The cocktails were so good, especially when we were just searching for somewhere we could be late night. Very pleasantly surprised. Especially shouting out Amanda and Sabrina for the exceptional service. read more

Mace serves up innovative and distinguished cocktails, a real treat for those bored of the classics. So if you're looking for run-of-the-mill refreshments like basic gin fizzes, aviation, or even an old fashioned, stay away and keep space open for us adventurous drinkers, eh? I love mixology that expands my palate while burning me just a tad, and Mace, quite frankly, blew my freaking mind. Each selection is named after a spice, and flavor profiles are well-represented. You've got salty, hot, sweet, or my favorite--bitter. The first I'd gone with was, IIRC, Sage. It had some bite to it and was incredibly...spirited. I questioned if there were any ingredients below 60 proof, but nevertheless, I could tell the ingredients were premium and the spices infused in were reminiscent of a martini. Not my cup of tea, but i has its place. The second drink I tried was the curry leaf, which was rum-based. This is the kind of drink that to me really highlights innovation worth every dime and return trips. Featuring some intense tropical flavors, the glass was lightly coated in coconut oil. Fat? In your cocktail? It's a blast. Between sips, I never stopped tasting this one. Hell, I never stopped wanting to. Before I knew it, I was a bit tipsy. It was a late Sunday night, and Mace was surprisingly empty, but still every bit as kind and accommodating as one could hope. If I lived even remotely near this place, I'd be a regular. To all my serious drinkers out there, know that Mace is really taking it to the next level, so have one for me. read more

It is very easy to have an expensive and thoroughly forgettable cocktail in MYC. This place is something else. Expect to brave the typical crowds and sticker shock but the cocktails on the signature menu here are completely unique and IMO worth the price and wait. read more

We hosted a party for 25 people on Saturday night. Outstanding service -- the staff helped us to set up the decorations and was fast with the drink orders. I don't usually go vegan but the Mac and cheese was solid, as was the cauliflower. We tried all sorts of drinks, with Saffron as the standout. Would highly recommend. read more

Inventive cocktails, decent food, and great service. Ambience is cool and noise level is low. Try the Sumac and the Moringa.

Give Alejandro a bonus or a promotion, he's the man, every cocktail is flawless, very knowledgeable. Best experience at the best cocktail bar probably in the world. read more

Came here in the early afternoon without a reservation, but you'll likely need one during prime hours. An inspired cocktail menu is the centerpiece here. We had the Cardamom and the Pandan, which were both delicious! The nightclub-level prices are the only thing keeping me from a 5 star review. read more

Interesting little cocktail place in the way that each cocktail is based on a particular spice or herb. The atmosphere was pretty intimate. The actual drinks themselves were only so so though. Tried the rose petal and it came out resembling bubble tea. It was overly sweet and I struggled to even get half of it down. Also tried mace and it was better since it was lighter and less milky, but it was also too sweet. Maybe it was an off night. read more

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Terrible cocktails, bartender did not know proportions for a dirty martini. Also, they were understaffed so the service was terrible. I was very disappointed. read more

Enjoyed this lively yet sophisticated cocktail bar very much. The cocktails were unique and very delicious. Our server was divine. We will definitely return. read more

A neat fancy cocktail bar with a menu that gives you a lot of information without actually giving you a lot of information. Which, frankly, I'm fine with! You go to fancy cocktail bars to let them take the wheel. This would be a good date spot, particularly in the winter I think. read more

Cocktails, service, little bites were all amazing! The specialty happy hour drinks were to DIEEEEE for. Highly recommend!!

I've been to Mace a couple of times now, and if you enjoy thoughtfully-crafted cocktails with globally-inspired ingredients, Mace is your spot. Its namesake cocktail is on the sweet side with the beet juice, but still well-balanced. The anko tastes like a green tea milkshake - tasty, if a bit desserty. I had a cocktail with ants a few months ago, but I think they swap out their recipes every now and then. I'm curious what else they'd be up to! The bar does get a little loud with an in-house DJ, so you may have to yell a little bit. read more

If you're looking to stay a while at a chill bar with fancy cocktails, this is it. Not good for large groups and not good for anyone who finishes a drink quick. It takes forever to get another but with the right company this place still equals an enjoyable drinking experience. read more

Mace is a cute little intimate cocktail bar in the LES. They offer a unique array of seasonal cocktail drinks with spices from countries all around the world. The bartenders take pride in each drink they craft, which is shown through all of the wonderful flavors and presentations. read more

Mace - Cayenne - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This place has an interesting menu inspired by spices, I love how they list all the ingredients for each cocktail and how they would taste on the menu, it's really helpful to help customers decide what they want. I had the coconut infused tequila cocktail, my roommate had the Sakura. The cocktails were not strong at all, it's perfect for light drinkers. My roommate's Sakura even had boba in it. They also offer gourmet food, we shared a small plate of bbq ribs with corn on top which complemented the cocktails well. There are also regular wine, beer and liquor options if you don't want any cocktails. The room is dimly lit, the ambience is very cozy, perfect for day nights, we saw a lot of couples that night. Definitely a hidden gem in east village. read more

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Decent place - I've been 4 times. Nice interior and ambience. Fun cocktails. Terrible servers. Had awful service every time. It was pretty busy so the hostess said we could order and wait in the standing area. 20 mins later she told us she couldn't seat us as there were no tables available and they were 90 mins out from closing. I ask to cancel all my drinks and the server was snarky about it. Eventually the hostess seated us. No table water until we asked, got charged for two drinks we sent back cos they were made poorly. Gratuity was already included (probably because they knew they deserved $0). read more

The service was nice and the food was great, however the drinks did not have any balance at all. I felt like I was drinking just sweet lemonade anything I was having. I had maybe 5 drinks and I did I didn't even get a buz of from them :( read more

Nice concept and ambience, but did not have a good experience. The drinks took quite sometime to get to the table and we're not as impressive as advertised. read more

Weirdly enough, I had only been to this space when it turns into the pop-up Miracle on 9th Street, and when it was the old jazz club Louis 649. This was my first time visiting the space as Mace, and it was fairly enjoyable overall. Came here on a Friday night, after having dinner nearby. The ambiance is obviously very different from the bright holiday decor of Miracle on 9th Street, as it's more of a trendy, yet casual vibe, with darkened lights. Something I didn't much care for was how loud and pumping the music was. I'm all for some good headbangers, and I don't know if it was just that night, but the blasting of EDM just really didn't seem suitable for the atmosphere. I feel like a grumpy old man for complaining about music volume, but it just wasn't conducive to conversation. Also, you kids need to get off my dang lawn. On to the cocktails. I ordered the Pandan, which consisted two different types of Caribbean rum, clarified milk and fruit juices, batavia arrack with pandan infused leaves, coconut water, black tea, and other spices. I wasn't quite sure how it was going to turn out, but it was very refreshing to drink, and not too sweet or syrupy. I was very pleasantly surprised with it, and I would easily order that drink again in a heartbeat. I also tried the Mace, which was a dark purple from the presence of beet juice, and was also surprisingly refreshing. Service was okay, as the person who was serving our table was very good with remembering our requests, but was generally hard to find throughout the night. Prices are on the more expensive side, even for cocktail bars. They'll likely go about a few bucks more than the typical $12 for a craft cocktail. That being said, the ingredients they use are pretty special and unique, so take that as you will. I didn't try any of the food on the menu, but it seemed very creative, albeit only for snacking appetites. As there are a plethora of good cocktail bars in the area, I'm sort of indifferent on coming back because of the less-than-ideal vibe, but the quality of the cocktails is excellent, so if you can withstand the you should definitely give a shot. One of these nights, I may come back and try the Thai Chili drink, which seems right up my alley. Depends if I can hear the music from the outside, heh. read more

Mace - Pandan. Silky smooth. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Mace (@macebarnyc) is a cocktail bar you've never seen in New York City. Maybe even the world for that matter. In an area of the country littered with $15 drinks shaken and stirred by various throwbacks to the Roaring Twenties, none of them have done what Mace is currently doing in the old Louis 649 space. Mace itself is a spice that comes from the same tree that produces nutmeg. Given the owners held a pop up bar here during the holidays (Miracle on 9th Street), this new concept makes total sense. The temporary watering hole featured several drinks sprinkled with the stuff. It seems they were giving Alphabet City a preview of what was to come. Every drink is named after the spice that plays a huge role in the cocktail. For instance, the namesake elixir features Aperol, aquavit, beet juice, orange acid, young Thai coconut cordial, and *mace mist. The Chamomile consists of brown butter and hay fat-washed Cognac, *chamomile syrup, lemon juice, and Champagne. And likewise, the Cocoa is made up of banana and roasted *cocoa nibs, infused Prata Cachaca, pecan orgeat, olive oil, salt, and a full egg (to make a flip). I threw an asterisk just to make sure you didn't miss the correlation between the name and ingredient, but I'm sure you're smart enough to have figured that out on your own. With so many ingredients swimming in the same jigger, one might argue they're trying too hard. That the cocktails will result in something odd and complicated. That couldn't be further from the truth. Every drink that came my way had its own unique flavor profile with a balance that is only accomplished by a true virtuoso. You have to approach Mace the same way you'd approach a tasting menu at Per Se or Eleven Madison. It's as much art as it is sustenance. The only difference is Mace is a step above a dive bar. A place where you can arrive in a Nike SB hooded sweatshirt without receiving a stern look from a maître d. This is far and away the most interesting new cocktail bar in Manhattan. If you value a great drink and have ever referred to your bartender as a "mixologist," then you need to experience Mace straight away. Though you haven't been there, it's already your new favorite bar. read more

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Cocktails good but service is horrible, rude staff. Drinks took forever. Sadly no intentions to go back

I don't exactly have positive associations with the word "mace". Who does? In one night, however, this word took on a brand new meaning. In short, this mace will only temporarily blind you if you stay here all night...and while you'll wake up with amnesia, you'll know it was worth it - because you've most likely just overindulged in the best cocktail's you'll ever have. Is it obvious that this place is my new favorite bar yet? Probably, but I'm going to elaborate anyway. Mace is a small cocktail bar in Alphabet City that seems to be hiding in plain sight. I came here around 11/11:30 on a Saturday night and while it was pretty full, we were still able to find two seats at a bar. This just shouldn't be at a place that serves such mind-blowingly good cocktails...but I have zero complaints about this. While Mace boasts the creativity and expertise in mixology that speakeasies and the like offer, absent is the pretentiousness that often accompanies those types of places. There's a very laid back vibe here which is comforting in what is otherwise a frenetic bar scene. You can actually here yourselves talk, and making your way to the bar is far from the weed whacking-esque adventure you'll find yourself in if you mosey around the East Village. Before diving into the masterpieces that are all Mace cocktails, I'll say that if you're fairly new to the cocktail scene, this might not be a good first choice. This menu is elaborate, odd, quirky, and has the potential to be somewhat confusing. But if you're adventurous or just looking for a change, look no further than Mace. Each cocktail is named for it's prominently featured spice. I found myself wondering - is this mixology or wizardry? I'm going to say a bit of each. There are essences you've most certainly heard of (cocoa, chamomile, cinnamon) and those that look a tad more exotic (pandan, mace, ambrette). Either way, I promise you that the final products are nothing short of awesome - I mean that in the most literal sense of the word - inspiring AWE. So for what I ordered: the Thai Chili (pictured: gin, cucumber, Bird's Eye chili tincture, lime, elderflower liqueur, egg white) and the Pandan (dark Trinidad overproof rum, Jamaican rum, batavia arrack infused with pandan leaves, clarified milk, clarified pineapple juice, clarified lime juice, aman black tea, coconut water, ginger juice, 8 spices). The Pandan, I have to say, is other-worldly. I mean, look at that ingredient list. How can all of that fit in a cocktail glass?? This cocktail is complex, rich and will transport you into temporary ecstasy. You might think that this many ingredients would make the drink overwhelming, but it's exactly the opposite. They all work together in perfect harmony. You'll find yourself trying to place the flavors...good luck. I was lost for words. Without a doubt, I'd recommend this. I also needed to try the Thai Chili, because if a spicy gin drink exists on any menu, I'm ordering it without fail. It's lighter and more refreshing than the Pandan, which isn't a good or a bad thing. The spice is subtle - you don't feel like you need to down a glass of water post-consumption. Meticulous and comprehensive - all star words due to their overuse in cover letters - perfectly describe the menu and bartenders at Mace. And it is all done without a hint of snobbery. Brilliant. read more

Mace - Thai Chili: gin, cucumber, Bird's Eye chili tincture, elderflower liqueur, egg white - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Vintage Cocktails Well Designed As the bartender hands you a storybook filled with cocktails.... you might find it all too tempting to mix liquors if you stay here for more than a few drinks. A well designed bar with speakeasy drinks. The line up of tincture-esqe bottles, with home made goodness for their specialty cocktails, reminds me that there are people who still care about quality and pay close attention to details. Kudos to the owners of Mace for delivering a solid experience and delicious drinks. If you are nearby or a quick cab ride away, this is a great stop in the East Village. Friendly patrons, and a bartender who knows what they are doing. The Scene: Vintage, Craft Quality Destination Rating: 8 Date Rating: 8 Hob Nob Potential: 4 Note: The thai chili drink is beautiful & delicious. read more

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Came here for drinks one weekday evening and was very pleased! The place is dimly lit and cozy. The best part is the menu. The drinks are all super unique and named by different flavors. I had the Lavendar and Cassia. Both were FANTASTIC. They go down so smooth and are layered with flavors that pair great. The waiter was knowledgeable and able to help me choose between several options when I described what I liked (a necessity in my opinion at this sort of place, where the drinks are $15 each). My friend also ordered the ham and cheese panini and said it was also surprisingly good. Definitely a great drink spot - trendy and delicious. Will definitely be coming back and worth the price! read more

Not accommodating... Had to wait over 15 min for service. Attempted to get the attention of the waitstaff was but ignored. When I finally got their attention I said that I've been waiting for 15 minutes. I was just stating the facts. Yep. I'm not a suck up and everyone around me was... Place was talked up by 3 different spots I went to in Paris. The Paris spots were by FAR better... My drink was made in less than 1 minute. Not impressed. That means my drink was either pre-made, (which is gross) or made quickly, which to me means carelessly. I also sat next to a pretentious prick customer who was relentlessly sucking up to the bartenders and of course he got ALL the attention. The Pandan was tasty, but not memorable. I've had better drinks elsewhere. And btw, went on a Monday night so they definitely weren't busy. And, the kicker: the guy sucking up to the bartenders had the audacity to bring a date here. He had her sit next to me because he wasn't comfortable with my bluntness with the bartender (saying I've waited 15 min for service). Didn't talk to her, and she paid for her own drink!!! And she left super quick, as in 20 min of being there. I can't... Also waited for my check for...get this...another damn 15 minutes. SERIOUSLY? And I was super nice. Not rude at all. Absolutely no tip left for them. There were 6 other patrons. Unacceptable. I've been in many other spots with double the patrons and with only 2 bartenders that were much more accommodating. Won't be back. At. All. Bartenders? Suck up to your friends on your own time. Not mine. Fin. read more

To be honest, I've been torn about writing a review about Mace. It's one of those places that's so great that you want to keep it your secret and never tell anyone about it! But Momma taught me to share so I'll let you in on my secret. I come to Mace every week because of their complimentary cocktail classes on Tuesdays. The knowledgeable folks from Cocktail Kingdom always have some super interesting facts to share about the history of our favorite drinks, as well as handy tips on how to make them well, whether you're a professional bartender or a home lush with impeccable taste. And then there are the free drink samples. Who doesn't love that? I've attended a number of these classes but my favorites so far were on the Manhattan and on American Whiskies. Fascinating and delicious! I usually hang around for a drink (sometimes three) after the class simply because the cocktails here are too good. With such a thriving cocktail scene in New York (and indeed, the rest of the world), it can be difficult to get surprised anymore ... but Mace always finds a way. I love their inventive chia cocktail, although it's the Long Pepper that has captured my heart. The staff are also great. I was once so overwhelmed with rum cocktails that I managed to put away my iPhone on the bar floor rather than my purse. When I figured out that I'd lost it half an hour later, I went back to Mace and my phone was promptly handed back to me by the bartender, who held on to it for safekeeping. Is there anything more precious to a young woman in New York than a safe space that also happens to be an amazing cocktail bar? I think not. Love ya, Mace! Mean it! read more

Mace - My fave: the Long Pepper. Soy-washed calvados, kuromitsu, absinthe, lemon juice, egg white & a little spicy long pepper. Yum! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Located off 9th and Avenue C, Mace is a bit of a hike from the nearest subway lines. The minuses to that are obvious. But on the plus side, I strolled into the place at close to 6PM on a Wednesday and had my choice of seat and the bartender's undivided attention. The bar really didn't start hopping until 7 or 7:30. So if you like the idea of a quiet, no-elbow-jostling drink after a hectic work day - Mace is a good choice. Mace is interesting because it blends casual with up-scale. The interior is roomy and utilitarian while still being polished and showing touches of class - like how they display all the spices used in their drinks. The bar staff is the same. Our stubbly bartender was in a t-shirt and jeans but he built drinks with the little flares that you associate with mixologists wearing vests and button-down shirts. Will, our bartender was friendly, funny, and spoke with clear expertise about the drinks and their unique ingredients without ever 'talking down' to us. Mace is an up-scale yet unpretentious bar that never seems to take itself too seriously. The sign on the bathroom door really says it all. The drink prices are Manhattan-nominal (~$15) and the bar features eleven specialty drinks, each one named after a key ingredient. Of those, my wife and I tried nearly half - specifically the Thai Chili, Cinnamon, Cumin, Cocoa, and Pandan. All of them were quite tasty and I would order any of them again. If you are looking for a spicy kick in the teeth, the Thai Chili will get the job done. The Cumin combines calvados and sherry with dark beer... which sounds strange on paper but works surprisingly well. The stand-out drink for me is the Pandan. That drink is EVIL. Despite two types of rum (one being overproof), it tastes like a mild, mixed fruit-juice... and goes down just as easily. Deadly. Mace offers a few food options as it is, primarily, a bar. If you're looking for haute cuisine, try elsewhere. Having said that, the Crab & Avocado Flatbread is a good size for sharing and a step up from typical pub-grub. And it paired very well with the drinks... or I was tipsy enough at that point that I wasn't discriminating. :) read more

Mace - Mace doesn't take itself seriously - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The Good: - Very cool vibe and attentive service - very close to Analogue which has phenomenal (yet still creative) cocktails and a great vibe The Bad: - quite possibly some of the worst drinks I've ever had. I'm all for creativity and unique ingredients (pandan, white soy sauce, banana water, etc.) but the cocktail still needs to taste good. Every drink we tried off menu (3 in total - we just couldn't stomach more) was ghastly. The Pandan was brutal and tasted like a cross between a spirulina and match smoothie, yogurt, salt - all blended together in a frozen margarita machine). The Tarragon tasted like spoiled strawberry juice and wasabi (from the wasabi salt). The Sorrel tasted like mango juice and had the color of a cold brew. - again, love creative ingredients but the amalgamation has to be good. Perhaps regular (I.e, not cocktails listed on the menu) drinks are good but I'd stay well clear of the menu. read more

Tucked away slight off poppin' Ave C is Mace. (Also known as Miracle on 9th Street during the holiday season.) One of my favorite bars in this area, this is a spot that you need to hit if you're searching for a good quality cocktail. The menu is revolving so here's a quick list of what you should know about this spot: 1. Cocktails are king but those infused shots are the princes. They are the easiest that I've ever taken and taste delicious. 2. This place is smaller than my apartment, bar included. That being said, don't come here with more than two people. And be prepared to feel a little cramped, I'm at an above average height for a woman and I felt too tall for the place. 3. Vibes are great. It's an impressive date spot. 4. Regarding the date spot: be prepared to lean in cause this place is dark and loud. You might have some waiting around to do so account for that when you're planning to impress bae. 5. Average service. It's typical bar service and you might be waiting a little bit. The tables in the front are so close together, sometimes it's assumed that you're with the table next to you. 6. Attractive bartenders. No, really. 7. Come back here often. read more

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Come here if you want to pay 19 dollars for a cocktail when they don't even have adequate air conditioning. A place this expensive should have better ambiance including proper air conditioning considering they charge too dollars read more

I've been to Mace twice, and this is quickly becoming a favorite place to visit for quality cocktails. The drinks are based on various spices, and the bar has devised some wonderful flavors. So far, I've had the Mace, Thai Chili, Cardamom, Cocoa and the Pandam. All but the Pandam were made directly in front of me, and you can see the care put into each drink. The owner (Nico) and bartenders are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I've asked multiple questions about the liquors they have on the shelf, as well as the techniques they use in making drinks. They've made me feel like a treasured guest each time. read more

Even though the cocktails were excelente !! And I would recommend this spot to someone experimenting with cocktails!! But... I was really upset by the fact that they charged us $5 for a glass of seltzer. I am not sure how does that make any sense? read more

Currently sitting at a table for 45 minutes, ordered a few drinks with 3 people.. 2 Tito's soda and 1 Pilsner. Still haven't received our drinks. Staff is slow and doesn't seem to care about customers. read more

Fun and relaxing place to get tasty cocktails. Luckily it's still relatively new, so it wasn't too crowded on a Friday night. Came here with friends to celebrate my birthday early, and it was a great place to have a good drink and talk (without having to shout over each other). We got: Thai Chili - refreshing with a kick. if you drop the little chili pepper in the drink, it infuses and makes it even spicier! Mace - this tastes like fruit punch, I question whether there was actually any alcohol in this! Pandan - so interesting, and we don't see pandan used in many places in NYC. My order and probably my favorite drink of the night. One of my friends don't drink, and the bartended custom made mocktail to his liking. I didn't try it, but he said it's good. The service is very attentive, constantly refilling our water glasses and checking on us. The bartenders are cute and very knowledgeable. :) I'll be back to try the rest of the drink menu! read more

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We came here for their inventive and creative cocktails, and they did NOT disappoint! First, their "menu" is organized by spices inspired/used in their drink. I started off with the Turmeric and it was AMAZING. I think it had mezcal and tequila and it was a beautiful wedding of flavors...OMG I think I downed it in 2 seconds. I think ordered the Mace, it was pretty good but not my flavor profile. However, part of the show is really watching the bartenders at work; the way they prepare the glasses, drinks and final presentation is really a work of art. So sit at the bar, enjoy the show and drink until you are silly because it doesn't get better than this. read more

Mace - Tumeric and Curry Leaf - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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My husband and I visited MACE for the second time this month to celebrate my birthday. The visit was just as wonderful as the first. Drinks are connsistently on point and delicious. Happy Hour 5-8, $10 MACE Signature cocktails. Can't wait to go back. read more

Mace - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Cocktails inspired by spices all around the world... Brilliant! Showed up early on a Sunday evening and Got a chance to strike up some conversation with our mixologist, Patrick. The menu here doesn't confuse you with strange cocktail names and histories like some others, they list a spice and a suggested cocktail below.... Pretty straight forward, I dig it. Every single cocktail was awesome! They don't have much going on in the food dept, but I would stick to the spiced nuts if you had to. The flat breads are not quite exactly what you may imagine them to be. The place started filling up as the evening went on, but Patrick seemed to hold down the fort on his own pretty well. I could only imagine what this place is like on a Saturday night. Till we meet again. read more

Mace - interpretation of a Manhattan. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Stopped in randomly and stumbled on the happy hour. Incredible deals on oysters. Awesome HH cocktails and you have to try the Mace cocktail too. So many interesting recipes in a seasonal menu that'll keep me coming back. Alejandro at the bar took wonderful care of me and knows his craft very well. Super friendly staff overall. I can't wait to come back :) read more

Ended the night at #macenewyork where we had some of the most delicious and inventive #cocktails including the #turmeric, #ghostchili, #kimchi, etc. and the place is super chill. Adding this to my list of to-go places in the city read more

Mace - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York