Brooklyn Gets Bourgeois
We evoke a romantic vibe, while still being a neighborhood bar.
For the past several years, Brooklyn has been gaining ground as a nightlife ticket, especially when it comes to cocktail bars. The Bourgeois Pig, a new member of the Carroll Gardens contingency of upscale bars and restaurants, has proven yet again that Brooklyn shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to seeking out classy cocktail establishments. With roots in Manhattan solely as a wine and beer bar, the new Bourgeois Pig comes to Brooklyn with something that the other location does not have; a full liquor license.
The inside of the Bourgeois Pig is reminiscent of old-world Europe in both décor and in liquor selection; the dim red lighting and aluminum ceilings and exquisite chandeliers are perfect complements to the incredible amount of European spirits that tend to get lost in the shuffle with bigger name brands. While the wine list is remarkable (and inexpensive on Monday and Tuesday evenings when bottles are half-off), it is the cocktails that make this bourgeois bar worth going to.
“We’re focusing on lesser-utilized European spirits, an old-world wine list, and small plates and fondues that are market driven and are inspired by French, Italian, Spanish, and German cuisines,” said Frank Cisneros, beverage director for The Bourgeois Pig. “Overall, we evoke a romantic vibe, while still being a neighborhood bar.”
Romantic may be the perfect way to describe the cocktails being made at this euro-centric spot. On a quiet Tuesday night, John, one of the bartenders, whipped me up a cocktail that was both light and satisfying — as all romances should be — the Il San Marino, made with Gin, Lemon juice, Pear Liqueur, Galliano, and Sparkling wine. This sweet and slightly bitter cocktail was a perfect example of the types of drinks that Cisneros has taken great pride in designing; a few simple ingredients that come together to produce some surprisingly complex flavor.
Simple cocktails aren’t all that The Bourgeois Pig boasts on their menu. The Zombie Amaro, a drink that Cisneros finds to be one of their more versatile and unique drinks, is made up of 12 different ingredients: Amaro Montenegro, Italian Aqua Vitae, Overproof Rum, Fernet Branca, Maraschino Liqueur, Grenadine, Lime, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Cinnamon, Absinthe, and Tiki Bitters. A drink that truly requires your most prized drinking boots.
“Right now the big challenge is keeping all these things in stock because they are truly forgotten spirits and don’t come via traditional distribution channels. Many times I’ve thought to myself, ‘oh wait, this is probably why people don’t make cocktails with this rare stuff, because it’s just downright crazy half the time!’ But it’s a lot of fun, and I think we’re putting out some interesting stuff for people.”
Your one-of-a-kind European cocktail adventure awaits.
