As Great Jones Distilling Co. celebrates four years as Manhattan’s first and only whiskey distillery since Prohibition, the team pulled out all the stops with a week-long celebration packed with immersive events, live performances, world-class food, and—of course—craft whiskey. From August 19–24, the NoHo-based distillery invited locals and visitors alike to step into its glamorous Art Deco space and experience a lineup that blended the best of music, magic, mixology, and history.
After returning home from Tales of the Cocktail in July—one of the industry’s biggest gatherings for spirits professionals and enthusiasts—I’ve had an even deeper appreciation for places that take their craft seriously. So when I saw that Great Jones Distilling Co. was celebrating its fourth anniversary with a full week of programming, I knew I had to be part of it. I’ve been to Great Jones before, but never for brunch and never for a special event. One thing I did know: the food and drinks would be top-notch. That’s always been a guarantee.
Despite a slow start that morning after a late night out, I found myself motivated – and perhaps the trains were in my favor. I showed up right at 11:30 AM sharp—the very first person to walk in the door. I’m never that early, which says a lot about how excited I was. The Restaurant at Great Jones Distilling Co. was transformed by the sound of live jazz echoing through the space. The duo was everything you’d want on a Saturday morning—smooth and soulful, that set the tone. As the restaurant slowly began to fill, the experience felt intimate.
Executive Chef Daniel Wright’s menu struck the perfect balance of elevated and approachable. I ordered a mix of dishes, both savory and sweet, and everything was thoughtful without being overdone. I started with a Paper Plane — Great Jones Straight Bourbon, local aperitivo, and lemon — light, sharp, and easy to enjoy. Followed it up with a Great Jones Old Fashioned, made with brown sugar syrup and bitters. Simple, classic, and well-balanced.
The food came out fast and hit every mark. East Coast oysters were fresh and clean with lemon and mignonette. The duck confit croquettes were crispy, rich, and had a nice kick from the Calabrian chile aioli. The barrel-smoked ribs (Berkshire pork) were coated in a sticky, spiced bourbon glaze and fell apart in the best way. The short rib Benedict came on a cheddar biscuit with poached eggs and hollandaise — heavy, satisfying, and exactly what I wanted at that point. And the monkey bread? No lie — I licked the plate.
Jazz Brunch isn’t a one-off event—it’s a recurring experience, happening every Saturday from 11:30 AM to 3 PM with multiple seatings. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed weekend plan or an elevated moment to impress out-of-towners, it’s one of those New York finds that actually lives up to the hype.
The other events included:
Magic: Distilled
The festivities included the return of Magic: Distilled, one of the city’s most unique and spellbinding nights. Set in the distillery’s Art Deco lounge, illusionist Jeanette Andrews and NYC’s top magicians dazzled guests with Prohibition-era-inspired performances, paired with whiskey tastings and handcrafted cocktails.
Sofar Sounds at Great Jones
In a beautiful blend of music and mixology, Great Jones partnered with Sofar Sounds for a curated night of rising musical talent in the Penthouse Lounge. Each of the two performances was paired with an original cocktail by Head Mixologist Collin Frazier, crafted to complement the sound and energy of the artists.
$4 Distillery Tours
All weekend long, guests were invited to take part in $4 Distillery Tours, a guided experience that offered a behind-the-scenes look at Great Jones’ whiskey-making process, with tastings of their Straight Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon, and Rye. It was the perfect intro for first-time visitors and a celebratory gesture for longtime fans. Plus, the All Day Happy Hour on the second floor kept the good times rolling with elevated bar bites and cocktails at celebratory prices.
