Dry January: Bars in Manhattan serving great mocktails
The spirits-free Falso Spritz at Bad Roman, a popular Italian restaurant with spirits-free mocktails, in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle. Credit: Newsday/Scott Vogel
Dry January has been called many things but fun is not one of them. Most of us survive the month — if we survive it at all — grudgingly, taking little pleasure in whatever health benefits a month of spirits-free existence confers. But the worm appears to be turning, at least in Manhattan. Not only are the city’s finest drinking establishments not persecuting nondrinkers these days, some are courting them, and at least one has banned booze altogether. That would be ...
Hekate Cafe & Elixir Lounge
167 Ave. B
Hekate Café and Elixir Lounge, Manhattan’s only all non-alcoholic bar. Credit: Newsday/Scott Vogel
This cozy East Village hangout calls itself "an oasis for those who are sober or sober curious" and serves a robust list of mocktails, NA beers, zero-proof mulled wine and more, although no food. Among the more creative libations served at the lounge’s bar, which runs nearly the length of Hekate, are New Years in Hades (a faux margarita with coconut milk), Eightfold Path (Hekate’s version of a white Russian) and something approximating an apple vodka concoction called Ritual Socialite (all $14.34 or $13 cash in January). It’s a friendly place that gets busy on weekend nights — more proof that this sober thing is taking off — and if you’re a self-conscious type who shrinks from asking for spirits-free drinks at regular bars, well, there’s no stigma here!
More info 646-590-3404, hekatenyc.com
Pebble Bar
67 W. 49th St.
The Feign-Killer and Dancing Barefoot at Pebble Bar, a popular midtown lounge with several mocktails on the menu. Credit: Scott Vogel
This midtown establishment near Rockefeller Center, on the second and third floors of a town house, has a high-profile list of investors (e.g., Pete Davidson, Jason Sudeikis) but a less known affection for nonalcoholic beverages. At last count, the menu offered six mocktails, including a fine faux painkiller (the Feign-Killer) and a spiky G & T alternative (Dancing Barefoot, both $16). While there, however, don’t overlook Pebble’s nice list of tasty bar snacks, everything from chips and French onion dip ($12) and sliders ($19) to mushroom tarte flambee ($23) and salad with a tarragon-caper dressing ($20). It’s an A-list experience at B-list prices.
More info 917-540-4494, pebblebarnyc.com
Bad Roman
10 Columbus Circle, Third Floor
Bad Roman, a popular Italian restaurant with spirits-free mocktails, in Manhattan's Columbus Circle. Credit: Newsday/Scott Vogel
Instagram is in love with this Italian eatery in Columbus Circle, and one look at the scarlet decor will show you why — handsome banquettes, a curvy cute bar and, for some reason, a giant dog wearing a necklace. Mocktail-wise, we’re partial to the refreshing Falso Spritz, an amalgam of grapefruit juice and St. Agrestis amaro falso ($15). Still, word is that the Habanero Slush, a peppery shave ice with lime and honey, is just as good ($16). And both go well with Bad Roman’s calamari with bacon and pepperoncini or filet mignon meatballs (both $23).
More info 212-970-2033, badromannyc.com
Parker’s
119 W. 56th St.
Yes, it’s a hotel bar but this lounge at the Thompson Central Park beats most lobby bars thanks to its stylishness, Zen atmosphere and, yes, sober offerings. True, there are only two, but both are winners, the zero-proof gin-based Shy Mai and Bee’s Knees with a Twist, the twist being that it too contains gin-less gin (both $18). Bar bites run the gamut from truffle fries ($15) to smoked salmon flatbread ($29, and as befits a place named for a jazz legend, (Charlie) Parker’s even has live music some nights.
More info 212-245-5000, parkersnyc.com
Newsday writer and restaurant critic Scott Vogel aims for a refreshing, gimlet-eyed take on the Long Island food scene, often while drinking a refreshing gimlet.
