Countless times I have strolled past The Richardson and said to myself, I really have to try a drink there sometime. We finally made it on Cinco de Mayo, and it was blissfully free of party antics and the crowds that perpetrate them.
It's spacious and bright and the d?cor is as you would expect from a modern cocktail lounge in Brooklyn: dark woods, damask wall paper, chandeliers… even the mixologists don old timey bar keep outfits, complete with stiff white shirts and vests with pocket watches. It fits the mold to a tee, but I like the mold, so bless them.
All the cocktails are $9 here, which make quite a difference at the end of the night compared to the neighborhoods other swanky shrine to booze – Hotel Delmano (which in all I have to say delivers a bit more sophistication in their drinks).
On the plus side the Scottish Dew was a refreshing cucumber dream, perfect for the sunny day I wished I was experiencing while drinking it. A nice and very strong concoction called the Brooklyn followed which will please fans of Old Fashions.
On the down side, their Old Fashion may not. My very discerning friend was disappointed to find his had granulated sugar at the bottom which had not been mixed in well with the rest of the drink. A minor faux pas, but still, you do, I assume, call yourself a mixologist.
I will happily return, it seems pretty quiet on week days, though it quickly filled up with dudes, dudes and more dudes as the night progressed; if you're looking to meet a man with a taste for rye, there are worse places. Service was friendly if not a bit distracted, and it offers several good beers on tap for your friends that are like that.
Downstairs from the experimental gastronomy taking place in the main dining area (
underground bar/restuarant is run by the same people as Balthazar and Pastis. We had several small dishes to share. I recommend the Crispy Horseradish Oysters and the suprising Blini with Smoked Sturgeon. I also recommend coming early–it gets crowded with people you don't want to hang out with around nine thirty.
One of the worst things for you is also one of the best things about Holiday parties. 
We went a few months ago with Doug and Astrid and tried the cucumber and a hibiscus varieties. Both were awesome. There were several more flavors to choose from, these two just jumped right of the menu.
And never forgotten.
It is like a peach margarita.