By Caroline Grogan By Caroline Grogan | July 21, 2021 | Food & Drink,
Whether you are a diehard local or a visitor looking for the best way to spend a weekend in New York, everyone is itching to get out of the house and begin to socialize once again. We have rounded up the best of the best bars and hotels for a fabulous night out on the town from a lowkey bookstore-inspired wine bar to a speakeasy serving traditional absinthe.
Lovers of Today
132½ East 7th St / Website
Dinner date going so well you don’t want it to end? Not ready for a night out to be over after the last call? Head to Lovers of Today, an intimate cocktail bar in the heart of the East Village that is open until 4am every night, with a late night happy hour starting at 2am. The cozy, candle-lit bar is the more romantic, less rowdy younger sister of next door Niagara and Tompkins Square Bar, all under the same ownership.
The staff behind the bar are friendly and, if you strike up a conversation, might just regale you with their stories of serving Taylor Swift a drink; Lovers of Today is one of her favorite New York bars and is rumored to have inspired her album Lover.
For those looking to join a more exclusive crowd, head through the garden and go just past the entrance of Lovers. There you will find Cabin Down Below, a recently-reopened speakeasy with a rock-and-roll past. If you can get past the bouncer without being on the guest list, you may find yourself brushing shoulders with models and celebrities.
Apotheke
9 Doyers St / Website
If you have ever dreamt of drinking a potion straight out of a fairy tale, Apotheke in Chinatown will be right up your alley. The sophisticated cocktail lounge operates inside of a former opium den and is fashioned in the style of old-world European apothecaries. The bar is manned by mixologists who concoct cocktails based on your mood, with categories such as euphorics, aphrodisiacs, stress relievers and stimulants. Leaning into their Prohibition-era theme, Apotheke also has a menu of curated absinthe selections.
The Apotheke Academy offers in-person mixology classes where guests can explore different styles of whiskey, tequila and more all under the tutelage of Apotheke’s master mixologists.
Dress to impress, since entrance at this semi-secret speakeasy is permitted by the host’s discretion.
See also: Best NYC Date Spots According to Dating Connoisseur, Lindsey Metselaar (We Met at Acme)
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is the perfect waterfront retreat for a getaway or staycation in Dumbo. The boutique hotel is designed by local artists using reclaimed materials and greenery native to Brooklyn, providing a much-needed dose of nature in the city.
The star of the hotel is undeniably the rooftop. Take in the stunning views of the Manhattan skyline from the rooftop pool deck and plunge pool, or visit Harriet’s Rooftop to enjoy a selection of wines, beers, handcrafted cocktails and light bites made with local, seasonal ingredients.
Book Club
197 E 3rd St / Website
Being a book lover and a coffee connoisseur tends to go hand-in-hand, doesn’t it? The East Village’s Book Club certainly thinks so. This downtown independent bookstore operates as a cafe during the day and transforms into a bustling wine bar in the evening.
Book Club’s knowledgeable “booktenders” are more than happy to offer recommendations for everything from the best pinot noir to their favorite new novels on the shelf.
Book Club has a wide-ranging selection, including children’s books, and large indoor and outdoor seating areas perfect for curling up with a book and a cappuccino (or cocktail!).
The Times Square EDITION
701 7th Ave / Website
The Edition Hotel at Times Square, once expected to close permanently as a result of the pandemic, reopened on June 1st. The hotel offers a luxury experience just a half-block away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square, though guests need not leave their hotel to find great food and entertainment.
The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens is an all-day eatery inspired by French brasseries and American chophouses, with a hearty menu including homemade pastas, steaks, chops and vegetable-based dishes. Upon sitting down, order the two-person chocolate souffle served with Grand Marnier ice cream so that it will be ready in time for dessert.
Keep an eye out for the reopening of Paradise Club, where guests can experience The Devouring, a high-production theater experience accompanied by a multi-course dinner, before the club opens up into a bustling dance floor with world class DJs.
Elsewhere
599 Johnson Ave / Website
Elsewhere, a staple venue in Brookyln’s live music scene, has returned to host concerts this summer, with plans to reopen their indoor concert hall in fall 2021. The rooftop bar is the perfect place to gather with friends for a night of mingling and electric performances from up and coming artists.
Watching a band play as the sun sets in the background will remind you of everything there is to love about New York City.
If you arrive early for a concert, stop by Mission next door for delicious, fiery hot Sichuan food.
Goodnight Sonny
134 1st Ave / Website
Head over to Goodnight Sonny for a respite from the dive bars characteristic of the East Village. This understated yet sophisticated cocktail bar is perfect for a light dinner or a first date spot. The bar consists of one long room with outdoor seating and charming details including family portraits of the bar’s founder, exposed brick walls and stacked bookshelves.
Menu highlights include a raw bar with a selection of oysters and clams, a weekly frozen cocktail during happy hour and imaginative cocktails like the ‘Marina Del Rey Coastin’ and ‘To Die Dreaming in Kentucky.’
Photography by: Lovers of Today
