Tasting "Bantam" - formerly The Elsinore

10:19 pm - Mon, Mar 19, 2012: 2 notes

Tasting “Bantam” - formerly The Elsinore

Thursday March 15th, 2012

Music provided by: Franko V

Bantam is a bar located in the lower east side that was having a soft opening party this evening. The original name was “The Elsinore” before recently being renamed with also some possible quarrels going on between one of the owners, Noel Ashman, and partners. Entrance was based on guest list only. Corona was $10 a bottle and a gin and tonic ran at $18. There didn’t seem to be a coat check anywhere so leaving them atop of the coaches seemed appropriate.

* No Stairway To Heaven……………..but maybe Hell.

Here’s what our “Tasters” thought. Click the Names to find out more about them.

Zero : After securing ourselves on the guest list that night we decided to go and check out this exclusive bar, which has also served as a Fashion Week after party spot for Richie Rich. We were intrigued.

I mean how badass can you get with a bar called, Batman?

VirGIN: It’s pronounced Bantam (Ban - Tam)

Zero : Dammit….

Ok so we got to “Bantam “and we were greeted by the doorman who asked us what we were there for. I told him we were here for Franko V. He let us in and told us to go to the right. Guess their was no guest list after all?

VirGIN: I should point out that I arrived here before everyone else and witnessed people approach the entrance but get turned away. I think it was just the case of knowing what name to drop.

Inside everything was black, blue, and red.

Zero : Batman’s favorite colors!

VirGIN: I hate you….. ^__^

The place is pretty small and seems like it will probably cater to tiny exclusive crowds.

Couches lined the walls with tables and seats complimenting them. Like all establishments, these will go quick if you arrive late. Standing around or bar hugging was perfectly fine though and we rarely had someone bump into us while meandering around.

It seems like there was supposed to be an outdoor garden but I think it was closed tonight.

The bar evokes a sort of church-y, gothic sensibility with it’s panels and wall paper while the illuminated glass centerpiece (where you actually order your drinks) ties the theme in nicely. Feel sinful for resting your alcohol on top of a stain glass window.

VirGIN: Oh my God…… is that Daryl from Walking Dead (Normal Reedus) ????

Zero : *turns around* Huh? No that’s some slobby looking guy………………Oh shit.

That IS him…..

*Please note we did not actually get a pic of him so please settle for this Photoshop re-enactment.

SWIRL: At this point, Zero and VirGIN went into full on NERD ALERT and talked about how they wish they could go up to him and say something. Ah, shy Asian nerds….

Not really knowing what to expect in the music department, I was pleasantly surprised by Franko V’s choice of alt/rock choices. Brought me back to the days of when 92.3 was still K-ROQ and Howard Stern was yelling at me in the morning.

Zero : After using the bathroom (which was co-ed and reminded me of a Mexican prison) I came back up and sadly found out that Norman Reedus left !! Sad sad.

VirGIN: Indeed.

Zero : The crowd tonight kinda reminded me of the people at The Electric Room. Lots of guys in leather and studded attire while many of the girls were tall, dark, and handsome. I mean beautiful. Same difference? Shut up.

SWIRL: So we attempted to somewhat dance to the music after chatting for long enough. The music wasn’t blaringly loud so you could do this.

Sadly the 3 of us seemed rather cheesy moving around while all the giant models and rockers stood around talking about stuff. Probably global warming.

Maybe things picked up after we left but we can only imagine.

Tate With Your Eyes : Pictures

WHY WE WOULD COME BACK FOR SECONDS