• Nightlife
  • Citywide

8 Showstopping Cocktails in NYC

5/7/2018Updated 11/18/2019

NYC isn’t afraid of getting a little theatrical. Dazzling Broadway lights, soaring skyscapers and vibrant neon signs make it clear that showmanship and panache are part of the deal here—and even more so when it comes to nightlife.



The pizzazz-loving purveyors of these NYC cocktails recognize that an eye-catching presentation is just as essential to a drink as liquor, ice and a hearty shake. So if you’re ready to take your standard well drink up a notch, or five, turn to one of the City’s most over-the-top drinks. These libations flaunt exaggerated mechanisms, unusual vessels and glowing ice cubes. We guarantee they’re as fun to drink as they are to look at.

Light my fire cocktail, the woodstock

Photo: Oleg March

The-Woodstock-Meapacking-Manhattan-NYC-Light-My-Fire

ROKC, Tomato clam cocktail

Photo: Zenith Richards

ROKC-Harlem-Manhattan-NYC-Zenith-Richards-Untitled-1

The Aviary, wake and bake cocktail

Photo: Sarah and Allen Hemberger

The-Aviary-Mandarin-Oriental-Columbus-Circle-Manhattan-NYC-Untitled-1

The Standing room, cucumber cocktail

Photo: Yoko Haraoka

The-Standing-Room-Long-Island-City-Queens-NYC-Untitled-1

Thursday Kitchen, Capri sun cocktail

Photo: Molly Flores

Thursday-Kitchen-East-Village-Manhattan-NYC-Molly-Flores-DSC3957

Moxy Hotel, The Magic Hour bar, high octane cocktail

Photo: Shannon Sturgis

Magic-Hour-Moxy-Hotel-Times-Square-Manhattan-NYC-Untitled-1

Mother of pearl, shark eye cocktail

Courtesy, Mother of Pearl

Mother-of-Pearl-East-Village-Manhattan-NYC-Shark-Eye-mod

Vida Verde, twinkle toes cocktail

Courtesy, Vida Verde

Vida-Verde-Midtown-West-Manhattan-NYC-DSC_2571