Apotheke is one of the OGs in the NYC craft cocktail scene. The Chinatown original opened in 2008, and is and always has been making solid, mixologist-crafted cocktails from it's start. It was only recently that I learned that they expanded to the West Coast and to this space in NoMad. While this Nomad location has a speakeasy basement as well as a lively rooftop, on the Tuesday evening we visited only the rooftop was open. We came in without a reservation, and were seated promptly outside on the rooftop terrace - it just so happened to be around sunset, so we definitely lucked out. Our server was perfect, providing great cocktail recommendations from their extensive menu, walking us through any questions we had. The Ocean Rise cocktail: Tequila with Nori, Avocado, Green Apple, Kiwi, Cucumber, Lime, Black Lava Salt - was hands-down my personal favorite. The Necessary Evil cocktail: Mezcal with Horseradish & Honey, Porcini, Winter Spiced Tomato Shrub, Thai Basil, Lemon, Apple Vinegar, Sea Salt, Pickle - was kinda like a Bloody Mary (Bloody Maria), but super well made with mezcal and some spice. I also enjoyed the Green Peace cocktail: Gin, Green Chartreuse, Mint, Lime, and Ginger - super well balanced and refreshing. It looks like there may be a new summer version of this concoction. My husband also loved their take on an Old Fashioned/Manhattan, called the West Side Story: Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth with Vanilla, Scotch, Blood Orange & Cherry Cordial, Aromatic Bitters, Orange Zest. There was live music at the time, but it wasn't too loud and overall the vibe was perfect for the mid-week evening. This is one NoMad rooftop bar that I look forward to coming back to, especially on quieter nights like this. Price points for cocktails were ~$24 - not too terrible, but not great, either. read more

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Beautiful space - especially the Penthouse Terrace! We went on a nice sunny evening in March and sat at one of the outdoors terrace tables. The ambiance was so lovely and drinks were just delicious! The sun beaming through the indoor stained glass was such a pretty scene! Bathroom was spacious and squeaky clean. Our server and the bartender were very friendly and nice as well. Would return in a heartbeat! read more

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There are few speakeasies in the city that haven't been crossed off on my list. However, Apotheke has remained one thats been highly revered by others and consistently eluded me. ENVIRONMENT Apotheke is located a mere few steps away from Broadway. Prior to visiting, I wasn't aware that there were two separate seating areas. They have a rooftop and downstairs seating area. For my experience, I visited the rooftop which had all the markers of a traditional cocktail lounge: moody/dimly lit, well appointed bar, trendy yet vintage appointments. In addition to this, there were various plants scattered around the room which I can only assume is an ode to the culture of the establishment . They highlight their use of organic produce, herbs and botanicals to make their drinks. It was also brought to my attention that the downstairs area has a greater variety of drink offerings so keep that in mind upon visiting. The MUSIC SLAPS! SIPS I settled on the Bombilla Highball which was slightly sweet with strong floral nights. The drink delivered on every front and didn't leave me wanting for anything. I intended to have a short stay .......few songs later I settled on the La Diablesse which was by far one of their better cocktails I've ever had. It was strong, floral and creamy. Overall, my first experience at Apothoke was pleasant and I can confidently say they are worth the "hype". The drinks and environment(MUSIC) pair well and are suited perfectly suited for a date night or a bit of "self-love" after a long work day. Happy SIPS! read more

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Found this bar about 3/5 minutes walk on a lightly rainy day during NY memorial weekend from our hotel. I don't understand the 3 stars, since this bar was full of surprises. Either from competitors or people who don't travel a lot that can appreciate an experience. I've been fortunate to travel to various states and counties and I'd rank this spot as of my favorites. As you walk down the stairs, you're greeted by a wonder security gentleman. Welcomed us with smiles during our early morning stroll on 5th ave and Boardwalk. Bar had beautiful lighting and ample amounts of space to sit or stand. I have a good nose and nothing smelled musty as other reviewers claimed. As far as the price.. I was bar hopping all night last night and bare minimum were 2 drinks each at 18-22 for substandard non creative drinks "specialties ." So these $26" were worth the experience. These drinks were real specialties not tasted elsewhere. Curative and unique to say the least in the "Apotheke" world. Tried three drinks under their menu that our server Hailey(spl?) eloquently explained and recommended. I'm no drink connoisseur, but the drinks came out exactly as they were describe ingredients wise. Well balanced and such a delight with every sip. Ordered some potstickers and omg. Perfect finger foods packed with flavor. Optional hot soy sauce dip included as well. Lastly, they had a harp performer pop up towards the evening. She played live music to cap off the night under their covered rooftop! Stephanie was amazing on the harp. The atmosphere quickly changed to an even funner atmosphere of laughing and intermingling under the New York skyline. Will be back again ! read more

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We arrived upon their opening and were warmly greeted by the doorman and entire staff. It's a beautiful spot with a sexy dark vibe downstairs and a bit of Victorian vibe including outside seating upstairs. Lovely bar as well and delicious adult beverage and mocktails. Check it out it's fun! read more

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Ignore the negative reviews -- Apothéke delivers. Yes, the cocktails are a bit pricey, but they're crafted with care and absolutely worth it. Every drink we had was fantastic -- balanced, creative, and beautifully presented. If the weather's nice, the PH and terrace are where it's at. Great atmosphere, stylish without being pretentious, and the service was solid. Overall, a wonderful experience. I'll definitely be back for another round. read more

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Beautiful spot in nyc! Speakeasy for cozy vibes downstairs and penthouse for elegant style and views on the 11th floor (Rooftop is covered and warmed for winter). Service was attentive and fast. Drink was solid, pricey for what you got but that is nyc for you read more

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Great ambience and delicious cocktail. Very creative but overpriced menu. Service was quick but no one seated us even though we were waiting standing by at the bar. There are no chairs at the bar either. read more

Apotheke Nomad - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

such a cool speakeasy!! the ambiance is so chill and warm. i love the "potion making" vibe of this place with the bartenders wearing doctors coats and the menu named as "formula list". the drinks are nothing like i've ever seen before & we tried some real gems! first round we got "moka express", "made to believe", "soft indulgence" & "safe harbour" (which was the best in our choices). and for the second round we went upstairs to the intimate warm rooftop. we tried "west side story" "ocean rise" "among the sunbursts" & "carmine rise". i loved ocean rise for the refreshing flavor with a hint of sour pickle. everything was so great from the service to the drinks to the decor. would love to come back here read more

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Great service, high attention to detail. One of the most creative cocktail menus. The outdoor patio is also breathtaking. My biggest issue is the priceless menus. You never know what you're paying for. read more

Apotheke Nomad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Came by with 2 friends for drinks on a Saturday after dinner - we had a reservation and were able to get seated on the upper (?) floor pretty quickly, and it was really busy, so I definitely would not recommend just walking-in during a busy time. I ordered the Clouded Summer, which was a delicious choice. The lemon flavour was really prominent and paired really nicely with the base vodka and champagne - not too strong at all. At times it felt like a liquid dessert, definitely on the sweeter side of cocktails I've had. My friends had the Sea Inside and the Fire Inside and both really enjoyed their drinks, too. One thing that mildly irked me was that the menu didn't include prices for any of their drinks. I'm not sure if the prices were just known elsewhere (and in fact all of our three drinks cost the same, so it's plausible). Anyways, they were priced such that each drink was $24 after tax (before tip). It's not crazy high for the location and ambience, but still a bit pricier than I'd have expected. Overall a decent experience and I did enjoy my drink. I'd recommend a visit, but perhaps the busyness and price point would deter me from coming back too soon. read more

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We had a friend in town so naturally we wanted to get a cocktail or three at a speakeasy. I loved the vibe when I walked in - the first thing my eyes caught was the backlit bar with a unique design. I noticed that the booth we were seated in smelled quite musky and looked like the upholstery needed major updating. It didn't feel up-kept. As it is a cocktail bar, we were limited in the amount of time we could be seated and the server reminded us 30 minutes before. Once seated, I enjoyed my mezcal cocktail called The Fire Inside, wasn't too strong, which was great for me. You'll want to make a reservation here or risk having to wait til a party is finished. read more

We were on our way to a different bar when we stumbled upon this gem. The entire vibe of this place is awesome. I love that the drinks are made with organic botanicals and herbs. The server offered me 4 drink options to be made into a mocktail! I had the little victories drink and it tasted like a tangy sweet carrot. I absolutely enjoyed it. The views are incredible and I am so glad we stumbled upon this gem. read more

seems like they could figure out the elevators...how they cohesively work with the hotel. overly pretentious/over priced okay cocktails, my moms a better dj and her baseline is shaggy. My bourbon selection was better in college. read more

Cocktails we tried were all pretty good. Menu was interesting. Didn't know they have a rooftop and visited this time, great views and atmosphere, definitely the spot! read more

Apotheke Nomad - Rooftop view - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

So the first time I came here, I was on the rooftop for drinks. There's a great view and it was a cute vibe. We had an option to be seated downstairs, but it was such a nice day to not be outside! I also found out that there's a different menu on the rooftop and downstairs. They serve food downstairs. The second time I came here was actually for a private event. We took a private cocktail making class. The class was in the upstairs area. They served us light bites that were set up outside in the rooftop seating area. It was such a hot day in NYC that they closed the roof (controlled with a remote), but it was still so hot in the rooftop area. We were served: - meatballs - grilled cheese - sliders -chips/guac - mini cupcakes As for the actual class, Max was our teacher. He shared that he was the general manager of the bar and was and from Ukraine. He said he uses these classes as a way to experiment and make new drinks. We made 4 drinks total. He also said we could substitute gin/vodka for tequila/mezcal and vice versa. They make their puree and syrups all in house. 1) raspberry drink: my favorite! I used gin as my base. 2) Peach (?) drink with foam: we used chickpea water instead of egg white to get the foam 3) a spicy drink: they already rimmed the cup with salt for us. This also had ginger in it. 4) drink with whiskey or bourbon (I gave this to someone because I don't like whiskey or bourbon) Honestly, it was such a great experience and the 2 hours went by fast. After we made each drink, they cleaned our shakers, equipment and we went outside to the roof area to snack and sip on the drinks we just made. There are non-alcoholic options too as we had 3 people in the class who didn't drink. Max said he would email us the recipes but he never got to that yet. read more

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Food and drinks were great, however... the entire downstairs lounge area smells like vomit, I asked to move to the rooftop. The service was wonderful and always on time but not pushy. read more

My friend and I ordered Clouded summer & The Fire Inside at the bar. When we went upstairs to the penthouse, we ordered Little Victories and Strangers in Town. We enjoyed the cocktails, sweet and strong. The ambiance and the seating arrangements are cozy and bougie. Service was great! read more

Apotheke Nomad - Little Victories - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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If you are doing dry January - avoid this bar because the creative drinks and intimate atmosphere will make you more inclined to cheat on that goal. This is going on my list of top 5 bars in nyc Ambience: so this is a speakeasy with a rooftop and bottom floor. The rooftop would be amazing to go to in the summer. There is a cool inside portion, that gives me library bar feels - which I am all about. We decided to stay on the bottom floor because it was foggy that night and they had a really cool jazz band playing downstairs, that heightened the whole experience. This is a really great date spot Food/ drinks: the drink menu is very cool. They break out the drinks into sections - pain killers, energy boosters, aphrodisiacs! I got the scarlet dancer which was not only a pretty drink but also a pretty good tasting drink! Service: Great service - super attentive and never made us feel rushed! It can be kind of confusing on where to go if you are trying to go upstairs but I guess that is what makes it a speakeasy Price: it was a bit over $50 for two drinks, which is pricy but normal for cocktail bars in the city! Given that it also comes with a show and feels like an experience - I think it is worth it! read more

Apotheke Nomad - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The vibes here are great, and the drinks are also not bad! We came on a Monday night so there weren't many people inside, but it was still nice and good vibes. We got seated at a large round table for our group of 6, and it was a little cramped but did the job. I got the After Day which is a gin based cocktail. This was pretty good, didn't seem too strong, and was nice to sip on. My friends and I all ordered an assortment of drinks and I tried some of theirs as well which were also good. They had live music playing, dim warm lighting, and an open large space. I would probably recommend this place for a relaxing night! read more

Apotheke Nomad - Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This bar manages to overcharge on every possible level. The drinks are already priced at a premium, yet they tack on an additional "mixology" surcharge -- as if basic cocktail preparation is somehow an optional luxury. If I'm paying top dollar for a drink, competent mixology should be implied, not itemized. To make matters worse, a 20% gratuity was automatically added despite the service being merely good, not exceptional. Automatically rewarding average service feels presumptuous at best and exploitative at worst. When we questioned the bill, the manager eventually removed the extra mixology charge -- but not without a mouthy attitude and unnecessary defensiveness. Hardly the way to handle legitimate customer concerns. In retrospect, it all makes sense why the bar was nearly empty. Between inflated pricing, hidden charges, and poor management attitude, there's little incentive to return. I certainly won't. read more

I was really thinking I was going to like the place more. Unfortunately there was no pricing on the menu, the cocktails were $26 each--they were good but not like, "an expensive-ish meal" good--and the server hustled us out after 90 minutes or so, because another reservation was coming in--even though we had also made a reservation. We wanted to check out the roof and they wouldn't let us go up either, saying it was "too full." All in all won't be going back. read more

We had a reservation for the Speakeasy for 6 people. The vibe and energy is great. This place is beautiful. They also keep it smelling nice, I think they were burning sage? Service was attentive and friendly. Our server explained the drinks to us and gave us some great recommendations. I had the Best Intentions - light and frothy, as well as the Scarlet Dance - nice raspberry flavor with champagne. All the drinks went down easy. We also had a few small bites - fries, veggies, sliders, etc. Everything was good. I love that they have free coat check here - just make sure to tip the person working - it's the right thing to do! I'd love to try their other location in Chinatown. read more

Your typical Nomad rooftop bar.. I came with a party of 4, and we were given probably the smallest table out there with a couple of chairs and a few stools. When we asked to swap out the stools for chairs from other tables (that had fewer people and were not being used), the staff were a bit hesitant. Thought this was weird because nobody was using them.. but after talking to a few different staff members, they finally let us all have seats. Drinks were okay, standard rooftop prices ($25). Probably won't return, but fine if you're trying to take an out of towner for a rooftop experience. read more

Apotheke Nomad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Horrible horrible service. My friend and I spontaneously wanted to have a drink before heading home. I ordered a glass of pino noir (the only red on the menu), my friend ordered a cocktail. Once the wine came, I was joking because the pour is so small that it hardly reaches the widest part of the glass. After sharing with the manager (a Vietnamese guy, forgot his name, he introduced to us that he's Vietnamese), he handled this so so poorly and unprofessionally. He asked if my daughter has a husband. I realized that he referred to my friend as my daughter! And asked my friend for her number! There's more to the story.. only that I won't be back, not even to the lower Manhattan spot. The management definitely has serious issues. The one star is for the wine, it's a good wine though. read more

It's weird that this place hasn't addressed the moldy smell of the space, which I noticed when they first opened many months ago and still seems to be present in the space. For a trendy place where you're paying a premium for drinks and ambience, this is a huge flag. I love the original Apotheke in Chinatown, where the bartenders wear lab coats and the drinks are categorized into medicinal categories like "stimulants" and "pain killers." Sad to say the charm of the original didn't translate to this new location, which felt a little cold in comparison. We stood at the bar and our drinks took forever to be made. I was losing confidence when I noticed our bartender ask for help and pour out our drink not one but three times. Not what you want when you're paying a premium for drinks. The drinks turned out okay, but the overall vibe of the place and experience left a lot to be desired. read more

Apotheke Nomad - Diamond - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Interesting cocktails and great rooftop space. Came with a few friends on a Sunday evening and it was pretty quiet. Strange experience near the end since the elevator wasn't working so we needed to take stairs down and access a different set of elevators read more

Apotheke Nomad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Were the cocktails pricey? A bit, but they certainly were pretty and had a nice kick. I'd say they were 1.5 drinks each, two are definitely enough! We loved the options of ambience from the downstairs, dimmer environment to the upstairs rooftop with nice city views. The place is elegant with fun cocktail options that are themed. Our server was extremely friendly and patient, even the downstairs servers made us feel welcome and asked if we had been there before and told us to enjoy it. Can't wait to come back!! read more

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I came to Apotheke on a Saturday night with my boyfriend. The bar has a basement and upstairs section as part of the Sonder hotel. the basement section was giving speakeasy vibes, and the upstairs section was a rooftop bar I heard in the summer the roof is usually not covered, but I think since it started to get chillier, it was covered when we went. It was pretty packed. There were a lot of people dressed in suits. The rooftop also offered a nice view of the Empire State building. As for drinks, the menu features a variety of different drinks, categorized by the health benefits. The drinks were quite yummy. I would recommend this spot! read more

Apotheke Nomad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I'm not going to lie - the ambiance is worth a drink here in the penthouse! The one star rating is for the overall extremely hard to understand, poor poor service. We did not have a reservation at 8:10pm on a rainy Monday evening. We had some time to grab a drink before our dinner reservation which was elsewhere. So, we purposely came here to show others in our group of 4 what a great experience this place is. At the door we were told NO we could not come in. We were told to come back tomorrow! They made us walk away, go to RESY and make a reservation on the app from one of the many open reservation times, instead of just letting us in! We were the only ones at the door yet they turned us away! When we came back a minute later to show them we just made a reservation because they had availability, they reluctantly let us in and not a word was said as we were taken in the elevator to the nearly empty penthouse. This place is expensive and to be treated as unwelcome on a non busy evening was not the way to be remembered nor recommended! One star service! read more

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I had been to Apotheke many years ago when they only had one location and ended up having a great time, so this trip when we were bar hopping in the area we decided to give the new location a try just for old times' sake. The vibe is identical to the original location and so is the foot tapping music ,the staff is sweeter and not pretentiously rude . Drinks however are another story and perhaps only made for a 20 something crowd .we had multiple drinks between us and didn't find much that fascinated us. The Manager escorted us to their roof top bar, and we hung out there for some time before returning downstairs to the main area because that's where the action is -the crowd and the music. The upstairs is quieter in comparison and better if you want to have a conversation . The downstairs is dark and has a more club like feel .The girl who was at the door was the sweetest and ensured to seat us as soon as something opened up . Love the great customer service ! read more

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I had tried the Chinatown location a decade ago - loved it! So when I needed to kill sometime in NoMad before a dinner reservation and came across this new(er) location on Yelp, I know I had to try it. Unmarked door to the left of the hotel (I think entrance) with a bouncer outside lent itself to the speakeasy vibe. The downstairs has that cool clandestine feel, but the other reviews are right - it smells super musky. No bueno. We headed upstairs. The outdoors portion was having work done, but the inside was beautiful. Marble bar, stained glass windows. Delicious and creative drinks. read more

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Drinks are expensive without being special. The space is also just mediocre. I can't recommend! The vibes are nothing like the Chinatown location. read more

Unique basement style 'speakeasy' (though not super hidden) in Flatiron. Would recommend making reservations if you want a prime table and was relatively spacious and well-seated vs other cramped spaces where you're elbowing your neighbors. Drinks were strong and the truffle fries that we ordered were a good accompaniment. Not sure if that was just due to being underground or having a table near the bathroom but there was a bit of a pervasive odor (negative) when we initially sat down. read more

Cocktails are pretty good, but I find the seating in the ground floor uncomfortable. It's hard to get close to your friend if you know what I mean. The rooftop is pretty nice, but seems touristy. read more

Great cocktails in a speakeasy vibe that has penthouse views of the Empire State Building. Mixologists customize drinks to the customers taste. VIP experience. read more

Had a lot of fun here! It's definitely a ~scene~ but we were able to walk in on a Friday night and stand at the bar. The drinks were truly standout - some really interesting options and they were delicious. I had a pisco drink - can't remember the name but it was great. The bar is super cool looking and the bartenders are friendly even though it's really busy. Would recommend for a night out! read more

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Reallly cute rooftop! All of their drinks are exotic and they are known for adding fresh produce etc so they're super fun. I had a watermelon drink that included feta and basil! Kind of tasted like a fresh salad but was delicious! read more

Great ambience, great staff and fantastic cocktails. Our party of 8 spent the evening on the Penthouse terrace and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The live music added an extra touch to an already perfect night. Highly recommend!! read more

I have fond memories of the Chinatown location from ages past. I recall first being introduced to it over a decade ago and being enthralled with its secretive mystique, evocative decor, and (at the time) innovative libations. Fast forward a dozen years and I was thrilled to introduce J to Apotheke. I had high expectations, considering the fond reminiscences I have of their original branch. We strolled down the block, searching for the correct address, when we were approached by some lovely young ladies inquiring if we'd like to check out their speakeasy. I thought to myself, "Huh - this must be it." Followed by, "It's not much of a speakeasy if you literally have staff inviting in random passersby on the sidewalk..." Perhaps business is slow to pick up and that warrants hiring brand ambassadors/bouncers? Regardless, I explained I'd made reservations and we were shown our way down the stairs and into the basement of (seemingly) an office building. Fair warning, they keep the lighting in this venue low, low, low. Fortunately, our hostess warned us about the steps down into the den; prior to our eyes adjusting to the subterranean shadows, they could have readily resulted in injury. We clearly weren't the only ones struggling with the limited lumens; several other tables also whipped out cell phone flashlights in order to peruse the menus. As others noted already, there was a distinct odor to the establishment. J chalked it up to new furniture scent. I was skeptical about that assessment and guessed at some kind of mustiness one might find in a dank basement in need of a dehumidifier. The clientele appeared to be quite mixed, making people-watching enjoyable. Standing toward the bar, throngs of younger folks (early professionals, perhaps?) held lively conversations and posed for selfies. Middle-aged groups took up the lavish booths along the wall. Some suit-wearing fellows (bankers?) were seated closer to the door. Broadly, my sense was that the demographic skews younger. Also, although I'd garbed myself in slacks and a button-down to honor the house dress code posted on their website, it's clear that they don't enforce it. There were plenty of shorts, sneakers, and t-shirts to be seen. Oh, and the drinks? Pleasant. The menus don't list prices. The two cocktails we sampled were $20 and $22, respectively. The flavor balance was flawless, but I wouldn't place them above many of the nearby competitors for innovation or execution. Notably, this venue offers a light bites menu, unlike its predecessor. We didn't partake; nothing really stood out on the menu. If invited back by friends, I'd be willing to give the new Apotheke another shot. There wasn't anything particularly dissatisfying about this outpost, but there are too many fantastic drinking establishments in NoMad to settle for a-okay. read more

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