Where To Drink In NYC: Spring 2019

This season New York has a handful of new nightlife offerings that have caught our attention. There’s been a strong emphasis on day-to-night concepts, expansions of some of our favorite bar teams, and a few reasons to actually head above 14th street. The one thing in common is they’re all good spots to have a drink or two, so make these places the start of your next adventurous night in New York.

Mace

Nico de Soto built this beloved East Village haunt back in 2015, but just this month they decided to move into a more accommodating space just a few blocks away. There’s now an additional room where guests can sit down and indulge in the food at Mace, but the cocktails are still the stars. The menu takes Mace’s all-time favorites-each drink is designed around an Asian spice-and they’re among the best we’ve ever tried. From curry leaves to kimchi to thai chili, Mace has some of the most unique and delicious cocktails in the city—now with more room to drink them.

505 E 12th St

Paradise Club

Somehow the biggest new club of the year ended up in Times Square. Paradise Club, the new collaboration between the EDITION and House of Yes is over the top in every way; so far there have already been performances by Diana Ross, Lauryn Hill, and Charli XCX, in addition to their daily shows featuring an array of performers serving as a visual feast (while you indulge in an actual feast). It’s also Ian Schrager’s return to Midtown, his most ambitious club since the glory days of Studio 54.

701 7th Ave (at the Times Square EDITION)

Paradise Club [photo: Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com]

Gertie

The newest hotspot in Williamsburg is Gertie, an all-day cafe and cocktail bar that brings some welcomed brightness to the Brooklyn dining scene. While it’s been gaining traction for its fresh and casual dishes, Gertie gets the most fun once the sun goes down. There’s a solid mix of beers, wines, and cocktails – trading up complicated drinks for refined versions of basics featuring house-made syrups. Though the bar program is only just beginning to roll out, Thursdays have already been buzzing, with more to come once their downstairs opens up to expand the vibe.

357 Grant St, Brooklyn

Cedric’s at The Shed

It’s almost unfair that when Porchlight opened in 2015 it was already operating like a classic New York haunt. As if Danny Meyer needed another win, Porchlight was making some of the best drinks in the city, it was tucked away far enough to be an in-the-know destination, and it also preemptively saw the potential of Hudson Yards. Now that Hudson Yards is actually open, Meyer and co are back at it with their new bar Cedric’s at the Shed. Functioning as the ‘lobby bar’ of the art and performance center, it’ll be a major destination once shows including Bjork and Arca kickoff this year.

545 W 30th St

Dear Irving on Hudson

In Gramercy, Dear Irving has established itself as one of the most alluring bars for its visually distinctive spaces designed to evoke the most elegant bygone eras. With their first expansion atop the Aliz Hotel, the bar brings that same charm, here capturing the feel of James Bond’s swinging ’60s. Here there is indeed a view to kill for, with Midtowns glorious skyline just outside either balcony. A floor above is the reservation-only extension of the bar, designed with Art Deco in mind.

310 W 40th St (at the Aliz Hotel)

Dear Irving on Hudson

Lost Hours

Death & Company has had a busy 12 months. The famed NYC staple debuted their first expansion late last year at Denver’s Ramble Hotel. Now the team is back with a new bar, Lost Hours, at Hotel 3232. The menu is split by the elements: air, water, earth, and fire, each serving as a reference point for the flavor profile for the drinks. The dimly-lit ambiance of Death & Company makes its way here too, but with rich hues and leather seating fitting for the hotel setting.

32 E 32nd St (at Hotel 3232)

Fleur Room

The flower district already got a new injection of life with Putnam & Putnam’s first ever boutique at the ground floor of the new Moxy Chelsea, but the neighborhood also got an unlikely new club overlooking it in the Fleur Room. Situated at the top of the hotel, the Fleur Room complements the cheer of the floral heavy hotel with some sultry sex appeal. With TAO Group and nightlife veteran Angelo Bianchi at the helm, Fleur Room is the cherry on top of the vibrant neighborhood.

105 W 28th St (at the Moxy Chelsea)

Short Stories

The Bowery often feels like a choice between a high-end hotel or a dive bar, but Short Stories closes that gap with its small and charming space that’s already proven to be a draw. Though new, it’s already been host to fashion parties and it’s easy to see why: pink walls, velvet seating, exposed brick with a wall of magazines. Short Stories brings some allure that contrasts it with its neighbors—and will add to that once its all-day cafe service begins.

355 Bowery 

Fleur Room

Peppi’s Cellar

Australians might be familiar with Jason Scott, and his hip restaurants including Restaurant Hubert in Sydney, but now he’s trying his hand in New York with Gran Tivoli. The Nolita eatery focuses on classic Italian fare, but hidden beneath the dining room is a cocktail bar. Peppi’s Cellar is designed as a wine cellar, but they also serve up some delectable drinks along with a lively setting and even the occasional live jazz performance.

406 Broome St

Gitano Jungle Room

Over the summer Gitano brought a slice of Tulum to NYC with a pop-up tucked away in an unassuming sliver of Soho that hid the greenery and nouveau Mexican cuisne and of course the mezcal of the original location. Now Gitano is settling down in a permanent space at the James Hotel just across the street. Now named the Gitano Jungle Room, you can get the same vibe as the original Gitano complete with the plants, the dark decor, and of course a giant disco ball—along with the refreshing summer cocktails it’s famous for.

23 Grand St (at the James Hotel)

Paper Daisy

From the same team that brought the popular Mister Paradise doubles up in the East Village with Paper Daisy. The former Cafe Orlin space is revamped with a cocktail list featuring modern takes on classics. There are 14 seats at the bar to get in on the action, with plenty of tables and even an outdoor patio space which is perfect for the season. In addition, there is a breakfast and lunch cafe attached called C&B Cafe, so you can flow from day to night all in one place.

41 St Marks Place

Paper Daisy