Only incidentally one of NYC’s latest speakeasy concepts, Nothing Really Matters aims only to be “the best cocktail bar in the universe,” rather than a late-arriving throwback. But it still fits the bill better than many of its contemporaries by virtue of its recessed entrance in a midtown subway station alone. Find your way downtown-bound to see whether the style tracks.
The vibe: Vaporwave. The decor is like a piece of polished obsidian; dark but glistening in all the glowing neon. The back bar looks like a crystal altar.
The food: Chips, nuts, popcorn, olives, and caviar with crem fraiche if you feel like taking that plunge. Pizzas are available to order to the bar Tuesday - Saturday 5pm-11:40pm, but there’s no kitchen.
The drink: There’s a few wines and beers, but the name of the game here is inventive, fun, seasonal cocktailing so the menu could be completely different depending on when you read this.
Time Out tip: If it’s busy, don’t ask the bartender to decide which cocktail you should drink–they’re there to make a living, not to please you, so be a grownup and make a decision on your own. If it’s slow, call a liquor and let the bartender do what they do. If you don’t feel like rolling the dice, try Cyllan’s Rum Punch–rum, pineapple, mango, passionfruit–it can get you in some trouble but, if you’re worried, refer to the bar’s name.
With Julien Levy