So, you build a bar in a discrete location.  You make sure your sign is obscurely placed.  You dress your staff in those snazzy matching vests.  You call the place a speakeasy, and then the beautiful people start pouring in.  Right?  Well, not necessarily.  The Richardson in Williamsburg didn't exactly get that kind of reception- earning a bad rap without even the critical equivalent of a  drive-by.  With all of the other cocktail bars popping up all over Brooklyn, this place seemed like just another iteration of the speakeasy formula- until we stopped by for a drink last night. 

There's no doubt we've been disappointed by cocktail bars in the neighborhood.  And, whether they're catering to the East Williamsburg scene by hosting overbearing DJS or advertising their new Big Buck Hunter Tournament Nights, these would-be highbrow drinking spots pander to the lowest common denominator and destroy the aesthetics which make drinking a classic cocktail memorable.  So, the advent of yet another cocktail bar in the already crowded scene didn't seem that promising. 

But, we made our way down Graham Avenue, and found The Richardson where we were immediately greeted by a man with a Morrissey haircut and what else? you guessed it:  a vest.  Turns out, we were greeted by Joel, the owner who was exceedingly friendly and very confident behind the bar.  When I asked for his signature drink, he said he could make just about anything I'd like.  He'd just need to know which spirit I preferred.  Far from being cocky, I appreciated the confidence he had in his drink making abilities, and I ordered my drink of choice for measuring the worth of a cocktail bar:  the Sazerac.  He smiled and began preparing the drink along with Jason, the other bartender.

While waiting for the drink, I wandered around, taking pictures of the dark wood bar and the impressive selection of liquors.  The crowd was young- averaging about 28 or so- and the bar was half-full at 10pm on a Thursday night, which is more indicative of the lukewarm reviews than the quality of the bar.  Even if it was full, though, the bar had ample space, with tables on both sides of the room along with stools and counters along the front and back walls of the space, as well as a table past the end of the bar that would comfortably seat six. 

The visual look of the bar is striking: half speakeasy and half fancy pub, but still retained a homey comfort.  My friend Mark talked with Jason about the differences between Beerfest and Beer League, and it was great to see that the staff lacked the pretension that infests many of the cocktail bars in Manhattan.

When we got our Sazeracs, it was time for the test.  Despite the simplicity of this drink, the flavor is easy to screw up.  Add too much Absinthe and it's a mess, too little and it's watery.  Although the drink was not perfect, it was by far the best I've had in Brooklyn, and I would certainly not hesistate to go back and order another.  The menu has a good selection of cocktails, from the classic to the experimental, and I wish I had had the time to try some more.

Say what you will about Brooklyn cocktail bars....Lord knows I have.  Hopefully, The Richardson will not resort to cheap tactics to lure in the molestor mustache crowd and will instead stay put with it's original goal:  to serve good cocktails to people who appreciate them.  So, to Joel and the rest of the staff:  don't stoop to Williamsburg's level, help raise it instead.