The Happiest Hour
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121 W. 10th St., New York, NY, 10011
212-243-2827
Known For
The lowdown
It’s always summertime at the Happiest Hour, a cocktail-lounge homage to mid-century Florida and California resorts, and the living is very easy, once you elbow your way through the after-work crowds that flock here for the tropical vibe and accessible cocktail list. A project from Acme’s Jon Neidich and bartender Jim Kearns, formerly of the NoMad Hotel and Pegu Club, all of the reasonably priced drinks come with a few spirit suggestions for customization. Standouts include the Link Ray, with celery, lime, suze (a French bitter aperitif), soda, and spirit of choice (go for the jalapeño tequila), and the Pineapple Express, pineapple, sage, cane, lime and your pick of cachaça, Venezuelan rum, or tequila. It’s rare that the food at a cocktail bar is as good as the drinks, but some of the menu items truly deliver, including the Happiest Burger, an homage to the animal-style In-N-Out burger with onion confit, which has developed a cult following.
What you need to know
DrinksFull Bar
Noise LevelCivilized