The 10 Coolest (And Over-the-Top) Cocktail Experiences in NYC, According to TikTok

TikTok is an excellent source of inspiration for fashion, beauty and food, thanks to an endless supply of catchy tunes and honest reviews. And while we’ve come across plenty of great brunch spots and outdoor dining options to add to our list, it’s the over-the-top, picture-worthy cocktails showing up on our For You Page that have us ready to book a reservation. Fortunately, there’s no need to scroll aimlessly looking for the best happy hour tipples. We’ve done the hard work for you and curated our top 10 restaurants with the coolest (and downright ridiculous) cocktails to try in NYC.

If you really want to be wowed by your cocktail menu, head over to Monkey Thief, a pan-Asian cocktail bar situated in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. We’ve never experienced a beverage menu quite like this one. From a non-alcoholic concoction topped with roasted banana (Curious George) to a heady cocktail garnished with popcorn (Film Noir), this is one menu you won't get tired of trying. If you find yourself feeling peckish, they even have an equally enticing light bites menu, featuring classic Asian dishes, including Beef Koi and Chicken Bao. This hidden gem should be on every cocktail connoisseur's must-try list.

754 9th Avenue; 212-510-7910 or monkeythiefbar.com

When a restaurant’s name in Thai means “excellent,” you know you’re in for a treat. While you should definitely order some of their popular entrees like the Pad Thai and Golden Sachets (to be enjoyed while dining in your own personal shed, of course), it’s the drinks selection that has us intrigued. If you’re heading for happy hour—which is $10 on weekdays—ask for the ultra-refreshing On Cloud 9, a gin and grapefruit concoction that’s topped with elderflower foam, or the sparkling Pom & Bubble, a Cava cocktail adorned with a pomegranate popsicle (three cheers for getting drinks and dessert).

1439 2nd Avenue; 212-899-9995 or thepnewyork.com

Forget regular ol’ glasses…when you sit down at this French bistro in Chelsea you can expect your beverage to arrive in the coolest-looking cups. If you order the Firebird (a blend of patron silver, cointreau, lime and hibiscus), your cocktail will be housed in a dainty bird-shaped glass.

176 8th Avenue; 212-337-9577 or loulounyc.com

Come for the homestyle Puerto Rican dishes like the pollo guisado (chicken stew), shrimp mofongo or the pernil con arroz (rice with roasted pork shoulder), but stay for the signature drinks. We’re partial to the La Fonda Flip (a blackberries-maple rum blend) and La Isla Del Encanto (their signature sangaria made with fresh ingredients), but it’s the mimosa towers—and we mean towers—for brunch that are the real stand-outs here.

169 E 106th; 212-410-7292 or lafondanyc.com

If you’re in the market for big (emphasize on BIG) portions and drinks, look no further than this Mexican eatery in the West Village. Grab your pod and try finishing their Gigante Fresh Fruit Margarita, if you dare. Choose from nine different flavors (strawberry, mango and passion fruit, to name a few) and pair it with their massive Taco Tower for an unforgettable—and seriously filling—dining experience.

61 7th Avenue S; 212-243-8517 or calientecabco.com

This spooky season, Sveta in West Village is the place to be for the most chilling assortment of boozy potions. For a limited time, you can try the restaurant's Nightmare on Carmines Halloween dinner special, where you'll get an appetizer, main course, dessert and creepy specialty cocktail (or mocktail) of choice all for $85. And these drinks are seriously a spectacle. (Wait, is that Ouija serving board?)

64 Carmine St; 212-203-4106 or opentable.com/r/sveta-new-york

Want to feel like you’re on vacation without actually leaving the city? Well, between the cheerful aesthetics and the tasty drinks, you’ll forget all about NYC’s bustling streets and fall right into the tropics. There are plenty of themed-cocktails worth checking out here, but we’re partial to the ones with fun glasses involved. Try the Shark Snacks (a rum-tequila mix in a shark’s mouth), the Chicks On a Holiday (a gin drink in a pineapple-shaped glass) or the Zombie (a rum blend in a cute Tiki).

517 Amsterdam Ave; tikichick.com

This Harlem spot is all about creativity when it comes to presentation. Seriously, the mixologists here can basically turn anything into a glass for your drink. Exhibit A: The Honey Bear signature cocktail can be found in a honey-shaped bottle. Or how about the Bee Mine cocktail that’s served in a bong? Want to take a sip from a lava lamp or light bulb? All that—and more— at this seriously cool uptown eatery.

3604 Broadway; 646-861-0489 or thehoneywellnyc.com

One look at the tacos here and your mouth is guaranteed to start watering, but don’t forget to add one of Cielito’s special cocktails to your order. Whether you go for a margarita or a mojito (or, um, both), you’ll be treated to a whole popsicle as the centerpiece of your drink. Our favorite? The Route to Oaxaca (a fruity mix on the rocks with a mango ice pop) and the Margarita Michoacana (a mezcal-horchata blend with a traditional Mexican ice pop).

33-02 36th Avenue, Queens; 718-786-4800 or cielitony.com

We would be surprised if this Times Square location didn’t show up on your feed. Whether you go for brunch or “magic hour,” the drinks and food at this popular rooftop bar are sure to surprise and delight. We definitely recommend the Doctors Orders (aka, a rum and Vita Coco blend that’s served in an IV bag), Party Pouches (an 18-ounce vodka mix) and, of course, their Pink AF Pancake Stack (and yes, they are very much all-pink). Plus, you can't miss out on any of their seasonal offerings, like the Midnight Margarita.

485 7th Avenue; 212-368-0188 or moxytimessquare.com