Please Don't Tell

Can't fault this place- definitely one of the most inventive cocktail bar entrances I've come across (and I've walked through a mirror, a wardrobe and a fridge in London!). We went fairly early on a Sunday and the wait was still 1.5 hours- the charming host let us in a bit early though and suggested a local bar for a beer while we waited. Once in, the space was small but spectacular- the bar tenders were friendly and the menu was extensive- some of the best cocktails I've ever had hands down. We also ordered a portion of tater tots to share as a snack- the portion was so huge it fed us both as our evening meal! If you're in NYC, living or visiting, definitely don't miss out on this- it's fantastic and a place that will put a smile on my face for a long time.

Straight up awesome!! First off, one of the best hot dogs I've had ever. Had a bacon wrapped hot dog with pineapple topping and a Sculpin IPA while I waited to be seated. Second, once you're in, check out the bartender work his magic. Amazing cocktails!! I'll for sure be back very soon!

PDT has amazing cocktails, and amazing hot dogs.

I haven't been in a while but I love(d) their bacon wrapped, deep fried hot dog with kimchi topping. It was insanely tasty.

And of course the now well known novelty of entering in the phone booth never really got old for me.

This place fills up quick and unless you have a reservation it can be a challenge to get in, especially for larger groups. The bar is reserved for walk ins but fills up quickly!

If you don't have a reservation, your best bet is to start lining up at 5:45pm. Any later, and you can put your name on the list and they will call you back when something is available. Bear in mind that this list can get up to 3hours long and is frequently longer then they are open if you try later in the night.

Reservations open up at 3pm and can only be made for that day over the phone. Getting through is another matter. On my 3-4 attempts I only managed to get a busy signal.

Since we didn't have reservations we lined up at 5:50pm and got the last seats at the bar around 6:30pm in the first seating.

The hostess and the bartender we're extremely friendly and patient.

We enjoyed the drinks and bacon wrapped hot dog and tater tots, which can be ordered from Crif Dogs!

Our favorite cocktails were the Mescal Mule and Brentford (bacon infused old fashioned), and the surprise hit of the night was the butter infused rum based "Shark."

While PDT lives up to the hype in terms of experience and quality of their cocktail drinks, the entire process of getting in is a giant pain in the ass.

I definitely recommend you make a reservation in advance. Their phone line opens at 3, so call on the dot. If you go without a reservation, good luck getting in. Out of the few times I've tried, I've been quoted wait times of an hour to 3 hours... They take down your number and will eventually call you back if there are open spots. Spoiler alert: there are NEVER open spots.

The actual bar, located behind a phone booth within Crif Dogs, is small and intimate. Their drink menu is modest, ranging from classics like the Paddington and Old Fashioned to more conceptual cocktails. At $16-18/drink, you can definitely expect some pretty tasty drinks. I personally loved my Old Fashioned, but do ask their mixologists for advice, as they are extremely knowledgeable and will help direct you to the right drink.

Overall, a cool experience, but only if you can secure a reservation in advance.