Drink Prices

So this weekend was the first weekend that I was in the City as a resident. I decided that I can't get used to the city unless I actually stay here. So Friday night at 6:45 I was at the office trying to figure out what I was going to do for the weekend.

Luckily, I mentioned to some of my colleagues that I was staying in the city and that I needed to start figuring out some places to explore. After sensing their dismay from me saying that I've been studying my Harlem Zagat (I don't think the Zagat is cool to folks who consider themselves New Yorkers) I started soliciting their feedback on where I should start. By the time I had returned from the restroom they decided that we were going out for after work drinks.

The first problem is that I did not feel dressed for an early night in the city but I had to go since they were so graciously offering to get my going on the journey. The good thing is no one ever really "knows" the city so they both checked 'what's happening emails' and came up with a small list of places to visit in the area. We decided to walk to a place called Nectar http://www.nectarwinenyc.com/ that was about a 15/20 minute walk so we didn't even have to take the train.

The place was beautiful and totally what you would expect for a hip NYC wine bar. Great atmosphere, nice selection, cool crowd and small plates in case you needed a snack. The music was low so you could still actually have a conversation and the space was intimate like every place in NYC (there is no space wasted here). I was feeling my first after work drink spot. Another colleague joined us and eventually one of my best pals Celia joined.

I hadn't paid for my two glasses of Riesling because my colleagues again graciously welcomed me to the city so I wasn't aware of the prices. When Celia's bill came for her ONE glass of Riesling it was $14!!! I couldn't believe it. A good bottle of Riesling in Cleveland (even in the grocery store or wine specialty shops) runs you about $11.99 for a BOTTLE. I was shocked. Celia and I walked back to my place and got ready to meet a friend of mine downtown.

We took a yellow cab (bad idea) so it cost us $20 (with a tip) to go from 125th to 46th street. Note: this was a time for a gypsy cab as there could have been some negotiation. We waited in a short line (I hate when they do that at clubs anywhere because they just want bodies in front of the club). Though my friend gave us a pass code (!?!?!?) to give the bouncer I was starting to get nervous because the bouncer was pulling people from behind us and charging the ladies $20-$25. $20 is my max for clubs which you will see over the course of this blog that I hate paying cover charges especially when I plan to spend money at an establishment but I digress. Luckily the password cleared us for entrance with no cover, whew!

I was feeling pretty good from the 2 glasses of wine so I didn’t buy anything in addition to being cheap but Celia needed a pick up. We made our way to the bar (which was no easy task). Celia order A shot of Jose Quervo tequila (she would have ordered Patron in Cleveland but she knew better) as to take the more inexpensive route. She gave the bartender a $20 and get $6 back, a measly $6.

So apparently alcohol in NYC is NOT CHEAP but $14 for A shot of tequila and we haven't even talked tip (which if you give 20% is $3) so a shot could run one $17?!?!? This is going to take a lot of getting used to.

So let's compare.
Shot of Jose Quervo in downtown Cleveland (no tip): $4-$9; Shot of Jose Quervo in downtown NYC (no tip) $14. Since this is the only shot I've been witness to I'll check back if I find a cheaper price to provide a range. Glass of Riesling in downtown Cleveland $6-$10; Glass of Riesling in NYC $14. The same range explanation applies to the wine.
Cleveland or NYC...You Decide