Dumbo’s Best New Bar
Welcome to Gair.
What happens when two super creative friends living in Dumbo decide they need a really great neighborhood bar? Glad you asked.
Jeremie Kittredge of The Idea Collective (City Grit, Aha Life), and architectural designer Kevin Cimini have opened Gair, a magnificent community cocktail bar in Dumbo.
The bar, which has an industrial meets mid-century modern vibe, is named for the Scot immigrant Robert Gair, who came to America in the 1800s at the age of 14. By 1870 this industrious chap had invented a machine for making corrugated cardboard. This may sound rather dull, but the invention made him a fortune. He used said fortune to continue to invent things, and by 1913 he had become a real estate developer, best known for building up Dumbo and its famous clock tower building, the tallest reinforced concrete building in the world when built in 1914.
Now, Kevin and Jeremie claim this is just a local bar, a neighborhood joint, but I think Robert would be rather proud of Gair, which is located on this borough’s most instagrammed corner, Washington and Water Street. To call this place a joint is sort of like calling Kevin McCarthy conservative; it’s the understatement of the year.
This stunning space is anchored by a horseshoe shaped bar built from sultry Brazilian basalt; it’s also got a chef’s counter, and walls of pretty, tightly spaced tables overlooking the cobblestones, opening up to the river and the Manhattan Bridge, allowing for mesmerizing skyline views and unlimited people watching.
Beverage Director Robert Struthers (Dutch Kills, Fresh Kills, and Nitecap), and General Manager Megan Casale (Lavender Lake, Dirty Precious, and Claudette) have put together an elevated menu of cocktails and natural wines. There’s also a backbar devoted to lesser-known spirits brands, including African-based vodka brand Vusa, and Rhine Hall’s mango brandy, as well as local beer and wine.
All of which is to say that Gair is an excellent place to linger, to rest and relax, to snuggle in and get close, while sipping very good cocktails, prepared with skill and sweetness by a lovely crew of staff.
When I was there last night, I sat at a corner spot at the bar, reading The Whalebone Theater, and chatting with Albert, a fantastic barman who mixed me a drink called “Big Pharma,” a spicy, sweet, tart mix of Scotch, persimmon, ginger, and honey served on a big rock. I loved it. Honestly, I could have had ten. Alas, I just had one, and savored every sip. I might have even licked the last of it from the ice cube. Anything is possible.
Albert not only makes a gorgeous drink, he’s lovely company. We talked about books most of the evening, sharing our favorites, and finding common ground over our love of Ottessa Moshfegh (Eileen, My Year of Rest and Relaxation), and Jenny Ofill (Weather and Department of Speculation). My library hold list grew nicely after our chat. I can’t wait to go back for book club with Albert over one of the other wonderful cocktails, maybe the Resting Spritz Face (gin, suze, Italicus, grapefruit, saline, pink peppercorn), Jalisco Sol (tequila, red bitter aperitivo, chamomile, apricot, and pineapple), or the Old Man and the Sea (Japanese whisky, soy, nori, umami).
As for food, there’s none at the moment but the team plans a selection of dishes that might be considered “fancy casual,” a roster that spans burgers and fries to oysters and lamb. The menu is still being worked on but they’re designing it with 15-20 dishes to share when they open the kitchen on 2/24.
Bring your favorite book and I’ll see you there!
Gair is located at 41 Washington at the corner of Water Street. It is in a soft open phase for now, so you can go in for drinks Tuesday and Wednesday from 4pm to 12am; Thursday from 4pm to 2am, Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 2am, and Sunday from 2pm to 10pm. Food and more coming on 2/24!