Mr. Purple at dusk. Photo credit: Noah Fecks

By Sage Lazzaro

Visana
321 1st Avenue

When you arrive at this address and discover a gluten-free pizza joint called Pisa Pizza, don’t fret. Instead, find a secret door along the back wall, which will lead you into Visana, NYC’s newest speakeasy. Tucked away as it is, the new lounge feels a just a bit more exclusive than your typical First Avenue bar. Named after the Italian words “vita” and “sana” meaning “healthy life,” the lounge’s signature cocktail menu focuses on fresh, local ingredients, homemade juice concoctions and organic liquors. Between 3 and 4 AM, a “detox hour” helps nip your hangover in the bud with fresh coconut you sip straight from the shell with a straw, island-style. The vibe is fun and vibrant, and even the walls are a part of the party—the wallpaper changes with imagery and lighting to the beat of the music.

Visana before the lights go down. Photo credit: Visana.

Louie & Chan
303 Broome Street

This Italian-Asian fusion bar isn’t new, but their unbeatable happy hour is! Recently, Louie & Chan began paying homage to its 1920’s heritage by debuting “Prohibition Happy Hour,” where you can score a classic cocktail for only 35 cents. Every Tuesday from 7 to 8, the downtown venue features a different gin drink at this amazing price before they kickoff Chan’s Parlor, their weekly evening festivities that feature live music, burlesque, and more entertainment. Roaring ‘20s garb is encouraged, but not required.

Period dress encouraged at Louie & Chan. Photo Credit: Filip Wolak

Treadwell Park
1125 1st Avenue

This rustic industrial new beer hall on the Upper East Side features an array of drinks you can’t find anywhere else in New York, think beer floats made with blue cheese and bacon-chocolate ice cream. Additionally, libations from the menu of 20 draught beers and ciders rotate weekly. Choose you perch at the bar, around the Ping-Pong tables, pinball machines or by the cozy fireplace in the game room. Besides the complimentary popcorn, elevated versions of typical bar snacks fill the menu; smoked crispy wings and bacon lollies among them. We recommend the grass-fed burger topped with béarnaise, grilled Vidalia onions, avocado, arugula and a fresh mango jalapeño salsa.

This is happening. Ice cream beer floats at Tradewell Park. Photo Credit: Oleg March

Mr. Purple
180 Orchard Street

Located on the 15th floor of the brand new Hotel Indigo, Manhattan’s newest rooftop bar features has a sleek atmosphere with picture-perfect views. In the short time since it opened, Mr. Purple has enjoyed stellar reviews thanks to its 8,750 square feet of ambient indoor and outdoor space and NYC-centric menu which is mostly locally sourced from neighborhood institutions including 2nd Avenue Deli, Melt Bakery, il laboratorio del gelato, Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese.The bar menu features regionally brewed craft beers, wine, and an expansive collection of small-batch spirits that liven up their signature cocktails.

Care for a cocktail? The view from Mr. Purple.

World of Beer
316 8th Ave

Beer lovers, oh boy do we have a treat for you. World of Beer, the chain tavern known for its enormous selection of craft beer, opened its first NYC location recently in Chelsea. On the menu you’ll find 450 different bottles of beer and cider as well as 50 on-tap specials that rotate weekly from the company’s database of more than 23,000 varieties. In addition to standout food items like their hanging Giant Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese, the new WOB location serves BEERunch on the weekends with waffles infused with Belgian ale and a beer-brined chicken and waffle sandwich.

The tap selection at World of Beer. Photo Credit: Facebook.