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The Jingle Nog at Miracle on Ninth St.
(Photo: Gabi Porter) |
Miracle on Ninth Street
Mace; 649 E. 9th St., nr. Ave C; 212-673-1190; Nov. 27 through Dec. 24
For the second year in a row, this East Village spot has transformed into a kitschy (alcoholic) holiday wonderland, with wrapping-paper décor, tinsel, and cheekily titled tipples. Nico de Soto (formerly of Experimental Cocktail Club) has designed 12 new seasonally themed cocktails (all $14) like the Jingle Balls Nog (brown-butter-fat-washed cognac, Amontillado sherry, pandan syrup, egg, hazelnut milk, clove, nutmeg) and the Muletide (Linie Aquavit, Oloroso sherry, ginger syrup, lime, pale ale). If you want to get cozy after sampling a few, find the Hannukah corner and snuggle up in the glow of blue and white candles.
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(Photo: Gabi Porter) |
Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack
Boilermaker; 13 First Ave., at First St.; 212-995-5400; Nov. 30 through Dec. 24
Of course Santa chooses a tropical island when he goes on vacation. This year you can join him, sort of, at this tropics-inspired pop-up with festive glassware to match (though, to be honest, we could do without seeing Santa in board shorts). Boilermaker’s added eight tropical holiday cocktails ($14) like A Snowball’s Chance (Scotch, pineapple cordial, allspice dram, absinthe) and the Royal Tannenbaum (house pine tonic with choice of vodka or gin). There are also five new namesake Boilermaker shot-and-beer combos ($9–$14). Have a Donner & Blitzen (Downeast cider and Plantation dark rum) or the Jingle Bell Wipe-Out (Bell’s Christmas Ale and a cinnamon shot). Then pack it all in and dream of sun and sand.
Celsius
Bryant Park; 41 W. 40th St. at Sixth Ave.; 212-792-9603; open through March 6
This glass-enclosed two-story rink-side venue offers booze as well as views. Take a spin on skates and then warm up inside with cocktails like the Snowjito (vodka, citrus and Sprite, $14) or an apple-cider margarita (Avion reposado with apple cider and lime, $16). Or just stop in for a post-shopping tipple, with views of the Winter Village market and the gorgeous Bryant Park Christmas tree, all lit up.
The Imbible: Christmas Carol Cocktails
The Elektra Theatre; 300 W. 43rd St., at Eighth Ave.; 212-586-7829; Nov. 20 through Jan 2; $75
It’s not a bar, but you will get three cocktails at this spin on the traditional play, set on the morning after Scrooge gets his ghostly, life-altering visits. He’s deeply filled with the Christmas spirit, and to celebrate he throws a party where the audience members are the guests. You’ll discover the history behind popular holiday drinks and have some life-altering (boozy) visits yourself. You’ll also go home with the knowledge to make your own holiday concoctions. If you remember how, that is.
Hudson Holiday Takeover
Hudson Bar,
Hudson Hotel , 356 W. 58th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-554-6000; December, Wed.–Sat., 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Every Wednesday through Saturday in December, the Hudson Bar in the Ian Schrager hot spot welcomes holiday revelers with themed music and cocktails, like the pear-spiced Holiday Disco Punch (with edible glittered ice spheres) or the Hudson Hot Toddy, with honey-infused fig and oolong tea. It also pays to be a bit bad here: Each festive drink comes with a straw labeled "nice" or "naughty." Pull the latter, and the next cocktail's on them.
Winnie's Jazz Bar and Refinery Rooftop
Refinery Rooftop,
Refinery Hotel, 63 W. 38th St., at Sixth Ave.; 646-664-0372; Nov. 24–March 14 (Refinery Rooftop) and Nov. 24–Jan. 1 (Winnie's)
The weather outside may be frightful, but in the Refinery Hotel this winter it's sure to be ... you get it. At the top, the indoor-outdoor Refinery Rooftop transforms into an après ski lodge, with working fireplaces, skis, sleds, deer heads, vintage ice skates, the requisite garlands and lights, a heated outdoor tent (new this season), and seasonal cocktails. Try the whiskey-and-apple-cider Fireside or the rum-based mulled Chefs Cider (both $14). Downstairs, off the lobby, Winnie's Jazz Bar will have live holiday music. Start at the top, and work your way down.
