Too Old to Be New, Too New to Be Old: Not-Quite-Legacy Bars and Their Struggle to Stay Relevant

"These lower Manhattan establishments don't require an introduction or description for most cocktail enthusiasts. They're bona fide legacy bars that cropped up during the first decade of the craft cocktail movement and helped shape the scene. These industry bulwarks need no press, advertising, fanfare to garner attention. Their longevity and industry impact allows them to live in drinkers' collective consciousness."

"But what about the critically acclaimed bars that opened during the movement's second wave between 2010 and 2015? Over a decade old, these establishments may be known commodities with solid fan bases and several awards to their credit, but they tend to get left out of the legacy conversation. At the same time, they've been around too long to be considered the shiny new object within their communities."

Legacy bars from the craft cocktail movement's first decade command enduring recognition, requiring little press while shaping the scene and inhabiting drinkers' collective consciousness. These spaces generate reverent, sustained attention rather than transient buzz, earning iconic status. Bars that opened during the movement's second wave (2010–2015) occupy an intermediary position: they are over a decade old with solid followings and awards but often excluded from legacy conversations. Examples include Amor y Amargo, Williams & Graham, and Jack Rose Dining Saloon, which opened in 2011 and quickly became local staples with notable community impact and acclaim.

Read at VinePair