This is a bar for grown-ups. And I don't mean 21+ or anything you'd find on a driver's license, it's more of an attitude. It's a feeling and from the long up/down look I got when approaching the host stand, it was something that I was almost positive I lacked. Fortunately, it was not I that received the ire of the seasoned and suited host. "Sir, may I see your ID?" And there was Peter D. right behind me in his t-shirt and jeans uniform, pulling out his wallet. Once we passed inspection we were led into the annals of the Brandy Library. There were manly men everywhere, surely the kind of recession-proof men that those Most Eligible Bachelorettes would love to meet. Gorgeous plush leather armchairs, backlit walls filled with thousands of honey-colored bottles of booze, mini lamps and a smooth oak bar with gold accents. The menu is predictably immense and part of me wishes they'd employed the Dewey decimal system at this library. After much hemming and hawing over modern and old fashioned cocktails I go with a classic sidecar. Perfect. Miriam has the Peaches N Cream and Peter, a Hendricks Martini (see photos). Midway through our cocktails the server brings out a plate of piping hot cheese poufs that we devour despite our very full after-dinner bellies. It occurs to me that then this is a pretty damn comfortable life and I could get used to this... That is, until my Old Dirty Bastard ringtone starts going off and I remember that ugly sweater party I've got to get to later. read more

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Brandy Library has pissed off the wrong yelper. We had a group reservation here at the BL, while we asked to sit our party of 6 and 2 next to each other they insisted on sitting us separate from each other. We were told by the hostess that we were watched on camera and asked not to patronize between tables. Stay at your table only! Are you effing kidding me! Are we kids?! I understand the concept must be to drink in silence, but how dare they rudely tell us we were not allowed to walk from table to table when we just arrived. After deciding not to give the BL a minimum of $500 for the night, we left the establishment and allowed our dollars to be spent elsewhere in TriBeCa. I gave them 2 stars because the bar is beautiful and inviting in decor, however service sucks. read more

If you come in the late afternoon/early evening, you can have the comfy sofas to yourself and lounge for as long as you feel. At 5pm on a Saturday, service is unassuming and friendly. There is no turning up their noses for any questions you have and they are patient to take your order. In a menu as thick as the Bible, there are only two pages of food. I say definitely get a few plates to accompany your drinks. The sushi is fresh. We ordered the spicy tuna and crab and avocado. The spicy tuna was more regular tuna- it was not mixed into spice mayo. I love wasabi so I typically slather it on anyway, but it seems like it was the only heat in the roll. The crab and avocado roll is rich, prepared with mayo, and fresh as well. But the piece de resistance- the plate capable of making friends or enemies is the starter of gougeres. Light and fluffy balls of bread with the distinct but not overwhelming flavor of cheese - these puffs are top notch that no human can resist. They are not gooey and filled with cheese. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with that - in fact I usually seek out exactly that. But these cheese puffs are what I thought I only deserved in dreams. They are perfectly prepared as they are- airy inside but with the thinnest, most crisp layer of cheese coating. This soft cheesy bread melts in your mouth. Get them when here. I paired mine with a Chardonnay that really brought out the cheesiness. (This place would be incredibly romantic if it weren't for the loud assholes at the bar. I'm willing to hire a bouncer to kick them out on behalf of this establishment.) I also ordered a cognac cocktail called Peaches and Cream, which is truly creamy and not too heavy on the cognac but potent still. Definitely a worthy contender. read more

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It's just spectacular here.....refined, calming, soothing with a professional staff and an enormous selection of whiskies. This is not a beer, wine or tequila place but they have those options. Fine rums, scotches, ryes and bourbon are the focus, so go with those. Neat or rocks - don't mess it up with mixers. Yum! read more

Dead sexy. This place has everything: flattering amber lighting, a comprehensive menu of cognacs, whiskey, and rum, and perhaps best of all, delicious food. The cheese puffs (gratis gougères) are to die for. I can't imagine what I did in a past life to deserve these beauties, but to quote Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music -- it must have been something good. Besides the gougères, we savored some delicious Panamanian rums as well as the rack of lamb and stuffed mushrooms. While the lamb is listed under "entrees" it is a small portion and would fall more under the purview of an appetizer IMO. One small nit -- in the past several years they appear to have added substantially more seats to the venue, making it a tad more claustrophobic than we recall. It's still a beautiful spot, and I highly recommend it, but things can get a little awkward when you're rubbing elbows with the party next to yours. read more

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I am determined to figure out if it's legal to set your own age minimum. I was exhilarated to find a library of whiskey, then quickly turned to outrage as I was turned away because I'm a month away from their 25-year-old minimum! Outside, we went to the website and buried deep down on the "about us" page, sure enough there it was. I can handle my scotch, and have been doing so for over two years, thank you very much. I'm quite sure the sloppy bros and sorority girls that they're trying to keep out wouldn't come near this bar anyways. I hate to say that old adage of "age is nothing but a number", but it's truly not a solid marker of maturity. I know 24 year olds that can drink scotch, and I know 40 year olds that down a couple of long islands or AMFs and dance on tables. I'm quite sure a disclaimer of the refined environment they hope to maintain here as you walk in would suffice, and worst comes to worst, you could politely ask rowdy patrons to leave. But to cut business off at the head, what a (ironically) rookie mistake. read more

Brandy Library is the perfect location for a drink to warm you on a freezing day. I took my family here for drinks before dinner and the bartender Josimar took great care of us. Rusty Nails, Magic carpets, Honey Bees & Cosmos made to perfection by a warm fireplace and dim lighting kept us entertained until our dinner reservation. Obviously they specialize in whiskey and brandy and have an extensive list to choose from. Great vibe for dates, friends, anyone. read more

Brandy Library - Josimar pouring another great one. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Seriously the best craft cocktail experience we've had in NYC! Thank you Marcus and the entire staff for making our daughter's 21st birthday unforgettable! Yeah, we were the first ones through the front door (4 pm) but we sat at a primo table and received VIP treatment! Unbelievable cocktails with attention to detail...ambiance bar none, the most unique place in NYC! 1600 choices! This place needs to be on everyone's bucket list! Thank you! read more

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This place floored me. I have never been anywhere with such a display of spirits in my life. We had a private whiskey tasting Bourbon to be exact. Our host was Flavian and he was wonderful. His knowledge of Bourbon was incredible. Bourbon is by far my drink of choice. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the spirit. Obviously I was wrong. Flavian expanded my knowledge base ten fold. I cannot wait to go back there just to have a few cocktails and bask in the glow of this true spirits library. read more

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we came here for drinks before dinner over memorial weekend. brandy library has been on my list of lounges for YEARS but i've never had a chance to go because it is so far from where i typically stay in the city. well on this trip, i happened to be staying with some friends in tribeca, so perfect time to check this one off the list! and since so many new yorkers were out of town over memorial weekend, it was SUPER easy to just walk in and get a table. the place was practically empty at 9pm on a saturday - unheard of! the lounge is dimly lit, with large comfy lounge seats surrounding tables for 2 or 4. the walls are filled end to end with library shelves full of every spirit you could possibly think of. very cool and sexy ambiance. the menu is filled with pages and pages of spirits from around the world. i flipped through about 20 pages before i realized the cocktails don't even start until page 65! even though this place is called BRANDY library, i got a scotch cocktail (of course) - the islay dawn: with peated scotch and pear liquor. very tasty and what really drew me to the drink was that it came "equipped with its own smoke". a must try for peat lovers! the rest of our group got other signature cocktails and all loved them. if i lived in the neighborhood, i could easily see myself coming here on random weeknights for a nightcap and slowly making my way through their very large collection of spirits. read more

Brandy Library - New American Near Me - New York, New York

If you've never had a whiskey flight tasting, you haven't lived a full life. By the 25+ age limit, you know you're here for one reason only: the enjoyment of an aged privilege. I came here with high hopes and left completely satisfied. As a part of my 30 day challenge, I wanted to experience something unique to NYC, and I must admit that this place has a special place in my heart. Although we only had bar seating, we were greeted by friendly faces and our librarian host was an extremely knowledgeable Argentinian lady with a sophisticated palette. I bowed down to her vast experience and knowledge in the niche industry and let her guide my night. I told her about my 30 day challenge and she showed me and my taste buds the world. Being a single malt scotch type of man, I had the Highland Trail tasting. It consisted of the anCnoc 12, Balblair 2000, Old bulteney 12 years, Tomintoul 16 years, and Glenfarclas 17 years. Each tasting was intermittently cleansed by some spring water and laid the foundation for an increasingly intense and enjoyable experience. I personally enjoyed the Old Pulteney 12 and Glenfarcias 17 the most due to the sherry taste and smooth beginning with a warming end. By the end of the tasting, I was slightly buzzed with a feeling of completeness. The one thing that I considered most in the forefront of my mind was not the taste, the environment, or my group of friends that had joined me, but instead, my desire to have my Dad experience what he had taught me so well in the past. I think I feel in love with this place at hello and will come back for more with friends. read more

The concierge greeted me and my BF upon our entry and kindly offered a coat check so that we can relax and enjoy without having a bunch of coats on the seat. The ambiance was very warm and comfy and their lounge seating arrangement was good enough to have dinner as well. The lighting level is moderate and it is not the place you cannot even read the menu but it is good for a nice intimate conversation with good drinks and food. The selection in the menu is overwhelming if you don't know much about alcohol, but the staffs are attentive and professional and they will give you some recommendation if you need one. I did not expect much about the food in the lounge setting but I was pleasantly surprised by their food menu and the quality and I am glad I could leave feeling full and satisfied. They even gave us a little box of shortbread as a gift at our exit and this made me feel so happy. I highly recommend this place. read more

Great spot in Tribeca for an intimate drink or catching up with friends. Feels like an English men's club. Library vibes for sure and the food is tasty. read more

Solid cocktail spot. My husband and I came here randomly looking to get a drink before our dinner reservation. We were lucky to have arrived early (7ish) to get a spot as it seems like reservations are recommended. The spot has a really unique ambience. It is sophisticated and fancy while at the same time being cozy and approachable. I loved how the liquor was on the book shelves and they kept the old school library ladders. The dark wood, dim lighting and music made it relaxing but still fun. The menu is extensive to say the least. Seems like they have everything and there is something for everyone. Service was excellent throughout the night. The drinks were also fantastic and can't wait to try more of their cocktails. read more

Brandy Library - The liquor book shelf - New American Near Me - New York, New York

A great spot! Nice drinks, good food, but the real win is the ambiance. I went with my husband for Valentine's Day and ended up spending a few hours eating and drinking. Definitely recommended. read more

I had a good feeling about this place. A library of scotch, bourbon, and more. They really do have everything! I've been drinking scotch for a while now and I thought I had it down. I had my favorites and I learned the geography of Scotland based on the distilleries of the island. That's why when I heard of their spirit school I had to sign up for a class. The classes are usually scheduled before they open for normal hours so the place will be empty when you get in. The walls are lined from floor to ceiling with shelves of liquor. Just like a library, ladders are scattered around the room. I took a seat at the bar and the bartender started to serve drinks while we waited for the class to start. A Speyburn 10 year with peach syrup was a great complement to the hors d'oeuvres being passed around. After about half an hour our spirit sommelier, Flavien, directed us to the basement where there was a large presentation room. Flavien went through some basic introductions and also an overview of whisky. This guy knew everything. Some obscure Japanese distillery? Yup he knew of it and how they are taking over the whisky world. Where to buy your next bottle? There's a great selection on Park Ave but for the best prices go to Jersey. From the history of whisky to how to taste a dram, Flavien was very knowledgable and helpful. The atmosphere was nowhere near stuck up. No stupid questions here. In total we tasted nine different scotches and they did a great job covering the spectrum. As a newbie you will walk away knowing which regions and styles you like. As a more experienced drinker you will appreciate the variety of whiskies out there. I was definitely encouraged to try new things the next time I'm at the store. The class gave a great perspective on the passion and history behind what goes into a bottle. I will definitely be back to take more classes or just to enjoy a dram with some friends. Oh and just a like a real library this isn't a place to knock back shots of booze and act like clowns. You can come over to my place for that kind of experience. read more

Brandy Library - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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This is a special occasion place but, I can understand where some would make this a regular visit. Dark wood, brown liquids, refined lounge atmosphere. Brandy, Scotch, Bourbon and all the assorted phylum that are part of those species are available here. Cigar aficionados can sit out front if that is your pleasure. read more

This review is for their Spirit School scotch/whiskey class, which I'd definitely recommend if you're a scotch drinker. The class was three hours long and there was an abundance of scotch/whiskey and heavy hors d'oeuvres. For $90 a person it makes for a nice present or date night. But I recommend signing up for a weekend class (if possible) because waking up the next morning and having to go to work is a bit brutal. read more

Brandy Library - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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If I could get 10 stars I would. This place is totally awesome! I did tasting flights of 6 different american whiskies and 6 different rums, and was very impressed with both. Nice selection of wines and cognacs as well, so there is definitely something for everybody in your party. The tasting prices are reasonable, as are the food prices. Food is solid, I had the Mac & Foie, which I thought was a great combination. I'm told there are free tasting events put on by distributors as well as live jazz on some nights. I will definitely be coming back. read more

Cocktail bars are a dime a dozen in this city but finding a truly classy and sophisticated watering spot is still a treasure. Brandy Library is one such place and even its discrete entrance on N. Moore Street is indicative of the evening to be had. Once past the threshold the outside world blurs into the background and inside the library everything is bathed in a warm amber glow. Perch yourself along the bar or settle comfortably on one of the cushy leather chaises and prepare yourself for a memorable evening. Brandy, the spirit distilled from wine, is the star attraction here and the library welcomes novices and experts alike. Once seated, one of the smartly dressed librarians will come to your side and initiate a conversation. By the end of the night you'll treat them like a close confidante. For those who are interested in a guided exploration of the virtues of Cognac or Armagnac then a wonderful tasting flight is the best option. In between sips the librarian will be more than willing to illuminate to you the differences in brandy varieties, the factors that will affect flavor, and the distilling process itself. If rather than a spirits tasting you're more of the mood for a splendid cocktail then you're in good hands. Of course, this is the kind of bar where you won't go wrong with a classic cocktail. However, opt for one of their signature cocktails and you'll discover a new favorite drink. The Musket, for example, with Armagnac, muddled fig, honey, and lemon juice is a cocktail with beautiful depth and complexity in flavors. The brandy gives it a boozy character while the muddled fig lends to a rich texture. It's a serious drink but a well balanced one that most people would enjoy. Another excellent choice is the Blood and Sand which teeters along the border of savory and sweet and enhanced with the smokiness of scotch. Now with seriously potent libations like these, you would most likely want some food. Brandy Library is a great option for pre-dinner cocktails or as a last stop of the night with your date but they also have a rather substantial food menu. As is to be expected the dishes are decadent, indulgent, and pairs well with the spirits. Foie gras, deviled eggs, prosciutto-wrapped figs, and Gruyere cheese puffs to start with. Steak tartare, filet mignon, and rack of lamb if you're truly hungry. And finally, desserts such as crème brulee or dulce de leche éclairs to finish your meal. A place with such sophistication as this is best for classy dates with a special someone, for celebrating a big closing, or for those times when you want a really good drink and want to be left alone. The crowd is subdued and the staff sets the bar for good drinking behavior. And with the soft notes of jazz in the background, live on Monday nights, along with vintage pours and scrumptious bites an evening at the Brandy Library is something that will be quite memorable. read more

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This is my go to place when I'm hungry and thirsty. As tremendous as their selection of fine alcohol is do not underestimate the wonderful bar food. The bourbon selection is one of the best and the bacon cheeseburger sliders pair perfectly! The service is stellar and atmosphere relaxing. For years The Brandy Library was my kitchen. Go and enjoy! read more

My fiance set up the most amazing Bourbon tasting for my bday at the Brandy Library and it ended up being the best bday celebration ever. I believe they have group tastings ("Classes") every week that cater to small groups, or I think they will aggregate you into groups for the tastings if you go on couples. We went for the bourbon tasting but as I understand it there are scotch tasting as well. Do this immediately. Go here even if they dont have a tasting, this place is the best. Favorites: 1. Extremely knowledgeable staff. We were lucky enough to have the owner give us our "class" and he was amazing. Very patient and polite given our inexperience. 2. Food options. As part of the tasting class we were able to chose a number of food options that were very good. 3. Price. Though this place can get pricey, I think it (and especially the tasting) is worth every penny. The options are unmatched and they allow you to taste whatever you like even if you arent invovled in the tasting they allow you to try before you buy. Where else can you test drive the scotch before a full pour? Minor note: 1. This place has a certain Je ne sais quoi, it can be good if you are in the mood but annoying if not. Come in the right mindset and let this place take you away. Otherwise, you wont enjoy it. read more

This place is dope! Beautiful dimly lit lounge with a gorgeous copper bar and luscious chairs. The entire place is filled with liquor bottles of all kinds. They have many rare and limited selections, but if they don't have what you're looking for as was my case, they are expertly able to provide you with something similar to enjoy. I found this place after seeing it appear on an episode of the show Billions and had to check it out. Very unique spot!!! read more

Brandy Library - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent food and service. The environment was fun and full of activity. Great place to bring visitors.

After bar hopping in the village and looking for a 30 year old scotch in honor of my man's birthday, a local recommended we check out Brandy Library in Tribeca. We made our way there only to see a sign on the door that said they were full and only accepting reservations. After speaking to the hostess, the manager came over and told her that if people did not show up on time for their reservations, they cannot have the seats just sitting empty. Within a few minutes we checked out coats and took a seat at the bar. Not only did we find a 30 yr old scotch we found two of them! We ordered lamb in a blanket as an appetizer and it was delicious. I had the magic carpet drink based on our bartender's suggestion and was not disappointed. We finished the night with creme brulee and made our way back to our hotel, enjoying the after feel. It was a perfect evening. The ambiance here was perfect- our bartender was perfect (Josemar) and the drinks, choices and food were perfect! read more

My favorite place to take all my whiskey, scotch, and tequila snob clients/friends. In life the display of all the liquor as a library and the staff is extremely knowledgeable. The flights are fun and they host tasting events here. Love it! read more

Brandy Library - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Yes Yes Yes, I like. You don't have to be brandy kinda gal to like it here. The cocktails are absolutely amazing - okay I have not try them all yet, but those ones that hit my lips were divine. And than there was the Steak Tater on the menu - yes I had it. Love love it. One of my favorite one in the City for sure. Interior is awesome, stylish. Good music, great vibes - if you need more you might be little princess, yes? read more

Brandy Library - ahhhh heaven is called Steak tatare - New American Near Me - New York, New York

We went there on Saturday night. The bar itself was really cool, and classic. Also the people who works there are really nice. Our somm was very knowledgeable and gave us a couple of samples to try before we order something. However the service after was little off. Maybe it was after the last call, or we were seating behind the pole. People were not paying attention to us. We had to get up and approach the bar to order more drink. That did not bother us at all, the whiskey, bourbon, and liquor selection is unbelievable. I would definitely recommend to new New Yorker or tourists. read more

It was serendipitous that we happened upon this place and we couldn't be happier! The servers are incredibly knowledgeable and we felt completely at ease to ask questions about anything. Neither of us are well versed in spirits but their selection is unmatched and we had a fantastic time experiencing some incredibly rare whiskey, sour mash and bourbons. We absolutely plan to return! read more

Just broke my "never been disappointed" streak at the Brandy Library. Had some terrible service. Made a reservation as always - arrived and was told some people hadn't left, blah, blah, we'll seat you here by the fireplace. Cool. Service was non-existent and excruciatingly slow. Asked repeatedly for water. Spirits guy did give me a great recommendation on a new rum. Would love to have ordered a second spirit, but never saw our "waiter" again. Friend ordered a second glass of wine from the busboy. Had to get up ask the Maitre d' for the check and flag HIM down to pay it. Spirits list is better than ever. Service was worse than ever. I hope it isn't getting "worn" like some of the furniture... read more

Very nice ambiance. Incredible selection of scotch, bourbon, brandy, cognac, armanac, rum, calvados... you name it. Food comes in small bites which are very tasty - charcutterie was plentiful, lamb dogs delicious, as well as cheese puffs. Very good service. Food is reasonably priced. Drinks are mostly very expensive. I understand it is New York, but paying for a glass of scotch half the price of the whole bottle is still steep - hence the four stars. Get on the mailing list to be informed about special tasting events. read more

Classy, upscale cocktail lounge with great service and beautiful decor. Prices are expensive as expected but the selection and creativity of the drinks menu alone is worth the trip and dip into your wallet. read more

Snazzy place to come for a drink with a few friends. I chose to come here with some colleagues before we were heading out to dinner. The atmosphere was very laid back and upper class. I loved the theme of bookshelves filled with brandy bottles. The waiter seemed like he knew what he was talking about and recommended some decent drinks to us. The one I chose was not my favorite and the portion was a bit small but nonetheless is got the job done. I would definitely make my way back here when I visit New York again. If you're younger then 25, you may not enjoy the company of the crowd. I warned you now. read more

Brandy Library - Very cozy - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Very cozy and romantic atmosphere - perfect for a date or drinks with the girls/guys. Limited seating, but they do have comfy couches for lounging and sipping on some serious liquor. The menu is the size of a dictionary...if you're a novice like me, go with one of the cocktails, you can't go wrong. I had the Brandy Alexander (cognac, dark crème de cacao, heavy cream), which was delicious and you certainly get your money's worth because they don't skimp on the alcohol. The clientele skewed a bit more touristy rather than locals, but that may just have been the night we went. Overall, good place for drinks. read more

Great place. Loads of whiskey. And loads of alcohol. Great service. Good place for a pre or post dinner drink. Always love to come back here. read more

Get to the Chase: Pros: 1) Exceptional service 2) The knowledge and professional courtesy of every waiter is astounding 3) Not only is the display impressive, but also quite artistic (having all the different ambers, browns and golds cast against the dim-lit wall was quite cozy....this could be the whiskey talking) 4) Coat check 5) Hostess was so understanding. Had a reservation for 2, but several more of my friends wanted to join. They were happy to accommodate this one time, despite being completely packed. Being as busy, popular and professional...I was amazed by the lack of pretentiousness, and more of the courteous side of what could clearly have been an elitist place if it wanted to be. NOTE: Need to call in advance for RESERVATIONS (2-6 people) Cons: 1) Spend a pretty penny per glass, but hell what do you expect, this isn't Joe's Bar read more

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One-of-a-kind. Having traveled to Japan and studied the culture and language for many years, this bar is quite exceptional. An absolute must when in Tribeca. We indulged in the best port and scotch and enjoyed every moment! read more

Great service and knowledgeable wait staff. Very cozy place for a drink with a date. The food is not great - stay away from the tuna tartare and Croque-monsieur. Waitress was kind enough to voluntarily take one of the items off of our bill. I would recommend coming here for a drink but would not eat here again. read more

Love this place!!! Magnificent look and feel, great selection and for sure make you feel completely VIP. read more

Romantic. Elegant. Classy. Nostalgic of your grandfather's cigar room. I love the feel of the Brandy Library and the incredible brandy selection. I tried some armagnac, raspberry brandy, and a vsop. Comfortable seating and dim lights create a lovely warm romantic ambiance. I love the bottles covering the walls. Nice small bites to go with the drinks. It is a popular spot for me and my boyfriend to go to on a weekend. read more

Brandy Library - New American Near Me - New York, New York