New York has never been a city that does anything quietly. Its bars have character, its makers have conviction, and its entrepreneurs have a remarkable ability to turn an unlikely idea into something that feels as though it has always belonged.
At Taste The Dram, we've spent years speaking with the people behind these businesses. From whisky collectors and distillers to hospitality operators and Brooklyn craftspeople, our conversations have revealed a city driven by more than great drinks and memorable addresses.
This is our New York City Guide: not simply where to go, but the people and stories that make these places worth discovering.
Whisky & Cocktails: Where New York Comes to Life
The Flatiron Room — A New York Whisky Institution
Murray Hill, Manhattan | Best for: Whisky exploration, live music and an elevated evening
Before the Flatiron Room became one of New York's recognizable whisky destinations, Tommy Tardie had already experienced the unpredictable world of nightlife.
In our extensive interview, Tardie described leaving behind a career in advertising and eventually building a hospitality business around something more enduring than trends: thoughtful service, knowledgeable staff, atmosphere and an impressive selection of spirits.
One of the most interesting parts of his story is how he drew inspiration from different New York venues, including Brandy Library, to create his own interpretation of a sophisticated whisky experience.
The former Fine & Rare location, which Tardie discussed with us in 2018, now operates as The Flatiron Room Murray Hill.
Today, it brings together an extensive spirits program, dining and live entertainment in a space designed for an occasion.
Address: 9 East 37th Street, Manhattan.
Read our interview with Tommy Tardie
Wheated — Brooklyn's Unexpected Whisky Destination
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn | Best for: Pizza, whisky and neighborhood character
Some of New York's most interesting drinking destinations are the ones you might otherwise overlook.
Wheated is one of them.
When we interviewed proprietor David Sheridan, we discovered a Brooklyn business that paired two seemingly unrelated passions: carefully made pizza and a serious appreciation for whisky.
Our 2018 conversation explored the thinking behind Wheated, including Sheridan's ambitions for creating a neighborhood establishment and developing its unusually extensive whisky collection.
What makes Wheated stand out is precisely that contrast. It is approachable enough for an evening of pizza with friends, yet offers something far more interesting to the whisky enthusiast who takes the time to explore the bar.
Address: 905 Church Avenue, Brooklyn.
Read our interview with David Sheridan
Oscar Wilde — Where Theatre Meets Hospitality
NoMad, Manhattan | Best for: Elaborate interiors, cocktails and memorable nights out
New York has no shortage of beautiful bars. Oscar Wilde takes the theatrical approach considerably further.
Before the venue opened in 2017, we spoke with Denise Prykanowski, then Director of Beverage for Celtic Developers Group, about the vision of founders Tommy Burke and Frank McCole.
The conversation revealed the scale of their ambition: a richly detailed Victorian-inspired establishment celebrating the literary figure, with antique furnishings, a distinctive spirits program and a marble bar stretching 118.5 feet.
The result is a destination where the setting is an essential part of the experience.
Oscar Wilde offers a different side of New York hospitality—expressive, elaborate and unapologetically entertaining.
Address: 45 West 27th Street, Manhattan.
Read our original Oscar Wilde interview
Distilleries: Whisky Made in Brooklyn
Kings County Distillery — The Craft Behind New York Whiskey
Brooklyn Navy Yard | Best for: Distillery tours, tastings and American whiskey
To understand New York's modern whiskey identity, look toward Brooklyn.
Founded in 2010, Kings County Distillery helped bring whiskey production back into the city after Prohibition.
We interviewed Ryan Ciuchta, then head blender, in 2017 to better understand the distillery's production approach and the thinking behind its spirits.
Our conversation explored local grain, pot distillation, the importance of flavor before barrel aging and the technical decisions that distinguish a whiskey's character.
Kings County remains an especially compelling destination because visitors can encounter the production side of the craft rather than only the finished bottle.
Address: 299 Sands Street, Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Read our interview with Ryan Ciuchta
Cigars & Timeless New York Lounges
SoHo Cigar Bar — A Living Piece of Manhattan Cigar Culture
SoHo, Manhattan | Best for: Premium cigars, classic cocktails and old-world atmosphere
Few establishments capture the enduring appeal of New York's cigar culture quite like SoHo Cigar Bar.
Our interview with proprietor Lee Ringelheim explored the business behind the venue, including the challenges of operating in a changing regulatory environment and the decision to evolve the former Circa Tabac into a destination focused on cigars, whisky and traditional hospitality.
The bar's Art Deco character, leather furnishings and spirits collection have helped preserve a particular side of New York that feels increasingly rare.
For those interested in the relationship between cigars, cocktails and hospitality, this is one of the city's most distinctive destinations.
Address: 32 Watts Street, Manhattan.
Read our interview with Lee Ringelheim
Brooklyn Beyond the Glass: Style & Craftsmanship
Martin Greenfield Clothiers — A Legacy of American Tailoring
Brooklyn's contribution to craftsmanship extends far beyond distilling.
In our October 2026 interview with Jay and Tod Greenfield, the owners of Martin Greenfield Clothiers, we explored the legacy of their family's renowned tailoring business.
Their story is one of preserving skilled manufacturing in New York, maintaining an extraordinary commitment to detail and carrying forward the standards established by their father, Martin Greenfield.
The business has created garments for presidents, film productions and generations of customers seeking exceptional tailoring.
It represents an important part of this guide's wider theme: the people who make things exceptionally well, and the determination required to keep doing so.
Read our interview with Jay and Tod Greenfield
Kirrin Finch — Rethinking the Rules of Fashion
New York's independent business culture also thrives on challenging conventions.
In our conversation with Kelly Moffat, co-founder and COO of Brooklyn-based Kirrin Finch, we explored how the company built a clothing brand around customers historically overlooked by traditional fashion.
Moffat spoke about inclusive design, brand authenticity and the importance of listening to the people a business serves.
She also shared one of her favorite places for a drink in Brooklyn: Bar Blondeau, the rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking Manhattan from the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg.
It is precisely the kind of personal recommendation that makes interviewing founders valuable. Their stories reveal not just what they build, but the places they themselves enjoy.
Bar Blondeau: 80 Wythe Avenue, sixth floor, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Read our interview with Kelly Moffat
The City Through the Eyes of Its Makers
What connects a Brooklyn distiller, a Manhattan cigar-bar proprietor, a hospitality entrepreneur and a family-run tailoring house?
Each has built something distinctive in a city where standing out is difficult and staying relevant can be harder still.
For us, the most memorable experiences are often the ones where you understand the people and decisions behind them.
That is what makes New York endlessly interesting.
This guide will continue to evolve as Taste The Dram interviews more of the founders, makers and personalities shaping the city.
