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Overstory Is 2023’s Greatest Craft Cocktail Bar



Positioned 64 flooring above the monetary district, the sweeping views at New York Metropolis’s Overstory are astonishing. However as bar director Harrison Ginsberg sees it, his staff’s job is to ensure visitors bear in mind extraordinary drinks and repair, making that grand surroundings simply a part of the general expertise.

“Overstory is a singular bar,” says Ginsberg. “It sits on high of Manhattan. Though it could really feel intimidating or very fancy, at its core, it’s only a cocktail bar that’s supposed to be timeless and ingrained within the tradition of New York Metropolis.”

The bar opened in August 2020, a part of a small advanced of upscale venues inside the 70 Pine Road constructing, based by chef/proprietor James Kent, an alum of The NoMad and Eleven Madison Park, and restaurateur Jeff Katz of SAGA Hospitality. The restaurant Crown Shy opened in 2019 on the constructing’s floor ground, adopted by Saga (additionally a restaurant, additionally with a outstanding cocktail program) on the 63rd ground, and cocktail bar Overstory one ground above. Ginsberg oversees drinks for all three packages.

Overstory / Shannon Sturgis


The house is glossy and attractive, with Artwork Deco vibes and a disco ball overhead. The indoor space contains only a handful of seats on the bar and small tables; open air, the wraparound terrace is extra expansive. “We prefer to say it’s somewhat vibe-y,” says Ginsberg. “The disco ball and the solar happening turns it into a extremely attention-grabbing, enjoyable house.” 

Regardless of the flamboyant environment, the service is approachable by design. “We needed to create a bar we might go to on any given evening,” he says. “That’s laborious to do—it’s on the sixty fourth ground with this loopy view.” However the bar has no gown code, and after the primary hour, no reservations both, only a walk-in waitlist. 

“It’s a small house, so it may be difficult to get into,” says Ginsberg. “However we needed anybody to have the ability to stroll in [at] 8 o’clock on a Thursday with out a reservation. We didn’t need the menu to be too intimidating.”

That menu consists of a pared-down record of a dozen cocktails, plus wine, beer and NA choices, with minimal descriptions that belie the trouble and culinary methods that go into the drinks.

“Our purpose is to not create a menu the place you must learn a narrative or have explanations to the drinks,” says Ginsberg. “We would like Overstory to be the story, the individuals you’re with to be your story, the bartenders and servers you join with, to be the story for the evening.”

For instance, contemplate the Montego Slay, a barely savory tequila cocktail that’s been a current crowd favourite. It begins with reposado tequila, lime, and apricot eau de vie. However the secret ingredient is dubbed “yellow stuff,” owing to its hue. It’s a mixture of yellow peppers fermented with saffron and saline, and a separate fermentation of mangoes, husk cherries, and sugar. Altogether, it combines parts which are each fruity and savory, with tropical tones. “It’s easy, however it sounds difficult,” says Ginsberg. The drink is completed with housemade chai bitters and served over ice with somewhat mango chip, additionally made in-house.

Conspicuously lacking from the bar program: high-tech tools like centrifuges or rotovaps. As a substitute, the emphasis is on culinary methods, like fermentation.

“We like a extra pure strategy, and time to create components,” says Ginsberg. “My philosophy is, I’d quite dedicate a number of effort and time to creating one cocktail, and modify cocktail flavors that manner. We attempt to be good, playful, and actually hone in on flavors.” 

Harrison Ginsberg and the staff at Overstory.

Overstory / Kelt


Wanting again, opening any bar in the course of the peak of a world pandemic would have been difficult. However for one which locations such an emphasis on interplay with visitors, it was significantly laborious. “We have been carrying masks [and] it was actually laborious to attach with visitors and present persona with out facial expressions,” recollects Ginsberg. Added to that have been provide and staffing points, in addition to early restrictions that restricted what number of hours a bar could also be open and what number of seats have been allowed. “It was laborious to get little issues achieved,” he says.

Over time, these restraints loosened and the bar was in a position to develop its supposed persona, creating an area the place visitors have been inspired to face, linger and revel in their drinks, as a substitute of being required to take a seat. “We have been making some tweaks to make individuals really feel heat and brought care of,” says Ginsberg. “It was all an adjustment. We made small, little modifications as we grew to create an area that basically feels inviting and enjoyable.” 

Right this moment, these modifications have paid off, and Overstory has turn into considered one of NYC’s high areas to discover a well-made cocktail.

“There’s a magic that occurs in sure areas,” displays Ginsberg. “I can’t outline what it’s—it’s what makes individuals really feel actually good and speak in regards to the place once they’re not with us.” Whereas he’s conscious that the spectacular views of town will at all times be a draw, he hopes it received’t be what defines Overstory. 

“Our purpose is when individuals depart, they bear in mind our names, and the way a lot enjoyable they’d, with out considering, ‘That view was wonderful,’ ” he says. “The view is a fantastic function of the bar. However our purpose is to make that secondary.”

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