Widow Jane Distillery New York
Whiskey distillery
It's a lulling autumn day in Red Hook. The air is warm and still, and it's very quiet --- the loudest sound is my bicycle tires thumping on the cobblestones. I'm looking for a cocoa factory. I find the building, but I can't find any chocolate.
This is not upsetting because once through the wide open doors a young woman in work boots and frizzy tied back hair tosses me a couple of whiskey samples before asking what it is I want. "Cocoa powder" I say. "Sorry. Whiskey's all we got".
Turns out the owners have changed horses in midstream and now distill bourbon and rye whiskey --- no more chocolate.
The factory vibe is of a school on summer recess, but there are plenty of bottles displayed here and there, in fact there are bottles of many sizes on every hand and they all are filled with whiskey in colors ranging from pale honey to deep amber.
Red Hook abounds with places like this. 150-year-old factory buildings now house businesses making chocolate, whiskey, Steve’s Key Lime Pies, or house interesting looking restaurants and grocery stores.
But I never see many people, unless it's late at night, like at Sunny's, formerly mafia owned. The infamous mafioso boss, Joey Gallo, claimed the streets of Red Hook as his own. To defend them he kept a lion and a huge cache of guns. He was shot dead at Umberto's Clam House in Little Italy.
The distillery offers tours which are followed by tasting flights.
About this spot
Find your way with 301 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
Professional Baseball
April 4 opener 2025
Games of Professional Baseball in New York doesn't just mean watching the Yankees play and paying 100s of dollars: watch a Class A game for much cheaper!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Rubenstein Atrium
Lincoln Center free concerts
"Rubenstein Atrium" in New York's Lincoln Center has a free performance every Thursday night. I recommend you try to arrive around 18:30 to catch a seat.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Revson Fountain
Lincoln center
"Revson Fountain" at the Lincoln Center in NYC is one of the results of the renovation that started in 2006. It's spectacular and a must-see!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Gray's Papaya
Traditional NY hot dogs
"Gray's Papaya" in New York equals classic hot dogs. This place has been here at least 45 years, and it's easy to see why. Great people-watching spot too.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Paris Cinema
Last single screen cinema in NYC
"Paris Cinema", est. 1948, is the last single screen cinema in NYC today; what irony that it was saved from closing by Netflix itself...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
La Casa Bella
Bay Ridge Italian
The White Clam Sauce linguine is classic. So much is served that what can’t be eaten on the spot can be taken home and easily reheated the next day,
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
American Legion Post 398
Hot Harlem night
At the "American Legion Post 398" in New York City I get to hear jazz played the old fashioned way, Harlem in the '30s, '40s and '50s...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
"A Great Day in Harlem" Site
Historic jazz site
"A Great Day in Harlem" is an important photo of 58 jazz greats taken in 1958 in NYC. The building on 126th Street where it was taken is still there...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Hudson River Greenway
Hudson River bike route
The 13-mile Hudson River Greenway in NYC, which begins at the George Washington Bridge, is the most heavily used bike trail in the USA...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
New Plaza Cinema
Art house cinema
"New Plaza Cinema" in NYC has one mission: to show independent, foreign and classic films. It is run by a grassroots group; how long will it survive?
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Manny's Bistro
French bistro, UWS
"Manny's Bistro" is a French bistro in my neighborhood in New York. Susan & I prefer to sit at the bar, which makes us belong & contribute to the scene...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Elevated Acre
Quiet, hidden elevated park in FiDi
"The Elevated Acre" is in the middle of the Financial District in NYC, but you would never see it when passing by - this park is hidden above street level!
by
Christian
Neely
Heading to New York?
301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to New York?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 301 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite New York
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
