The 5 Best New Bars To Try In New York City
Looking for a cure from the winter doldrums? Bundle up and head out to one of these new additions to our city's thriving bar scene. Whether you're looking for a date spot, a shrine to wine, or a place to try a unique tipple, you're covered. By Laren Spirer.
Marshall Altier and Jason Littrell are the cocktail masterminds at the new JBird outpost, bringing high-end cocktails to roost on the Upper East Side. This time, chef Ricky Garayua adds comforting yet upscale food to the mix, with a full menu in addition to the extensive cocktail list. Go for a classic Old Fashioned with your Damn Good Burger, topped with thick-cut, house-butchered and cured bacon, or pair it with a unique creation like the Brush of the Bush, Anejo tequila, mezcal, sage-infused agave nectar, and cherry bark and vanilla bitters.
This shiny new bar is attached to a shiny new distillery, the New York Distilling Company, from Allen Katz and Tom Potter. This duo is producing two types of gin on site, but the Shanty's offerings go beyond their house brand. That said, be sure to try their gin and tonic, made with Navy strength Perry's Tot and housemade tonic, for an elevated example of a classic refresher.
The East Village fave has launched in Carroll Gardens, complete with cozy and sexy decor and irresistible fondues. Snuggle up with a date or gather a small group for cheesy goodness or small bites by chef Luis Gonzalez, and pair it all with wine, beer, or killer cocktails, including an entire "Mediterranean Tiki" section, created by Frank Cisneros.
The world's youngest female master sommelier Laura Maniec brings the star power and the vino to this Greenwich Village wine bar. Chef Hayan Yi has put together a menu ideal for pairing, and Maniec was thoughtful enough to put pairing tips right on the menu itself, starting with "what grows together goes together." No matter what your preference, you're bound to make a delicious match, and if you need more tips on wine, sign up for one of their classes.
This East Village spot combines creative small plates, inventive cocktails, and live music in a cozy neighborhood package chock full of reclaimed wood. Select a spirit to suit your mood and enjoy it featured in a seasonal creation. Moonshine anyone? Sure! The Old Back Woods (I hear banjos), is made with Apple Pie Corn Likker, homemade spiced apple bitters, and applewood smoked ice. Yes, you read that correctly.
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Laren Spirer is yet another lawyer (and freelance writer) obsessed with food and drink, who also blogs at Sweet Blog o' Mine and tweets at @sweetblogomine.
