Bar openings and events in NYC

Grab your gals and grab a reservation at Bar Bonobo in Chelsea for a Galentine's Day celebration. The female-owned craft cocktail bar will welcome a tarot reader on Thursday, February 13 from 7-10pm as a vinyl DJ from 8pm. The menu features two special themed drinks. First, the Cupid's Chokehold with pisco, vodka, cherry blossom, citrus, and a black cherry garnish. Second, the Safe Word with tequila, mezcal, pistachio, cynar, amaretto, lime, bitters, and a Dubai pistachio chocolate garnish.

There are a lot of cocktail-making classes in New York, but Manhattan’s first legal distillery to open since Prohibition, Great Jones, does it just right. Set within its underground speakeasy, its two-hour class, The Shake Up, taught me how to make two actually-delicious cocktails with its smooth whiskey—but that’s not all. To start the class, we were whisked into the distillery where we had a quick tour and learned about the distilling process and the different kinds of whisky that are made on site—helping set the scene for the imbibing we were about to do below.  Once downstairs, we were immediately greeted with a Great Jones Straight Bourbon Smoked Old Fashioned (a welcome cocktail) and a solid charcuterie board (smoked almonds, marinated olives, dark chocolate coins, Jasper Hills Farm Alpha Tolman cheese, Jasper Hills Farms Moses, American Prosciutto and housemade sourdough crackers) at each table. To my surprise, we did a tasting of a few of the Great Jones Straight Bourbons, which already had me wondering how I’d get through making two cocktails. Our mixologist Ren took us step-by-step on how to make a Boulevardier and a Paper Plane, giving us tips and tricks along the way, including how to use (and open) a cocktail shaker and how to smoke one. The welcoming and cozy atmosphere helped me to relax and just learn, too, rather than being anxious about not being the best mixologist. I definitely made a few spills along the way, but I learned so much about why whiskey...

Regardless of the temps outside, winter in New York is still magical. Don't believe us? Experience the beauty of the season for yourself at this one-of-a-kind winter wonderland. This month, Somewhere Nowhere is giving us reason to venture out in the snow. During the month of February, the nightclub is transforming its rooftop bar into a winter retreat. Reserve a heated teardrop igloo with you and your boo (or your best crew), and enjoy Champagne, cocktails and small bites all within view of the NYC skyline. Still a bit chilly? Cozy up with warm fur blankets, plush loveseats and a built-in fireplace. Book an igloo for up to two people for $200 or bring five of your closest for $300. Dates are still available for February 11, February 13, February 20, February 21, February 27 and February 28. Book it now!