Where to Drink the Best Cocktails in New York City Now

The Hinoki Martini is always a good choice at Katana Kitten, a bar that focuses on Japanese flavors in both its drinks and food. But the off-menu Umami Situation is a showstopping option to check out. A grilled jumbo prawn head is pressed, along with lemon and a little bit of sake, into a shot glass, with a shot of iichiko Saiten shochu poured alongside. Shoot the shrimp juice, then the shochu, and then snack on the shrimp head which has been deep fried and sprinkled with a little salt and pepper.

The new Brooklyn location of Amor Y Amargo opened just a few months ago in Williamsburg. This amaro and bitters emporium serves cocktails that will expand your drinking palate. Don’t come here looking for a shot and a beer; instead try the 8 Amaro Sazerac, a blend of eight different amari combined with green chartreuse, Peychaud’s bitters, and orange citrate. It’s simultaneously familiar and completely different than the classic on which it’s based.

There is often nothing more satisfying than an expertly made martini served at a classic NYC hotel bar. Bemelmans, located at The Carlyle hotel—an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, is a longstanding example of the pleasures of this simple drinking experience. Sit down at a table surrounded by illustrator and author Ludwig Bemelmans’ murals and slowly savor an ice-cold martini (gin or vodka). It comes with a little extra on the side that didn’t fit into your glass, so you can pour this yourself when you are ready for more.

Dead Rabbit’s accolades are well deserved. The bar builds on the hospitality and tradition of a traditional Irish pub with a frequently changing cocktail menu that is extensive and eclectic. There are so many drinks to choose from here, but Listen to Reason is one that highlights the creativity of the team behind the bar, even if there is no Irish whiskey involved. Peaty Islay scotch is combined with cognac, sherry, curacao, and celery bitters, served in a tumbler with a large ice cube.

Bar director Leo Robitschek and his team have come up with a cocktail menu at The NoMad that is one of the city’s best. There are seasonal selections, as well as “light” and “dark-spirited” menu sections that cater to every taste. A fascinating drink in the latter part of the menu is called Golden Oak, which combines corn husk-infused bourbon, sherry, aged aquavit, shiitake, and mole betters.

You’ll find Slowly Shirley below its sister restaurant and bar, The Happiest Hour. Cocktails here change based on the season, but there is also a house section of the menu that is more constant. Here you’ll find about a dozen drinks with very different flavor profiles, such as the Tropical Julep. This is a riff on a classic Mint Julep, using pineapple-infused Wild Turkey Rye, rum, and brown sugar to balance and punch up the traditional mint flavor.

Employees Only is one of the OGs of the modern cocktail movement in NYC. Since 2004, this speakeasy-style establishment has been slinging elegant and innovative drinks to discerning customers. In the “EO Classics” section of the menu, try the refreshing and floral Provencal. This drink stirs lavender-infused gin with herbs de Provence-infused vermouth and Cointreau, complementing the botanicals of the gin with fragrant herb flavors and smells.

Just behind the lobby of Hotel 3232 is Lost Hours, a sleek bar from some of the people behind Death & Co. The cocktail menu is divided up into sections based on the different elements—air, water, earth, and fire. Try a cocktail from each to see how it corresponds with the theme, like the Cutting Room Floor. This brandy cocktail also includes Pineau des Charentes, Lillet blanc, white chocolate liqueur, and Bolivar bitters, and is served in a tumbler over a large ice cube.

King Cole Bar is another classic NYC hotel bar located at The St. Regis in midtown. The prices might be steep, but the drinks are perfectly executed. This is also supposedly the first place the Bloody Mary was served in America back in 1934, known here as the Red Snapper. Vodka, tomato juice, celery salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and just a dash of cayenne are all combined in careful proportions to create this tasty version of the classic.