The bar for cocktail culture in New York City has risen.
In a city where sleazy rooftop bars abound, one of the country’s leading mixologists — who once claimed to have served the late Patrick Swayze “the best cosmo ever” — is bringing his award-winning art to the Big Apple’s most gentrified new piece of top-tier real estate.
Located on the 39th floor of the year-old Virgin Hotel in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, The Post got a preview of cocktail king Charles Joly’s Riff Raff club, which opened its doors Thursday — just days after Drinksmith served the cast of Hulu’s “The Bear” at Governors Ball in Los Angeles.
But the Shekrati exclusive member said that although Joly and his team aim for the high end when it comes to drinks and atmosphere, everyone is welcome.
“I don't want this experience to feel too precious or awkward,” the professional stressed to the Post.
“Our goal is to have something for everyone, whether they’re avid drinkers or people who normally drink a plain vodka soda,” he said.
That doesn’t mean cocktail lovers won’t be impressed.
The bar features an extensive “liquid library” of vintage spirits, some of which date back to the early 1900s. This includes a 1947 Cognac Napoleon and a Green Chartreuse from the 1960s and '70s, all sourced by Joly himself, who has a passion for throwback liquors and vintage glassware, which he will use at the bar.
Also on offer is the Negroni Affumicato: a Negroni infused with chicory-applewood smoke. The $23 drink is served in a box that Jolie created herself as part of her collection with Fortessa.
The Chicagoan has established himself as a force in the American cocktail scene over the past several years.
Joly, the James Beard Award-winning beverage director for his hometown’s acclaimed The Aviary, is the only American winner of Diageo Cocktail Competition’s global World Class.
He's worked closely with prestigious chefs like Eric Ripert and Anthony Bourdain and even has his own glassware company (Crafthouse by Fortessa).
And the Southside native's talents have taken him far — in addition to his stint at the Emmys, he's also the official mixologist for the Academy Awards each year.
He admits that “sometimes you get attracted to the stars” when it comes to the casual events he's drunk at — from the Kentucky Derby to the Grammys, and private events for the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Jimmy Kimmel.
“Two years ago, I was setting up under the bar and when I looked up my first guest was Quentin Tarantino. I was surprised to see that. I was thinking, ‘Oh s–t, what are we drinking today?'”
But Jolie said it's a different matter whether A-listers are attracted to the riff-raff.
“The nice thing about it is that a bar is always a bar, whether it's at a big event or a small establishment,” he said.
Although the two sometimes clashed, such as early in his career in Chicago.
“Patrick Swayze was in town and he came into our eight-seat bar one night with his wife,” Jolie reminisces about her beloved late actor.
“Patrick was just as cool as you would think. He actually ordered a Cosmopolitan, and I said 'OK! I'm going to make this guy the best Cosmo ever.'”
The Riff Raff Club is the latest high-profile opening in the emerging cocktail district in the hip district nestled between the chaos of Madison Square Park and Herald Square.
“There’s been a lot of growth here,” says Joly, citing trendy destinations like the Bronze Owl, The Roof at Park South, Nomad Tea Parlor, Little Ned, and Tusk Bar. This week also saw the reopening of the Experimental Cocktail Club. “Now you can go on a great crawl through the neighborhood in any direction.”
The club is based around an island bar that offers sweeping views of the city and the nearby Empire State Building.
When it comes to its endlessly expansive menu, it’s a cocktail lover’s dream with classic dishes as well as more esoteric excursions.
These include the Bukowski cocktail, named after the daring author and featuring Malört, Drambuie, basil and honey. “This cocktail was great last night,” he said, adding that Malört is a favorite at his home in Chicago. “Not bad for a bitter wormwood spirit.”
