Mother Nature has been playing a cruel game with us New Yorkers.
She's been taunting us with a few nice days filled warm sunshine and hopeful dreams of outdoor dining, than hitting us hard with endless rain and clouds.
But summer weather, and the glorious happy hour festivities that come with it, are finally upon us.
With vacays coming up, ballin' on a budget is more important than ever.
From classic pop-ups that are back for the season to brand new joints that opened just in time for Summer Fridays, here are six new spots you need to check out– and sip drinks with your pinky up.
1. Street Taco (358 3rd Avenue at 26th Street)
Street Taco is a new casual corner taqueria in Gramercy, combining authentic Mexican street food with unique art. Featuring heritage-driven Mexican street food and margaritas flowing on tap, Street Taco is a cool place for happy hour and your Instagram.
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Sip $4 Tecate Cans, $8 House Margaritas, and $8 Red/White Sangria with a side of pomegranate-mango guacamole, and take plenty photos of the wall art.
2. VANDAL (199 Bowery)
Happy Hour has arrived at Vandal New York! We can now enjoy happy hour specials with a side of graffiti and giant purple rabbits every Sunday through Friday from 5-7 p.m. in the restaurant and 7-9 p.m. in the lounge.
Featuring a variety of cocktails, wine (frosé included!), and beer with a select Happy Hour food menu including Wild Mushroom Pizza, Village Style Greek Salad, Tuna Tataki, Fluke Ceviche, and more.
3. The Roof at Park South (124 E 28th St)
NoMad’s culinary-driven, freshly renovated Park South Hotel is totally one of Manhattan’s most beloved rooftops. But this season, The Roof is launching a reimagined F&B menu, the highlight of which includes impeccable new frozen cocktails by Beverage Director Ted Kilpatrick. T
he signature frozen drinks are the Strawberry Daiquiri, infusing 5-year old Barbadian rum with strawberries and house-made strawberry-demerara syrup, and the Piña Colada, featuring house-made coconut milk syrup and fresh pineapple juice.
Frozen drink connoisseurs in-the-know can order the Miami Vice, which layers the two flavors for the best of both worlds.
4. Sugar East (1125 1st Ave.)
Sugar East is the new bar/lounge that transports guest to another era with its speakeasy feel. A secret upscale bar located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Sugar East offers fresh sourced cocktail and menu ingredients, music playing through the early morning hours, and legal indoor smoking (yep).
Even if they don't have a specific happy hour menu, they deserve a spot on the list for new places to drink at this summer.
5. Seamore's (Chelsea, 161 8th Ave)
Our beloved Seamore's in NoLita has opened another location in Chelsea just in time for summer happy hours and al fresco dining drinking. For an early happy hour, you can enjoy $1 oysters from 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. every week day, as well as $4 draft beers, $6 glass wines, and $8 well cocktails.
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Check out their new location on 8th Ave by Michael Chernow for a beachy after work spot.
6. Gilligan's (at Soho Grand, 310 W Broadway)
Although not technically brand "new" - Gilligan's is back, popping up in Soho for the summer season and demanding a spot on your happy hour list with their Frozen Watermelon Margarita. Go for the full-frontal summertime vibes and locally sourced East Coast menu. You will not be disappointed.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]