Just a few more comments, before this conversation goes off in anthropological wall street vs. main street direction as opposed to simply discussing the pros/cons of the drinks and food at Drink.

I may be missing something, but anyone please tell me where in Boston there is another upscale cocktail lounge. By that I mean something equivalent to the Milk and Honey and other speakeasy style places in NYC (that I've only heard second hand reports) or PX in Old Town Alexandria (which I've been too). All of the establishments mentioned are for the most part upscale restaurants with bars. Definitely not the same thing in concept.

This is an important point because I believe without such examples, people will generally treat Drink as a bar and not a restaurant, where it is common to check in with a host staff.

I believe (though may be mistaken) that Drink is the first truly upscale "bar" in Boston. It has snacks, and some of you have mentioned that you can make a meal of them, but would any of argue that food is the focus of this establishment?

In making the case for such a practice, please do not reiterate the list of places already mentioned above by Frankie--they are all primarily restaurants with the full menu of appetizers, entrees, and desserts to match.

Speaking of that list that Frankie kindly provided: the majority of them are higher end restaurants (conforming to my point about maximizing eating space by seating people at the bar), and those that are not do not have a standing policy of holding bar stools for people who simply put their name in at the host stand. We can argue all night and day about this, but I work in the same neighborhood as Grafton St, and when the Harvard grad student crowd descends they are lucky to keep some resemblance of order. There is certainly no one queuing up the seats at the bar in a similar manner as Eastern Standard. And in my extensive experience, even on busy nights no on has stopped me from sitting in a newly opened stool at Green St. (though I aim to ask in my next visit).

On a side note, what is the data that points to a set of "10-15 years" in Boston of this practice, beyond personal experience? Just wondering...

That said, I have often been awarded humint regarding soon to be open seats and other such courtesy by staff at establishments I have a long standing relationships with (what the "junior" reporter might refer to as being a "regular"). That is understandably the case in most places--even the local dive. Think Cheers.

Now my only beef with this whole concept is that Drink can't have it both ways. It was either on this board or elsewhere in an interview, but it was definitely mentioned that despite the attention paid to the craft of cocktails, it was also a hope of the management that it would be considered a place where local construction workers would go there for a drink after they got off of work. If you are not waiting near a seat that is obviously soon to be vacated, I wish you luck convincing such a constituency that "you should be aware that others may have been waiting quite a while for that seat."

I have not been to Drink and will not until I can make it on what is considered a slow night after the initial buzz wears off. I have no problem if they had a reservation policy--in fact, I believe they should. It works wonderfully at places like PX where they want to give the drinker a high level of attention. I want a limited number of people competing for attention from the bartender,especially if the concept revolves around discussion with the staff. That is the only way it will be effective, as opposed to dealing with a crowd one or two deep behind the seats, all shouting various ideas about what types of liquor they like and what they are in the mood for that particular evening.

And not to defend Katie (who I have never heard of before this conversation), but I do get out quite a bit. Not as much to the higher end restaurants listed by Frankie as I would like due to financial constraints, but can count myself a regular at such places as B-Side, Silvertone, Deep Ellum, Green St, and Hungry Mother. Where I am a regular I receive this heads up. But I've never seen it strictly enforced. I am not a regular but have often been to may of the other places mentioned above and if you tell the host staff that you are going to bar, they do not take your name and put you on a list for a stool. I may not run in the most diverse crowd around, but many of the people I know come from backgrounds and choose dining options that range almost the entire possible gamut in town. I have never seen in my few (say 8 years) in Boston anyone putting their name in at the host station upon immediately entering a place for a seat at the bar.

One last note to Whisker: I agree that the vast majority of staff at the vast majority of establishments would not recognize reviewers. But Drink was advertised to be staffed by John Gertsen and a "rock star" group of bartenders. Taking that pedigree into account, and the fact that Boston is actually a very small town, than the regular reviews are most likely known to the people who have worked in the business for any serious length of time in this town. Just off the top of my head, MC writes for the Phoenix, and from posts on this board, references his knowledge of locals who work at all levels of the industry. The ladies of LUPEC are most likely known to those in the cocktail circle, as is Lauren Clark of drinkboston.com. Because I'm tired and its late, I am not going to to the Phoenix, Globe, and Boston Magazine sites to list the names of their primary food critics, but again I'm sure they are well know around town.

A reporter for a paper such as the Metro that is not based locally may be new and not known--hence my point about her ability to walk into Drink as a random customer off the street. But I'd bet that the regular reviewers from the relatively limited pool of local outlets are well known to someone who managed bar at No. 9 Park for a few years, in addition to any other staff drafted from local establishments.

[jgg13]

While I can't speak to the issue of reserved seating, visibility of reviewers, etc (Sadly, I can only afford to go to these sorts of places once in a while so am by no means a regular at any of them) ...

As to the food being the focus/etc: Clearly not. However, I do recall reading (I think it might have been on drinkboston) that the general theme was supposed to be that of an modern/upscale take on the cocktail parties of the 60s/70s, and that part of that was to have modern/upscale takes on the classic finger foods of that era. So while I wouldn't say it was the *focus*, I'd say that (assuming that blurb I read was true) thematically it is *important*, if that makes sense/

[MC Slim JB]

I think that line about construction workers frequenting Drink was a Gertsen quote in a Globe interview. I'd put in in the same category as Ken Oringer's quote in the Globe that the average check size at Toro would be under $25.

In other words, they're both attractive slices of baloney, presumably designed to get people in the door who might otherwise dismiss the place as being too expensive, since the owners' other joints are among the most expensive restaurants in town.

[rlh]

It was Barbara Lynch quoted about the construction workers (and mail delivery person getting "beautiful beer"....) - nice for the sake of PR, at least...

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/...

[jgg13]

FWIW, this article turns out to be what I was referencing when I was making the comment that I thought that the food was important for the theme.

[T.Clark]

Closed last night for a private party. I felt rather put out. Is this a common occurrence in the city? Didn't think I needed to call ahead.............

[Josef_k]

It's not that common of an occurrence in my experience, you just had some bad timing. It was the official opening party for Drink and for the building it's in.

[BackBayGirl]

I went there last night w/ friends. I really enjoyed it. Though I can't drink hard liquor or cocktails I had red wine and my friends did have cocktails. They said they were very good, though small. We shared some Swedish meatballs, cheese and crackers and deviled eggs. Very yummy. I think DRINK has a neat concept. I would go again. I took the T to S. Station and then the Silver Line to the Courthouse stop and walked over.

[jgg13]

Its a pretty quick walk from south station, I didn't even bother w/ the silver line.

[fmcoxe6188]

I agree the drinks are on the smaller side- but POTENT so its probably good that they are a bit smaller...

[jgg13]

It's been pointed out that considering most of the random appletini type bars you're paying roughly the same amount of money for a slightly larger cocktail - but you're not getting the artisinal level of quality either.

I don't think the drinks are a bad deal at all, considering that I can order something besides a "captain and coke" or "raspberry pomegranite mojito".

[jgg13]

Hitting this place up tonight. Already want to try the "Fort Point" that I read about. Anything else relatively uncommon/unique that folks have had here that I should make a note to try?

[ScubaSteve]

when i was there last week they were mixing up a few of the shared-drinks in punch bowls.
if you're going with a group i'd recommend that, looked like fun.

[jgg13]

It's only going to be 2 of us, and I was already told no punches (at least this time around) :)

But I *love* that they're part of the resurgent punch scene. I went to drinkboston's punch event at ESK - it was funny telling friends that I went to a "punch party" and they had trouble realizing that I wasn't talking about random red juice + fruit + vodka or something like that :)

[Alcachofa]

I was thinking of going there tonight, too. Does anyone have any clue if it will still be a mob scene, or just "regular crowded"?

[ScubaSteve]

got there around 6 last Thursday and got the last two seats at the bar. left around 730-8pm and it was pretty full but not mobbed.

btw, there is only one set of bathrooms and they're single seaters (at least the Men's was).

[Bob Dobalina]

If having single seat bathrooms at a place called Drink is not the height of irony...

[DoubleMan]

I went last night around 11:30 and it was empty. The bartender to customer ratio was 2:1.

The bartender said that Fridays are definitely the most crowded, Saturdays are not too bad, and the weekdays have an after-work rush.

[fmcoxe6188]

Basil Gimlet-seriously! best drink Ive had in ages!

[pomodori pelati]

The Fort Point is indeed sublime. Really enjoyed my Mint Julep as well (served in the traditional silver cup!). Also had a fabulous Seelbach, pre-prohibition Old Fashioned, something that I'm not quite remembering the name of (maybe a Seventeen Ninety...something) with Campari and bourbon (I think). Ok, clearly all the drinking is going to my head...

[DoubleMan]

1794 - rye, campari, sweet vermouth. One of the bartenders prefers Old Fitzgerald bourbon in drinks that traditionally call for rye - such as old fashioneds.

[pomodori pelati]

Thanks for the info, DoubleMan. I'm adding the 1794 to the list of drinks that should be in my heavy rotation.

[FortPointFilly]

It's ok. Nice entry door, nice set up but unusual, but drinks are way too small. I like a nice healthy Tini, not a thimble full. The block ice chop up in front of the customer is neat, but not that neat. Too expensive, needs a little color, bigger glasses, and...

Have to say that the appies were superb, and MOST reasonable. 50 cent meatballs and the other appies we ordered were great. Hope it works.

[fmcoxe6188]

Checked out finally last night -their basil gimlet is TO DIE FOR! Amazing!!

[pastaboy]

stopped by last night.......Johnny G is still the master. Cocktails are extraordinary.

[ScubaSteve]

will be going today right after work.
any ideas for parking in the area?

[hiddenboston]

Plenty of parking along Summer Street, which parallels Congress Street one block south. I am always able to find a space between Fort Point Channel and the MCCA...

I sometimes find parking along Congress Street, too, but it seems a bit tougher now that the bridge has opened back up.

[ScubaSteve]

tyvm!

[Alcachofa]

:-( I was not informed of the opening.

[Rubee]

So get over there, tell John you're having a cocktail for me, and tell me all about it so I can live vicariously.......

[Alcachofa]

I will very soon. And I'll pass along the message. Wait, that means I'll have to drink two cocktails!? Why, I never!

[Fort Point]

Does anyone know the hours they are open and what days?

[JWR]

Last night John said that they would be there seven nights a week. He also told me that they were going to be opening at 4:00 but he told me that a few weeks ago so I don't know if that has changed.

[bza]

According to a call placed yesterday, they opened at five, but it is possible that that was just the first day. Though I doubt it since they probably would have pointed that out.

[hsquare2southend]

5:00 yesterday, but 4:00 every other day- 7 days a week. I also heard that they will be closed on Monday to "regroup" after the first 4 days.

[dwmorin]

Your right about the regroup, I have a friend who works at No. 9, but they said regroup Sunday I believe, but open 7 days a week after that.

[hsquare2southend]

Yup, I was wrong- I think Sunday is the "regroup" day.

[tsg20]

Did anyone go last night? We're planning on going this evening (and hoping it won't be stupidly busy straight after work).

[iamsam]

the word:

no drink list, no wine list, no visible bottles.

2 reds, 2 whites, 1 sparkling.

1 pale ale, 1 stout.

[ponyboy]

three bars

limited spirits

amazing cocktails

[maxpowers303]

Very very strange set up. Never once SAW my cocktail actually made, and as a fellow bartender, was a little confused by this concept. When my Manhatten came out of the mystery room, ahem, 25 minutes later, I waited another 10 minutes for a cherry. Why?? Because apparently they keep ALL garnishes in the kitchen in different temperature storage units. I LOVE No.9 and admire John, but this was not at all what I was expecting. And the ice bar was cool but a little gimmickey. I am confident that Lynch and John will work it out and make it a hit, but I hope the arrogance that this place had it's first weekend gets noticed before people get sick of waiting for drinks they don't see made. There was a lot of confused industry people asking the same questions as well. I guess we will wait and see....

[digga]

Some of Tokyo's serious bars practice this - the alcohol and the drink-making is kept out of sight, and the ice cubes are art. The barkeeps are polite, efficient, and do not chit-chat. It was a cool thing to behold!

[Alcachofa]

Finally made it there last Saturday. Full, but not "can't move" packed. Unsurprisingly rock solid cocktails. And, unlike the fan of the huge "tinis" below, the cocktails are actually the appropriate size. (Whether they are worth the price is another debate.)

My question, though, is: what the heck is max talking about? The bar and bartenders are all *right there*, right in front of you. What "mystery room" could max have been referring to? Did I miss something?

My observation was that the way the bar was set up made it look like a chemistry lab. Which, when you think about it, makes perfect sense.

[MC Slim JB]

Just added a link to the place with address / phone.

I can't wait to go and order a Hpnotiq Cosmo, Flirtini, and a Chocolate Razberi Kiss! I'm thinking this is the kind of place that's going to have *several* colors of sugared rims. Oh, baby!

-----
Drink
348 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

[ScubaSteve]

HA!
nice.

maybe they'll do glow-in-dark ice cubes too........

[hiddenboston]

And martinis served in Jimmy Choos!

[sailormouth]

As long as they have a sour appletini, I'll be happy.

[Johnnie_vs_Jack]

I hope that was written with complete sarcasm...

[MC Slim JB]

Why, what have you got against Hpnotiq? I'll have you know that they proudly served it at the late, great Waltham Tavern (R.I.P., *sniff*). I think the snobbery against Stoli Raz has got to stop: it's awesome in a highball with Sprite. Plus it's well known that the King of France favors Flirtinis.

[Johnnie_vs_Jack]

It's not snobbery. There are bars where infused cognac and fruit juices in a bottle are acceptable. Why not have a fresh juice and cognac cocktail made for you at Drink? Also they only carry AMERICAN vodkas - 4 of them being organic. Stoli is run by the Russian mob. Hell, Pernod doesn't even know who to deal with in Russia when it comes to that brand, that's why they bought Absolut and let go of Stoli.

[MC Slim JB]

Okay, so you could approximate the flavor of Hpnotiq by mixing cognac, vodka, and fresh fruit juices, but it still wouldn't be blue, in which case you'd be missing half the awesomeness of Hpnotiq. There is no substitute.

Also, I am not married to the Russian-ness of Stoli Raz, but the raz of Stoli Raz. If there is anything that trumps that flavor, it might be Dekuyper Schnapps Pucker Island Blue, which has the advantage of blueness, but is also fruit punch flavored. Why is John Gertsen afraid of these ingredients?

[tdaaa]

If the King of France favors flirtinis, what does the Dauphin desire?

MC, that knock on the door is the Russian Mob - they want to discuss your comments.

[jgg13]

I'm pretty sure that Slim is pulling your chain, JvJ

[yumyum]

Why'd you have to ruin it? It was so much fun to watch!!!

[Mmmmmm]

I can't find a phone number or web site for Drink.

Does anyone know the exact address? I'd love to stop in tomorrow or Friday, but don't want to spend all evening roaming the neighborhood. :-)

[Guinness02122]

Try this:
http://www.drinkfortpoint.com/

[Mmmmmm]

Thank you, Guinness02122. I'll try to stop in for a drink tomorrow or Friday and will report back.

[fmcoxe6188]

Please do!!!! I am ultimately excited about this place- I might have to change some plans and head there myself!

[FoodFemme]

The website doesn't seem to work for me, all I get is a logo. Anyone else having that problem? (Or is the site just not finished yet?)

[MC Slim JB]

It's not you, it's the website -- mostly a placeholder for now.

[FrankieSandals]

Yes, Thursday night.

[yumyum]

It's Gertsen.