Lair

If you're facing a long wait at Osteria Morini, head down the street for a predinner cocktail at this loungey, candlelit bar. The drinks justify their lofty price tag ($14) with exotic ingredients: The Mr. Hot Pants is a mix of tequila, mescal, Campari, passion fruit and Thai-chili bitters, while the Maid in the Cave combines aged Japanese whiskey with lime juice, ginger-infused agave, muddled cucumber, mint and club soda. Pair these complex quaffs with food from Chris Cheung; the former Nobu and Monkey Bar chef is turning out shareable fare like roasted bone marrow with XO jelly and scallion pancakes—priced at around the cost of a drink, or less.