Greetings fellow thirsty people of New York, greatest city on the world and home of the absolute champions. I think everyone spent this past week celebrating themselves into exhaustion, whether you can name the Knicks bench or not. It was so important, I think, after the last year for our city to come together in a real way and be who we are at our core — human beings with a drinking problem.
Now that the dust & confetti has settled, and we trudge to real life, I think we’ll take with us that spark of camaraderie that’s been missing since…covid? I want to encourage everyone to keep this feeling and stay OUTSIDE, and in doing so I have compiled a list of places I’ve been drinking recently. Not crazy-party-day drinking-looney bins, just fun, easy places to have a nice cocktail. I hope this inspires you to leave your house during the dreaded work week for a drink with a friend or a stranger or a crush or an enemy. xx
The Tamarind Milk Punch or the Tepache, a funky fermented summer concoction I can’t get enough of, from Mexican-American bar SUPERBUENO. Everything is so bright and gorgeous and tasty, so easy to drink without losing a bit of sugar & spice.
The Cornstar Martini at Milady’s — if I had to pick a favorite drink out of the bunch, it would probably be this saucy little number. A play on the pornstar ‘tini with a little 2014-Milk Bar-esque flair, the Cornstar is made with corn pop-infused vodka & comes with a little sidecar of champagne on ice. How chic.
The fresh Malverde, a green apple drink with a nice healthy bite. The first thing you notice about Bar Chucho is the high ceilings, the big windows, and the openness of a room that can breathe. This sets the stage for space — for conversation, for bodies, for knocking back their tight menu of drinks.
The Sakura Vesper, garnished with a tasty little pickled martini, at locals mainstay Bar Goto. They’re still serving up some of the most precise cocktails, and truly addicting kombu celery snacks, in the game over a decade after first opening.
A wasabi-infused G&T, a punchy take on the classic that hits you right in your sinuses. Sitting inside this bar is like being hugged by the curves of the clay on a pottery wheel, slick and fluid. The design is so striking it can only be complimented by the complicated, cool drinks on the menu, like a Wagyu-infused whiskey Coke or a Mango Sazerac with a little mango sorbet garnish.
Dirty martinis with a singular blue cheese olive from Jon Neidich’s millenial answer to Bemelman’s. I hate to admit when something lives up to the hype, but I came here for a friend’s 30th birthday dinner GNO and was so pleasantly surprised to have the time of my life, with multiple Lana del Rey numbers on the piano, a padded caviar potato baked to the gods, and a perfect Tanqueray dirty.
Pornstar martini highballs from divey cocktail bar Romeo’s, that holds onto the Saint Marks spirit with a sprinkle of 2020s polish. A little grungey but still cool & real & clean, this has become one of my fave places to pull up on any given night and yap into oblivion.
The Flower Basket milk punch, enjoyed in little pocket of a bar that’s plopped in between the big leagues of the East Village. A neighborhood bar that still feels like you’re going somewhere worthwhile, Bateman’s drinks are so silky smooth I could have cleared my glass in seconds.
Orange Crushes over crushed ice looking over the gorgeous views of…Bushwick. I went to an event here and was surprised I had never visited before — it’s a massive rooftop, with lots of colorful nooks and crannies to play in. I’m excited they’re showing all World Cup games, both outside & inside with the AC cranked uppp.
A gorgeous Neapolitan take on a negroni, layering in notes of strawberry & dark chocolate. Part speakeasy, part lounge, part sexy little dungeon, The Argyle is an unassuming, sleek living room of a bar tucked under Chef India Doris’ restaurant Markette.
A shot & beer combo for a mere $8 at this a perfect little dive in Wburg that’s happily been in the ‘hood for 23 years. This is where I planted to watch the Knicks games and cheer on the city, and where I’ll return anytime I want a Federale (tecate & tequila).
The tasting menu at Cocktail Omakase where, as the name implies, guests sit at an omakase counter and get four cocktails & bites, choosing between regular/low ABV/no alc options. How refreshing to shut your brain off and let drinks come to you, each one cleaner than the next.
I’ve added all these spots to my ongoing whereisaleylongo google map, linked HERE. Happy drinking!!! xxxx
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