Russian Vodka Room
265 W 52nd St, between 8th Ave and Broadway
(212) 307-5835
Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Bar / Russian
Favorite Dish(es): Strawberry-infused Vodka (Drink, 8 oz carafe, $21); Peach Martini (Drink, $9); Gravlox with Potato Pancakes (Appetizer, $13); Happy Hour infused shots ($3); Happy Hour cosmos ($5)
This is a semi-schmancy, dark, crowded little after work bar in midtown that is known for its infused vodkas and crabby waitresses. Beyond the Iron Curtain and above the piano area (which seems to hardly get any use), you’ll notice huge glass vats of vodka with a different ingredient in each, ranging from the expected fruit flavors (e.g. Cranberry, Peach, Strawberry) to the more unexpected (e.g. Garlic, Pepper & Dill, Horseradish). The infused vodkas taste so clean and the flavors mask the vodka taste so well that you won’t notice how buzzed you’re getting. You’ll be flying high after sharing a carafe of these magical elixirs. If the pure potions are too strong for you, their cocktails are superb as well. It’s dark and sort of seedy in there, so it naturally makes a great scandalous date place. We recommend ordering some appetizers to help soak up the alcohol. The potato pancakes are awesome with sour cream. Take note that this is mostly a bar-with-food, and not the best place to take your parents or a group of coworkers, if they’re the stodgy non-drinking type. It IS called the Russian VODKA Room after all.
Filed under: Date Places, Drinks, Midtown West, Not Cheap, Sit Down | Tagged: after work drinks, best cocktails, best drinks, date places manhattan, happy hour, Hell's Kitchen, infused alcohol, infused drinks, infused vodka, manhattan bar, midtown bars, midtown restaurants, midtown russian, russian food, russian vodka, russian vodka room, vodka bar
