VIBE

The exclusive Milk & Honey may be one of the hardest bars to get into in Manhattan, but thankfully this venue from cocktail titan Sasha Petraske isn’t quite so tough to enter. This low-ceilinged subterranean den is markedly simpler in design, with faintly lit citrus-toned walls and an aging piano, though the mixology itself remains as rigidly devoted to quality as ever. Tie-and-vest-clad waitstaff hand cut 12 types of ice before the doors open, and during evening hours, as cocktail connoisseurs trickle in to settle at the booths or watch the magic happen at the bar, they craft drinks akin to works of art.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Opt for a casual chic look to fit in with this trendy cocktail crowd; we’d go with a light sleeveless top and dark blazer, black pants or leggings, fancy flats, and some smoky makeup to flatter in the dim light.

GO HERE WITH

A friend; a date

CROWD

Petraske loyalists, cocktail connoisseurs, and hip and trendy things from all over the city.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The knowledge and talent of every bartender here is simply astounding. If you’re unsure about the menu, you can simply specify a base liquor of choice (rum, vodka, rye, etc.) and your mood, and they will create, while you watch, one of the best drinks you’ll likely have ever tasted.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

This bar doesn’t take credit cards, which can really cramp your style if you become unforeseeably enamored with one or two of their drinks. Best stock a wad of cash before arriving.

GOOD TO KNOW

The high prices are typical New York, but you definitely get what you pay for in terms of taste and quality. The mixology-focused signature of Petraske (who also co-owns Milk & Honey and Dutch Kills) runs deep; cocktails are focused on simplicity rather than flair, so don’t expect some crazy concoctions. Martinis are stirred not shaken, ice is broken by hand, and old favorites like sidecars and whiskey cobblers resurface as new trends. There are nightly jazz performances around 10:00pm Sunday through Thursday.

CLOSEST COMPS

Milk & Honey (New York); Milk & Honey (London); Angel’s Share (New York)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.