Rockwell

Photographs

ABOUT

A members' pouring room since 1927.

Rockwell began as a wine agent's tasting room and never entirely stopped being one. The oak counter came from the original office; the ledgers behind it are real, and still balanced by hand at the end of each month.

Membership lapsed as a requirement in 1994. What stayed is the pace, one room, thirty seats, a list read from the board, and no music loud enough to raise a voice over.

COCKTAILS

The Rockwell

rye, oloroso, house bitters, the ledger drink

Corbett Lane

gin, dry vermouth, olive brine, stirred long

Rear Entrance

mezcal, amontillado, honey, orange oil

The Agent

cognac, bénédictine, lemon, sold by the case in 1931

Oak Counter

bourbon, maple, walnut bitters, one large cube

Second Reading

scotch, amaro, smoke under the coupe

WINE & SHERRY

Fino, en rama

straight from the butt, saline and cold

Champagne, house

grower bottling, changed each quarter

Chablis

steel and stone, correct with anything

Barolo, by the glass

decanted at five, gone by ten

Madeira, 15 yr

the last glass of the evening, always

THE KITCHEN

Oysters, half dozen

sherry mignonette, counted twice

Potted Crab

clarified butter, brown toast, lemon

Welsh Rarebit

aged cheddar, mustard, stout in the sauce

Steak Tartare

hand-cut, cured yolk, rye crisps

Sticky Toffee

the only dessert, unchanged since 1927

Club Sandwich

triple-decked, fries in the basket

SPECIALS

1 OF 4

TUESDAY

The Ledger Hour

Every cocktail on the board at its 1927 price, five to seven, written into the book as it was then.

Cash preferred, as a matter of theatre.

WEDNESDAY

The Toddy Hour

Rye, lemon and a cinnamon stick, served hot from six. The cedar room stays open an hour past the kitchen.

Ash trays cleared, never rushed.

FRIDAY

The Long Pour

One spirit, read down the flight: three expressions of the same house, poured side by side with the notes read aloud.

Twelve seats at the counter, no reservations.

SUNDAY

Quiet Service

The room at half volume. Zero-proof list at half price, papers on the rack, the last table cleared at ten.

Conversation optional, encouraged.

EVENTS

FRI AUG 21 · 8 PM · NO COVER The Corbett Trio Piano, bass, brushes, three sets at conversation volume. The trio has played the room the third Friday of the month since 2011. They take no requests but will honour a note left at the bar before the second set.

SAT AUG 29 · 6 PM · 55, TWELVE SEATS The Sherry Table Six copitas walked through by the house buyer, seated at the oak counter. From fino to palo cortado, with the shipping ledgers from the 1930s on the counter for reference. Includes a plate from the kitchen between the third and fourth pour.

THU SEP 04 · 7 PM · 40 A Reading, With Rye A short reading from the house archive, one drink included. The 1927 minute books are read aloud by whoever volunteers, badly and with commentary. Historically the most popular evening we hold.

SAT SEP 13 · 9 PM · NO COVER Late Counter The kitchen closes, the counter stays open, the list goes off-book. Dealer's choice only after nine. State a spirit and a mood; the bar does the rest. No menu is printed for this night.

FRI SEP 19 · 6 PM · 65, TEN SEATS The Cellar Supper Four courses at one table, paired down the list. Held at the long table below the stairs. One seating, one menu, no substitutions, the kitchen cooks what the market gave it that morning.

SUN SEP 28 · 4 PM · FREE Membership Sunday The old member rolls are out; find your family, claim a pour. If a relative appears in the rolls between 1927 and 1994, the first drink is on the house. Bring what proof amuses you; we are not strict.