Feb 2, 2025

Widow Jane Distillery New York

Whiskey distillery

""Widow Jane Distillery" in Red Hook, New York is housed in what used to be a cocoa factory. There are many 150-year-old factories housing businesses here."

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.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

About this spot

Conover Street 218

10 year bourbon:

US$

70

+1

718407.927

Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

Fotografiska

Fotografiska – Museum of Photography

Fotografiska’s self-described raison d'être is to "… showcase the greatest photographers, whether they’re emerging artists or already established internationally.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 9, 2025
Rainey-Park

Rainey Park – Western Queens oasis

When you step into "Rainey Park" in New York City, it feels like you have been welcomed into the shared backyard of Astoria residents. Compact & sunny!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Feb 9, 2025
Queens-Bakehouse

Queens Bakehouse – New York Style patisserie

"Queens Bakehouse" in NYC was an instant hit with me. Their inventive twists on classics are what really stole my heart - the croissant loaf, for example.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Feb 9, 2025
Utopia

Utopia – Old-fashioned breakfast

"Utopia" is my neighborhood go-to breakfast joint. It's a real old-school kind of place; I go with my newspaper and am always served well and fast.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 9, 2025
Malachys-Donegal-Inn

Malachy's Donegal Inn – Pint-sized Irish bar, UWS

"Malachy's Donegal Inn" is an Irish bar in New York city that's a survivor. There's an ingrained (or ingrown) sense of comfort, 'cares abandoned'...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 9, 2025
Central-Park-Benches

Central Park Benches – Poignant inscriptions

"Central Park Benches" in NYC (apart from their comfort) are known for their commemorative plaques. One of them is dedicated by the citizens of Liverpool...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 7, 2025
BANKSY-locations-New-York

BANKSY locations New York – Contemporary street art

You can find "BANKSY in New York" in the Upper West Side. 'Boy With a Hammer' is the only one of his pieces that hasn't been 'repurposed'...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 7, 2025
Silvana

Silvana – Live music, café, boutique

"Silvana" is a large cafe, boutique, shawarma and falafel bar in NYC that also offers live music performances on their downstairs stage. Great acts!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 6, 2025
Mos-Famous-Burgers

Mo's Famous Burgers – Hamburger Food Truck

The menu is simple: hamburgers, French fries & toppings. No over-the-top ingredients, no superfluous adjectives, and high-value food at rock-bottom prices.

024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 5, 2025
Elizabeth-Street-Garden

Elizabeth Street Garden – Sculpture garden NoLita

"Elizabeth Street Garden" New York: formerly the site of a large, important school house, it was reclaimed in the '90s and turned into a sculpture garden.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 5, 2025
UWS-Phone-Booth

UWS Phone Booth – Last payphone booth

One block away from a 21st century LinkNYC WiFi tower on Broadway sits one of three West End Avenue working telephone 'booths', the last in NYC...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 4, 2025
Anthony-Son

Anthony & Son – Old-school sandwich shop

After, "Anthony & Son" Panini Shoppe's Italian-style super-sandwiches, no regular New York sandwich will ever taste as good again...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Nick

Papa

Feb 4, 2025

Just €9.99!

Heading to New York?

299 Insider Tips from Locals

Authentic Stories

Escape the Crowds

Full Access to our New York Blog & App!

Just €9.99

Going to New York?

299 Hidden Gems only Locals know

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

✓ Full Access to the New York City Blog & App!

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on: