Herman Melville, author of “Moby-Dick” among other notable classics, was born right here in Lower Manhattan on August 1, 1816, in a boarding house at 6 Pearl St. That building is no longer standing (although there’s a plaque commemorating the site), but now you can pay homage to Melville at Quick Eternity, a new tavern at 22 Peck Slip that takes inspiration from the tale of Captain Ahab and his white whale.
Quick Eternity is the brainchild of Bryan Schneider, who headed the beverage program at Bad Roman at Columbus Circle. Schneider is reportedly a fan of “Moby-Dick” and long sought to open a New England whaling tavern that would feel at home in Ishmael and Ahab’s world. He did just that with Quick Eternity — with its wooden floors, brick walls, a polished driftwood bar and, notably, a gorgeous mural of Moby Dick himself (by Tribeca-based artist Azikiwe Mohammed) framed by an apparent whalebone. There are also a number of vintage copies of “Moby-Dick” placed around the space, naturally.
The drinks are all excellent and wonderfully picturesque, as you’d expect from the likes of Schneider, whose creative cocktails are known for going viral. The spicy Howling Infinite (Tequila Ocho, Pimm’s, Ancho Reyes chili liqueur, lime) comes in an antique-looking tin horn; the namesake Quick Eternity (Perry’s Tot Navy Strength Gin, passionfruit, lemon, absinthe) is a shimmering, if somewhat lethal delight. The drinks are named after quotes and elements from “Moby-Dick,” as is the bar itself (“… yet 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.”). And as an added touch, the drinks are all adorned with toothpicks bearing adorable tiny seashells.
Food options include a classic burger with malt vinegar-dusted fries, as well as oceanside bites like chowders, corndog-battered lobster pups and sticky toffee pudding. You can enjoy your drinks and dishes in the main bar area, outdoors in good weather or upstairs in “the Gam,” which references the maritime slang for social visits between boats that played a major role in “Moby-Dick.” In addition to seating, the Gam is used as a private event space and will even hold readings.
Indeed, Quick Eternity will take you on a seafaring voyage worthy of an epic Great American novel (or, at least, several happy hours). Provided you don’t get dragged down to the deep…
