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Photos: Stiff Drinks & Cold Popsicles At Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 19, 2013
Modified May 20, 2013
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 19, 2013
Modified May 20, 2013
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Initially I had hoped to cover the Manhattan Cocktail Classic's kickoff gala at the New York Public Library by imbibing every single cocktail the event had to offer. "Oh no, you cannot do that," our editor told us as he sipped an oversized, frigid-looking gin martini. "There are more than 150 cocktails. You will die." What if I just took a sip of each one? "Mmmp," he said, the liquor engulfing his upper lip. "Die."
He was right, though sugar would have delivered the fatal dose. Liquor—fabulous, bracing, glass-borne liquor—was easy to score (this is appropriate for a $200 ticketed event). No drink line was longer than five minutes. But finding a cocktail that didn't taste like Fruit Stripe On The Rocks was at times difficult. Many of them looked like these:
Professional photo by John Del Signore
We ended up locating a drink with gin and corn (the cobbed kind) and a hint of jalapeño that pleasantly coated our throats like libidinous Drano and pressed on, undeterred.
Photo: Filip Wolak, Courtesy Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Meandering around three cavernous floors of the library with spiffily dressed strangers felt like Night At The Museum set at a bunch of dueling wedding receptions. Different wings showcased different wares and featured different DJs. The room that had Your High School Friend's Wedding Party also had a DJ playing Pitbull's "I Know You Want Me" and also this guy dancing in it.
Professional photo by John Del Signore (must credit John Del Signore)
If you wanted to feel like you were at your Rich Lawyer Uncle's Fourth Wedding, you could head downstairs to the stunning Celeste Bartos Forum, where an old-time band played tunes that would be killer for that Boardwalk Empire season premiere party you've been thinking about throwing.
Photo: Filip Wolak, Courtesy Manhattan Cocktail Classic
There were also ladies handing out popsicles on cigarette trays, so we grabbed a delightful root beer-flavored pop and the rest, as they say, is history.
Professional photo by John Del Signore
A Victorian Walking Table Lady periodically appeared to pass out chocolates and remind us of the terrible, radioactive explosion at the H.M. Tilden Table Factory in 1889, which forever changed the lives of a generation of Liverpool's children.
Professional photo by John Del Signore
Yes, it was nice to dress up, drink cocktails, and shrug off all our cares and worries for a few hours. Very nice.
Professional photo by John Del Signore
Photo: Filip Wolak, Courtesy Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Photo: Filip Wolak, Courtesy Manhattan Cocktail Classic
The Manhattan Cocktail Classic lasts through Tuesday. You can pick up tickets to more of their booze-centric events here.
Tagged
cocktails
H.M. Tilden Table Factory Radioactive Explosion
manhattan cocktail classic
nypl
spirits
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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