Summer Cocktails in the City
Summer in New York City means long evenings and even longer cocktail lists. With sleek subterranean speakeasies and intimate lounges clamoring for your attention, picking a spot that nails both vibe and drink can feel impossible. That’s where we come in. From moody jazz dens and beautiful-people-packed candlelit hot spots to lively joints shaking up fresh, inventive cocktails, here’s where to find your new favorite summer sip downtown.
Schmuck is what happens when two world-class bartenders throw a cocktail party every night on the corner of 1st Avenue and 6th Street, and everyone’s invited. That is, if you can handle the wait, because the buzz hasn’t died down since its early 2025 opening. It’s the much-hyped NYC debut of the team behind Barcelona’s Two Schmucks, after all. Stepping inside feels like crashing your coolest friend’s perpetually packed apartment, complete with an equally killer playlist and vibe. The drink menu is beyond inventive—don’t expect your usual spicy margarita here. Standouts include the Larb Gai, inspired by the Thai dish, with Rémy Martin, peanuts, herbs, and chili oil; and the Blanka, a bold tequila cocktail made with Cazadores, Granny Smith apple, celery, mustard vinaigrette, and ginger—yes, really. Even the martini gets a glow-up with olive oil tincture and floral French vermouth. Seasonal, summer-perfect offerings like the Margarita and Cream—a frozen rhubarb-strawberry slush topped with salty, full-fat whipped cream—are rich, ridiculous, and come with a spoon. Most of the action is walk-in only, so go early or be ready to linger. It’s worth it.
97 1st Ave; T. (917) 797-2602
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Opened in early 2023, Superbueno is a neon-drenched, Mexican-American cocktail bar lighting up the corner of 1st and 1st in the East Village. It’s already made a name for itself on “Best Of” lists, and for good reason—its drinks are, as the name promises, super good. Cool down with their tangy Green Mango Martini, a tequila-based knockout with a hit of chile oil, or the Mole Negroni, a smoky, bittersweet remix made with mole fat-washed mezcal. For something more offbeat, the Mushroom Margarita—yes, really—is made with huitlacoche, the earthy, funky “Mexican truffle” that takes this drink into unforgettable territory. The tacos are fantastic—especially the swordfish with green apple and fennel—but it’s the cocktails that’ll keep you hanging out long past happy hour.
13 1st Ave; T. (347) 866-7739
Perched above Eleven Madison Park, Clemente Bar is an intimate, atmospheric, wood-paneled lounge featuring bold Francesco Clemente murals, vintage furnishings, and a stylish crowd. The cocktail program, helmed by Sebastian Tollius, is made for cocktail connoisseurs. Think a piña colada–Negroni hybrid topped with a frozen Campari disc, the You Ain’t Slick, a vibrant concoction of Patrón Blanco tequila, jasmine, rhubarb, and pink peppercorn shrub, and the Parakeet, made with Hendrick’s gin, strawberry Campari, red wine molasses, and pineapple that’s as fun as it is surprising. Complementing the drinks is a fully plant-based menu of refined bar bites, from crispy tempura fries to an agedashi tofu dog. Whether you’re settling in for an evening with friends or escaping the city heat, Clemente Bar offers a polished yet playful hideaway in the heart of the city.
11 Madison Ave; T. (212) 889-0905
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A Greenwich Village institution since 1915, Dante is the rare spot that manages to feel both timeless and of-the-moment. Reimagined in 2015 as a sun-drenched aperitivo bar, this corner café is now a certified summer staple for locals and visitors alike—famed for its Negroni variations, unbeatable sidewalk tables spilling onto MacDougal, and artfully executed low-ABV cocktails. While the iconic Negroni Bianco still deserves a spot in your rotation, summer is the time to branch out: cool down with a Watermelon Americano, a light and herbaceous blend of basil and gentian, or opt for the Frozen Garibaldi, a velvety slush of Campari and orange juice. Whether you’re parked at the marble-clad bar or lingering al fresco, Dante serves golden-hour energy all day long.
79-81 MacDougal St; T. (212) 982-5275
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Follow the fashionable crowd down a narrow staircase beneath the Walker Hotel Tribeca and enter Saint Tuesday, an intimate, subterranean bar with raw stone walls, low ceilings, and cozy round tables. From 9:30 to midnight nightly, live music—ranging from gypsy jazz to Brazilian choro—fills the shadowy-chic space, turning it into a vibrant haven for those who appreciate great tunes and craft cocktails. The cocktail menu is straightforward and focused, spotlighting fresh-squeezed juices and high-quality spirits in modern twists on American classics. Feeling adventurous? Skip the menu and let the bartenders mix up something tailored just for you.
77 Walker St; T. (212) 735-8000
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Step inside Soho Diner, nestled inside the Soho Grand Hotel, where vintage diner charm meets a crowd that knows how to dress for brunch or a late-night bite. Plush salmon-hued booths and retro lighting set an inviting tone, perfect for everything from morning coffees to midnight snacks. The menu delivers classic diner favorites—from tuna melts, banana pancakes, and burgers to heartier options like eggplant parm and rigatoni bolognese. The cocktail list is just as enticing, especially in the summer, with highlights like The Dandy Warhol, a tasty blend of white rum, coconut rum, blanco amaretto, banana, and lime—and the absolutely killer FROSÉ, made with rosé wine, pink grapefruit, strawberry, and lemon. Soho Diner is where old-school comfort food and downtown cool collide, all under one stylish roof.
320 W Broadway; (212) 965-3011
Tucked behind an unmarked door on a quiet stretch of Eldridge Street is this Lower East Side icon that helped shape the modern speakeasy era—and it still draws a nightly line of cocktail die-hards hoping to snag a seat. Housed in the former Milk & Honey space, this dimly lit, standing-room-only gem from legendary bartenders Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy carries on the legacy of their late mentor, Sasha Petraske, with a relaxed vibe. There’s no menu here and absolutely no reservations—first come, first served, no exceptions. Instead, guests chat one-on-one with the bartender, who crafts a bespoke drink based on flavor preferences. Maybe it’s the now-iconic Paper Plane (bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, lemon), the smoky Penicillin (Scotch, lemon, ginger-honey), or something entirely improvised. It’s intimate, effortlessly cool, and still one of the most influential cocktail bars in the world.
134 Eldridge St
WORDS Alex Catarinella
PHOTOGRAPHY Superbuenonyc.com