{"id":802900,"date":"2026-05-17T13:16:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T13:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/802900\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T13:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T13:16:15","slug":"3-nyc-bartenders-take-us-on-their-favorite-summer-bar-crawls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/802900\/","title":{"rendered":"3 NYC Bartenders Take Us on Their Favorite Summer Bar Crawls"},"content":{"rendered":"

While winter is for hunkering down in one cozy spot all night with a warm cocktail or glass of red, once summer hits New York City, it\u2019s sidewalk-seating season, and bar crawls are the name of the game. A Spritz<\/a> followed by a Martini<\/a>, then a bitter-leaning nightcap (with some shots and a few snacks thrown in for good measure) sounds like a perfect summer evening to us.<\/p>\n

But with so many neighborhoods boasting top-tier bars these days, there are options galore for an everyday bar crawl. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve turned to the people who know where to go and what to order the best: NYC bartenders. We tapped three to share their ideal local bar crawls and ended up with a guide to a memorable night out on the Lower East Side, in Williamsburg, and in Red Hook. Venture out yourself and order like these pros, and you\u2019re bound to have a great time.<\/p>\n

Wilmer Reyes<\/p>\n

Head bartender, Clemente<\/a> Bar<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Wilmer<\/p>\n

Reyes<\/a> recently moved to Williamsburg and has been having a ton of fun exploring the neighborhood. He\u2019s added lots of new spots to his list to go with the local heavy hitters that have been in his rotation for years.<\/p>\n

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Stop 1: Maison Premiere<\/strong>
\u201cI like to start at Maison Premiere<\/a> for an Adonis. It\u2019s the perfect low-ABV cocktail and an awesome start to the day,\u201d Reyes says. His drink of choice combines La Quintinye red vermouth<\/a>, oloroso and Pedro Xim\u00e9nez sherries<\/a>, and orange bitters for a nuanced take on the pre-Prohibition cocktail<\/a>. \u201cSo much of my cocktail upbringing was informed by what that team did,\u201d he adds. Order some of the \u201cawesome\u201d oysters, and you\u2019ve got yourself a pretty great warmup.<\/p>\n

Stop 2: Bar Madonna<\/strong>
Reyes\u2019 next stop is the Italian American\u2013inspired Bar Madonna<\/a> to see Eric Madonna and his team and drink a Nonna\u2019s Half & Half Martini. \u201cIt\u2019s a perfectly herbaceous and refreshing boozy drink,\u201d Reyes says, thanks to the base of Bombay Sapphire Gin<\/a> and Altamura Vodka<\/a> and additions of Gran Bassano and Bordiga Bianco vermouths. \u201cThe team is so hospitable, it can become a little bit of a time vortex there,\u201d Reyes cautions, but don\u2019t leave without trying the arancini.<\/p>\n

Stop 3: Roebling Pizza<\/strong>
It\u2019s time for a pit stop at Reyes\u2019 favorite slice shop, Roebling Pizza<\/a>. His order is a fresh sourdough slice with extra sauce and extra pepperoni.<\/p>\n

Stop 4: Deux Chats<\/strong>
A short, 10-minute walk away is Deux Chats<\/a>, where Reyes likes to \u201chave a perfectly cold Vesper sitting outside and order what may be the best food combo at the bar.\u201d He\u2019s referring to the bar\u2019s prix-fixe option of three small plates for $45. Since the average dish is over $16, the deal is a real steal. Think classics like deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail, and Caesar salad alongside modern favorites including roasted garlic hummus, tuna tataki, and cheese fries. In Reyes\u2019 own words: \u201cIt\u2019s so awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stop 5: Attaboy<\/strong>
At this point, Reyes would be in high spirits and looking to finish strong. For him, that means hopping on the J train for one stop and emerging on the Lower East Side for a drink at Attaboy<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ve never had a bad time there,\u201d he says. His pick at the influential spot is a stirred Alaska<\/a> made with gin, yellow Chartreuse<\/a>, and orange bitters.<\/p>\n

Izzy Tulloch<\/p>\n

Co-founder and bartender, A Pop-Up Called<\/a> Pancakes<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Izzy<\/p>\n

Tulloch<\/a> lives in Red Hook, which she calls \u201ca little niche.\u201d Even so, all her favorite places to be are there, and we can\u2019t argue with her picks.<\/p>\n

Stop 1: Brooklyn Icehouse<\/strong>
Her first stop is local dive<\/a> Icehouse where the food is anything but divey (tuna poke, jambalaya, and enchiladas are a few examples). When she\u2019s there, Tulloch orders a Paloma<\/a>, which usually comes in a Mason jar \u2014 \u201cin a cool way, I swear,\u201d \u2014 made with plenty of tequila. It pairs well with Frito pie, according to Tulloch.<\/p>\n

Stop 2: The Good Fork Pub<\/strong>
The Good Fork<\/a> has become a beloved institution, and for the summer Tulloch recommends a frozen watermelon Margarita<\/a>. But what she\u2019s actually ordering is red wine and club soda in a pint glass over ice, and a shot of Applejack. Tulloch knows what she likes!<\/p>\n

Stop 3: Sunny\u2019s<\/strong>
Tulloch calls Sunny\u2019s<\/a> \u201can absolute icon of a bar,\u201d and we\u2019d have to agree. She heads there for a cider<\/a> over ice and a shot of rye whiskey<\/a>, then makes a beeline to the back patio to listen to live music with friends.<\/p>\n

Stop 4: Seaborne<\/strong>
Seaborne<\/a> is Lucinda Sterling\u2019s ode to Sasha Petraske<\/a>. For Tulloch, it\u2019s \u201canother perfect place that never disappoints.\u201d Her order is an amaro with fresh grapefruit juice or whatever Sterling feels like making.<\/p>\n

Nathalie Durrieu<\/p>\n

Lead bartender, Nubeluz<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nathalie<\/p>\n

Durrieu<\/a> lives in the bustling neighborhood on the Lower East Side colloquially known as Dimes Square. Over the summer, one of the cross streets is closed to vehicular traffic and becomes a pedestrian space with outdoor terrace setups that reminds her of her native France.<\/p>\n

Stop 1: Fugazi<\/strong>
To the uninitiated, Fugazi<\/a> is a spot for the intimidatingly cool kids. Yes, it\u2019s a clothing store, but it\u2019s also a specialty coffee shop called Le Gaz<\/a> where Durrieu starts her day with an iced latte. The small outdoor space is great for people watching and indulging in coffee, wine, or cocktails depending on the time of day. \u201cI\u2019m French, summer for us is literally living outside,\u201d Durrieu shares, and her neighborhood lets her do just that.<\/p>\n

Stop 2: Le Dive<\/strong>
Le Dive<\/a> is a fashionable, Tabac-inspired natural wine bar that\u2019s right up Durrieu\u2019s alley. There\u2019s a good selection of French wines, and it\u2019s not super expensive. In the summer, Durrieu likes to pair a ros\u00e9<\/a> or an orange wine<\/a> with the restaurant\u2019s bread and butter. \u201cClear wines during summer make sense to me, but I can also go with a chilled red, like a Gamay<\/a>, or some Champagne<\/a>,\u201d she says. She\u2019s also a fan of the ricotta with honey and fennel pollen and the classic radishes with butter.<\/p>\n

Stop 3: Forgtmenot<\/strong>
Durrieu calls Forgtmenot<\/a> her \u201ccanteen,\u201d meaning it\u2019s her everyday go-to spot. The restaurant is Greek-inspired but with a fun, surfer vibe. Her favorite order is the Chinatown chicken salad with carrot-ginger dressing and a watermelon Margarita with \u201ca big, fat salt rim.\u201d The summery drink is \u201cthe kind of Margarita that\u2019s a little bit watered down but in the best way,\u201d she explains, and it comes in a very big glass. The fresh, bright food and a hydrating drink are a pairing she returns to for revitalization on hotter days.<\/p>\n

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