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You may not be familiar with the name Bryan Schneider, but if you've knocked back a pepperoncini martini at Bad Roman or a handful of Bangkok screwdrivers at Twin Tails, he’s certainly treated you to a drink.
Tending bar since 2005, Schneider has shaken and stirred at some of New York’s most beloved drinking establishments starting with Daniel, eventually overseeing the aforementioned bars while working as the beverage director of Quality Branded. Like many in the industry (and really, most of us out there), Schneider always envisioned owning his own bar. But for him, it wasn’t a lofty, unobtainable thing. Instead, his vision was a modern, maritime meeting place, ripped from the pages of Herman Melville’s classic novel, Moby-Dick.
“While reading the novel a decade ago, I took about ten pages of notes for a Moby-Dick-inspired bar,” Schneider told Time Out New York, also describing how he was taken by the book’s ties to New York and the vivid description of the smoke-laden, whaling tavern in chapter three, named The Spouter Inn. Ten years passed before Schneider serendipitously came upon his prized find, a bar space near the waters of the Hudson River. And so he decided to harpoon his own catch.
Last Friday, Quick Eternity opened its doors at the South Street Seaport in the Financial District, bringing forward Schneider's interpretation of a seaside whaling tavern through a modern lens. The name of the drinking den is drawn directly from chapter 41 of Moby-Dick: “...to chase and point lance at such an apparition as the Sperm Whale was not for mortal man. That to attempt it, would be inevitably to be torn into a quick eternity.”
Less of a dive for weary souls and more of a modern revue to raise spirits, the two-level bar features heavy brick walls, leather-backed chairs and cherry wood tables etched with mother of pearl accents.
Above sits The Gam, a private event space that also houses Idler Books, an independent bookstore offering a thoughtfully curated selection of new and used titles—including a collection of vintage editions of the obviously inspiring seafaring classic. Owner Rachel Leal, Schneider's wife, plans to develop literary programming as well, including a reading club that will take a deep dive into, you guessed it, Moby-Dick.
The most eye-catching sight is found behind the bar on the first floor. Beyond the polished driftwood counter sits a darkened mural of the whale from the novel. Breaching from the murky sea, the picture is framed by weathered bones seemingly pulled from the beast itself. The maritime mural was commissioned by Tribeca-based artist Azikiwe Mohammed, whom Schneider met while studying art in college.
“For the mural, I gave Azikiwe a particular passage in chapter 3 that describes an oil painting in the entrance to the inn,” said Schneider. “Azikiwe created his own version of the painting described in that passage.”
Mohammed's touch is felt elsewhere as well. The bar has partnered with New Davonhaime Food Bank, an organization conceived and operated by Mohammed that provides fresh produce and pantry staples to New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity.
As you contemplate your own white whale, you can sip on a menu of cocktails that pull from references and excerpts from the book. The namesake drink of the bar, the Quick Eternity, is a play on a Corpse Reviver #2, made with Perry’s Tot Navy-Strength Gin, passionfruit, Lillet, lemon and absinthe. The Rachel (made with Michter’s bourbon, Saveiro madeira, lemon and a float Three Valleys red wine) has a double meaning here: it's named after the whaler ship that eventually pulls Ishmael from the water in the novel and Schneider's own wife.
Upgraded tavern fare comes courtesy of chef Antonio Mora. A personal friend of Schneider's, chef Mora (previously of Daniel, Morandi and Quality Meats) has created a New England-accented menu.
The chilled Manhattan clam chowder eats more like a ceviche spun with classic chowder flavors, while the Captain’s Crunch is reminiscent of a Frito-Pie that swaps out chips for prawn crisps, yours to shake up with Du Breton pork chili. Filling meals from the gallows include the Gam Burger with charred onions and a “chaos” sauce, plus corndog-battered lobster tails.
As for desserts, the sticky toffee pudding is drizzled with a Navy-Strength Jamaican rum caramel is a go-to.
Whether you are a literary buff, looking for a good drink or simply enjoy a well-rounded bar, head to Quick Eternity for a good time.