Happy Hour: Cocktails To Go
With the recent shutdown of bars and restaurants, NYC is feeling a lot less like the springtime-in-the-city New Yorkers typically spend all year looking forward to. No, there won’t be outdoor dining at happy hour anytime soon but thanks to the hardworking folks in the service industry, there is a brand new activity to participate in: cocktails to-go!
“Times are rough, to say the least,” said Brian J. Powell an owner of GrandLife favorite Joyface in Alphabet City. “Right now our focus is keeping our amazing staff afloat.” With so many bars and restaurants forced to shut down, many people are out of work. However, after a complete change of law allowing liquor-to-go in the wake of the shutdown, some businesses have managed to find a way to keep business alive.
Whether you’re grabbing a “disco kit” from Joyface or dropping by Dante for a large-batch cocktail martini bottle to take home and enjoy, this is still the season to get outside and take advantage of the burgeoning spring air—safely, of course. Just remember to tip! Now is a great time to support local businesses (and have a stiff drink while you’re at it).
Open Tuesdays and Fridays from 2 to 8pm for takeout and limited delivery
Attaboy is a cozy little speakeasy from the mixologists of Milk & Honey. And while a speakeasy may feel appropriate given that all the bars have closed, no, you cannot actually go inside and yes, their to-go liquor is completely legal.
With a preference for to-go cocktail batches in bulk ($12 each for a 20-plus order) you can also grab a single (try the Gold Rush) for $14 each. All orders come with block ice, garnish and a bag of chips.
Opening daily at 3 pm for takeout and delivery
Dante NYC is over a century old. And just last year, the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation named Dante the World’s Best Bar. Luckily for us, they are continuing to operate at full speed, offering their extensive cocktail list in artfully-bottled packaging (including 12 different types of Negronis) as well as large-batch martinis (for an $85 bottle, you get a batch of 10 to take home).
Especially notable: Dante’s is offering an open “family meal” every day at 5pm for anyone in the service industry who has found themselves out of work in these difficult times. Support their business while they support others.
Open daily from 6:30am to midnight; for cocktails, drop by or call at (212) 965-3011
The 24-hour Soho Diner opened as an instant neighborhood staple just a few short months ago. While a classic jukebox-n-milkshake combo may sound heavenly right now, you may have to settle for the next best thing: your headphones and a bottled Manhattan. With chic, cork-topped glass bottles that you’ll definitely want to reuse, Soho Diner’s cocktails are a must. And be sure to order some of their fabulous disco fries, too.
Open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 10pm for takeout and delivery
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to step inside the gorgeous, ’70s-inspired Joyface but you can take home a bottled Penicillin or any of their other signature cocktails. For $85, you get a large batch of six. Or, you may want to invest in a “disco kit” to keep you satiated. Disco ball included—along with 12 servings of whichever cocktail you choose, Joyface rolling paper and crackerjacks, of course. Perfect for your next “Houseparty.”
All proceeds cover the cost of production and the remainder goes toward the staff.
Open daily from 11am to 9pm for takeout and delivery
The new law allowing bars to serve liquor for takeout and delivery requires that the sale must be accompanied by food. Luckily, Dudley’s isn’t just a great lunch spot, the Aussie-run LES staple is also solid when it comes to cocktails.
So, despite all the recent changes, you can still have your brunch. Try the Norweigan Eggs or the Wild Mushroom Toast, but please, also try the White Peach Bellini or Espresso Martini and support your local bartender in the process.
The Four Horsemen & Nightmoves
Open Monday to Friday from 12pm to 6pm for pick-up only.
For those across the East River in Williamsburg, The Four Horsemen wine bar and Nightmoves, the dance spot upstairs (both owned by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy), are offering natural wine, cocktails, and pantry goods for pick-up. Nightmoves’ cocktail offering includes everything from a gin and tonic cocktail kit to a dirty vodka martini to a 16-ounce Capri sun-style pouch filled with magical shandy—beer and citrus—concocted by head bartender Orlando Franklin. As for the wine: discounted and straight from The Four Horsemen’s cellar, which is a very good thing. For the full “insane” list of wine available for purchase, email justin@fourhorsemenbk.com.
WORDS Hillary Sproul
PHOTOGRAPHY @dantenewyorkcity
