The longer, lazier days of summer have finally arrived, even if they haven’t yet brought New York City’s typical fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk summer heat wave along with them. But summer Fridays (or Thursdays, or Wednesdays — you know who you are) mean afternoon spritz sessions and time to plan out weekend getaways over a convivial drink. For those bars and restaurants lucky enough to score permits, outdoor dining sheds are back — some more elaborate than ever — along with breezy sidewalk tables and rooftop hangouts. Also returning: happy hours, plus refreshing drinks spiked with greenmarket produce. Nab a seat, grab a straw, and get ready to enjoy some of the best summer sips.
Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
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Teruko Chelsea
Wakamomo Bellini
Now open on the lower level of the Hotel Chelsea, this newcomer boasts one of the largest collections of Japanese whisky in town. But if that’s not what you’re looking for when temperatures rise, this fizzy refresher might just hit the spot. Wakomomo means “young peach” in Japanese, and the garnish — a young peach — makes for a perfect bite. The rest of the drink is filled out with Japanese vodka, shiso, and of course, sparkling wine.
P.S. Read more about Teruko here.
The Dynamo Room Midtown
Saturn
Steakhouses are having a moment (again), and this Penn Station-adjacent option offers the appropriate old-school treatment. But even for those who aren’t seeking steak (or a full sit-down dinner), consider dropping in for oysters and martinis at the oval-shaped center bar, where you’ll find a full section of the menu devoted to martini variations. You might even swap a classic martini out for a summer-y Saturn, which is a lesser-known tropical drink made with gin and passion fruit. Here, it’s finished with a pineapple “ring” to evoke its namesake planet.
P.S. Read more about The Dynamo Room here.
Good Guy's Lower East Side
Como Spritz
Located next door to iconic cocktail bar Attaboy, this casual sibling is inspired by the tapas bars of Barcelona and wine bars of Paris. That didn’t stop co-owner Sam Ross from finding inspiration in Italy: This low-proof crusher, made with Cynar, passion fruit, and prosecco, was inspired by a summer vacation on Lake Como.
Broken Shaker New York Gramercy
La Bamba Colada
A mash-up between a piña colada and spicy margarita, this tall, cool number mixes Tequila, limoncello, chile pepper liqueur, coconut, and pineapple, but we’d also be happy to hoist a simple daiquiri at this tropical rooftop bar. Pro tip: This is the time of year to ask about their frozen drink special, which changes daily.
Leonessa Battery Park City
Sgroppino
New from restaurateur Ariel Arce (Heroes, Tokyo Record Bar), this Battery Park City rooftop bar on the 16th floor of the Conrad Downtown offers Hudson River views and lingering summer sunsets. Opt for a spritz-y Italian aperitivo or a Sgroppino, made with vodka, limoncello, and a cooling scoop of sorbetto.
Bar Bianchi East Village
Aperol Spritz
Grab a table on the outdoor patio (ahem, terrazza) and indulge your inner longing for an Italian vacation. The teams behind Mister Paradise and The Nines recently opened this Milan-inspired restaurant and bar at the corner of Houston and Avenue A, and it’s just right for aperitivo hour and people-watching. Opt for a cooling Aperol spritz, or, for something a little different, the elderflower-accented Giuseppe Spritz.
Grand Army Boerum Hill
Dirty Dog Martini
Arguably, we’ve also hit peak savory martini. For fans, this complex version (gin, dill aquavit, bay leaf, and pickled tomato) hits all the right notes. As for the name, you should know that Grand Army’s latest menu refresh takes on a cheeky NYC subway theme, and this drink shouts out the vendors selling franks on city corners. The cantaloupe-spiked Fare Evasion is another winner. Stand clear of the closing doors, please!
Quick Eternity Seaport
Howling Infinite
Poised near South Street Seaport in the Financial District, this bar was inspired by a whaling tavern from the Herman Melville novel Moby Dick. Drinks are by Bryan Schneider (Bad Roman, Quality Meats), and are named for references from the book. The Howling Infinite is the icy drink you want on a hot day: Tequila, Pimm’s, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, and lime, served in a frosty pewter tankard shaped like an up-ended horn, piled high with crushed ice.
JR & Son Willamsburg
Strawberry Letter
Paying homage to the Italian American red-sauce joint, the team behind Kellogg’s Diner revamped and revived the space that was home to Italian supper club Charlie’s in the 1930s. What you’ll find today: nostalgic (but not hokey) interiors, fresh riffs on comfort-food classics, and a late-night scene, with the kitchen open well past midnight. Try the Negroni-esque Strawberry Letter, made with gin, Matchbook Distillery’s strawberry amaro, Campari, and lemon.
P.S. Read more about JR & Son here.
schmuck. East Village
Margarita & Cream
In the words of co-proprietor Juliette Larrouy, “It’s like a margarita, but with rhubarb and strawberries. And it’s frozen.” Topped with cream and a sprinkle of salt, and served with a little spoon for scooping it out of the glass, this slushy treat has become a summer must-try.
P.S. Read more about schmuck. here.
Shinji's Flatiron
S&P 500
This dessert-y drink pays homage to nearby luncheonette S&P Lunch, as well as the NYC classic black and white cookie. It starts with a luscious chocolate sphere, which gently melts into a velvety mix of Scotch, Cognac, and caramelized white chocolate milk poured over the top. A touch of rye sourdough starter and pastrami spice subtly evoke a classic deli sandwich. Yes, it sounds a little weird, but trust us, it all comes together beautifully.
So & So's Hell's Kitchen
Bodega Kitty
Because zero-proof drinks should be just as much fun as the full-proof versions, this no-booze (but fully Instagrammable), edition of the bar’s Bodega Cat cocktail is made with coconut milk, pineapple, and lime, topped with a cloud of coconut foam, and presented in a ceramic mug modeled after NYC’s iconic Greek coffee cup.
Little Fino Williamsburg
Campari Creamsicle
This Rome-inspired bar and cafe from chef Andrew Carmellini (Café Carmellini, Locanda Verde) in the William Vale hotel has plenty of fun drinks for summer, from a slushy spritz to this bittersweet sipper inspired by a favorite popsicle treat. Pro tip: Bring friends to split the Instagram-ready, 20-inch “long sando” piled with Italian charcuterie.
Passerine Flatiron
Signature Martini
In case you needed an excuse to visit this lauded modern Indian restaurant, they’ve recently launched a happy hour, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays. Drop in for a martini made with Indian vodka distilled from basmati rice, herb-infused olive oil, and Lillet Blanc, and pair it with tuna papdi chaat or a shrimp taco with red pepper chutney.
P.S. Read more about Passerine here.
Maison Passerelle Financial District
Reine-Soleil
Translating from French as “Sun Queen,” this drink represents the golden hour in a glass, made with bright mango, earthy miso, roasted pistachio, and reposado Tequila, finished with a pistachio-salt rim. Bar Director Natasha Bermudez developed the cocktail program for all of chef Gregory Gourdet’s dining spaces within the “don’t-call-it-a-department-store” Printemps, and you should know they all have great cocktails (we also love Red Room Bar). Pro tip: The six-seat bar at Maison Passerelle also offers their full restaurant menu.
P.S. Read more about Maison Passerelle here.
The Up & Up Greenwich Village
As Much As A Duck
This intimate cocktail spot is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with “The Decade Collection,” a menu looking back at the bar’s defining hits. This smoky sour, named for a classic Monty Python scene, features mezcal and Scotch, plus herbal Strega liqueur and a swirl of cayenne pepper atop a frothy egg white cap. And if this fortifying circa-2018 sipper isn’t your jam, you have nine other years from which to choose.
Pebble Bar at The Rink Midtown
Strawberry Blonde
Bring a favorite friend visiting from out of town to this Rockefeller Center mainstay, which is hosting a summer-only collab with Italian bites by Jupiter, right outside on the rink. Seats at Pebble Bar can be hard to come by, so we’re especially grateful for this summer annex.
