Elsa
(Now Closed)Cocktail Bar, Lounge, and Bar$$$$
Alphabet City, New York
The experts at Time Out New York and Village Voice recommend this place
123 Tips and reviews
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Jenny RoseApril 20, 2014Come w/ a party of 5 & get 3 rounds. If y'all get a different drink each round, you can taste almost everything on the menu! I've tasted 15 drinks & all but 1 (tequila old fashioned blah) were DIVINE.
Andrew ChoiJanuary 11, 2014Perfect for post-dinner libations with a date. Try the Black Book if you like bourbon & jalapeño. If you're ambitious, go for the Perfume-V and you'll feel like a sophisticated female Manhattanite.
I can't get enough of this place. My "Invitation to a Beheading" even came with a sword dripping with "blood" tonight. Amazing. Also super friendly/knowledgeable people behind the bar.
Time Out New YorkOctober 5, 2011Order the herbaceous Broken Mirror Skyscraper. A mix of absinthe, lime & muddled mint—w/ dandelion & burdock bitters—is chilled with slow-melting ice. It’s one of our #100best dishes & drinks of 2011. Read more- Amazing spot. I loved the gin & jasmine green tea infused "Invitation to a Beheading" -- add egg whites & it's my new favorite/perfect drink!
Haifa BarbariJanuary 25, 2013Tried the Black Book cocktail last night, warned up my bones. Tasty, a tad sweet and spicy too. Best cocktail I've had in a while! Worth a try.
Favorite cocktail spot in the east village. Get the Black Book. Go on a weekday for a table and laid back vibe. Weekends are crazy. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
Umair ZiaApril 27, 2014Amazing cocktails. Dear god, amazing craft cocktails. Order the drink Invitation To A Beheading... Just stupendous. Pish posh.
Allison EspositoJune 30, 2013You can't go wrong with "Invitation to a Beheading" or "The Handsome Grandson" ....or the names of any of these cocktails, really.
Best bar and bartenders in NYC. Try the New Partner if you're a whiskey drinker, and the SM Jenkins if you're a gin drinker.
Allison M.May 30, 2012The Death of a Lady's Man and Broken Mirror are especially delicious choices. Come here on a weeknight when it's a bit quieter for the full ambiance.
Kevin BannonDecember 6, 2010This place is a gem. Great drinks and not crowded at all. Perfect for bookworms - all the drinks names are literary references. Nice place for a night cap after dinner.
Ben K.November 16, 2012Solid cocktails, good date spot. If you're looking for a winter warmer The Sleeping Carriage is excellent.
Best bar at naming their cocktails. They used to have a twist on a Mojito that was named after Rachel Maddow.
Benny WongDecember 28, 2011If you're like me, you'll like the "black book". Jalepeño + bourbon + cinnamon. I'd drop my pants for it. Beware though, it's really really spicy
Every cocktail is amazing. Get the black book for something spicy!
Atif AteeqJune 27, 2012Nice little chill bar in the East Village. Great for a date or to meet a small group of friends
Nikki 🌺February 17, 2013Such a cute cocktail bar! Try the Black Book (jalapeño + bourbon + honey) -- amazing!
Daniel BremmerJanuary 15, 2012The only good bar in Manhattan. If the bar manager is there, order a penicillin. If not, and you can take it, try the death of a ladies man.
Tamara HOctober 7, 2012Dried flowers errr'where and Mrs. Meyers in the bathroom...I'm never leaving. Oh, and the drinks are good, too.
Soo YooDecember 30, 2012chill place for drinks, especially if you like cocktails. "the really spicy one" was the popular vote at my table.
Anne TaillandierNovember 2, 2013Well mixed cocktails. Relaxing vibe. Can't believe this place used to be Plant! So much history..,
David HuApril 18, 2014Death of a Ladies Man is a great rye with tobacco bitters. Love how the drink is so... Smokey 😎
Excellent place to get a solid classic drink as well as inventive new libations. Try the Sazerac for a taste of old-world drinking!
Brian BallanFebruary 23, 2013Everyone here seems surprised about how drunk they are. Must be the Self-Portrait or the Black Book. Chilies + booze = heaven?
Christine Y.April 30, 2013This place would be the perfect date spot! Not too loud and intimate ambiance.
Zack SheppardFebruary 6, 2014Death of a Ladies Man is an awesome cocktail! Scotchy scotchy old fashioned with tobacco bitters.
Angela DayNovember 17, 2011Superb cocktails without the hassle, wait and pretentiousness there often times are at speakeasies. The bar is adorable too and perfect for the bibliophile in you.
A great little spot - try the Self-Portrait: cilantro infused tequila, habanero, agave and lemon
CynthiaDecember 29, 2013Order the "invitation to a beheading" and "a spoken era". The bathrooms are okay, floor is really wet but at least it doesn't stink!
ºDamian White ºAugust 25, 2013OK this place is super cute. Cocktails are a bit on the sweet side tho
The staff is so friendly and nice! Ask the bartender what to drink!
Niamh HughesAugust 8, 2010The apiary island is delicious! Bar staff are very nice and welcoming and the decor is really beautiful - anthropologyesq!
Brianna RycykAugust 9, 2011Surprisingly great wine selection! Try the Pinot Blanc, delicious and refreshing.
Great place to kick back for a few drinks ... Bartenders are friendly and really cool
Robert StevensonAugust 11, 2013'The Death of the Ladies Man' or 'The Self-Portrait' are the best cocktail items. Fun place afraid the word is getting out
Two French Sisters, The New Partner, Old Fashioned, Manhattan... you can't go wrong.
Glen McPhersonAugust 17, 2012Try the Mercy Of A Rude Stream & The Broken Mirror - Definitely the pick of the menu!
Came here to celebrate my best friends birthday with balloons. They kicked us out. Because we brought balloons. What a fun place to celebrate.
Cocktails, duhhh. Go for the tequila old fashion...or something else.
Village VoiceNovember 4, 2010The Village Voice voted this Best ‘Mixology’ Place That You Can Actually Get Into in our Best Of New York Poll!
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Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 6:00 PM–4:00 AM
(917) 882-7395
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Cocktails
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"What's good here? The vibe, the music, the decor, the drinks. Basically everything. Worth the trip to Alphabet City."
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"I liked the Sitting Buddha drink. It was tangy and refreshing! Good times with good friends!"
Candace Oliver - 8.9
"Love everything about this place. One of my fave bars in alphabet city"
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