The Rockwell Place
Cocktail bar · Fort Greene ·
Inventive cocktails, elevated bar bites, industrial-chic vibe
Inventive cocktails, elevated bar bites, industrial-chic vibe
"A Brooklyn bar where Sammi Katz bartends and whose bartender-authored cocktails make up much of the book’s drink selection; Katz’s early experience — starting bartending in Manhattan in 2015 as the only woman on staff, with customers asking why she wore a vest and tie instead of the little black dresses servers wore — informs the book’s mission. Katz states, “Alcohol and spirits is still considered a male-dominated space, both from behind the bar and the other side of the bar, where there are stigmas of what women drink and what men drink. We really wanted to debunk and break down these outdated notions by showing a bunch of women doing incredible things.” She also explains the book’s practical approach to cocktails: “For a book like this that’s not focused on cocktail technique, it’s just about how we best tell the story of this woman and her career in cocktails and make it accessible for home bartenders by not using infusions or anything too wild or expensive. We wanted to keep it as relatable as possible so someone could open the book and feel confident doing it.” On inspiration and change, Katz adds, “I think the more we hear about ladies kicking ass, the easier it will get for other people to follow suit. It’s hard to break into a boys club, but there are women who are really working toward opening those doors.”" - Sam Nelson
"Storm King is a fall-inspired twist on the classic Manhattan. Combining Great Jones Empire Rye with apple brandy, sweet vermouth, and a touch of Amaro Montenegro, this cocktail captures the essence of Hudson Valley’s apple season. With its spiced apple notes and orange twist garnish, it pays homage to the nearby Storm King Art Center, inviting a taste of autumn in every sip. “It felt right to name this cocktail after the sculpture garden in Beacon, New York, which is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. While it’s not in Manhattan, it’s just a short train ride away,” Katz says." - Julia Gómez Kramer
"BEM, the city’s first Black-owned cookbook shop, is raising funds to set up a temporary cafe at the BRIC House, a studio and performance space at 647 Fulton Street, at Rockwell Place, in Fort Greene. The bookstore started with online sales in 2021, before running a series of pop-ups across the city, including one in the gift shop of the Museum of Food and Drink. The team plans to open a permanent storefront this fall." - Luke Fortney
"The Rockwell Place is a cocktail bar in Fort Greene, and it’s perfect for when you want to grab a drink with a friend or a date, but you don’t necessarily need to take a bunch of shots and possibly fall asleep on your subway ride home. It’s a long room with high ceilings and a couple of skylights, and while there isn’t really any standing room, there are plenty of bar seats and little tables where you can sit down and drink a good cocktail. If you need a nice place to spend time before or after you see something at the Barclays Center, keep this in mind." - Bryan Kim
"Opened by the owners of Long Island Bar as a tentative cocktail bar, the Rockwell Place sits at 31 Rockwell Pl., between Dekalb Avenue and Fulton Street, and positions itself as a neighborhood spot for cocktails." - Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya
