Upper West Side Bars & Nightlife

The Alinea team made their New York debut on the rooftop of the Mandarin Oriental, and while the restaurant is just as good as the Chicago version, we're actually most excited about their high-end bar, which is accessed through the kitchen. The cool interior feels like a cozy, leather-bound library, and there are plenty of great snacks (which come directly from the Alinea kitchen), but the real star here are the cocktails. There's a five-course tasting menu with ambitious cocktail pairings, or you can just order a la carte. Pro tip: The bartenders love whipping up custom mixtures, so don't be afraid to ask.