7 bars selling cocktails to go during coronavirus in New York City

Sip to support your neighborhood gathering place! Despite all restaurants and bars following the COVID-19 mandated shut-down, licensed spots of lubrication may now offer cocktails to-go with the State Liquor Authority’s blessing. “I want to support my local pubs so they don’t go out of business,” says Chris Artis, a freelance book public relations rep …

Sip to support your neighborhood gathering place! Despite all restaurants and bars following the COVID-19 mandated shut-down, licensed spots of lubrication may now offer cocktails to-go with the State Liquor Authority’s blessing.

“I want to support my local pubs so they don’t go out of business,” says Chris Artis, a freelance book public relations rep from South Park Slope, who now goes daily to the to-go window of his favorite local bar. “The bartender is always wearing gloves and sanitizes all the cups and bottles. He’s looking out for me, and I’m looking out for him.”

There are, of course, some rules — bars and restaurants can’t serve outside of their normal hours, all alcoholic beverages that are not in their originally unsealed packaging must be sold with a cover, and you can’t guzzle without buying some grub.

“It has been helpful,” says Peter Boutros, chef/owner of Sofia’s and other Staten Island restaurants.

Give your local a boost, or check out one of these seven sippable spots to grab a carry-out around the city — because we could all use a little socially distant cheer.

1. Sugar Monk

While it’s a shame not to enjoy the high-level Harlem drink-making magic inside this cozy, sexy speakeasy, for a few hours a night, you can still enjoy the voodoo of a smoky Marie Laveau (bourbon, amaro, cardamom, orange bitters and a poof of applewood smoke) or one of its other nine bottled cocktails to-go in 12-ounce or 25-ounce sizes ($40-$75). Orders can be placed online Tuesday through Saturday at SugarMonkLounge.com between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., with final pickup at 8 p.m.

2292 Frederick Douglass Blvd.; 917-409-0028

2. Existing Conditions

The 16 outstanding cocktails to-go here might almost make you feel like the world is semi-normal while you sip. Grab your credit card and pick up a bottled Cruise to Nowhere (clarified guava, blanc vermouth, pineapple rum and aquavit) on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. Drinks are fridge stable for up to three days, but pop ’em in the freezer for an hour before serving in order to reach proper cocktail temperature.

35 W. 8th St.; 212-203-8935

3. The Jeffrey

If you’re Midtown house-bound, The Jeffrey is offering your choice of nine different $10 made-to-order, single-serve sippers. We particularly like the much-needed tropical getaway feel of the Banana Stinger with Ancho Reyes, rye, Giffard Banane du Brésil and mole bitters. Order by phone during their current hours of noon to 10 p.m. — and have a credit card handy.

311 E. 60th St.; 212-355-2337

4. Hunky Dory

Its name alone is a hopeful salve, but grab-and-go bottled cocktails from Hunky Dory, like the Smoky Mountain Songbird (mezcal, turmeric, lemon and madeira), are the right tonic for the times. Each of the rotating cocktails on offer costs $10-$12 and provides up to two servings, however, “We also scale them up and sell them by the pint or quart,” says owner Claire Sprouse. Be sure to check HunkyDoryBK.com for the daily updated cocktail menu, and for instructions on how to place your order via Venmo. Cocktails are made and delivered to your door in Crown Heights and Prospect Heights on Fridays from noon to 7 p.m.

747 Franklin Ave., Crown Heights; 516-418-2063

5. Dutch Kills

Brush up on the classics at this bastion of modern cocktail craftsmanship via its menu of $12 single-serve Negronis, martinis, Manhattans and the like, offered in recyclable, capped plastic to-go cups. But if you’re feeling the need for a proper postcard-worthy escape, order their daily frozen treats, like the Dark & Frosty, an icy version of Bermuda’s rum-centric dark ‘n’ stormy. You can preorder via [email protected], or just hit up the to-go window, open daily from 3 to 10 p.m. Credit cards only.

27-24 Jackson Ave., Long Island City; 718-383-2724

6. Bin 5

Owner Danny Ippolito was instrumental in upping the ante on Staten Island’s cocktail scene, and he’s not about to leave the borough high and dry. For $60 a pop, order one of his 10 four-serve brightly colored bottled cocktails, like his popular Bee’s Knees with gin, honey, lemon juice and lavender bitters. Call in orders. Credit cards only.

1233 Bay St., Rosebank, Staten Island; 718-448-7275

7. Sofia’s Taqueria

This funky little taco joint has a half-dozen margaritas (the chipotle pineapple version is a must), a trio of sangrias, as well as a coconut mojito, and the mezcal, hibiscus and fresh grapefruit of their Tijuana Tea to go along with their takeout tacos. Call in your credit card order.

977 Bay St., Rosebank, Staten Island; 929-308-2324

Follow us on Google News