It used to be that heading to a bar for a nightcap was the afterthought for the evening. That was before it became an art to craft a cocktail and drinks started to compete with wine as a pairing for food. So, naturally the landscape for cocktail bars has changed in NYC where there are lounges that are worthy of the main event of the evening. These are some of the cocktail bars in NYC to know now.

Shinji’s

The Neighborhood:

They brought out the big guns to create this 26-seat cocktail bar in the Flatiron. The team behind Michelin-starred Noda, an omakase restaurant leads the food and beverage, and the space was designed by Ken Fulk and architect Aidan Carty. Shinji’s is named after the Shinji Nohara, the elusive Tokyo Fixer who is one of the top foodies in Japan. If you’re lucky, Shinji will be in town and you can bend his ear about his latest favorite Tokyo restaurants. He really is as good as they say, but also unassuming and down-to-earth. What we also like about Shinji’s is they’re constantly mixing it up with guest restaurants in residence and special events. For New Year’s Eve they have a caviar all night and champagne soiree going on.

Address: 37 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011

Hours:

The Little Shop

The Neighborhood: South Street Seaport

You have to love a place that’s a real bodega in the front, and a party in the  back. Unlike the old days though when you needed a password or to pull in a big favor for entry, The Little Shop is more of a democracy. Their goal isn’t to be the most exclusive speakeasy in NYC, but rather the most inviting neighborhood speakeasy on the island.  The vibe is whimsical kitsch with vintage furniture that’s not afraid of mixing and matching prints and colors. Food is easy going like the attitude of The Little Shop, and they focus their skills on the top cocktails.

Address: 252 Front St, New York, NY 10038

Hours: Open 7 days a week

Spy Gold

The Neighborhood: Hudson Yards

Spy Gold is Greywind’s cocktail lounge, located in the lover level of the restaurant. This is where to go with your colleagues when you want to have an early drink before dinner that will have solid eats, drinks and good service. The atmosphere is a high point where you can lounge on the couch and sit by the fireplace, which is a luxury in NYC. Signature cocktails take classics and add a little something extra, like the Penicillin which has apple butter. The Fizz is a unique cocktail with gin, pear, yogurt and lemon. Food is a highlight, as they are part of Dan Kluger’s family, with bites from caviar and chips to french fries with chicken mayo. We’re holding out hope though that they’ll bring the cheez-its from the main restaurant to the menu.

Address: 451 10th Ave, New York, NY 10018

Hours:

Angel Share

The Neighborhood:

The Portrait Bar

The Neighborhood: Flatiron

Portrait Bar is located in the new Fifth Avenue Hotel, and has quickly become a welcoming yet elevated neighborhood spot. This is one of the cocktail bars in NYC after our own heart, because the cocktails are travel-inspired by exotic locales. If you know where Cebu Island is, 1) you have geographic skillz and 2) you’re in for a beach-inspired rum, scotch, coconut, calamansi, bay leaf, peppercorn and Midori treat. The atmosphere hits all the right notes in the intimate wood-paneled room where the crowd has been easy on the eyes.

Address: 1 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001

Hours:

Lobby Lounge at Nine Orchard

The Neighborhood: Flatiron

Although the name implies that the Lobby Lounge is a spot you can drop in, it’s actually a tucked away bar in the Nine Orchard hotel. You may get lucky and be able to drop in for a quick drink, but reservations are required. They like to keep the details of Lobby Lounge also on the DL, as they don’t allow photos when y ou do grab a coveted spot. The upside though is you’re there for the experience and to take in the beautiful space at one of the prettiest cocktail bars in NYC. Set in the lobby of the historical bank building that occupied Nine Orchard, decor is contemporary yet classic at the same time.

The team behind Estela runs the simple food offerings of cheese plates and the like, but the focus here are the cocktails. Bartenders take their craft seriously and if you sit at the bar it’s like watching an artist at work.

Address: 9 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

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