Photo: Sara Bonisteel
The wild popularity of New Orleans' Tales of the Cocktail has prompted imbibing New Yorkers to get into the cocktail conference game. Enter the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, which held a preview session over the weekend in anticipation of a full-blown, five-day cocktail conference next May 14-18. Lucky attendees to the preview seminars were taught cocktail lessons from behind the bar at swank locales throughout the city.
The cap to the weekend was a wild party at the main branch of the New York Public Library on Oct. 4, complete with a Prohibition-style "Free Lunch," cocktails from more than two dozen bartenders and a live band that made the place jump in "Great Gatsby"-like fashion. Check out Slashfood's photos after the jump.
Manhattan Cocktail Classic 2009
Putting the final touches on a Tequila Don Julio Resposado cocktail, La Primavera, at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic fall preview held on Oct. 4, 2009, at the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan.
Sara Bonisteel
Dale DeGroff dusted off his old Rainbow Room uniform for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.
Sara Bonisteel
Dancers swing through the main lobby of the New York Public Library at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.
Sara Bonisteel
Jim Ryan, brand ambassador for Hendrick's Gin, shows men in fez do have more fun at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.
Sara Bonisteel
Some of the Prohibition-era delights on view at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.
Sara Bonisteel
Turkey legs too!
Sara Bonisteel
The Hungry Manhattan featured Zwack along wiht Bulleit Bourbon, Punt e Mes, Campari, Angostura Bitters and Lagavulin Rinse at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.
Sara Bonisteel
The Delmonico and Florodora cocktails at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.
Sara Bonisteel
Finishing off an Aperol cocktail, the 212.
Sara Bonisteel
New Jersey oyster on offer.
Sara Bonisteel
What's your favorite cocktail? Let us know in the comments below.
