I've been wanting to go the Violet Hour for the last 6 months, but for one reason or another never made it in. I finally went last Saturday with my girlfriend and was sat at the bar. At first we were disappointed, but I am so glad that I got to be upclose to the action. The level of attention and detail was outstanding. We saw the manager there (I think his name was Matt, or something starting with an M, I didn't catch it when he introduced himself, unfortunatly) tasting a drink he made that he was obviously displeased with, and shared tastes with the other mixologists who also commented on it. This was much more like watching the chefs at a fine dining establishment than a bartender at any other bar I've ever been to. It was really masterful to see.

On to the drinks. I had:

Hush and Wonder - I found to be a LITTLE too acidic for my tastes, but was very good. I ordered this to sample creme de violette. I've owned a bottle of it before and didn't really like it, and wanted to get another taste. I only got a hint of it in this (which is the point) but I was hoping for a bit more. Still very yummy.

Dark n' Stormy - Another rum based cocktail. This was by far the best DnS I've ever had. I noticed they didn't use ginger beer at all, but instead ginger syrup. I loved the presentation with the dark rum floating on top as well. This is something I'll have to try making sometime.

Dogwood Manhattan - The manhattan is my favorite genre of drink, and it was our mixologist's as well (he said that he created the Dogwood Manhattan). This was by far the best Manhattan I've ever had. I loved the peach bitters and the quality of the whisky was superb. The next time I'm going in, I'm going to try it and the classic Manhattan and see how they compare.

I also sampled my girlfriends drinks:

Gilded Cage - This was very good as well. I preferred it to my hush and wonder. I don't have a lot of notes on this as I only tasted it once, but the presentation with the bitters on top slightly stirred impressed us both.

Moscow Mule - The vodka cousin to the Dark n' Stormy. She preferred this to my Dark n' Stormy, where I preferred my DnS. It was more acidic than my drink, and in general I prefer rum to vodka. I find vodka to be pretty uninteresting. Still, it was very well presented and yummy.

Juliet and Romeo - By far the biggest surprise of the night. My girlfriend HATES gin, with a passion. She loved her Juliet and Romeo. It was just right. I noticed in the homemade violet hour thread there has been some work on making this at home. I think I'll have to try my hand at this. I think this would be a GREAT drink to demonstrate the differences in gin. I want to try Hendrick's (which already has cucumber and rose notes) versus Beefeater in it. I think my girlfriend might light the softer taste of the Hendricks, as she isn't a huge fan of gin.

I loved the atmosphere and never felt that it was pretentious. It was the perfect end to our night out, and I will be returning as soon as possible. My girlfriend also loved our mixologist's tie. At one point, I felt like we waited a little longer than we should have to order our next drink (it was hard to wait for another wonderful concotion), but it was near 10pm and things were very busy, and I've waited that long at 'normal bars'... Just instead I was waiting with a huge crowd of other people.

This may now be my 'disneyland' - the happiest place on Earth.

Great job!

Deleted

The Violet Hour gets several mentions in this NYTimes article on the "speakeasy" fad.

Well, I went to Death and Company and Pegu Club and Flatiron in New York City last week. To be honest, NONE of them could hold a candle to the Violet Hour. The Pegu Club was decent but the cocktails were boring and the execution was a bit flawed. We tried the signature Gin Gin Mule and there was not enough ginger flavor at all. It was boring, and the bartenders didn't seem that interested in creating anything flawless. Flatiron the drinks were better, but weren't great. Death and Company had quality cocktails, for sure. I really enjoyed them, but the space was very small and loud. They were what I had come to expect, but nothing fantastic. My girlfriend did not enjoy her cocktails there at all.

I'm comparing the best of the best here, but I was excited to return to the Violet Hour after all of this. Of course, I only had two cocktails each, so I can not say that my word is anywhere near definitive, but just my experience.

To all of the staff at the Violet Hour, I salute you .

Thanks, bjackson, for that bit of enlightenment for those of us who can't get to the Big Apple with much frequency.

bjackson wrote:Well, I went to Death and Company and Pegu Club and Flatiron in New York City last week. To be honest, NONE of them could hold a candle to the Violet Hour.

I visited PDT while in NYC last month, and felt the same way. I had two drinks and sampled four more from my wife & sister, and all were just okay. I felt they fell short in terms of balance & complexity compared to the drinks at The Violet Hour.

Also, I'm sure the fancy-looking hot dog stand menu was meant to be "retro" and "hip", but I personally don't think waffle fries with neon-yellow cheese sauce is the best accompaniment for a hand-crafted (not to mention $13) cocktail.

On the plus side, I thought the service at PDT was quite friendly & attentive...however, we sat at a table, so I didn't get a chance to see if the bartenders there are as engaging & informative as the folks behind the bar at The Violet Hour.

I just saw TVH's summer menu over at egullet and thought I'd repost here:

The Violet Hour
Summer ’09 Cocktail List

Gin

Indian Summer Plymouth, Lime, Lavender Syrup, House-made Tonic

Sitting Limbo Beefeater, Pineapple, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Apry

Juliet & Romeo Beefeater, Mint, Cucumber, Rose Water

The Riviera Bombay Macerated Pineapple, Lemon, Egg White, Campari

The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Bombay Dry, Lemon, House Made Honey Syrup, La Muse Verte Absinthe, House Orange Bitters

Devil’s Playground Genevieve, Lemon, Ginger Syrup. Cassis, House Orange Bitters

Summer Negroni Tanqueray, Cinzano Bianco Vermouth, Campari, Angostura Orange Bitters


Rum
Bula Mai Tai El Dorado 5yr, Lime, House Made Roasted Orgeat

Hush & Wonder Matusalem, Lime, Créme de Violette, Grapefruit Bitters

Dark & Stormy Brugal Anejo, Lime, Cruzan Black Strap, House Ginger Syrup

Kingston Claret Brugal Anejo, Lime, Scott Harvey Barbera, Jerk Bitters

Ti Punch Rhum La Favorite Blanc, Lime, Cane Syrup



Whiskey


Tongue in Cheek Weller Special Reserve Bourbon, Lemon, Carpano Antica, Stawberry, Mint

The Zarzamora Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, Lemon, Fernet Branca, Blackberries, House Orange Bitters

Harlan County Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Lime, Apricot Liqueur, Tangerine Bitters

Brooklyn Rittenhouse Rye, Noilly Pratt Dry Vermouth, House Made Amer Picon, Luxardo Maraschino, Cherry Bitters

Sarsaparilla Sling Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Lemon, Amaro Ciociaro, Sarsaparilla Syrup,
Root Beer Bitters

Dogwood Manhattan Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth, Amaro Nonino, House Peach Bitters

New Carré Death’s Door White Whiskey, Pisco Biondi Italia, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Benadictine, Summer Bitters

Tequila
Spanish Margarita Herradura Silver, Lime, Licor 43, Hell-fire Bitters

Tequila Mockingbird Herradura Silver, Lemon, Yellow Chartreuse, Peppermint Water

The Hummingbird Herradura Silver, Lemon, Egg White, Cherry Heering

Tequila Old Fashioned Herradura Silver, Simple Syrup, Fees Old Fashioned Bitters,
Grapefruit Oil

Brandy
Apples & Oranges Laird’s Bonded Applejack, Lemon, St. Germain, Blackberries, Angostura Orange Bitters

Summer and Tremont Clear Creek Pear Brandy, Grapefruit, Raspberry Syrup,
Fernet Branca

Prescription Smash Laird’s Bonded Applejack, Lemon, Demerara Syrup, Mint, Orange Flower Water

St. Marks Reviver Pisco Acholado, Lime, Egg White, Luxardo Maraschino,
Cherry Bitters



Potable Bitters
Easy Out Aperol, Grapefruit, Tanqueray, Raspberry Syrup, Campari

Pimms Cup Variation Pimms #1, Lemon, St. Germain, Mint, Grapefruit Bitters

Giralamo Sour Luxardo Amaro, Lemon, Egg White, Luxardo Bitter

Vodka
Moscow Mule Tito's, Lime, House Made Ginger Syrup, Soda Water

Part & Parcel Tito's, Grapefruit, St. Germain, Grapefruit Bitters

Gilded Cage Tito's, Lemon, Egg White, Honey Syrup, Regans Orange Bitters

Wine and Sparkling
Champagne Cocktail Gruet Sparkling, Sugar Cube, Angostura Bitters

The White Sparrow Gruet Sparkling, Lemon, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Velvet Falernum

Summer Sangria White Wine, Peaches, Blueberries, Violette Liquer, Apples, Cherries, Grapefruit Bitters

The Etiquette Gruet Sparkling, Tabernero Pisco Acholado, House Made Raspberry Syrup

The Libertine Gruet Sparkling, Lemon, Pernod Absinthe, Plymouth Sloe Gin

Summer Punches
Rocky Mountain Punch Barbancourt Rhum, Lemon, Maraschino Liqueur, Gruet Sparking, Angostura Bitters

Pisco Punch Montesierpe Pisco Acholado, Lime, Pineapple Syrup,
Miramar Bitters

Jonestown Punch Jim Beam Rye Whiskey, Lemon, Apry, Red Zinger Tea,
Regans’ Orange Bitters

Gotta run.

Toby

Just got back from TVH, and amongst other things, I tried the Tongue in Cheek from the summer menu. The strawberry was prominent, and it was slightly tart and very refreshing, but the whiskey was still there; it wasn't overpowered by the fruit and vermouth. A great drink...

Hm, wanna drink it too. I even envy you a little, you know...

--------------

glitter graphics huge fan!

Just got back from the Violet Hour. The summer menu (listed above) doesn't officially come out for another week or two. (Our waitress wasn't sure exactly when.) They can make the drinks from the menu now, but don't have printed copies, so you can only order them if you remember the names.

eli wrote:Just got back from the Violet Hour. The summer menu (listed above) doesn't officially come out for another week or two. (Our waitress wasn't sure exactly when.) They can make the drinks from the menu now, but don't have printed copies, so you can only order them if you remember the names.

If you sit at the bar, you may not need to remember the specific name if you can remember the components or some subset of the components -- if you give them enough information, the bartenders will know what you are talking about.

Had a glorious 2-hour session at TVH last night (after about a year since my last visit). Between the 4 of us, I think we tried 11 different cocktails, plus informational mini-tastings of various gins, chartreuses and other assorted spirits. Michael took magnificent care of us. Not only does he know his stuff but he also knows how to share his knowledge in an entertaining and effective manner.

I started with a Harlan County, then let Michael decide for me on the next 2 rounds. He steered me next to a Dogwood Manahattan and finally an Old Fashioned. Other drinks I tasted included an Oldest Living Confederate Widow, a Riviera, a Gilded Cage (made with gin instead of vodka), a Part & Parcel and a funky Martinez, just to name a few. Across the board, there wasn't a beverage served to our party that I wouldn't happily order again. They were bold and distinctive, yet balanced and restrained. The knowledge, passion and attention to detail at TVH show up clearly in the libations. The components are meticulously chosen and prepared. There's no detail (not even the much-discussed ice) that hasn't been considered in the conception and execution of these beverages. There's a reason this place has kicked off the veritable cocktail revolution that's been happening in Chicago. Last night reminded me -- yet again -- that The Violet Hour is a true gem and one that we are damned lucky to have.

=R=

saw a write up on CNN about the Violet hour & I have a question. I have not been there( I am more of a shot and a beer guy), but in the article it stated The Violet Hour has a strict "no cellphones" policy(which would be awesome). If this is true I might have to check it out.

jimswside wrote:saw a write up on CNN about the Violet hour & I have a question. I have not been there( I am more of a shot and a beer guy), but in the article it stated The Violet Hour has a strict "no cellphones" policy(which would be awesome). If this is true I might have to check it out.

True 'dat.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:True 'dat.

=R=

thanks for the confirmation Ronnie.

I looked at their menu and read the reviews, seems like a must stop for anyone who enjoys an adult beverage on occasion.

jimswside wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:True 'dat.

=R=

thanks for the confirmation Ronnie.

I looked at their menu and read the reviews, seems like a must stop for anyone who enjoys an adult beverage on occasion.

It's a phenomenal spot and I highly recommend it. Btw, there are no ball caps allowed, either. I've never worn one there, so I don't know if that particular rule is enforced.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote: Btw, there are no ball caps allowed, either. I've never worn one there, so I don't know if that particular rule is enforced.

=R=

now why would you think you would need to advise me of that Ronnie...

jimswside wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote: Btw, there are no ball caps allowed, either. I've never worn one there, so I don't know if that particular rule is enforced.

=R=

now why would you think you would need to advise me of that Ronnie...

LOL! You and me both, my friend.

=R=

Link to the write-up on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/07/24/ba ... index.html

ronnie_suburban wrote:

jimswside wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:True 'dat.

=R=

thanks for the confirmation Ronnie.

I looked at their menu and read the reviews, seems like a must stop for anyone who enjoys an adult beverage on occasion.

It's a phenomenal spot and I highly recommend it. Btw, there are no ball caps allowed, either. I've never worn one there, so I don't know if that particular rule is enforced.

=R=

Just to clarify, the 'no cellphones' policy only applies to actually talking on your phone. You are allowed to text or do pretty much anything besides making/taking a call. I've seen the no ball caps rule enforced and not enforced. I think it has more to do with the particular host or hostess that is working that evening, and how busy they are.

jimswside wrote: in the article it stated The Violet Hour has a strict "no cellphones" policy(which would be awesome).

Maiden to voyage to The Violet Hour last night. Even after telling my friends that it was the graffiti covered building, one friend walked right by it because she couldn't find the door. (She forgot that I mentioned the single light fixture above the door.) We were having dinner at Mado at 7:00, so our time at TVH was limited. Mr. X started with a bourbon drink -- Eyes Open I think? It was garnished with a beautiful piece of grapefruit zest. The other Mary had a Juliet and Romeo and I started with the Hummingbird (Herradura Silver tequila, lemon, egg white, cherry Heering.) We of course shared tastes of each drink. I was least enamored with my drink. I did not find much depth of flavor in the Hummingbird. We all loved the Juliet and Romeo. The cucumber flavor was surprisingly strong, but that's not a bad thing. For round two, I had the delectable Dark and Stormy. Mr. X went with the Harlan County (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, lime, apricot liqueur, tangerine bitters). The Harlan County was an assertive drink where the alcohol made itself known. We noshed on the truffled chickpea popcorn, which was fantastic.

I regret that I waited so long to visit the Violet Hour. Watching the mixologists executing their craft was fascinating. I look forward to returning.

I went to The Violet Hour Friday night and had a very enjoyable evening as always. My favorites this time around were the Giralamo Sour and the Easy Out, both from the potable bitters section of the menu. (I tend to like bitter drinks.) The Giralamo Sour tasted quite a bit like sandalwood to me and had a very tasty layer of foam on top. I might have liked the foam more than the liquid part of the drink. The Easy Out was like pure pink grapefruit with a bit of bitters thrown in. It was a really light, refreshing drink that would be dangerous on a hot summer night.

I did also have one drink I didn't really care for, the first in 6 or 7 visits. The New Carré tasted a little overwhelmingly of vermouth. I was with a group of 8 and no one in the group liked it much. Considering how great everything else has always been here, I have to wonder if there was a mistake when the drink was made. Regardless, one misfire out of probably 50+ drinks (when you include the drinks of all my companions on all my visits) is still an admirable track record.

The New Carré tasted a little overwhelmingly of vermouth. I was with a group of 8 and no one in the group liked it much.

The New Carré is definitely the most challenging whiskey drink on the menu (reflected by its location at the bottom of that section, and I'll attest from personal experience as I've tried them all). When I had it, the bartender told me it needed to be consumed quickly to be appreciated, which I thought strange, but found to be true...perhaps it has something to do with the aromatic element of the bitters being key? After the first few sips, I found it to be redolent of the Italia Pisco, which is not my favorite aroma. I believe part of the reason why the drink might not be entirely successful could be that it was originally constructed using 100 proof (Bartender's Strength) Death's Door White Whisky, but that the product the Violet Hour received from DD was the more common 80 proof. That's a bit of speculation on my part, but it would certainly explain a lot. In any case, I didn't dislike the drink, but I also didn't fall in love with it.

This is seriously one of the biggest honors ever. The Juliet & Romeo has been served at Alinea. Well it inspired a bite.

http://alineamosaic.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=838

Seriously so very very cool.

Cheers,
Toby

BTW, I noticed that the new menu is posted on theviolethour.com

I pretty much want everything on the new menu.

8 of us want to grab a couple cocktails Sat around 9pm. Since several have said that The Violet Hour is more conducive for smaller groups, would a party of our size be a little out of the question? If not, how long should we expect to wait to get a table around that time?

If TVH is not really a possibility, another friend suggested The Drawing Room. Would that be a better choice for Sat? Thanks for your help!

spiffytriphy wrote:8 of us want to grab a couple cocktails Sat around 9pm. Since several have said that The Violet Hour is more conducive for smaller groups, would a party of our size be a little out of the question? If not, how long should we expect to wait to get a table around that time?

If TVH is not really a possibility, another friend suggested The Drawing Room. Would that be a better choice for Sat? Thanks for your help!

Eight is possible at TVH, all the way back in the third room against the back wall...but it's not the most comfortable collection of seats (especially the tuffet-like stools). The rest of the seating (tables in the first room and booths in the second room) can only accommodate four each, so they're out. Also, the thing about TVH is that, if you get there and none of the seating areas in the third room are available (there are only three or four of them, if I recall correctly), you'll end up having to kill time elsewhere while obsessively staring at your cellphone & trying to focus your telekinetic powers on it to will it to ring. That said, I got lucky one Saturday and scored one of those back areas for a group of seven with no waiting...granted, it was at 6:30pm.

If you'd prefer to have cocktails later in the evening, or you're not willing to have booze (and "small plates") for dinner, then I'd definitely recommend The Drawing Room over TVH for your group. The seating process is more casual (seat yourself, stand if no seats are available), and I would peg the cocktail quality as landing in that thin area between Bar DeVille and TVH (in other words, really frickin' good). Drink prices are the same as TVH, for the most part, and the bartenders are just as knowledgeable & willing to answer questions.

Thank you very much for the insight! I guess we'll take a vote and see what the group wants to do. Thanks a lot!

How would you say the majority of people dress at these places? Girls in skirts/dresses?

spiffytriphy wrote:How would you say the majority of people dress at these places? Girls in skirts/dresses?

Standard "going out clothes" will fit in just fine at both places. The sort of things you might wear if going to a lounge-y bar ("dressy" jeans or skirts for girls, nice jeans for guys). However, if you're looking for an excuse to overdress and get some use out of a "fancy restaurant" dress, you could safely do so at either place without looking/feeling at all out of place.