Holiday Drink Guide

The holiday season is in full swing! Now with the city wrapped in a gorgeous white blanket of snow this morning, it seems like the perfect time to get out and start celebrating.

Quintessential NYC- The Plaza Hotel
Whether you grew up watching the Eloise Christmas or Kevin in Home Alone just about everyone has a vision of The Plaza during holiday season.  Although the classic Oak Room is still sadly closed the redone Palm Court is a great second choice for a little holiday bubbly.



768 5th Avenue at 58th Street
New York, NY 10019

Best Christmas Bar- Miracle on 9th Street
Christmas presents hang from the ceiling in shiny boxes, the bartenders have on their best Santa hats and the cocktail menu reads like something straight out of the North Pole.  There's a Christmopolitan with vodka and spiced cranberry, a Christmas Tree Gimlet with pine needle cordial and my personal choice the Bad Santa.




It's got two kinds of rum, pineapple juice, coconut water and coconut butter served piping hot...so basically like a warm and buttery pina colada.  What's better for the holidays than some nice rosey cheeks after a hot cocktail!

649 East 9th Street at Avenue C
New York, NY 10009

Best Eggnog- Maialino
If you missed Tom & Jerry's annual celebration of all things frothy and delicious there's still time to get one in at Danny Meyers Italian Trattoria Maialino.  Their version is much lighter than that thick stuff from the carton with a creamy white head and a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.



Maialino

2 Lexington Avenue at 21st Street
New York, NY 10010

Best Fireplace- Shoolbreds

This long, narrow space has been an East Village institution for years.  Get there early to grab the table in the back near the roaring fire and hustle up a Hot Toddy or sip on some Mulled Cider. Happy Hour drinks are two for one every day until 8:00 PM making this a toasty and affordable stop.

Shoolbred's

197 2nd Avenue at 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003

Best Place for Lounging by a Christmas Tree

Adirondack chairs, rich creamy wheels of raclette cheese and warm festive cocktails like the Smokey's Smore made with Hot Chocolate, 1921 Tequila Cream, Mezcal and topped with a cookie crumble make this the perfect place for a holiday outing.



Baita
The Rooftop of Eataly
200 5th Avenue at 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010

Best Place for Lights- Rolf's

It's super crowded, insanely hot and the drinks are overpriced.  But for some reason I always need to stop into Rolf's at least once during the holiday season just to look at all those incredible decorations.



Rolf's

281 3rd Avenue at 22nd Street
New York, NY 10010

Best Escape from Rolf's
If you just can't handle the insane crowds and overwhelming array of Christmas lights inside of Rolf's head directly across the street and seek refuge at the Gramercy Ale House.  This polished space has some of the friendliest bartenders in town and fantastic Irish music sessions every Wednesday night that could get just about anyone into a festive holiday spirit.



Gramercy Ale House

272 3rd Avenue at 
New York, NY 10010

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