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Attaboy

New York

Hidden amidst the narrow streets of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Attaboy’s unmarked entrance is a mystery to most. However, the bar’s legendary history is well documented. Attaboy’s bonafides span from the outset of the US cocktail renaissance to earning the title of The Best Bar in North America 2022, the award’s inaugural year. Following the passing of cocktail pioneer Sasha Petraske, his protegés Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy reopened his iconic Milk & Honey NYC as Attaboy. Now led day to day by bar manager Haley Traub, the outfit produces perfectly balanced variations of Prohibition-era cocktails in a warm, NYC boxcar room.

The team’s creations include modern classics such as Ross’ Penicillin (scotch, lemon juice, ginger-honey syrup) and Paper Plane (bourbon, Italian orange bitters, amaro, lemon juice) as well as McIlroy’s iconic Manhattan-riff, the Greenpoint (rye, green herbal liqueur, vermouth). Eschewing a formal roster, each drink is custom tailored for the guest after a brief conversation. Informality is also evident in the decor. The 500sq ft space is literally bare bricks, a few tables and a long bar counter staffed by friendly ’tenders – this old-fashioned bar just so happens to serve perfect drinks and boast an elite pedigree.

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