Ward III
111 Reade St., nr. W. Broadway 212-240-9194
You can’t throw a hand-chiseled ice cube in this town without clanking it into a nouveau cocktail. But only at this year-old candlelit Tribeca saloon can you construct one of the mixological marvels yourself. With guidance from veteran bartender-owners Abdul Tabini, Michael Neff, and Kenneth McCoy (Odeon, Macao Trading Company, and Grace, respectively), you choose a desired spice, texture, and spirit from a master list, and the bartenders on hand will mix up a (usually) winning combination. Or you can go the old-fashioned route and order a drink straight off the menu, in which case, opt for the eponymous Ward III: bourbon, bitters, fresh strawberries, and frothy egg whites ($12).