Raise a glass to the Iron Room. The self-styled Atlantic City speakeasy is the winner of New Jersey Monthly’s first-ever Best Whiskey Bar poll, sponsored by The Balvenie.
The Iron Room was the top vote-getter each week of the four-week competition. The poll started on October 2 with 30 competing bars. By the championship round, starting October 23, it came down to the four contenders. The Iron Room held the top spot, followed in order by Blue Morel in Morristown; Inc American Bar & Kitchen in New Brunswick; and the Local Eatery & Pub in Mount Holly.
Mark Callazzo, owner of the Iron Room, was thrilled with the victory. The bar boasts more than 400 whiskeys available by the glass, as well as an award-winning cocktail program.
“We don’t carry stuff just to carry stuff,” he tells njmonthly.com. “We hand select everything, and it’s good to see people respond to that and like what we do. It makes you feel good in the heart and soul.”
The editors of New Jersey Monthly chose the original 30 contending bars for their enticing atmosphere and carefully curated selection of spirits. The Iron Room, which opened in 2013, excels on both fronts. Named for the iron—a now discontinued Monopoly playing piece—the bar and restaurant is tucked away behind its related business—the Atlantic City Bottle Company, a package liquor store.
It was a no brainer!
I hope INC American BAR at least came in 2nd, A Bar that would go to another state to be able to make the best Bourbon for it’s customers deserves it and who want’s to go to AC any more.