The heat is up and it's time to get your summer drink on! Looking for something new, or just a spot that's out of the ordinary?
There's never a drought in New York City when it comes to new and notable places to grab a cocktail to cool off.
Here are a few watering holes you can find us cooling off at this month.
1. 67 Orange Street (2082 Frederick Douglass Blvd)
A perfect mix of culture and class lies up in Harlem at 67 Orange Street, a cocktail mecca unlike anything the neighborhood has of yet. A humble entryway leads you into a dimly-lit brick walled space, with bottles overtaking the back of the bar.
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Head downstairs to the private dining room and raw bar and take a look at their scintillating selection of signature cocktails, like their Eastern Flavor Trader, a sinful mix of Bombay Sapphire, grapefruit, rosemary, lime, Absinthe and Cardamom Bitters.
2. The Garret (296 Bleecker Street)
Venture up to the second floor of the Five Guys in the West Village to find The Garret, a cocktail bar that mixes the aura of a speakeasy with the feel and energy of a happening nightlife hotspot. You wouldn't know it from the outside, but walking through the burger joint is half the fun.
From the chic artwork to the eye-catching chachkies to the surprisingly comfortable seating, the bar gets it energy from the lively neighborhood corner it sits on, and that keeps the place alive and hopping deep into the night.
3. Yours Sincerely (41 Wilson Avenue - Brooklyn)
Labeled as a "cocktail laboratory," this unique bar features something you'd be pressed to find at your run-of-the-mill cocktail bar: 20 cocktails on tap. Among their ready-to-pour concoctions is the all too real Swipe Right, a twist on an Old Fashioned using organic date-infused bourbon.
This Bushwick gem also offers six types of beer, two wines and on-tap whiskey, all on draught. But they don't stop there. Yours Sincerely has additionally crafted an array of cocktail shots, like the spicy Chaos Theory that uses chicory-infused bourbon, jerk-infused rum and molasses.
4. Michelangelo's (2477 Arthur Avenue - The Bronx)
One part Bronx dive bar, one part beer garden and one part Italian restaurant, Michelangelo's is a longtime neighborhood favorite hosts an array of people, and an even wider selection of libations. Their outdoor area is perfect to chill out in when the sun heats the streets.
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What it lacks in size it makes up for in service, as the staff is overly-welcoming and hospitable, as a tried and true local spot should be. Their full bar and heavy pours are a close tie with their rich and flavorful Italian faire.
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5. Manhattan Cricket Club (226 West 79th Street)
Looking for a little adventure? Step through the "secret" door inside of the Burke & Wills restaurant and head up to the second floor of a fabulous Upper West Side townhouse to finally find the Manhattan Cricket Club, a secret speakeasy that drips of old New York glory.
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Gold brocades, fine wood and a impressive seating evokes much more of a luxurious feel than a post-Prohibition hideaway. A place like this does come with a few rules though, like a limit on lewd or rowdy behavior and you'll have to dress sharp to pierce this secret society.
6. Tooker Alley (793 Washington Avenue - Brooklyn)
Though another speakeasy-style lounge, this Prohibition Era playpen in Crown Heights pays homage to the liquor dens of Chicago during that time, right down to the cocktails. The house toast cheers, "Here’s to us! Not to the wankers, ridiculous hipsters or usurious bankers!"
Whether its a clear, classic martini or the Hi Falutin', made with whiskey, Swedish punsch, Byrrh and lemon, the cocktails here have stood the test of time. Try and score one of their intimate tables along the beige, brick wall to covertly enjoy your now-legal libations.
7. The Ditty (3503 Ditmars Blvd. - Queens)
Sometimes we just want to get greasy. That's exactly what you'll find at this dive bar and greasy spoon all in one. The Ditty is a super casual yet satisfying spot in Astoria. Don't let the humble facade fool you; a foodie beast lies inside.
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Their delicious bar grub, like Buffalo Pork Belly Sliders or a Fried Chicken Basket, is only surpassed by their mixed drinks. In the back lies a trove of board games you can bring to your table while you're there. Pair it up with a Game Time Gimlet, a refreshing sip of gin, grapefruit and lime.
Check out 7 Best Summertime Spots for Margaritas.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]