Bowery Lane isn’t exactly the intimate alleyway bar the name might imply (the name’s actually taken from a Manhattan neighbourhood). Rather, you'll find it tucked away at the foot of one of the financial district’s many tall grey towers. Inside, the muted palette continues with white-tiled walls, black tables, grey curtains and low-hanging architectural light fixtures. Take a seat at one of the intimate, ultra-upright two-seater booths or at the friendlier-looking long communal table.
Cocktails are dominated by short, stirred-down caffeinated numbers, like the Mulberry St Negroni, which sees rich cold-drip espresso spiked with Campari. While traditionalists may not partake, it's a decent soft entry for non-Negroni aficionados. The American beers available adds some weight to their attempt to mirror a New York bar with Brooklyn Lager and brown ale, Liberty Ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale all being poured. The wine list similarly hosts a few American drops like the cool, dry Channing's Daughter sauvignon blanc.
Food-wise they're big on sharing here. We order some lamb ribs which come served up on cute handmade ceramic plates. They're juicy, just charred enough and are seasoned relatively well. They also fare a lot better than our burger, which is a little dry.
Bowery Lane also serves as a café by day – perhaps when they pumping out smoothies, green juices and coffees there’s a little more life in the place then there is on a Friday evening.