Apothéke

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An apothecary-themed cocktail bar, opened inside a former opium den. The lounge was modeled after old European apothecaries, which did indeed sometimes have bars — owner Christopher Tierney designed the banquettes and added a large red couch and a small ottoman scored from Daniel Boulud when Daniel closed for its makeover. The light sconces are filled with an absinthe-like herbal liquid that emits a soothing scent. The ceiling was uncovered when the one belonging to the previous tenant, Golden Flower, was pulled down, and was then painted with gold leaf. The bar was custom-built using imported marble and some pressed tin purchased from an antique store that also sold Tierney a 200-year-old door equipped with a cool sliding peephole. Stunning? A little bit, yes. And she’ll look even better after a The Dragonfly, made with mezcal, sunflower blossom sencha tea, epazote, nectarine, wheat grass, lime and habanero bitters. — Daniel Maurer

In the spirit of Chinatown, the list of over 250 specialty cocktails is divided into categories such as Health and Beauty (containing fresh kale juice and muddled kiwi with fennel), Stress Relievers (celery with chive rye, roasted seaweed), Pain Killers (balsamic vinegar glaze, smoked clove), Stimulants (chili oil, red bell pepper), and Aphrodisiacs (fresh cut honeydew, vanilla essence). We’re thinking the Euphoric Enhancers category will get the most attention: The Sitting Buddha is made with vodka, lemongrass, pineapple, cilantro, ginger, Lillet Blanc, lime and agave.

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