1960s Moves, Grooves & Cocktails at the Meatpacking’s New Cocktail Bar: The Woodstock

Upon entering The Woodstock, I had a sense that it will be unlike many of the other countless bars I have visited in NYC, from the colorful floral arrangement which hung above my head which screamed Flower Power” to the rows upon rows of colored glass bottles which lined the window display. As I walked further into the venue, I felt myself being transported in the 1960s, with Woodstock’s retro decor and ambiance, from its starburst wall clocks to its funky lighting fixtures.

For its Grand Opening party last month, I got the chance to check out the new Meatpacking hotspot, located right below the 14th Street Highline entrance, and I was not disappointed. From the yummy cocktails (my favorite being Electric Lady Land) to the evenly cheesy and delicious Neapolitan pizza, things were off to a good start.

The 4,000 sq. ft. space, headed up by Black Rose Hospitality, boasts a 14-seat bar where the names of each cocktail is highlighted above. As you make your way pass the hightop bar rail and large old fashioned communal tables, you find the fuchsia, yes fuchsia felt pool table. I love a good game of pool, so I always stop in my tracks for a game or two. To the right you will find the “Lounge” which looks like it came straight out of a 1960s sitcom, with its distressed leather coaches and concert/political wall art, while to the right you can find or even smell the open kitchen which holds the  pizza bar.

Now when it comes to the cocktails and pizza this is where The Woodstock really sets its self apart from other spots in the area, and if you know Meatpacking , its not light spending.

THE COCKTAILS

The beverage program is run by D’Arel Miller, formerly of Soho House Group, and all the cocktails are priced at $10, using premium liquors and quality ingredients!! If you can’t go without your higher priced spirits then you just pay an extra $5 (‘boujie’) or $10 (‘extra’), no gimmicks required . These babies aren’t your regular well drinks, each cocktail is made for visual and flavor appeal. Think lightbulbs, tiki fish bowls and more!

But it doesn’t stop there! The Signature Cocktails have cool and inventive names which take from 1960’s Pop Culture like the ‘Helter Skelter‘ and ‘Light My Fire‘.

To get an idea of the ingredients, the ‘Yellow Submarine‘ comes with Tanqueray, Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth, Suze, and peach bitters; the ‘Electric Lady Land’ with Ketel One Citroen, Curacao, hibiscus, lime, agave, and Angostura Bitters; and the ‘Lucy in the Sky’ with Bacardi Superior, strawberry lime Oleo, and agave.

THE FOOD

The food menu carries a range of Neapolitan pizzas set at $15, made for any palate. The Executive Chef Nino Coniglio, who is also the owner of Williamsburg Pizza and World Champion Pizza Maker of 2016, brings his Neapolitan thin-crust pizzas, all of which are inspired by influential  women who made in impact in the era. The creative pizza menu consists of twelve signature pies, along with a few rotating specialty pies.

Signature pies include the ‘Jackie’ with tomato, mozzarella, sopressa, parmigiano, pecorino, peperoncini peppers, and hot honey; and the ‘Twiggy’ with semi dried cherry tomatoes, artichoke, meatless fig salami, oil cured sicilian olives, roasted garlic, and fresh parsley.

THE SPACE

The space features all the components I mentioned above, but it also bears authentic Salvador Dali pieces on its walls, a rotating set of 24 to be exact, from owners David and Joe Sitt’s personal collection.

The vision behind it all is James Morrissey, the Irish entrepreneur and owner of Black Rose Hospitality (The VNYL and The Late Late), along with partner David Sitt of Thor Equities. They envisioned a fast-causal model, which has worked in Europe for years and recently had made its way over to American settings.

For its overall effect, The Woodstock takes the space back to the original Woodstock Festival in 1969, where groovy boho/chic vibes and its nostalgia runs precedent. Once you’ve indulged in your lightbulb cocktail and personal pizza pie, be sure not to leave without snapping a picture in front of the neon sign “Never Left Woodstock.”

Hours
Open daily for cafe service, serving a selection of La Colombe offerings, 11am-4pm
Regular service Sunday-Tuesday 4pm-1am
Wednesday – Saturday 4pm-2am

For reservations or to book a private event, call (212)-633-2000.

The Woodstock
446 W 14th Street
Instagram: @thewoodstocknyc