* Hotel Delmano
image c/o Noah Kalina
82 Berry Street, Brooklyn NY 11211
(Berry & North 9th)
PHONE: 718.387.1945
HOURS: Sun-Thu 5pm-2am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am
CARDS: All Major
ALCOHOL: Full Bar (including fancy, top dollar concoctions)
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L Train to Bedford Ave
SHECKY'S SAYS: Tired of waiting three hours for that text that reveals you finally scored a table at Milk and Honey? Now that even the most snobbish city dweller knows that Brooklyn has more to offer than dive bars and seedy one night stands, why not head to Williamsburg for your fancy cocktail fix? You'll be kickin' it with a more sophisticated set (i.e., actual cool people) that prefers the Last Word (gin, maraschino, chartreuse, and lime, $9) to a watered down whiskey. While the front room, with its marble topped tables and shelves of liquor that the bartender reaches by ladder, is the main hub of activity, the side rooms are just as intoxicating. Order a Corpse Reviver No.2 and you'll find out just how invigorating it is to be in the 'Burg.
NY MAG SAYS:
We might have some interior shots of Billyburg's first cocktail palace, but we confess to being too hung-over after our visit from one too many elderflower tequila gimlets, which is what happens when you ask the barkeep there to make you something with tequila. The cocktail list boasts of one original, the Commandant's Cocktail (it contains pear cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice, and green chartreuse), but mixologist Jeff Hanson's renditions of the Last Word, Corpse Reviver No. 2, the Hemingway Daiquiri, and the Seelbach Cocktail are plenty revelatory. As for checking into the Hotel when there's no vacancy: the place is operating à la Death & Co., with a doorman turning away parties and taking cell numbers. One other thing: Barchitect Michael Smart took a cue from Pastis when he installed the gorgeous communal sink and subway tiles in the bathroom, but he managed to trump even McNally with the W.C. proper. Bravo! Finally, a bit of trivia: You'd never know it, but the place used to be a tattoo parlor. Now the only thing that'll hurt is the check.
CITY SEARCH SAYS:
One look around, and it's clear that the owners of Hotel Delmano--whose other credit includes Union Pool--know a thing or two about constructing a timeless watering hole. Inside, a relaxed crowd of elder hipsters slinks and whispers around the tables as if they own the place. The space is thoroughly styled--from the bar-top basket of citrus fruit (actually used in some drinks) to the nearly identical coiffure of the bartenders. Vintage brasserie furnishings and high ceilings, walls with a cloudy finish above dark cherry chair rails, twinkling candles and a deliciously dim chandelier will make you want to spend the night. If only it were an actual hotel. Hits: From fruity to elegant, it's the drinks, so long as you can stomach the $9 to $14 price tags. The aptly named Corpse Reviver No. 2 (gin, Cointreau, Lillet, lemon juice and Pastis) tastes like lemons on a summer day. Misses: Romantic side rooms provide couples with great candle-lit corners, but the host isn't shy about cramming multiple parties uncomfortably close, so be prepared for a little PDA.
EATER SAYS:
This is Hotel Delmano, Williamsburg's first proper expensive and atmospheric cocktail bar, opened a couple weeks ago on North 9th and Berry. There has been very little buzz about this place (as in none), considering what it means for the neighborhood and for Brooklyn. It's one of the trio of serious cocktail bars (Hideaway and Weather Up, the others) that have opened in non-Manhattan practically over night, which is to say, this may be the moment that cocktail culture makes a jump to the other side of the East River. The team behind Hotel Delmano are Union Pool owners Alyssa Abeta and Zeb Stewart and cocktail man Jeff Hansen (Diner, Pencil Factory). Eater correspondents were on the scene Friday night and the verdict is clear: place is a stunner. The ceiling fans, the old fixtures in the bathroom, the long marble bar and big leather banquettes--this is Brooklyn with the ante upped. And the drinks are on par with those at operations like Pegu Club and East Side Company Bar, both in taste and in the $12-14 price point. Finally, on the matter of its name. A hotel she isn't. There is a vague and long off plan to rent out the rooms above the bar, but at present the name is strictly for effect. Go now: Friday the place was already pretty busy, and we're suspecting finding a seat will get harder as word gets out.
Comments
Stop listening to people's "reviews," and try something on your own for once!
Posted by: grant gold | May 29, 2009 11:04 PM
this place is cool. kevin the bartender is fast and attentive and an amazing mixologist. cool vibe. feels like you're in Europe...not Williamsburg. Expensive, but good at either the beginning or end of the night!
Posted by: staple | April 14, 2009 03:26 PM
Great cocktails!
Pricey? i guess, but it's not something you have everyday.
Bartenders are great at what they do. I read peoples reviews about the staff being cold. I think people are expecting too much. The bartender is there to make u a drink and that's about it. If you're looking to make friends join facebook or something.
Come here if you want a delicious homemade cocktail and not some premixed bullshit. Great place to bring a date for a drink. I recommend a Dark n' Stormy or a Last word. Or the bartender will make you a drink according to your desired ingredients. Now that's service Love it.
Posted by: Michael | March 23, 2009 04:10 PM
well im supposed to meet some friends there later on tonight. It will be my first time and after reading the reviews...bad drinks,rude staff and expensive...im not sure i really want to go.
I probably will just to check things out but ill comment back about my thoughts on Hotel Delmano.
Posted by: marilyn menjivar | January 24, 2009 12:28 AM
rude staff? try the owners of hotel delmano, they are super obnoxious!
Posted by: muddy | October 3, 2008 10:17 PM
rude staff? try the owners of hotel delmano, they are super obnoxious!
Posted by: muddy | October 3, 2008 10:15 PM
RUDE, RUDE, RUDE...need I say more? Maybe the rubberband around the bartender's head was too tight?
Posted by: bargoer | October 3, 2008 04:33 PM
The bartender adjusted his mini-headband while making my drink too! Clearly he needs a better fitting headband. I can't decide if the headband is supposed to be 1980 or 1908 retro. So the drinks are expensive, but every drink comes with a condo, so its totally worth it.
Posted by: yeah. | August 25, 2008 10:53 PM
Hotel del mano is the perfect place! Perfect anyone who's social/drinking habits require a meticulously appointed bathroom or a really interesting ceiling.
You're thinking sounds really cool, but you also might be wondering " hey, isn't drinking fancy cocktails out of antique styled glasses really sophisticated?". Yes it is, but more sophisticated is what you should be all about. You can afford it now.
Posted by: steal something | June 10, 2008 05:26 PM
I've never commented on a place before, but felt the need to comment on a very bad experience here. Went here with 4 friends, 3 chefs and myself. We frequent PDT, Death and Co. and Huckleberry, all of which have very good cocktails. The atmosphere is great here, great 'facade', but the whole place does not feel real in some way. Ordered two rounds of drinks and they were not good. One cocktail, a simple Sazerac, was made with simple syrup!?, and was not drinkable and had to be sent back.
The waitress was incredibly rude. Too much coke? Who knows...
Will not return.
Posted by: J | May 28, 2008 02:13 AM
Fantastic. Great drinks, love to go early in the evening. Expensive but that might be a plus, since it seems to keep the crowds in check.
Posted by: david | May 20, 2008 10:58 PM
this is my new favorite bar. i love the bartenders the ceiling the bathroom door its just all around so fun to be in there. and i recommond the st. gemain.
Posted by: emily | May 12, 2008 04:24 PM
WOW expensive, but if you want this kind of drink, you have to pay that kind of price. no more or less expensive than similar places in manhattan.
ive been three times and the bartenders have been cordial at worst and really accomodating and warm at best. if you ignore the menu and let them go nuts youll get something special.
Posted by: anon | April 21, 2008 05:02 PM
too expensive!
Posted by: spy | March 28, 2008 09:19 PM
great vibe but c'mon with the drink prices. $17 for lagavulin scotch? i know how much that bottle costs and they are makin' bank, not that its stopped from ordering a second :)
Posted by: hilde | March 28, 2008 02:38 AM
Watching the bartender pause mid-drink mixing to straighten his mini-headband is pretty entertaining! The "actual cool" people are clearly buying cool. Whatever, go, spend your money, don't go, save your money... beautiful appointments aside, its just a bar.
Posted by: Maria | March 9, 2008 11:34 PM
in true union pool owner style, the staff is INCREDIBLY rude. Painfully so, This coming from an ex-bartender with over 10 years in teh industry. Id rather eat shit than go here again. You can quote me.
And who wants to pay $14 for a drink in williamsburg? Its just offensive if you ask me. Keep williamsburg broke!!!
Posted by: ugh | March 5, 2008 06:55 PM
The Look: Antiqued interior has a striking, 19th century feel.
The Drinks: Fancy and very well prepared cocktails, (using elaborate ingredients) ranging from $9 - $14. I tried one from their list and it was exquisite. A previous poster complained that the drink was small. My drink was served in a old fashioned bowl-style champagne glass, probably 6 oz. It's true that you wouldn't want to come here for a cosmo served in a 12oz Crate & Barrel martini glass.
The Crowd: I was there early on a fri night and there was only one other person in the place.
Posted by: Razzmatazz | March 3, 2008 11:06 PM
I went once, early-ish on a Tuesday. Quiet and mellow. The cocktails aren't cheap, but they're mixed well and very tasty. The other comments here so far do not at all mirror my experience, but we were just one of like 3 tables in the joint, so maybe it gets bougeious-y when they're busy?
I would go back. It's pretty.
Posted by: rr | March 3, 2008 04:20 PM
Went on a Tuesday night, so there was no problem getting a table... the spot is cute, but it was the teeniest $14 drink I've ever had.
Posted by: topless waitress | March 3, 2008 05:20 AM
Some friends an I went last night, and ended up staying for a few drinks despite the tactless and unprofessional bartenders. I didn't think they were going to go for a "Dick's Last Resort" vibe with their staff, but unfortunately that's how it turned out. Stay away.
Posted by: Gave It a Try | March 2, 2008 11:51 PM
A friend convinced us to meet for a fancy drink there once. We were stopped at the door by an "attendant" who asked us how many in our party? He told us "we may have standing room only for a party of 3 let me check" Let's just say we did not stick around to see if room was available (and neither did the girls behind us). Gross and pretentious!
Posted by: gingham | March 1, 2008 07:14 PM
Oh yeah, I've been, it sucks my ass. Hope this helps.
thanks.
Posted by: Jergin Meoff | March 1, 2008 03:37 AM