Amaru

With a long marble bar, colorful mise en place and vest-clad bartenders, this Peruvian cocktail bar could easily fit in with the haute watering holes of Manhattan and Brooklyn. But once you settle into a barstool, you begin to notice some differences: The drinks are dominated by pisco, South America’s clear grape brandy; the crowd is almost entirely Spanish-speaking; and when the witching hour strikes, a worldly playlist gives way to lively Latin beats and hip-shaking worthy of a Shakira video. Fuel the late-night dance party with pisco sours—the classic drink’s tart and sweet notes are kept in perfect balance here—and solid Peruvian tapas like punchy gambas al ajillo and empanadas stuffed with soy-sauce-marinated filet mignon.