Fascinating Facts About 8 NYC Bars to Impress Your Drinking Buddies

As one of the world’s top nightlife capitals, New York City’s got some pretty cool bars. But sometimes, you crave a place that offers something more than a fancy cocktail and a dark-and-sexy vibe—you want to visit a bar that has distinguished itself with something truly intriguing. Perhaps it’s the highest rooftop to drink a martini, a speakeasy tucked behind an ice cream parlor, or a dive that’s tried to hide a controversial past.

Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll be able to drink it up at one of the city’s most fascinating bars. Here are 8 local bars with some downright captivating facts you can use to impress your drinking buddies.

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde

At nearly 120 feet long, the bar at Oscar Wilde is reputed to be the longest in the city. But that’s just the start of what’s interesting at this beloved bar. It also has 26 antique clocks, all set to 1:50—the time of the namesake Irish playwright’s death. A nearly 200-year-old player piano comprises the back of the whiskey bar. And those one-armed chairs aren’t a defect—they were designed to remind guests of the Irish exit.

SkyLawn

SkyLawn

The rooftop bar atop the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Midtown is all about great views—not only of the Empire State Building, but also iconic movies displayed on one of the largest outdoor movie screens in Manhattan. Grab a cocktail created by New York Distilling Company mixologist Allen Katz and settle in to one of SkyLawn’s comfy deck chairs for the show.

Castell

Castell

The AC Hotel’s rooftop bar, Castell, might be best known for its classic cocktails and meticulously made martinis, but it’s the only place the five boroughs that has a salted grapefruit paloma on draft. The refreshingly tart drink is a subtle celebration of the bar’s Spanish influence.

King Cole Bar

King Cole Bar

Secrets abound at the King Cole Bar. The lush lounge in the St. Regis is the birthplace of the Bloody Mary. But the invention of everyone’s favorite brunch-time tipple isn’t the only fun fact about the King Cole Bar. Take a closer look at Maxfield Parrish’s massive “Old King Cole” mural behind the bar. Wondering why the jesters seem to be holding back giggles? Rumor has it that King Cole just cut the cheese.

The UES

The UES/Facebook

The UES on the Upper East Side looks like your trendy ice cream parlor du jour, with its Millennial-pink entryway and light-up cone sign. But most of the guests lining up outside aren’t waiting for a scoop of vanilla—they’re planning to slip past the wall of 180 empty ice cream cartons next to the counter into one of the city’s newest speakeasies.

McSorley’s Old Ale House

McSorley’s Old Ale House

NYC’s oldest continuously operated saloon has been an institution in the city since 1854. But did you know that it didn’t welcome women for more than 100 years? In fact, Dorothy O’Connell Kirwan, who owned the bar from 1939-1974, only visited on Sundays after closing time. Even though a lawsuit forced the bar to end its ban on ladies in 1970, it didn’t install a women’s restroom until 1986. Nowadays, you’ll find members of both sexes savoring “dark” or “light” ale (the only two beers on draft) while kicking around the sawdust that covers the floor.

Fine & Rare

Fine & Rare

Want to experience the romance of Grand Central Terminal without the bustling crowds? Slip into Fine & Rare, where you can see antique brass teller windows from the beloved train station. Continuing the theme of interior design that celebrates the past, the doors to the private room are actually from a Masonic Temple. The spot regularly hosts live music—you can even hear Lady Gaga’s go-to trumpeter, Brian Newman, on Saturday nights.

The Flatiron Room

The Flatiron Room

The Flatiron Room woos whiskey wonks with a menu of more than 1,000 variants—one of the largest lists in the world. Should you wish to buy one of the rare bottles, you’ll be able to participate in the bar’s Bottle Keep program. It allows you to store the bottle at The Flatiron room and access it via a special card. It’s like your own personal pirate booty right in Manhattan.

Related Video: Behind the Bar with Matt Seigel

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Kitchen Gadgets to Help You Prep for Your Halloween Party

What Is the Difference Between Turnips and Parsnips?

While they’re both root vegetables packed with nutrients, parsnips and turnips are not quite the same—parsnips are similar to carrots and have a sweet, candy-like flavor profile. Turnips, on the other hand, are in the Brassica rapa family and are much less sweet. They can be eaten raw like radishes, or cooked (turnip greens are very popular) and are often served mashed or roasted alongside other root vegetables. Turnips often have a deep purple hue with a white top—but there are many varieties. They’re often bitter and can be harvested as “baby turnips” to maintain a milder taste if you’re looking to eat them raw.

Parsnips have a sweet, nutty taste and can easily be substituted for carrots in any recipe. You’ll know you’ve found them at the farmers market when you’re eyeing a vegetable that looks like a large white carrot. They are great for pureeing into soups or stews for added creaminess and can also be used to add moisture to baked goods (similar to banana or zucchini bread). If you’re interested in finding out the difference between turnips and parsnips for yourself, check out these nine recipes for some root vegetable dishes that pair well with any meal.

Glazed Poppy Seed Turnips

Chowhound

This simple recipe with a poppyseed vinaigrette has a sweet and sour vibe with red wine vinegar, salt, and honey. Use two pounds of turnips and be sure to cut them into evenly sliced 1-inch wedges. Get our Glazed Poppy Seed Turnips recipe.

Honey Mustard Parsnips

Chowhound

Cubed and tossed with sherry vinegar, honey, olive oil, whole-grain mustard, freshly ground pepper, and kosher salt, this recipe is a quick and easy way to incorporate parsnips into your daily routine. Get our Honey Mustard Parsnips recipe.

Momofuku Turnip Pickle

Chowhound

If you like traditional pickles, ditch the cucumber and try out this recipe with a pound of paper thin sliced turnips. Kombu is a seaweed that can be found at specialty markets (but you can leave it out if it’s unavailable). Get our Momofuku Turnip Pickle recipe.

Potato-Parsnip Gratin

Chowhound

A subtle twist on the traditional potato gratin, this potato-parsnip gratin has a hint of sweet vanilla along with nutmeg, garlic, and fresh breadcrumbs. A full cup of Emmentaler cheese make it especially filling. Get our Potato-Parsnip Gratin recipe.

Potato-Turnip Latkes 

Chowhound

If you thought you loved regular latkes, wait until you try this variation that includes turnips, in addition to russet potatoes ,and is cooked in duck fact for an extra savory touch. Get our Potato-Turnip Latkes recipe.

Turnip and Pear Puree

Chowhound

A perfect side for grilled or roasted meats, this potato, turnip, and pear puree is a much more interesting take on mashed potatoes. Use Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears and keep them in water with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent them from browning. Get our Turnip and Pear Puree recipe.

Parsnip and Lamb Curry

The Roasted Root

Parsnips, lamb, and coconut milk are the foundation of this creamy curry. Flavored with cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and curry powder, this flavorful mix pairs perfectly with baby spinach and fresh cilantro. Get this Parsnip and Lamb Curry recipe. 

Creamed Turnips and Greens

Eating Well

Make sure to keep those turnip greens around for this recipe – cooked with milk, nutmeg, lemon, garlic, and olive oil, the greens add a hint of freshness to a hearty winter dish. Get this Creamed Turnips and Greens recipe.

Turnip Fries

A fun alternative to french fries, turnip fries are made by tossing together cornmeal, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl and then dipping the turnips in buttermilk and coating with this mixture. Fry in batches in hot oil until golden brown and be sure not to overcook. Get this Turnip Fries recipe.

Related Video: How to Make a Savory Turnip Gratin and Greens

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Pressure Cooker Green Pork Pozole

The pressure cooker seriously cuts the prep time on Green Pork Pozole! Made with tomatillos, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, and jalapeños, this soup is Mexican comfort food at its best.

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5 Ways to Use a Pot of Rice All Week

Rice really is a make-ahead food. Make more than you need for Monday's dinner, and you've got enough left for soup, salads, curries, and other rice-based dishes. It keeps well and just requires a little finesse to use again and again.

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Gifts for the Goth Gourmet

Do you know a goth food lover? That is, someone who loves food and drink almost as much as they adore the macabre? Someone who puts The Cure in epicure? Someone who wants every inch of their space to reflect their style? Then these goth kitchen gifts could be just the thing for them!

I myself was once a mini Mall Goth who laughed at the “Goth Talk” sketches on “SNL” with more than a smidgen of chagrin, and wanted to be Wednesday Addams and Lydia Deetz with all my morbid heart. I was lucky enough to have family members who were happy to gift me things I actually liked—unwrapping layers of bright and cheerful reindeer-patterned Christmas paper or tearing the pastel tissuhawaie from a balloon-bedecked birthday bag to find an Emily the Strange t-shirt, a Dead Can Dance album, or a little velvet-frocked, yarn-locked doll (from Hot Topic, of course) always warmed my broody young/old soul.

While I’ve moved on from full commitment to all-black everything and never did get the coffin-shaped purse I coveted, I still have a predilection for the dark, the strange, and the spooky. That means I do a lot of shopping around Halloween, live for horror movies, and wear this Haunted Mansion “Ghost Host” apron every time I cook or bake. Jet-black things of all kinds still exert a serious pull on me, as do prints of bats and insects, and there are plenty of skulls and such sprinkled around the house as part of our everyday decor.

If you know someone who can relate, consider gifting them one of these goth kitchen goodies. Regardless of how you wrap them, your recipient will be eerily elated.

Skeleton Apron ($13)

DII/Amazon

The aforementioned Haunted Mansion apron will no doubt be too frilly (and colorful) for some, so this bare-bones black-and-white design may be a better choice. Think of it as the kitchen counterpart to the eternally popular skeleton hoodie.See It

Skeleton Spoon and Fork ($22-$40)

UndyingMemories/Etsy

Skeleton-handled forks and spoons will look lovely as they lay in sweet repose on any gothic table.See It

Mini Skull Cake Pans ($28)

Nordic Ware/Amazon

If your goth loves to bake, skull-shaped cake pans are perfect for year-round use. And while they don’t have to be restricted to desserts, they are great for when you want to personify the whole death-by-chocolate concept (in a ghoulishly good way).See It

Skull Decanter ($28)

Monkey and Heroes/Amazon

Spirits of all sorts can be decanted into this shining glass skull (which comes with two matching shot glasses), but it works just as well for less sinister sips. Imagine a gloomy garden party—well-shaded, of course—where you use this to serve sweet tea; in that case, the shot glasses can hold condiments or cheese picks, because even goths gotta eat.See It

Skull Ice Cube Molds ($11)

DineAsia/Amazon

Continuing the skull theme even further, why not mold your ice into memento mori? They’ll keep your drinks as cold as your affect (kidding—mostly)!See It

Black Bark-Pattern Dinner Plates ($25)

Creative Converting/Amazon

Sure, you could get any old black plates and call it a delightfully dreary day, but the bark pattern on these specimens evokes a dark and haunted forest—and you get 12 in a set, so you can almost feed an entire coven in style.See It

Gold Skull Stemless Wine Glasses ($37)

Target

If your goth isn’t averse to a little bling, the grimly grinning skulls on this set of four stemless wineglasses are golden (metaphorically speaking, too).See It

Black Skeleton Hands Wine Bottle Holder ($15)

Target

Lend a vino-loving goth a cold, dead hand—two, actually—with this skeletal wine holder in their favorite color.See It

16-Piece Geometric Glazed Black Dinnerware Set ($36)

Elama/Walmart

If you know a goth who’s just getting set up in their own mysterious lair, consider giving them a full set of inky black dinner service; the raised geometric pattern makes it all a little more interesting (and makes the plates look a little spiderwebby), but the dark glaze is probably still in keeping with their style.See It

Hidden Spider Mug ($18)

Creature Cups/Etsy

Speaking of spiders, this plain black coffee mug hides a surprise one inside—but if your goth has a touch of arachnophobia, you can select from a number of different forms, including skulls (naturally), gargoyles, dragons, and even a mini Cthulhu.See It

Bat Tea Set ($24-$155)

Angioletti Designs/Etsy

For your Romantic Goths, this bat-stamped porcelain tea set is simply ravishing, but if the whole shebang is too scary a splurge, you can buy single pieces for a lot less. (And for those who don’t do pastels, the seller also offers gold-rimmed all-black pieces with prints of ravens and the like on the inside of each cup.)See It

Squid Ink Pasta ($11)

Regan Baroni

Can food itself be goth? This literally inky pasta would suggest so, and it’s a wonderful gift to give the gourmand who is also obsessed with all things dark.See It

Black Garlic ($25)

Shutterstock

Black garlic is not only the perfect shade, it’s old, somewhat odd, and fairly rare—all also things most goths appreciate. The color develops naturally as the garlic ages and ferments, and the flavor is surprisingly mellow and sweet, with a smoky nuance and a lingering tang, like a ghost of the garlic’s former self. Its texture is soft and gelatinous enough to spread on toast. With none of the acrid pungency of raw garlic, you could even give this to a Vampire Goth.See It

Forbidden Black Rice ($17)

Shutterstock

Naturally black rice also often goes by the awesomely goth name “forbidden rice”—and it purportedly has lots of health benefits, with more protein, fiber, and antioxidants than other varieties of rice. Plus, it’s way cheaper than black caviar.See It

Hawaiian Black Lava Sea Salt ($13)

Shutterstock

Everybody needs to season their food, but why stop at plain old table salt? This black Hawaiian sea salt lends a lovely dark flourish when used to finish dishes, plus a hint of smoke (from charred coconut shells) along with the usual salinity.See It

4-Quart Matte Black Staub Cocotte ($285)

Sur La Table

For serious home chefs, an enameled cast-iron Staub cocotte is a prized item, and since it comes in velvety matte black, it’s the perfect modern cauldron for the witchiest kitchens.See It

Edgar Allan Poe Raven Dinner Plate ($30-$65)

Angioletti Designs/Etsy

Emblazoned with a raven, a piece of the famous poem of the same name, and elaborate gold or silver edging, these porcelain pretties are just as suited to displaying on the wall as putting on the table. And for Poe fans in particular, you’ll search for the perfect present…nevermore.See It

Related Video: How to Make Instant Pot Goth Quinoa

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