The back of the bar is stocked, bar to ceiling with top-shelf spirits. The mixers, fresh-squeezed seasonal fruit juices and every kind of bitter, vermouth, liqueur, and the like that you could imagine. It is quite dark inside, but this is standard for your typical speakeasy. Dark red walls, adorned with gold-frame portraits, softly illuminated by orange light. The inside is very extravagant in a turn of the century, steel baron kind of way. Once inside, the ground rules are laid out in the entrance/waiting area, before you are directed into the bar area & seated at a table. Ring the buzzer & a staff member emerges from an inner door to scan your ID. Just a metal door and a buzzer, nestled in the heart of Chinatown. No shorts, no sandals, no sneakers, no hats, no photography, no problem.No sign, no posted address. Nothing wrong with the Hop Sing, but really not worth the hype in my opinion. Too many places (including other bars/speakeasies) where you can find as good or better drinks with a similar or better atmosphere for less. Overall: While the drinks were good, the place itself did not warrant that price tag. not including a 20% service charge, which was not including the tip and everything was cash only - so a tab for two drinks, with a respectable 20% tip, will run you about $50, again only two drinks at the lower end of the scale. (A fernet, absinthe mixture was amazing!) Con: Mixed drinks on the menu went from about $16 and up. We were very impressed with the types of liquor being fused together and the outcome. We did ask a question about some of the ingredients but our servers were unable to answer - not a big deal, but if youre only serving alcohol you should know your fair share of what youre serving and then some. We never felt rushed and were able to sip our drinks and just enjoy our conversation. If you are concerned about masks and social distancing, Hop Sing is doing it right. Inside is dimly lite, with exposed ceilings, red walls with pictures on the walls and music playing around the room. Inside you are provided an overview of the establishment and the rules - nothing crazy, one would hope everyone can follow and abide by, very respectable. A nondescript gate and the owner/manager are your first introductions to this bar/speakeasy. my wife and I travel all over the world and make sure we hit speakeasy (yes, I know Hop Sing Laundromat doesnt want to be considered a speakeasy) and we both were in the bar business for a while.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |