French-Accented Cocktail Bar, 1534, Debuts in Nolita Tonight
For those who don't know the significance of the year 1534, it marks the date French explorer Jacques Cartier set out to discover a Western passage to Asia and instead landed in Canada -- specifically, in what is now known as the province Quebec. A new cocktail bar, located downstairs from the French bistro Jacques in Nolita, borrows its name from Cartier's first voyage in the hopes of giving you a bit of a colonial history lesson in a glass. 1534 offers a menu of French-influenced tipples, inspired by colonies from Africa to the South Pacific. But don't worry, there won't be a test.
Jacques, looking thirsty.
Instead, consider it recess at a distinguished international school, where you get to brush up on all your favorite subjects, aperitifs through fizzes. Head bartender Justin Noel, of consulting firm Contemporary Cocktails, says he hopes to create an atmosphere that has it all: great drinks, music, and people. Libations include the Code Noir (Pineau de Charentes, American rye, peach bitters, Angostura bitters, lemon oil) and Colonial Vacation (Calvados, East India Sherry, Velvet Falernum, fresh lime juice, demerara sugar, topped with Blue Mountain coffee grinds and whiskey barrel bitters). The food menu will also have you dreaming Fleurs de Lys: croque-monsieur, harissa-spiced lamb meatballs, and mini banh mi with house pâté.
1534
20 Prince Street
212-966-5073
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