Apothéke is inspired by the absinthe dens in 19th-century Paris, as well as European apothecaries. Located in Chinatown, the speakeasy-style bar is located down a hidden street and is unassuming from the outside. Once you step inside it’s a stunning vintage-esque spot whose bar looks like an olden-day pharmacist’s cabinet. The bar was once a real-life opium den, believe it or not. Cocktails are made with exotic herbs and fruits — many which are grown in the bar’s private rooftop herb garden — and served in Austrian crystal glasses (each with a unique shape). Cocktails here are called ‘prescriptions,’ and each drink divided into categories like ‘Health & Beauty,’ ‘Pain Killers,’ ‘Aphrodisiacs,’ ‘Euphoric Enhancers,’ ‘Stimulants,’ ‘Stress Relievers’ and ‘Hallucinogens.’ Each is made using organic produce, herbs, botanicals and special elixirs — and prepared with a mortar and pestle from behind the bar with delicate bottles tinkling as your expert mixologist makes your concoction. While here, be sure to taste something from the absinthe bar — there are several to choose from — or large-format drinks tailored to the preferences of your group. The bar boasts a romantic atmosphere and is filled with long, velvet couches in a dimly lit setting with old-world floors and ceilings and opulent decorations along the bar. After watching the mixologists craft your drink, you’ll probably want to know how to level-up your cocktail game. Not to worry, there is the Apothéke Academy where you can learn to make cocktails from the Prohibition era, how to incorporate green produce and herbs into your drink or dive into the spirits of Mexico.
9 Doyers St, New York, New York 10013
+1 212 406 0400, apothekenyc.com
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