New York - January 19, 2001

UNDERBAR Opens

Rande Gerber's New Bar

You’ve been squashed at the Whiskey.

You’ve been tousled at Whiskey Blue, or Whiskey Park. (You may have even been groped.)

In other words, you’ve had the Rande Gerber experience. And kidding aside, it can be pretty fun.

This week New York gets another creation from that randy fellow (the pun was too tempting, our apologies), UNDERBAR, a 2,000-square-foot space named such because—you guessed right—it’s underground. Hidden just below the new W Hotel in Union Square, its recipe calls for insta-mob, so get there fast, and get there first. Get ready to sashay down the candelit staircase and saddle up to the sleek glowing bar, amid the usual embittered bankers, PYTs, and whomever else they bring in tow.

There may be salvation though: UNDERBAR is lined with hideaway private alcoves upholstered from floor to ceiling and equipped with privacy curtains and a rope pull to call for service.

Will one of those darling waitresses decked in knee-high boots and dresses revealing serious cleavage (from Cheryl Creations) respond? That remains to be seen.