Tony Sachs
@retromannyc.bsky.social
Drinks writer for Forbes and Alcohol Professor, among others. Wild about dumplings and burgers. 20th century music enthusiast. Unapologetic Yankees fan. Proud Democrat. Husband, dad, New Yorker.
I turned my friend Cynthia on to Letters To Cleo in ‘94 or so - she loved them even more than I did. We never got around to seeing them in their heyday & kept missing the occasional reunion gigs. Cynthia died a few years ago, but she was right there with me at LTC’s Bowery Ballroom show last night.
November 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I turned my friend Cynthia on to Letters To Cleo in ‘94 or so - she loved them even more than I did. We never got around to seeing them in their heyday & kept missing the occasional reunion gigs. Cynthia died a few years ago, but she was right there with me at LTC’s Bowery Ballroom show last night.
New nerdy music purchase! 6 CDs box set of Bob Crosby (Bing’s brother), recorded 1936-42. He led one of the great jazz bands of the era — they played a hybrid of old-school Dixieland and modern (for the time) big band swing, and they COOKED. Get your copy at mosaicrecords.com !
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
New nerdy music purchase! 6 CDs box set of Bob Crosby (Bing’s brother), recorded 1936-42. He led one of the great jazz bands of the era — they played a hybrid of old-school Dixieland and modern (for the time) big band swing, and they COOKED. Get your copy at mosaicrecords.com !
Isn’t this the guy that was going around giving Nazi salutes and palling around with Trump a couple of months ago?
July 7, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Isn’t this the guy that was going around giving Nazi salutes and palling around with Trump a couple of months ago?
I spent a chunk of the afternoon day-drinking at PJ Clarke’s, sampling various expressions of 2XO whiskey with the guy who makes it, Dixon Dedman. Shrimp cocktail, oysters and Cadillac burgers were also consumed.
May 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I spent a chunk of the afternoon day-drinking at PJ Clarke’s, sampling various expressions of 2XO whiskey with the guy who makes it, Dixon Dedman. Shrimp cocktail, oysters and Cadillac burgers were also consumed.
If by "due process" he means getting sent to a prison in El Salvador without a trial or legal representation, then he's absolutely right. The J6-ers were not afforded that kind of royal treatment. Cue the violins.
April 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM
If by "due process" he means getting sent to a prison in El Salvador without a trial or legal representation, then he's absolutely right. The J6-ers were not afforded that kind of royal treatment. Cue the violins.
Sampled Four Roses’ new single barrel offerings, each of which is a single one of their ten famous bourbon recipes rather than a blend of mashbills and yeast strains. All ten will be released eventually; the first four are out now.
March 30, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Sampled Four Roses’ new single barrel offerings, each of which is a single one of their ten famous bourbon recipes rather than a blend of mashbills and yeast strains. All ten will be released eventually; the first four are out now.
Green chile cheeseburger with turmeric pickles and cucumber raita, and masala spiced fries. Available at Inday All Day in Williamsburg. Get thee hence.
March 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Green chile cheeseburger with turmeric pickles and cucumber raita, and masala spiced fries. Available at Inday All Day in Williamsburg. Get thee hence.
I bought Buster Poindexter's 1st album when I was 18. The music was great, but the cover photo made me think, I want my life to be like that. And almost 40 years later, as a drinks writer/bargoer, it IS kind of like that. I'm glad I got to thank Buster/David Johansen in person for the inspiration.
March 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I bought Buster Poindexter's 1st album when I was 18. The music was great, but the cover photo made me think, I want my life to be like that. And almost 40 years later, as a drinks writer/bargoer, it IS kind of like that. I'm glad I got to thank Buster/David Johansen in person for the inspiration.
I have a magic fridge. Whenever I rummage around in it I turn up some really good chocolate, which neither my wife nor I have any memory of acquiring. This is my latest find and it’s spectacular.
February 18, 2025 at 11:09 AM
I have a magic fridge. Whenever I rummage around in it I turn up some really good chocolate, which neither my wife nor I have any memory of acquiring. This is my latest find and it’s spectacular.
The Night, the last album by the brilliant Boston-based trio Morphine, was released 25 years ago today. Bassist/frontman/songwriter Mark Sandman died just after it was finished, and the album has a haunting, melancholy feel of foreboding throughout. Well worth your time, and money (for CD/LP).
February 2, 2025 at 3:15 AM
The Night, the last album by the brilliant Boston-based trio Morphine, was released 25 years ago today. Bassist/frontman/songwriter Mark Sandman died just after it was finished, and the album has a haunting, melancholy feel of foreboding throughout. Well worth your time, and money (for CD/LP).
Just got back from Puerto Rico - I hadn’t been since I was five years old. Old San Juan has a stretch that’s basically Bourbon St. with salsa dancing (and better drinks) but a lot of it is residential, quiet, and gorgeous.
February 1, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Just got back from Puerto Rico - I hadn’t been since I was five years old. Old San Juan has a stretch that’s basically Bourbon St. with salsa dancing (and better drinks) but a lot of it is residential, quiet, and gorgeous.
In Puerto Rico checking out the Ron Del Barrilito HQ. They use some pretty out-there methods to make their rum, but it turns out very tasty.
January 30, 2025 at 9:40 PM
In Puerto Rico checking out the Ron Del Barrilito HQ. They use some pretty out-there methods to make their rum, but it turns out very tasty.
My new favorite cocktail (underneath the foam was actually quite a good whiskey sour). Courtesy of Michter’s & the Bar at Fort Nelson.
January 26, 2025 at 12:45 PM
My new favorite cocktail (underneath the foam was actually quite a good whiskey sour). Courtesy of Michter’s & the Bar at Fort Nelson.
The Calvagroni - Punt e Mes & Campari from the ‘70s, 25 YO calvados from Wayward Cask subbing for gin. As consumed at Seven in Louisville,
Courtesy of Turner & Jordan from Rolling Fork Spirits
Courtesy of Turner & Jordan from Rolling Fork Spirits
January 24, 2025 at 5:43 AM
The Calvagroni - Punt e Mes & Campari from the ‘70s, 25 YO calvados from Wayward Cask subbing for gin. As consumed at Seven in Louisville,
Courtesy of Turner & Jordan from Rolling Fork Spirits
Courtesy of Turner & Jordan from Rolling Fork Spirits
My wife and daughter and I had lunch at the Carlyle Hotel today. No TV, no windows, ‘40s big bands on the hi-fi, Gibsons from Bemelmans Bar to drink (and a Shirley Temple for the kid), burgers and fries to soak up the booze, and all was right with the world, at least for a little while.
January 21, 2025 at 4:06 AM
My wife and daughter and I had lunch at the Carlyle Hotel today. No TV, no windows, ‘40s big bands on the hi-fi, Gibsons from Bemelmans Bar to drink (and a Shirley Temple for the kid), burgers and fries to soak up the booze, and all was right with the world, at least for a little while.
I don’t smoke cigars often, but judging from this pic, when I do I really enjoy it. Taken at NYC’s famed Club Macanudo at the launch party for @buffalotracedstlry.bsky.social’s new Prohibition Collection whiskeys.
January 18, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I don’t smoke cigars often, but judging from this pic, when I do I really enjoy it. Taken at NYC’s famed Club Macanudo at the launch party for @buffalotracedstlry.bsky.social’s new Prohibition Collection whiskeys.
Doing a little research.
January 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Doing a little research.
Started Dry January off right - with a dry Ford’s Gin martini at Hawksmoor.
January 3, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Started Dry January off right - with a dry Ford’s Gin martini at Hawksmoor.
The next four years in one photograph.
January 2, 2025 at 2:09 AM
The next four years in one photograph.
First burger of the year, at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Terminal. In keeping with my resolution to eat healthier in 2025, I got a side salad instead of fries.
January 1, 2025 at 7:06 PM
First burger of the year, at Grand Brasserie in Grand Central Terminal. In keeping with my resolution to eat healthier in 2025, I got a side salad instead of fries.
The marvelous Marilyn Maye, still singing and swinging at age 96, at Birdland last night. You
Don’t have to grade her on a curve - she’s still a remarkable vocalist regardless of age. Check out her wonderful ‘60s albums on RCA, and then see her live if you have the chance.
Don’t have to grade her on a curve - she’s still a remarkable vocalist regardless of age. Check out her wonderful ‘60s albums on RCA, and then see her live if you have the chance.
December 29, 2024 at 2:41 AM
The marvelous Marilyn Maye, still singing and swinging at age 96, at Birdland last night. You
Don’t have to grade her on a curve - she’s still a remarkable vocalist regardless of age. Check out her wonderful ‘60s albums on RCA, and then see her live if you have the chance.
Don’t have to grade her on a curve - she’s still a remarkable vocalist regardless of age. Check out her wonderful ‘60s albums on RCA, and then see her live if you have the chance.
Low-ABV Grasshoppers at Bemelmans Bar turned out to be a pretty smart follow-up to their large and potent martinis - the next morning was hangover-free. #cocktails
December 13, 2024 at 8:41 PM
Low-ABV Grasshoppers at Bemelmans Bar turned out to be a pretty smart follow-up to their large and potent martinis - the next morning was hangover-free. #cocktails
Not gonna lie, I was intrigued. Not enough to buy it, but….
December 8, 2024 at 10:19 PM
Not gonna lie, I was intrigued. Not enough to buy it, but….
My daughter was in the premiere episode of #SkeletonCrew, the new Star Wars series streaming now on Disney+. It’s a small part, but she nailed it - when it comes to sticking gum on a droid tram driver’s head, she has no peers. I’m very proud and excited for her.
December 3, 2024 at 4:04 PM
My daughter was in the premiere episode of #SkeletonCrew, the new Star Wars series streaming now on Disney+. It’s a small part, but she nailed it - when it comes to sticking gum on a droid tram driver’s head, she has no peers. I’m very proud and excited for her.