Isle of Skye is the latest installment of what is quickly becoming Steven Owen and Michael Ferri’s wee Scottish empire in New York. After their successful UES side venture, Caledonia Scottish Pub (1609 2nd Avenue) Owen and Ferri have ventured across the East River to open their first Williamsburg venture at 488 Driggs Avenue.
Isle of Skye certainly lives up to its name. Large old barrels stand guard beneath an old-world swinging sign. Descending the stairs leads you into something slightly medieval, with dark wooden floors, large leather armchairs and plenty of candlelight. The bartender who is charming, knowledgeable and, yes, authentically Scottish, completes the highland scene.
The highlight of the bar is undoubtedly its excellent whisky list with almost one hundred different whiskies from all over Scotland. The menu is helpfully divided up into different regions including Highlands, Lowlands, Islands, Speyside and Islay. Each one also includes a description of the flavour profile such as ‘butterscotch, oak and peaches’ so that you know what you’re sipping into. However, the menu also boasts a good selection of beers and wine as well as a concise cocktail menu, which, naturally, revolves around the Scottish brew. I would recommend the Rabbie Burns, a Manhattan variation that is light and crisp with a hint of smoke and goes down oh so smoothly.
Perhaps my only criticism is of the décor. For while upon first entering the pub you do feel as if you are walking down into one of Edinburgh’s many sunken drinking holes, sitting at the bar the experience is somewhat skewed. A large TV in the corner and the somewhat garish blue lighting behind the bar cheapens the atmosphere of the room. The bar seems caught between a New York speakeasy and a sports bar, and really it is neither. I found myself wishing it had stuck to the darkly medieval feel it first created.
However, for a taste of Scotland and a glimpse of what is brewed on the moors, you can’t go wrong.
Isle of Skye
488 Driggs Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
— Oscar Lopez
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