Amor Y Amargo in New York
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New York, New York County, New York, US
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Site: https://www.amoryamargo.com/
- Monday:6PM–12AM
- Tuesday:6PM–12AM
- Wednesday:5PM–12AM
- Thursday:5PM–12AM
- Friday:5PM–1AM
- Saturday:5PM–1AM
- Sunday:3PM–12AM
This place is everything I want in a cocktail bar. Traditional drinks executed to perfection and unique drinks that are not over complicated. The atmosphere was also perfect. It was not too loud or crowded. We ended up here while we waited to get into Death & Company. If you want a cocktail that actually works and isnt over complicated come here and skip the places you have to wait hours for.
You cannot leave this place disappointed ever. I was even searching for things to complain about because I was already shocked how attentive the staff was to each individual even on a busy night.Stellar work on each of their employee’s behalf, Karynn was not only one of the most knowledgable/hospitable people i’ve met at any overthrow hospitality venue, but was incredibly helpful with stellar recommendations on where to go once they had closed. Saved my girlfriend’s college graduation (on a monday) from being champagne-less!
This cozy little bar is perfect for a unique cocktail and an intimate environment.My boyfriend and I stopped in on a Saturday evening and the space was filled to almost capacity. The shelves are well curated with retail for mixing cocktails. The wood and tile create a homey ambiance and warm feeling.Never having tried Bitters before I wasn’t sure what I was in for but my taste buds got a pleasant surprise. Each unique cocktail was expertly mixed, beautifully executed and delicious. Not your typical, run of the mill bar, this is truly an experience. I’m sure we will be returning frequently to enjoy the rest of their menu.
Amazing little cocktail bar feauring every Amaro and bitters flavour you could ever dream about. They make fantastic cocktails, and guests are encouraged to try the different bitters, which the bartenders can then incorporate into custom drinks for your flavour profile. Its an amazing place to visit if you find yourself in the East Village. I would also make a trip just to come here honestly. Loved it!
Great drinks, first and foremost. Only 8 seats at the bar, which makes the whole place feel cozy. Bartenders were nice enough to give samples, recommendations and even did a few tricks upon request. So much fun and a great memory for a parent visiting from out of state.
High quality bar with a vast selection of bitters!My friends and I stumbled upon this speakeasy-type bar on a bustling Saturday night. I ordered their negroni and it definitely packed a punch. At $17/cocktail, honestly Im glad it was as potent as it was for the price tag.Im not usually one to try strong cocktails that dont have much sweetness to them, so I may or may not stop by next time Im in town.
Its been several days since we visited Amor Y Amargo, and Im still having trouble putting into words just how appreciative I am of the experience. I have long loved Amari, and I was really excited to go to Amor Y Amargo on a recent trip to the city. Mia, Max, Ramon and I sat down along one of the wall seating areas and ordered our first round of drinks off of the menu. Soon after our first round was served we were moved to the bar when seating became available. Peter was the bartender, and his knowledge of bitters and Amari recipes was amazing. Peter asked each of us what types of Amaro we liked, and he ended up creating a variety of cocktails for each of us. We had a fantastic evening, and Amor Y Amargo will be a must visit every time Mia and I are in the city. I cant wait for our next visit!
Pretty cool bitters bar. I have never heard of a Petersburg before, but the cocktail selection, waitstaff, and outdoor seating really impressed me. I enjoyed my volcano drink and would like to try some of the others.Waiter was incredible, friendly, fast, and gave excellent recommendations. He even let me chat with my friend after we closed out our check.
The cocktail menu drinks are prebatched so service is amazingly quick. Anything else is readily made by the knowledgeable staff. The 8 amaro mix riff on a Sazerac is a bitter lovers dream. Layered, delicious, and ridiculously well balanced for so many ingredients. Go here.
First time to have a Manhattan made with only bitters with Old Overholt for the rye. Amazing.After several visits, the drinks are hands down still the best served with professionalism, however dont look for the bartenders to be engaging. Not your old school. If you can look past that youll enjoy yourself.
This is a pretty cool hip place that focuses on bitters based drinks. I dont know squat about bitters but I came with a friend who concocts his own old fashioneds at home. Their drink menu helpfully lists out drinks from least to most bitter. I got the least and my buddy got the most. I get the sense that these mixologists could probably make anything with bitters given their bar stocked with rows and rows of different alcohols. The room is a little tight - standing room only, but big on ambiance. It kind of feels like you just entered an old saloon or a speakeasy. The bar tender was pretty cool, making sure everyone was attended too. He even brought the drinks out to us since we were against the wall away from the bar. The drinks were delicious and for a non-bitters drinker it was an interesting experience. My friend enjoyed his negroni. One note, the drink kind of sneaks up on you afterwards so beware!PS - surprisingly immaculate bathroom on a Friday night
Went for a Reserve tasting with my boyfriend who is a cocktail enthusiast and home mixologist. He found the experience incredibly educational, and I love a stiff cocktail so I was happy to be along for the ride! Great experience/gift for the person you know who loves to make cocktails. We had a great time!
Stumbled on this place walking around and decided to go in and check it out. Did not have to wear masks inside just fyi i guess since now they check vaccine cards. It was near 11 pm and once inside i saw they close at 12 so it wasn’t crowded. I had never been to a place like this where the bartender (Bruce) creates drinks catered to your palette. Definitely glad we came to try. 5 drinks about $100
The drinks at this corner bar and store are delicious, and definitely unique from one another. It’s sophisticated and kind of bohemian and the servers are cool but friendly. We had the olives and the patatas bravas (I have mangled that spelling) and both were delicious. Highly recommend for any afternoon or evening.
Cocktails here are an experience. We love this place. Before Covid this place was packed, standing room only. New reality addition - outdoor tables, is definitely a plus if you can tune out the hustle and bustle of the city. A few finger food choices - fried but good. Another sin that we indulged in. Come here to enjoy the senses and conversation not to get drunk.
Greatly enjoyed talking with Sother, the genius behind the bar and the book he has on his shelf! I was totally astonished to learn about more types of malört he had, as a fan of the Jeppsons I had no idea what existed beyond that! I decided to try the old fashioned because if its a bar run by that man, then this old fashioned must have been through ages of trial and error to become the masterpiece it is today. Go try it.
Amor y Amargo on the Lower East Side is a great bar and one of the best spots in the city for cozy cocktails and great conversation. The music is well-selected and the cocktails themselves are complex and very special, owing to the head bartenders training in the culinary arts.I have many fond memories of the bar, have bought bitters bottles there, brought many friends there, and had so many memorable conversations with genteel strangers that I consider it my favorite bar in New York. It has an atmosphere like no other.I am taking two stars off only because of a single unpleasant experience I had at the bar several years ago. I had gone with a friend during the early evening in the summer, and upon approaching the uncrowded bar we were asked for our IDs. We handed them over immediately and I casually and non-fretfully remarked to my friend that I had never been asked for ID before seeing the menu or ordering at a standing bar before. At Death and Company down the street, you are asked for ID by a host before entering the premises, which has a less jarring affect. from the guests point of view, we should at least be able to glance at the menu before being asked for identification. In any case, the head bartender came back, glowered at me, and said that I looked like I was thirteen years old. He said that he had the right to ask for anyones ID before they entered the premises if he wanted to and could kick us out as he saw fit. This was all unfortunately spoken in a condescending manner. Unfazed, I told the bartender that I wasnt criticizing him -- I was just making a curious remark to my friend about my experience - no argument here. I could see how the bartender might have misunderstood me, which is why I wanted to clarify the situation. In any case, we left it at that and had our drinks without further conflict. No apology or even an invitation to reconciliation over this little scuffle.I know this small incident may seem minor, and in totality it is, but I do feel that its particularly unacceptable at a place like Amor y Amargo and thus worth mentioning in this review. Amor y Amargo is an exceptional, high-end bar. Ive worked years as a bartender in the service industry, and one of the core tenets of that industrys best practices is that the guest should feel welcome and have the best experience possible. Unless a guest is being dangerous or belligerent, the server should not hector them or make negative comments on their remarks, even if they are disagreeable. This is hospitality 101. The head bartender has remarked in his cocktail recipe book (which I purchased) that he has a sometimes gruff personality. I understand this and totally respect that, but that personality should be checked at the door when dealing with anyone except the most insufferable customer. Even though Amor y Amargo is a very popular bar and people sometimes form a line out the door (well-deserved), thats not an excuse to lower the quality of the hospitality of the place. If anything, it should be the opposite. Anything less is a betrayal of what it means to be a good bartender, because its not all about the drinks. Ive worked in Japan, and while they take service to an extreme at times, they at least get right the idea that customers are to be treated with respect always, even when they seem to be saying something impudent, and even when they look young. If you must engage, at least do so in good faith in the event of a misunderstanding.Ive been to the bar many times when many different bartenders were working and had great experiences almost every time except for this one. I will keep going back to Amor y Amargo and hope that they will give some thought to preventing needlessly unpleasant interactions like these in the future.
This is one of the those places that you should only go to if you like, or want to explore, bitters. The menu is limited--or rather, if you want bitters, the selection is amazing, but you cant get a margarita or a gin and tonic (though you can get many subtly different Manhattans or Old Fashions). The space is pretty tiny (though absolutely charming) and gets crowded very quickly. The staff is quick and very knowledgeable (though you have to go in the off times to be able to talk to them--it really does get crowded). One of the great things is that they will keep you supplied with water the whole time (drink the water, your body will thank you). Finally, the drinks are really, really amazing. Ive been a couple of times and have generally ordered off the menu (which they change around) and, even when the drinks are not too my particular taste, they are interesting and well crafted. I recommend going with at least one other person so that you can try each others drinks because these drinks tend to be strong and yet youll want to try as many as possible! They also sell a variety of tincture bitters and selected bar tools, books, and whatnot, which would be great gifts (either to yourself or for others). Again, this place is not going to be for everyone, but if you think you might be the kind of person whod enjoy it, I couldnt recommend it enough.
I love amari, so I was super excited to discover this place. But that excitement quickly turned to disappointment when I discovered that, in their massive pandemic-era expansion, theyd stopped serving the very thing that had made them famous, and had switched to heavily watered-down spritz cocktails containing only a few dashes of the most common amari, like Aperol. Its actually impossible to order just an amaro here, now, despite what the other reviews say. I can only hope they will one day start serving the wide variety of amari they once specialized in, since as an ordinary cocktail bar, its frankly a bit lackluster and a bit overpriced.
Great spot for a well-made cocktail in an intimate, cozy, yet vibrant setting. The entire bitters bar is one room and a very small room at that. There are no seats (only a couple stools); a small counter top lines the back wall. The owner/bartender is welcoming, witty, and plain happy to be there. It rubs off on the rest of the patrons. The walls are decorated with eclectic bitters with interesting labels and flavors. Its a great spot for a date or to sip some interesting drinks with a friend or two. Drinks are not cheap, but are normal given NYC cocktail standards.
The best cocktails in the neighborhood, maybe the city. Even during covid.Sit down.This place could have a dedicated person doing to-go sales and hosting the tables. They would improve the customer experience, create a job and sell a many many more of their perfect drinks. I often wish I could get a single drink to go from them but it would be annoying to buy the way things are now.
Admittedly, the place is small but they make one hell of a drink. This bar will make you think differently about what defines a delicious cocktail. I wouldnt spend your entire time here because it can get pretty packed for such a small space, but its definitely a good place to start or end a night out
Went here with friends to celebrate a birthday. We chose to go there because a) a long time patron from east village recommended it as a middle point for our friends meeting from several boroughs and, b) we wanted to support the bar after hearing it was struggling due to the pandemic. We were a group of 8 in our 40s who werent being loud or demanding. After spending too much money on drinks, the bartender ruined the night by being rude to several of us when having to use the bathroom. Wont be coming here ever again. Should have stuck to our neighborhood uptown where people keep it real instead of this bourgeoisie place.
One of the coolest speakeasy places here in San Diego. A random door here on 5th but FYI there is a cover charge here for $10 a per person when there is band playing. This place gets real busy and crowded however, the bartenders sure know how to quickly get your drinks out to you. The drinks here are awesome! They have quite a selection and a well put together cocktail menu. If youre unsure and cant decide you can always go with the dealers choice. As for seating; there is wall seating through out the place that is available but first come first serve. You can find yourself standing most of the time and as far as chatting, the live band can surely drown you out. Good music, good drinks; solid 4 stars and one of the best speakeasys in San Diego.
I had made an appointment for April 28th 2021 for 8pm for 3 people.I tried to call to confirm the reservation several hours before the reservation but no one answered and I left a message as well as email.Then few hours prior to the reservation I got a text message from the manager telling me that he had to cancel the reservation because of a. Unexpected emergency no further Information was given.I still did not get a response on when I could reschedule my reservation that was canceled last minute by the restaurant.I feel extremely disrespected as a customer.I had made plans and it was not honored by the establishment with no plausible explanation and even though the manager asked if I wish to reschedule and I asked him when was the next available date he never got back to me...Im still waiting for the response...Im extremely disappointed with this place.I had made plans for that night and it was all ruined and the manager acts like he doesnt care.This is very unprofessional and disrespectful to the customer.
Not a cocktail drink guy, but the my drink was good. Friends I was with loved it and the bartender was great and would make you a custom made drink based on your preference of favors. Small area so can get very crowded. It was well lit unlike other cocktail bars Ive been too, which are darker and you can hardly read the menu
If you love bitters, expertly made cocktails and cramped spaces, then Amor y Amargo may be the place for you!The drinks are absolutely incredible tasting. Each one is handcrafted by the two of the finest bartenders in NYC. They make cocktails that you have never heard of before, but after tasting, you will be pining for later. Try the Sharpie Mustache, I think its the best drink on the menu. If you dont know what you want, the bartenders will be happy to ask you questions about what you like and dislike. Then they will either recommend something on the menu or make you up something totally custom tailored to you.Note: the space is really small. Sometimes the place is so packed, you cannot even open the door to get in the joint. But, after getting inside, you will realize why this place is so popular. I highly recommend it!
A cute and cozy cocktail bar in a nice locality. It can get pretty crowded and there isnt much seating available. If youre looking for some good cocktail then you should definitely go here. They dont really have any of the straight or hard liquors but just cocktails so its not the perfect place for a larger group.
This is my favorite cocktail purveyor in all of New York. I wouldnt call it a bar its much more special than that. But I have never had a bad drink here. The bartenders are well trained and can make anything you can think of. Dont come here to be a douchebag, come here to enjoy a nice ambiance and a well crafted cocktail.
Its the best bitter bar in the city. Simple menu in a tiny space, everything is executed perfectly every time I go. I always have 1 drink more than I plan to because everything is worth tasting. If you are in the Lower East Side and enjoy stirred, booze forward cocktails, get over there immediately and often.
For the gentleman or lady who enjoys whiskey and has a preference for creative cocktails. A lovely little gem with wonderful dark liquor drinks. Also sells bitters and ingredients at the bar. Small space, with limited seating. Go early if you would like to sit at the bar. If not, it will most likely be standing room only.
Its a tiny bar (cozy?) but the drinks are great. Bartenders are amazing and they got VEP chartreuse (which is awesome). The staff is great about just telling people to cram on in and grab a bevy. If its gonna be a small space you might as well own it. We went on a particularly cold evening last time we were in and the extra body heat was more than welcoming
The drinks are solid, and true to its name the bitters selection is phenomenal. Its just about as hipster as a high-end cocktail bar can get - no citrus, and limited selection of other ingredients, true to their bitters mission. Usually very crowded.My big gripe was with the attitude of the bartender - unprofessional. When ordering a drink, I dont expect to be told thats a bad drink... especially when I know what Im talking about re cocktails. Furthermore, even if thats what you believe there are far better ways to convey that to a customer.Upshot - great drinks and crowded. Service is hit or miss
If you love bitters, especially from the Italian tradition, this is your place. Its the best bitter bar in the city. Tiny and cozy space, simple menu and most important thing everything is executed perfectly, everything is worth tasting. If you are in the Lower East Side you love bitters and special cocktails, get over there immediately and often.
Fantastic selection of bitters. Many of the drinks are strong and, to some degree, bitter. If you like classic cocktails, youll love the selection here. Its inventive and original, highly recommended. Note that the space can feel a bit cramped during peak hours and there is no seating.
Got taken here by a friend of mine, who has lived in NYC for close to five years now. I am quite into cocktails myself and dont miss on trying new places wherever I goThis Cocktail bar is however in the category on its. The cocktails are absolutely amazing, both with respect to the composition and the ingredients used. The dive-in atmosphere and the prohibition-era speakeasy atmosphere make it all but feel more real and like one of those places that make NYC truly a capital of cocktails.
Killer cocktails with a focus on amari.The space is small, but it has a lovely intimate feel. Its fun when its mellow, and still fun when it is absolutely crammed. Drinks arent cheap but they are worth it.Service is great. Blake is wonderful. I would recommend stopping here if you like great drinks.
I used to think I hated amaro because I couldnt get into Fernet. Bruce the bartender is amazing and opened the world of subtler amari to me. Im now a fan! Fernet... thats still a work in progress for me, but Im no longer a hater. Thank you Bruce, now I can pretend to be cool!
If youre looking for either a very good quality classic stirred cocktail or an imaginative one thats unlike anything youve had before, this is the place for you. They specialise in amaro-based cocktails, but on top of that, are just very good at having a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with high-quality drinks.
Great little cocktail spot in the East Village. There are plenty of bars similar within walking distance from this place. I normally come here if I have a long wait for another cocktail spot nearby lol. But their drinks are still pretty good. Not much places to sit inside, and the small menu offers drinks that have their own uniqueness.
Easily the best whiskey cocktail joint Ive been to in town. By no means over the top or flashy, just simply delivers every time. Its a small locale with with one or two tending the bar, but the quaintness of the place adds to the charm. I was shown this place, and have brought several others here -- every visit I once again learn to appreciate how a simple old fashioned should be made.
Visited for a cocktail and our experience started off pleasant with the bartender, albeit he wasnt the most talkative. Cocktails were wonderful, and described accurately. However the Bar Manager (bearded guy with glasses and suspenders) is really the one that ruined the experience for us. He was extremely short and rude with his comments/answers, so we figured perhaps hes just having a bad day. We were extremely pleasant with him, as we would with anyone having a bad day. It wasnt until I heard him make a snarky response behind the bar to the bartender did our experience nose dive. Extremely unprofessional and not to be expected from a place like this.As great as the cocktails were I would not visit solely to avoid running into this guy again. Unfortunate.
Amazing cocktail bar with extremely knowledgeable bartenders. This place focuses on bitters and amaro, and as such may not be for everyone, but if this is within your taste it is a great place to try some really creative cocktails. I highly recommend you go batenders choice. One thing to be aware of however is that it can get crowded and there isnt much sitting space.
I like to think of this place as the waiting room for death and co. Its still special and worth a visit even if your not waiting to get in next door. As far as I know they dont have juice and will not shake drinks (stirring only). If you like bitters (every kind you can think of) this is the best and smallest place to try something awesome. The sharpie mustache is great and comes in a flask, do not miss if you like whiskey cocktails.
Cant rate this place enough. If youre in to long, fruity cocktails, then perhaps skip it; if you enjoy a decent Old Fashioned or Manhattan and are looking for something a bit different then head on down. Its small, so can get pretty crowded, its worth it for the drinks and friendly service though. Goes down as one of the highlights of a recent trip to the Big Apple :)
In town first time in Manhattan. Met my friend at this place that came highly recommended by him and It did not disappoint. My only complaint could be that it was very crowded but they managed to serve me a drink In minutes. Thats a good thing to be crowded on Friday night and means they doing something right. It is nice to see someone take such pride In their work still in this day and age. I met the bar owner/author and just a cool down to earth person. Glad I stopped here, i havent been out much in NYC, but I would say this is going to be on my list next time I come to town.Over 100 different types of bitters (amor y amargo) love and bitters. This place is the real deal. Cant say thanks enough had a great night.
THE place to go for an old fashioned! Space is small so it gets packed quickly but everything from the decor to the service and especially the cocktails are outstanding! One of my favorite spots in the east village. Great place for any whiskey and/or bitters enthusiasts.
Great cocktails, exactly to my taste.The bartender was very knowledgeable, friendly and worked the busy room perfectly. He made me a beautiful cocktail with Branca Menta on my request, and my date a Fernet cocktail which was delicious. To top it off, when asked for recommendations for dinner, he sent us to Le French Diner which was incredible. Will definitely be back.
Really interesting bar, but it gets PACKED so get there early and leave before it becomes a can of sardines. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly, and made me some interesting drinks. I hardly know anything about bitters so this was a great place for me to learn!
Blake was amazing! Dont often see anyone so professional and efficient. He was simultaneously charming, quick, and considerate. We had menus as soon as we walked in and drinks minutes after we ordered. The drinks were amazing too. Zero complaints, if I lived in NY, I would be a regular.
There are no chairs or stools in this tiny cocktail bar, so youll have to stand around the bar. Drinks are all $15, sorted from lightest to strongest on the menu, but all are pretty strong. I had the Good Grief, which was an herbal drink with earl grey tea bitters, and I was quite tipsy after it. My feet were pretty tired from standing though, so I probably wouldnt come back.
Favorite cocktail bar in the city! If you love amaro, this is a must visit. Its a hole in the wall with no seating - just a bar, a bartender, and probably the most amaro and bitters you ever seen in one place.Typically packed on Friday and Saturday nights but worth it!
Brown, Bitter & Stirred.That is the key phrase you’ll take away from coming to this East Village cocktail bar.Sure it’s small and sure you have dozens, of top cocktail programs in the country within stone’s throw from them, but they are doing such unique work that even a cocktail nerd like me had to take notice. Having been to PDT, Death & Co, Angel’s Share and Booker & Dax already. Amor y Amargo was sort of last on my list to try. I love each place for different reasons and AyA because of what I learned. I’m not actually in the industry as many would think based on who I know and drink knowledge I’ve learned, so to take an actual cocktail class was enlightening to say the least. Their ability to make drinks without citrus and their ability to batch drinks taking into consideration dilution, temperature and consistency is amazing. They pride themselves on working a room and getting drinks in hands quickly.Having booked a class ahead of time I decide to come in on a trip beforehand to see if I could endear myself with the staff as I often do. I was lucky enough to come in at open and belly up to the bar and have an in depth conversation with them. We discussed so much it really made. The décor isn’t as nice as other cocktail bars in the area, but that’s not what they are going for. NYC is a well educated cocktail city now, through the likes of many forebearers, but this bitters aspect is still young and in it’s infancy so there is this learning curve they are having with people, even the locals.Ok, I love drinks and drink a lot, so yes my budget can get out of hand, but the value of coming here versus many other places already named is hard to beat. I went with the Sharpie Mustache which is served in a glass flask, that ish is basically on tap. They have a small staff and they credit each drink with the creator in their menu which is cool. Diamonds and guns really makes your mouth water with the celery bitters, gin, chartreuse. I went with the Fernet flight (that valet is like chocolate for fernet lovers) and the Chartreuse flight (what a value for the VEP). Guatemalan Square was a nice combination of a few classics, but ultimately they were impressed with my cocktail game and a flight and my last was on them. They were happy to see my the next day for their class where my fellow students were on equal footing and went straight for the complex stuff which tested their curriculum. It was a fluid conversation that you didn’t want to end.In the 2 minutes they spend teaching you about the families will set you straight on how to order at any other bar, so take note.It’s impressive to tell people you’ve been to PDT and Death & Co, but the nights you won’t forget happen at Angels’s share. Holding a conversation at Booker & Dax shows you come from the foodie world and aren’t just spitting off rhetoric. AyA to me is a place that’s sort of making it’s own path and new style of cocktails.
Intimate and amazing! In an absolutely packed little space, the bartender somehow managed to make everyone welcome-- and sophisticated, delicious cocktails came out so quickly, I thought I must have gone through a time warp. Classy and fun spot. (And right down the street from Death & Co.)
This place is fantastic when its not packed because yes the cocktails are very good, but thats because the bartenders are very knowledgable and really great to talk to. If you get a chance, try going when its not that busy (between 5:30 and 7:30 on a weekday) and gets some fine cocktail schooling.
Im fine with bitter liquors, and if you come here expecting anything different youre not going to be happy. What Im not okay with is wildly arrogant bartenders who are too stuck up to give you any guidance. If youre charging what youre charging and advertising crafted cocktails I expect to be able to ask a question and get more than, well read the menu.
List of 11 drinks crafted by half a dozen mixologists, and labelled with initials on who created which.- I liked my drink. It was smooth (by LM?) with floral and stone fruit notes- Wabbit huntin - Citrus flavor, was also not bad.They use nice large ice cubes.Ambiance:- A small, cozy place, with standing room only, for about 25 people.- Theres one bar with one of the mixologists tending the placeMax had a wry sense of humor
This is what old school New York is all about. Little hole in the wall spot, standing room only, where a magician mixes drinks, and a server hands menus to every soul that enters the doorway. The drinks are sublime. You didnt even know what amaro was until you ordered something. Then you left an expert after the magician served you whatever flavor you were thinking about on a whim: orange, vanilla, rosemary, who knows. Then you left to go do something cool, but youll never forget the magician or his potions. And youll come back. Because you never thought that amaro and bitters could be that enchanting.
We had excellent drinks and service. Blake was so attentive and pleasant to chat with. My husband was looking forward to coming to this bar while we were in town, being a fan of various amari and just finishing Brad Thomas Parsons book Amaro. We even had our toddler with us and still felt welcome.
Great cosy cocktail bar focused on Old Fashioned, Negroni and Manhattan cocktails. Go al la carte and choose one of the cocktails crafted by the talented resident bartenders or go off menu and let them create one to your taste from the extensive range of curated and cherished bitters and other liquor in their collection.
This is the kind of place where industry staff go to socialize at the expense of others’ conversations. Note, that the bartender is neither friendly nor is he interested in fielding your questions about the plethora of amari on display unless you have either a beard or tattoo. Good luck intrepid drinker!
Woah! Mind officially blown! I had been reading David Wondrichs Imbibe book and a couple friends brought me here to see what this legit cocktail world is all about. I stocked up on beautiful eqient and bitters and went with dealers choice on the drinks. Both bartenders were extremely knowledgeable and had great personality. I would recommend this place to anyone.
Intensely mediocre drinks, which were pre-made if youre ordering from the cocktail menu, which is overpriced for the surly service and reasonable ambiance. It seemed like everyone couldnt be bothered to wait for Death+Co and dropped in here - admittedly this was my second time making this mistake.
This place knows their stuff! Order from the menu, or just tell them what you like from a cocktail and let them construct something for you. Negroni Negroni Negroni!! Theres one off-menu called a Waterproof Watch which is my fave. Another called Oh My Word is up there too. Tiny little place with few seats, but I go there at least once every time Im in NYC.
Sother Teague poured his heart out to keep marching on through the pandemic and you can see it very clearly with Amor y Amargo Reserve, a beautiful creative craft cocktail tasting experience. The Reserve took over the space previously occupied by Mother of Pearl to set up a cozy vault behind a old-timey shop out front and recruited a chef. If you are already a fan of AyA cocktails, you’ll love them even more after some one-on-one time with Sother in this quieter, more intimate space. I enjoyed every sip (that I can handle) and learned so much during our visit, which was one of the first seatings offered during soft opening. The vegan bites also make lovely accompaniments.
Total reviews rating 4.7
199 Reviews for Amor Y Amargo 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-19Great store that sells lots of cocktail wares and bitters, and the bar inside is also pretty decent.For the cocktails, I would say the Sharpie Mustache is more special and really good.The Tiki bitters used for the cocktail is really special, and the fragrance is super good.The old fashioned is also pretty decent.A recommended bar in the area.
Review №2
2022-01-30Honestly, one of the most interesting cocktail programs out there. Mixing spirits that I have never seen together (Rye and Mezcal) in balanced and clean cocktails makes this a must visit. And their outdoor cabins are just awesome. Weve been coming here for years, and the craftsmanship of the cocktails is always on point .
Review №3
2022-04-24We wandered into this cute little bar. The store front sells a variety of rare bitters and towards the back is a bar with gorgeous character. They have a seasonal menu which had a wonderful cocktail called First Blush. Its a standing room but great spot to start off your night.
Review №4
2022-02-20Perhaps *the* quintessential New York bar, Amor y Amargo combines high cocktail craftsmanship with a tiny, cozy setting that fits maybe 10 people. A single bartender-doorman specializes in drinks with bitters of all kinds. The kind of place that sparks the spontaneous encounters, conversation and laughter that make this city great.
Review №5
2021-11-15This nice and cozy place is a hidden germ in the city and happy that we found it! Their drinks are unique and real. Costumer service along with the drinks is all around amazing, which makes you warm and feels like home! So far my favorite drink is Sharpie Mustache
Review №6
2022-07-03This bar is incredible. The bartenders are very attentive and helpful and the vibe is very casual and friendly while also feeling a bit classy. The drinks were very carefully balanced and showcased many Amaro wonderfully. AJ, one of the bartenders picked out an amazing craft fernet for me to try and also made a great drink on the spot for me when I challenged him to suprise me with something involving rum agricole. THE place to go for cocktail lovers and bitter fanatics!!
Review №7
2022-01-25This place is a gem! The bartender, Ross, really knew his stuff and was so friendly and accommodating. The drinks were interesting and delicious. I cant praise this place enough!
Review №8
2021-08-11We don’t drink, but we visited Amor y Amargo with our friends who are extremely into high quality & unique alcohol.The decor was cool and old-fashioned with vintage furniture. The display and layout were like in a museum and their product was like an alrt. The staff was kind of cool and reluctant but we were fine with that.Our friends love their drink so much and plan to visit their bar in the near future.
Review №9
2022-04-01I’m glad I made a stop here! I have very little experience with bitters. I got the one that tastes like grapefruit and it was delicious. Highly recommend for a fun stop and unique stop. Don’t forget the absinthe bar upstairs!
Review №10
2021-08-28Reserve tasting was incredible. Fantastic food and drink pairing, educated and fun bartender kept the whole audience engaged all evening. A treat having a private bartender two hours to ask questions and learn the secrets of the trade. Cant wait to come back!