The Downtown Cocktail and Mocktail Scene - Summertime refreshers that will cool you down.

A classic cocktail hits the spot just about any time of the day, night, or year, for that matter. Most mixologists even change up their cocktail menu to suit the seasons. But these cool, refreshing elixirs are particularly welcome when the high temps of Summer hit. What could be better than a nice, creative, fruit and herb-forward cocktail as you toast your friends or the love of your life? 

And, if you're currently forgoing alcohol, why, that's no problem at all! You can still join in the fun by imbibing a delicious mocktail! These thirst-quenching riffs on cocktails contain NO alcohol, yet still have many of the same delectable ingredients that their buzz-worthy counterparts possess. You could say that it's the best of both worlds for those who relish a night out but DON'T want any spirits in their body. No hangovers need to apply.

When we're talking about great food and cocktails, few places can hold a candle to Manhattan's downtown area which encompasses communities such as Soho and the West Village, as well as the Lower East Side. So, be sure to check out the popular watering holes in this article and see which ones tickle your fancy.

Ollie - West Village

This popular bar gives forth the most welcoming of vibes. The staff is super-friendly, making customers feel that they are enjoying a drink in someone's living room, rather than a commercial establishment. The decor is contemporary with a ton of personality. There's lots of wood throughout and potted plants hanging from the ceiling. The spacious bar is beautifully lit with aqua blue high-backed chairs instead of stools, ready-made for your comfort.

Founded in 2019, Ollie's focus is on cocktails with carefully curated, hand-crafted ingredients. Their food is Cali Cuisine inspired with dishes such as Shiitake Tacos (mushrooms, avocado crema, red onions and micro greens) and a sensational Veggie Delight Sandwich that's packed with grilled zucchini, spiced hummus, pickled shallots, tomatoes, sprouts and avocado. It's accompanied by some very tasty roasted potato wedges.

Signature cocktail creations include Flight to Antigua, which is composed of cognac, Jamaican rum, Antica vermouth, a banana, lime, and apricot juice. The Boulevardier is a blend of, get ready for this: peanut butter washed Woodford Reserve, Campari, Aperol as well as, Antica vermouth. This magical potion is served on the rocks. For a more exotic drinking experience try the Cali Kyoto, made with Suntory Toki, Amaro Angeleno, saline, and soda water. The drink menu also has a few really nice mocktails. The only disappointment here is that the mocktails are numbered instead of being given names. Come ON now! In any event, Mocktail #1 will refresh and lift your spirits without having ANY spirits inside the glass. The ingredients are house-made grenadine, club soda, lime, and pineapple juice. Mocktail # 2 is a blend of homemade ginger beer with raspberries and lime juice. You might also wish to consider the Coastal Craft Kombucha ( FINALLY a name of some kind ! ) which is made with pineapple juice, turmeric, pineapple juice and blueberry hibiscus.

Location and Hours :

64 Downing Street
New York N.Y. 10014
(917) 484-1302
www.olliewestvillage.com

Hours :

Monday Closed
Tuesday 5 PM to 11 PM
Wednesday - Thursday 5 PM to 12 AM
Friday 4 PM to 12 AM
Saturday 5 PM to 1 AM
Sunday 2 PM to 10 PM

Beyond the Pale - Soho

A true beacon of warm Irish hospitality, Beyond the Pale, is THE place to be if you're seeking a delicious bite to eat, ice-cold beer and some very inventive cocktails. The decor is kind of eclectic with white-washed brick walls, a sleek bar area and pop art etchings adorning the walls. If you are out on a date, then ask the friendly hostess for a booth towards the rear of the establishment. The ambiance in the alone-like " back room " is beyond cozy. You will feel as though you're in your own private universe. And the music playing in the background helps to set the mood, yet it's never intrusive. You can actually have a conversation at Beyond the Pale.

What's really cool is that the cocktail menu is divided up into different parts with each section having its very own whimsical name. The Stone Cold Sober section of the menu features some totally inviting zero-alcohol mocktails. The Big Watermelon highlights watermelon juice, Seedlip Garden 108, basil, lime juice and a dash of cayenne. The Phony Negroni is made with St. Agrestis Phony Negroni mix. You are also sure to enjoy The Swindler, which is composed of Feragaia, honey, ginger lapsang souchong and lemon juice.

Are you Ready to Rumble? If so, check out the agave-centric section of their drink list. One of the best of the bunch is Two Can Toucan, a mix of illegal mezcal, Caracara citrus, blood orange juice, lavender, agave and lime juice. Whenever you sip a Martini, you know that the Truth Comes Out. This section features a variety of martini including the Washed Twisty martini, whose ingredients are Harridan vodka, lemon zest, infused olive oil and Alessio Bianco vermouth. Stay Cool, Calm and Collected when you sip a cocktail like the Hugo Ritz ( St. Germain elderflower, fresh mint, prosecco, Bergamot bitters and a splash of soda). There's a trio of great sips in the Hyped Up Highballs portion of the menu. Possibly the main event here is Honey Dues which blends Cazadores tequila, mezcal and Chambord with honeydew melon juice. And, let's not forget In The Groove. There are a ton of nifty selections here including the superb Green Goddess, made with Grey Goose Vodka, a green tea infusion, cucumber juice, habanero tincture, lemon juice and arugula simple.

The bartenders at Beyond the Pale will also be pleased to pour you a delicious draft For between $10 and $12, you can wet your whistle with an icy cold Guinness, Share House Summer Ale, a 60-minute IPA, or the Talea Strawberry-Lemonade Splash. Bottles and cans range from Peroni and Downeast Cider to Talea Watermelon Wheat and Allagash White. Enjoy!

Location and Hours :

53 Spring Street
New York N.Y. 10012
www.beyondthepalenyc.com

Hours :

Monday Closed
Tuesday 4:30 PM to 12 AM
Wednesday & Thursday 4:30 PM to 1 AM
Friday 4:30 PM to 2 AM
Saturday 1 PM to 2 AM
Sunday 1 PM to 12 AM

Von - Noho

This quintessential Bowery standby has been hosting discerning revelers since 1996, so they must be doing something right. Because we all know that, in this town, bars tend to come and go with the tides all around the island of Manhattan. Von certainly isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Von's main room is dimly lit and has a gold-tinged old-time speakeasy feel. It works as a romantic getaway to treat your significant other to a cozy evening or as a spot to get together with friends. On weekends you can dance to a hip DJ or attend one of Von's weekly comedy events in The Lounge, which is located on the lower level and accessible by means of a " secret " staircase. The Lounge also has a private street-level entrance. With a capacity of up to 150 guests, this space is the real deal for your next bridal shower or birthday celebration.

Co-Owner Charles Von Herrlich hosts fun wine classes. More like a party, this class will take you behind the scenes on wine-making and purchasing. Of course, there will be a tasting. Sounds like a great evening, right? Cocktail classes are available, as well. One of Von's talented bartenders will, in this two-hour event, teach you the fine art of mixology. In this hands-on class, guests will learn the pillars of cocktail preparation: proportion, precision, dilution and presentation. You will actually prepare three cocktails and even learn how and why to add a garnish.

Now, let's get to those cocktails, shall we? A great place to start would be The Bleeker, an elixir made with Bib and Tucker Bourbon, Venezuelan rum, Amontillado Sherry, Dolin Dry and Amaro Nonino. Then there's Von's addicting Pineapple Daiquiri, a blend of Plantation Pineapple Rum, lime juice and simple syrup. You will also adore the Prickly Mezcal margarita which contains chili-infused mezcal, Amaras Verde, agave, lime juice and prickly pear puree. You should also check out their French Martini, whose ingredients are vodka, Chambord and Champagne.

Low alcohol and NO alcohol options include the NA Antidote Spritz with local " antidote " Amaro and soda water The low alcohol version pairs NA Amaro and soda with some Bubbly. You can also get a bit adventurous and try their Bartender's Choice Mocktail. One thing's for sure: you will be pleasantly surprised. Von's happy hour takes place on weekdays from 4 PM until 7 PM. Seven bucks will get you a glass of house wine while select beers on tap can be had for a mere six dollars. Frozen margaritas are available for the bargain price of just ten dollars.

Location and Hours :

3 Bleecker Street
New York N.Y. 10012
(212) 473-3039
www. vonbar.com

Hours :

Sunday, Monday &
Tuesday 4 PM to 2:30 AM
Wednesday 4 PM to 3 AM
Thursday, Friday &
Saturday 4 PM to 4 AM

Donna - West Village

Originally located near the Williamsburg Bridge, Donna has moved over to the West Greenwich Village neighborhood and re-invented itself in so many intriguing ways. Now a tropical-themed bar with an expanded cocktail menu, Donna has been re-established in 2022 as a worker-owned cooperative. That simply means that the employees own the place and they don't take this responsibility lightly. The team here consists of Luke Evans, KC Franks, Ulises Fuentes, Elissa May and Lauren Ruiz. They are committed to your satisfaction and want your evening at Donna to, indeed, be something very special.

A bright, airy, chill space, you'll feel good from the moment that you walk through the door. The tropical theme is apparent but in a very understated way. The white-washed walls and pink banquette seating are Instagram-worthy, as is the spectacular bar area, as are the pretty picture drinks and food.

The food menu is not that large but it packs quite a punch. Small plates include Fried Cauliflower with chorizo and whipped feta, a Smashed Potato dressed with a lime-coriander labne and pickled peppers as well as a very tasty Napa Cabbage salad. Entrees range from a Roasted Whole Fish of the day with rice and beans, harissa, and pickled veggies to a succulent Braised Pork Shoulder. Standout desserts are Flan with candied coconut and chunks of pineapple and Churros, topped with decadent chocolate sauce and caramel. Oh! That is good!

The cocktails here are a wee bit on the pricey side, coming in at $19. But, they are well worth it. You get what you pay for and then some. The thought that is put into these mind-blowing elixirs is off the charts. Kapatid is made with both Filipino and Overproof rum, coffee and soy sauce. And somehow this unusual blend of ingredients totally works. The L'Arnaud Palmer is an outrageously different take on the original drink with ingredients such as Cognac, mint Gunpowder Green tea and lemon juice. Rum rears its delicious head again in the Alfarita. This time, your cocktail contains generous pours of aged rum from Barbados, Jamaican rum, falernum, a bright note of cinnamon and various citrus juices. The Tiny Sparrow Martine has soft floral notes with a blend of Vietnamese gin, Fino Sherry and Calamansi liqueur. Not to be outdone is the Blue Norseman, whose ingredients are cachaca, aquavit, dill, and passionfruit juice.

Location and Hours :

7 Cornelia Street
New York N.Y. 10014
(646) 965-0681
www.donnanyc.com

Hours :

Sunday through Thursday 5 PM to 12 AM
Friday & Saturday 5 PM to 1 AM
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