Stone Street has become one of my favorite little secrets New York City has to offer. While not being inherently hidden or a secret, I feel that it lacks the night life acclaim that other parts of the city hold.
However, what Stone Street lacks in high octane action it makes up for with a variety of options, ambiences and vibes. Each restaurant or bar down this secluded alley is the perfect mix of lively but also chill enough environment to catch up with friends after work. Each location offers something the rest of the street does not, making it a catch all for every type of person. Stone Street’s latest addition, Daisy Duke’s Honky Tonk, is no exception and it’s quickly becoming my personal favorite.
Now if you’ve ever been to Nashville and experienced the night life scene there, then this will appear to be a very New York interpretation of that. Most nights, from the moment you enter, you’ll be greeted by the tones of a live band belting classic country hits and even the sight of folks square dancing along. The entire venue is wonderfully western theme, with the first floor set up like an old western saloon. The “Buffalo Bar” as the ground floor is colloquially called, is an homage to the spirit of the open range. Cowhide fur covers line the bar front, antique belts lace the bar back, Wild West jail photo ops adorn the surrounding walls, and a lineup of country bands will regularly perform live music on the entrance stage. The second floor on the other hand is fashioned after an old western train car, conjuring up thoughts of the gold rush with the walls decorated with western-inspired murals designed by local NYC artists from the Art & Design School. Also on the second floor is the “Rodeo Arena,” where décor celebrates the Old West’s history, transports guests to another time, evoking stables with a show-stopping disco horse carved by chainsaw by well-known woodwork artist Brandon Wilson. Saloons and dusty trails with a full-size split wooden fence, metal bolted cacti, and an additional saloon bar for larger parties. And of course being a honky tonk, there’s a piano in that back of the ground floor.
Being a native New Yorker, it’s not a stretch to say I’m not the biggest country fan but the band was phenomenal and the crowd was welcoming. As far as a honky tonk goes, that’s one of the best things to look out for and it easily passes that test. However, knowing that this is the latest venture from Cathal O’Brien would make this a given as this isn’t his first rodeo. After two decades of experience and over 25 successful ventures across NYC, New Jersey, Iceland, and Ireland, he knows what it takes to set up a solid establishment, especially in the competitive market that is Stone Street.
As for the drinks and food, both were surprisingly good and surpassed my expectations across the board. The food and beverage menu mirrors the Western allure and will operate softly during the first month of opening with limited items. Highlights include shareable comfort foods with a country-western twist, including Smashed Sliders, Barrels of Southern Fried Chicken, appetizers including a Giant Texan Pretzel with spicy cheese sauce, Jalapeño Poppers, and more. Cocktails include a global and local selection of IPAs, lagers, beers, and seltzers. Cocktail selections include Daisy’s Punch with tequila and fresh fruit juices, Peanut Butter Martini, and classic Old Fashioned, Aperol and Hugo Spritzes. The menus will change seasonally, with many more items to come, including a special BBQ menu to be introduced down the road and a variety of whiskey and bourbon flights to complement.
I personally tasted several of the menu’s offerings. We started with the buffalo cauliflower where the typical cauliflower starter was coated in buffalo sauce. As you can imagine, words are not needed to describe how simple yet delightful this is as it’s an instant crowd pleaser. The barrel of Southern Fried Chicken had no reason being as good as they were. Wings are often a bar food classic but this was something more. It was crispy on the outside and decadently soft on the inside. Being served with a sweet thin honey mustard like sauce was icing on the cake, or I suppose, chicken. With it, we had the macaroni and cheese which was nicely served in a cast iron pan and was the devilishly perfect compliment. Next, we had their steak and fries which make us feel nothing short of being cowboys out on the range. Once again it served as a delightful surprise. Finally, we had the chicken sandwich which came with fries. It was covered in toppings and shredded vegetables and all in all was the perfect close to a surprisingly great set of food. Their offerings were the perfect smattering of bar food classics with a western twist.
As for the drinks, I believe they may have the best cocktails on Stone Street. The Peanut Butter Martini will instantly catch the eye of many when first glancing at the menu and I must say, it is absolutely worth it. To put it simply, it’s a slightly sweeter take on an espresso martini and worth trying. Everything else we tried, from their classic smoky old fashioned which is served under a cloche filled with smoke to their unique lychee based martini, everything on the menu is certainly to be a winning pick.
Lastly, just in time for the holidays, Daisy Duke’s Honky Tonk has partnered with artist Michelle Alexander who fuses fashion and art in her work and is custom designing a limited number of cowboy hats that will be handed out as a holiday treat to guests at random. I got one and it was incredibly well made and perfectly feeds into the cowboy feel and ambience that they’re going for. Daisy Duke’s is Stone Street’s latest gem and it is certainly worth checking out, especially during Christmas time. Stone Street alone dresses itself up wonderfully for the wintry season so whether you’re a local looking for a new dive or a tourist wanting to try something different, this is perfect place that I’d recommend.
