Cienfuegos
443 E. 6th St., nr. Ave. A; 212-614-6818
The team that sparked last spring’s mezcal moment (namely, Ravi DeRossi and friends at the Mexican-themed Mayahuel) are back with another spirit-centric tent pole. This season’s libation of choice: rum! Though there’s nary a Bacardi bottle in sight at Cienfuegos, the white metal latticework, turquoise walls, and pink banquettes could have been airlifted from a pastel-painted dive in Old San Juan. The signature punches are exemplified in the Ernesto, a decadent tub of rum, Fernet-Branca, maraschino liqueur, pink-grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, sugarcane syrup, and Malbec, meant to be ladled “con un amigo” ($38). The more refined rum drinker can sip on pours that run $7 per dedo, or finger.