UPPER WEST SIDE — The owner of a new neighborhood American whiskey bar on Amsterdam Avenue will open a Scotch bar further south on the avenue as well, he said Wednesday.
Caledonia Bar, will open as a "high-end Scotch restaurant and lounge" in September at 424 Amsterdam Ave., between 80th and 81st streets, said owner Michael Ferrie.
Ferrie is the managing partner at The Hamilton, an American whiskey bar that opened in December at 998 Amsterdam Ave. near West 109th Street, and serves cocktails and comfort food in addition to a large whiskey selection.
He also owns Caledonia Scottish Pub at 1609 Second Ave. between East 83rd and 84th streets and is bringing the concept west to the space that used to house Cafe Con Leche, but has been vacant since Jan. 1, 2015.
The Cuban restaurant had a home on the avenue for 25 years, but a rent increase forced it to move to East Harlem.
The new Caledonia will open at 4 p.m. every day and stay open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 2 a.m. every other day of the week, said Ferrie.
The restaurant will have a menu similar to The Hamilton's, with comfort food favorites, he said.
And Caledonia Bar plans to apply for a sidewalk cafe once it's up and running, said Ferrie.
Community Board 7's Business and Consumer Issues committee approved the bar's liquor license application; it still needs full board approval and approval by the State Liquor Authority.
Next door to the bar is the new Beer Shop, which offers beer flights, snacks and beers to buy and take home.
The board also approved Beer Shop's outdoor cafe application for four tables and eight chairs. The shop plans to add guacamole and cheese plates to its snacks offerings this summer, the owners said.
