Soon to open in the former QDT spot, Ward III, brought to you by an all-star team of bartenders from The Odeon, Ella, Grace Bar and Macao Trading Co., will focus on "bespoke cocktails made to custom perfection," which, according to co-owner Michael Neff (of Macao Trading Co.), means that in addition to offering a standard cocktail list, "what we'll do best is make custom cocktails from a palette of ingredients."
Which means, you'll take a seat at the 25-foot wood bar and mention a handful of your preferred spirits, fruits, mixers, herbs—whatever you like to drink—and the bartenders'll mix up a custom concoction to fit your tastes. "We get to know you a little by which words you choose. You like gin, tabasco, lime? OK, cool." For those who prefer to keep it old-fashioned and order from a 3D menu, Ward III's offering a handful of specialty cocktails to choose among, like the Moroccan Martini and the Baby Eveline (made with vodka, prosecco, strawberries, Peychaud's bitters and fresh lemon juice, $12).
And though the drinks are fancy, the bar's vibe is more casual-comfortable and "vintage Tribeca" than Intimidating Cocktail Palace. (Neff: "We want to keep the snooty-ness out of cocktails.") The space is pretty in an un-fussy way, with swaths of exposed brick, a warm and muted color palate and an eye-grabbing back bar made entirely from vintage Singer sewing macines. "They give it a kind of homey feeling, like ‘Oh my god, my grandmom had one of those!'"
And if you're hungry, eat—all day and night. Like the now-shuttered Grace Bar, the concept at Ward III is "if you're here you can eat," with an around-the-clock (11 a.m. to 4 a.m.) eclectic New American/international menu featuring dishes like Moroccan deviled eggs, meatball sliders, sea salt brownie bites and something called the "boxty with two dips"—Irish potato griddle cakes served with a whiskey sauce and a blue cheese dip. (There's brunch, too.)
Keeping Tribeca relaxed and welcoming, one gin, lime and Tabasco cocktail at a time.
Opening date? "Ten days, plus or minus."
Ward III
111 Reade St. between W. Broadway and Church St.
212-240-9194
Photo courtesy Ward III's Facebook page
What other people are saying...
saraht - June 12, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Tribeca needed a place like this, I can't ever seem to find a good bar around there that isn't a hotel bar or ultra trendy, anyone have any other s...
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