“A drink precedes a story”

There’s something to be said about a place you can go to and just drop $100 without feeling TOO guilty about it, which is how I feel about one of my favorite downtown go-tos The Late Late in the Lower East Side. If you’re still unfamiliar with the spot, stop in for #NationalIrishCoffeeDay on January 25th (and what I *really* mean is you should stop in all the time, like every time you so happen to be getting off on the F train on 2nd Ave. and want to get buzzed).

The Late Late will award the first 50 customers who order the traditional Irish pick-me-up next Wednesday 1/25 with a free Irish Coffee, Late Late-style. The Irish bar serves it with a twist: with Jameson Black Barrel Whiskey, Ilegal Mezcal Joven, Espresso Liqueur and Coffee topped with Fresh Whipped Cream and Shaved Chocolate.

The Late Late’s main connoisseur Seth Allen describes the drink’s broad tastes:

“Our “Irish Coffee” incorporates the traditional Irish Whiskey flavors of spice, nuts, vanilla  and the flavor of sherry from Black Barrel Jameson Whiskey with the strong notes of sweet agave and hints of green apple, citrus and white pepper from the Ilegal Mezcal Joven.  All of these complex flavors work to bring out the citrus, caramel and stone fruit flavors from our house blended coffee provided by Intelligentsia Coffee.”

However, I’m not promising you won’t stay for more than just *1* Late Late Irish Coffee; there may or may not be a Pineapple Princess cocktail (for 2!) that is served on fire and tastes like what I imagine heaven would be like (Absolut Elyx, Ginger, Lemongrass, Thai Chilli Pepper, Prosecco, Taro Tincture).

Bites include anything from perfectly huge fried fish tacos, chicken wangs, fries, and a burger with potato chips to accompany their hand-crafted drinks which I’ve had the pleasure of sampling a few times before (if you couldn’t already tell).