2 stars + 1 star for Ben. He was very kind to us. We popped in for a night cap at a little before 11 p.m. on a Sunday. We're from out of town & were referred by a local restaurant in STL. Our initial bartender seemed put out that she had to serve us, but Ben was very personable & accommodating. read more

Mace specializes in botanlical cocktails, which in my head is basically like saying "healthy" cocktails, so why not imbibe? All the cocktails are structured around vegetables, fruit, or herbs, with those tastes creatively incorporated into the cocktail's flavor profile. Great service, unique cocktails, and enough "healthy" stuff to make you feel less guilty about ordering one more round. read more

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

Have to give it to ya, this is the place to be. Chill and upscale. Unique drinks made to perfection and with love. Detailed menu, drinks mainly originating from Japan, Indonesia, and Mexico. Very cool. Very impressed and will make this my go to spot. Will be a little selfish and say- I hope no one finds out about this place so a seat can be saved for me. Hehe. Oh. Truffle popcorn. What? Yup read more

Mace is easily one of the best cocktail bars I have been to in New York City. My friends and I stopped by after putting in a reservation at Death & Co, anticipating a call back in an hour or two. However, we never got that call, and we were the better for it. Seated comfortably on some couches in the back with some sweet tunes playing at a reasonable volume (including the Narcos theme song at some point) and some candlelight, this was the right way to spend a night with friends. Between the seven of us, we ordered at least one of almost every cocktail listed on their Spring 2017 menu. Each drink is based on some key plant-based ingredient, like cherry blossom or spearmint on the safe side, to wasabi or chipotle on the more adventurous side of the spectrum. My personal favorites were the chipotle (which tasted - true to the ingredients - like a liquid peanut butter and jelly), the mace (beets!), and the cinnamon (a refined Irish car bomb, and the crowd favorite). The service was absolutely stellar at Mace, with our water glasses never going longer than a minute without refreshment. With seasonal drink menus, delicious snacks (get the truffle popcorn!), and in the heart of Alphabet City/East Village, I will be back at Mace at the soonest opportunity. read more

I came here on a Saturday evening and was able to sit down with a friend and have a lot of personal space. The prices are a little unexpectedly high from the looks, but I guess it's hipster. I got the shiso because I love all the ingredients they put in it, and ended up loving it. It did appear to be half the size of the drink my friend got, but hey, I'm not trying to get wasted. I don't even really drink, but the other drinks on the menu are certainly tempting me to come back. . . read more

I don't want to give it five stars because I don't want this place overran with tourists (selfish, I know). This place is the best all around. The revolving cocktail menu based off of spices/herbs is an incredible concept that they do more than excel at. The drinks are worth the cost and the service here is always great. It's a must try. I would avoid snooty service and long lines at spots nearby, like Death & Co and PDT, and instead come here to enjoy your drink and company. read more

Highly recommend this creative cocktail bar hidden in LES (Also recommend dead rabbit in FiDi). The ambiance is cozy and dim-lit, perfect for a date or a hang-out with a few friends. You can't find traditional/classic cocktails here but you will most likely ended up satisfied with a little adventure in MACE's seasonal menu! The short and compact menu yet carries a lot of info from taste profile of the drink, to ingredients (spice region), and to the shape of the container! I tried the aromatic Rose Patel with milk tea pearls! This drink is so chic! Who doesn't want a bubble tea with booze in it?! Could I get one to-go? The taste profile is nicely balanced with rose aroma. Pricing is reasonable compared to other similar quality bars in LES (~15 each). Love to come back once they change the seasonal menu in spring! read more

Craft cocktails were on point and made with spices. The bartender gave the perfect amount of attention and was friendly. The place is cozy, I will be back next time I visit New York. read more

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

Wish I could give it more stars (not really) it's a bunch of immature gossipy children running this place. As other reviews state, it's definitely not the same. get rid of the girls (younger blonde and older with longer hair) at the host stand and get your crap in order. Slow service, hot stand didn't know what they were doing, no silverware dropped prior to eating. Would not recommend, so many other good places .. So much potential here but poorly managed read more

Great place for after work cocktails. Small plates are also great, especially the cauliflower. Will definitely be back.

Unique cocktails and the bartender killed it. He was by himself and managed the bar perfectly. Stumbled upon this bar and can't wait to go back. The cocktails were extremely original. Great concept and hope this bar does well. I highly recommend the Paprika 2.0. read more

Amazing drinks, food, service, and atmosphere! It was far beyond my expectation. Definitely a gem in the east village! Will definitely come back! read more

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Currently sitting and on a first date. Date was off to a great start until our order took over an hour just to get the drinks. By the time we got our order I was barely treading water to keep the conversation alive talking about my aspirations to open a bar better than Mace. What I wasn't expecting was giving my date an icicle so large that it could be a weapon. Currently on the run an scared for my safety. Beware read more

Happy hour pandan drink was just eh. I regret not getting a non-happy hour drink, because they looked pretty good.

Wasn't sure what to expect based on reviews, but it was great and lowkey. Very empty on a Saturday at 5:30. Really liked the celeriac drink, although the caraway was too heavy on the lardo. Nice spot with plenty of seating. read more

Wow, Mace has a nice space! We went a bit late on a Saturday night and were fortunate enough to get seated pretty quickly. The space is large with an interesting decor, and the service was quick. The cocktail list is roughly 16(?) cocktails long, and the ones we sampled were lovely, if a bit sweet. I'd come back (perhaps in the summer) and the only reason I'm not giving them 5 stars is due to their lack of more-spirit forward drinks on the cocktail list. read more

I was starting to worry about the dilution of quality mixology joints in Manhattan. Seriously, it's become an oversaturated market of trying-too-hard, gimmicky cocktail bars and speakeasies. So much so that my husband and I have mainly stuck to wine as of late. Mace is a much-welcomed exception, a gem in one of my favorite neighborhoods. The cocktails are innovative and unexpected, while still tasty. I especially love the number of savory options. Plus, it's a charming, simple space with friendly service -- again, all without trying too hard. read more

Mace is by far one of the best new cocktail bars in town. So good, we went twice in consecutive nights and decided to try every single cocktail off their menu. And yes, that includes all 12 expertly crafted, delicious cocktails, between the both of us. Even in trying everything, there is still so much more reason to return and make this an instant favorite on the list. They also rotate the menu, so there is a new cocktail to try on each visit. The cocktails connoisseur with the keen interest for learning about a variety of unique, international spices will love Mace. Spices carry the very individual flavor behind each drink. I will first note that their menu is highly organized and describes each cocktail in the most succinct and comprehensive manner -- a listing that includes an illustration of the spice, name of drink, glass used, flavor type, spice type, and region of spice. A small food menu is also available, but these are small bites and not ones to replace your dinner. Our favorite cocktails included -- Thai Chili, Mace, Cumin, Ambrette, Cocoa and Pandan. My top choices were the Thai Chili and Cumin, while my partner in crime loved the Cocoa and Pandan. We both agree that Pandan was the biggest hit. Thai Chili is for any fan of a spicy drink. A thai chili pepper is used as garnish to top this lovely cocktail. A blend of gin, cucumber, Bird's Eye chili tincture, lime, elderflower liqueur, and egg whites, make for a bright, refreshing drink with a hint of spice. The egg whites give it that wonderful, subtle creamy texture. Cumin is a mix of calvados, oloroso sherry, cumin syrup, lemon juice, and dark lager. Reminds me a bit of lemonade, but the complexity of flavors is hard to describe unless personally indulged. Dark lager gives a bit of a carbonated flavor. Cocoa and Pandan are packed with some amazing and unique flavor. They are more on the milky flavor side, but without dairy existing as the main ingredient. Cocoa ingredients include banana, roasted cocoa nibs-infused prata cachaça, pecan orgeat, olive oil, salt, and egg. Pandan, the most complex of ingredients, includes Trinidad rum, Jamaican rum, batavia arrack, pandan leaves, clarified milk, clarified pineapple juice, clarified lime juice, aman black tea, coconut water, ginger juice, and 8 different spices. Noting space, Mace is a great, intimate spot for friends and dates. The ambience is cozy and warm, dimly lit, trendy and without pretension. A wall of spice jars decorate the entire length of the bar. The bartender and server are super charming and friendly people that make for really great service. I personally preferred sitting at the bar, appreciating our interaction with the bartender, but for a more private, intimate experience, they have tables at front and towards the back. All in all, Mace is an excellent new cocktail bar addition to the East Village. We are fans and will be sure to return many many more times. read more

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Not a big cocktail drinker but man did they make a fan of me. Very inventive and unique drinks where half the ingredients i dont even know. I'm more of a craftbeer enthusiast so this place is definitely a great change of pace if ever you're looking for a nice, cozy, and amazing cocktail bar. Really nice and laid back ambiance even though the place gets packed. Decent sized spot but it does get a lil cramped when the weekend crowd shows up later in the evening. Nevertheless, the vibe as a whole is impressive and i can definitively see myself frequenting this if im ever in the neighborhood. read more

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Went last week for the Miracle on 12th pop up after having a great time the year before. Great place to get your holiday fix and sing old school Christmas favorites with really fun cocktails served in adorable glassware - we probably tried every single one on the menu and all were really nice. I called the day of and was actually able to get a reservation for six and the man who took my call was super nice and helpful which was very much appreciated. Great experience all around and would highly recommend. read more

My secret go-to spot for date night and girls night out. I mean, it doesn't get better than this. The menu of cocktails is filled with ingredients like chia seed, nutmeg, barley seed, fennel seed and vanilla bean. Which do you choose? Chia Seed and Pandan are my favorite go-to drinks, both a bit fruity and on the lighter side. Pandan, a drink that was once off the menu is now a secret off the menu drink YOU NEED TO TRY. If you're daring to try something new and a bit stronger, go for Barley Seed. The after taste will leave you feeling like you bit into a few barley seeds. Shout out to Christian and Patrick for exceptional service! Tip: If you're going in on Friday, go in around 11:30 PM. The bar tends to empty out around then. read more

The woman bartender was very rude and you weren't allowed to order a drink at the bar. (That's unheard of). I never will go back!

I tried a hot cocktail here for the first time in my life--thoroughly impressed. And their small bite options are really good as well. Service was awesome, the bartenders are friendly and eager to help. I really liked it here. read more

The only thing I don't like about this bar is how far I live from it. Mace gets the title of my all-time favorite NYC bar. I first read about Mace on the NY section of the Wall Street Journal. Intrigued by the concept, I looked it up on Yelp and found positive validation. Every cocktail is crafted like a signature recipe at a 5 star restaurant. The namesake cocktail, for example, has so many different flavors: starts off perfume-like, then followed by a citrus bite and a peppery finish. Absolutely outstanding. Some cocktails are savory, others are sweet. The menu itself is a piece of art and explains the flavor profiles and ingredients of every concoction. Bonus points for having glasses of water poured out already for patrons along the bar. You come here to savor truly innovative cocktails. Heck, I'd even take a date here. I've only been here twice, and it's not nearly enough times--I want to try every drink on the menu. read more

Really love the feeling MACE gives off; it's sexy in a rugged way. Seating in the front, back, and at the bar leaves plenty of room for small to medium sized groups and singles. I believe there are a total of 12 different cocktails (all infused with a spice or herb from a various part of the globe), I tried the following: Thai Chili: 2/5 Perhaps my palate is sensitive, but I found it a little too spicy for a drink. A hint of chili is fine, but when it lingers in my mouth past 2 minutes I start feeling uncomfortable. All in all, aesthetically pleasing -- especially the little chili on the side. Cocoa: 4/5 Really liked the nutty flavor of this drink. The cream, cocoa, and salt will have you constantly licking your lips for more. If you're a chocolate lover I highly recommend this drink. I'd also have this drink for dessert. Chamomile: 5/5 BY FAR MY FAVORITE DRINK! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT (and to think I'm not a fan of chamomile tea or products)! It's light, bubbly, and sweet all in one. You can barely taste the cognac which makes this drink lethal, but oh so worth it. Friendly staff, cool patrons, nice drinks, and relaxing atmosphere Yay! I'm a fan (: read more

Probably the best cocktail bar in Alphabet City. The bartenders are fantastic and the atmosphere is excellent. The drinks are amazing, whether you stick to the spice-sorted menu or ask for something different. Bonus points for the neat and spacious restroom. Could do with more coat hooks, and the metal bar stools are comfortable but make a racket when you move them around. read more

This is one that fell well short of all the stellar reviews. We went for a pre-dinner cocktail based on the reviews. First, it's decor is nothing special. It looks like any other bar on the street; if you're expecting something more upscale commensurate with a high end cocktail bar this isn't it. Second, and more importantly, service was abysmal. The hostess was affirmatively rude (when she bothered to look up from her phone). If you're not at a table or seated at the bar, their "rule" is that you cannot go up to the bar to order, but need to wait for a server to come to you. Odd, and in practice it doesn't work. Even though the bar man was not occupied I was scolded for approaching him and told to wait till someone came to me. Once that happened, the bartender made the drink and put it on the bar but, you guessed it, I couldn't go to the bar to get it until the server made his way back to the bar a few minutes later to pick it up and hand it to me two feet away. We had one drink and told our other friend to just meet us at the restaurant. Rude hostess and slow, silly system made sure I won't be going back. read more

Really good cozy spot with an interesting cocktail list. Service was good, not too crowded on a Tuesday night. Great pick for a date night too. Will def go back. read more

I thought the drinks were tasty and the ingredients, while unusual, complemented each other greatly. However, I asked for a spirit-forward drink, and I got a drink that was far too sweet. I couldn't taste the alcohol well, if at all. Just a little disappointed in the quality of the drinks, though the space and the ambiance were wonderfully mellow. read more

Finally a cocktail bar doing something different! If you're the kind of person that sticks to the classic cocktail section at a bar, Mace probably isn't for you. Each drink is named after the spice incorporated into the drink. There are some crazy concoctions on the menu here. I decided to try the Chamomile ($16), which had brown butter & hay fat washed cognac, chamomile syrup, lemon juice, & champagne. What the heck is hay fat!? Even Google couldn't tell me. Irregardless, this drink was delicious. I really enjoy champagne cocktails and this definitely tops my list now (better than that ones I've downed at Bathtub Gin). There were subtle hints of chamomile from the syrup, which made it easy to drink. My friend decided to be a little more adventurous and got the Paprika ($14). It contained tequila, snap pea shrub, smoked paprika, white verjus, & champagne. Our waiter warned him that it was an acquired taste and even offered to mix him up something different if he didn't like it. I have to say that this one wasn't for me. It almost had a vinegar-y taste to it, but my friend really enjoyed it so no complaints. The space itself is very sexy. It's dimly lit, but not to the point of using a candle to see your drinking companion like many bars are guilty of. There's a few two tops in the front by the window and a long bar to the back. The service was what really made this a 5 star experience. Will at the bar struck up a friendly conversation with us about the production of the menu and how they came to be. You don't get that kind of attention too often at cocktail bars around the city, which is refreshing. At Mace, you can enjoy a fancy cocktail without the pretentious atmosphere. read more

Mace - Chamomile (front), Paprika (back) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

There are SO many cocktail bars in the East Village and I've been to many, MANY of them. Mace was one of my favorite ones in a while. The cocktail list can feel somewhat limited compared to other craft cocktail bars but what they have is pretty outstanding. If you lean more towards sweeter cocktails this might not be the place for you either. Tried several different cocktails, including sips of the group I was with... My favorites were the Mace, Pandan and the newer Mustard Seed, which was on the more bitter and spicy side but I liked very much. Flavors were very complex and layered. Also enjoyed it as were there on a Friday and had a nice crowd going but wasn't packed or hard to get into. Staff was super friendly and approachable. The mixologists take what they do very seriously (as one would expect if you've been to a few of these places) but you can ask questions about unfamiliar cocktails or ingredients without being condescended to because you had the temerity to ask what pecan orgeat or white verjus are. read more

Vibes are great, drinks are bad bad bad. They were out of 2 drinks we tried to order off their quite small cocktail list. Some of us ended up with dirty martinis, which arrived opaque brown with red olives instead of the classic green. When we saw our brown martinis arrive, we requested them be made a bit less dirty. Unfortunately they came back with the second try and it was just as bad. Feedback from the rest of the table was the same - drinks were not good. Given this is predominantly a cocktail bar we will not be returning. Best of luck to this spot in such a competitive neighborhood. read more

Nicely done in term of ambiance. Still smell like new :-). Cocktails are good, we tried the following: - Licorice: good, old fashion like. If you like whiskey you shouldn't be disappointed - Mace: Too sweet for me, what's the deal with - Ambrette: Nice balance: strong, bitter and sweet all at once. - Thai chili (don't recall the exact name): Love it, refreshing and spicy, I ate the thai peper that comes with it, be careful! Service is good, welcomy and fun. I would definitely go back there to try a classic cocktail and some other of their specials. read more

Mace is truly exceptional. Let me back up. I know good bars. I run one. Honestly. Everytime I visit a new city, I look for the absolute best because I want to hone my craft. I've lived in NYC. I visit occasionally. I build entire trips around finding the truly standout bars in any city. Mace is almost unparalleled and unrivaled in it's own city, let alone the US. The cocktails are all exceptional. The worst cocktail of the 6 I had at mace was better than 95% of the "best" cocktail bars in NYC. This place was dead... 6 people total when I walked in while PDT had a two-hour wait. Why? This honestly might be the most underrated bar in all of New York. I'm not exaggerating. If you care about cocktails, their cocktails are well thought out. Carefully prepared. Made with passion and thought. Their bartenders; engaging. Pleasant. Friendly. Memorable. There's not a ton of varity to their spirtis list. Not a ton of beer. Or bourbon. Or a large selection. The beauty really likes in the prep work they do, and the quality of what they choose to put forth on the menu itself. Their aren't many bars I've ever visited that wow you with that first sip. Maybe Booker and Dax when it was open. Maybe I have a sensitive pallet. All I know is that with zero expectations, Mace blew by a solid list of 50 bars that we're supposedly the "best in NYC". Stop what you're doing. Visit Mace, and I dare you to tell me that I'm wrong. In a sea of forgettable bars - this is one of the most memorable experiences I've had at ANY bar in the US. read more

Greatest Old Fashion EVER. This place is compiled of intricate and exotic cocktails. The owners use homemade ingredients to spice and flavor the cocktails. I love all their specialty cocktails. The vibe is very chill and homey. I love the music as well as the lighting. This is the perfect place for a first date or even a quiet cocktail with friends. The crowd here is friendly and intellectual. The bartenders and staff are great mixologist and very service oriented. There is a small selection of food (flatbreads and spaced nuts) and it's very savory. My favorite dish is the fig & cheese flatbread and spiced nuts hit the spot when you're a little tipsy. Overall this is one of LES's best kept secret! *i heard Christmas time is amazing here* *please vote below if you enjoyed the review* read more

I know this place is on the verge of blowing up but it was the perfect setting for low-key drinks on a Friday night. Our group of 3 arrived at 10 and there was still plenty of seating. We stayed until about 12, and while it got full, it was never crowded. On to the cocktails! We tried the cardamom, cinnamon, and cocoa. They were all so splendid and unique. On the pricier and smaller side, but we ordered 4 drinks between the 3 of us and didn't get kicked out of our table after 2 hours, so it didn't turn into too expensive of a night. The cocktail menu has a botanical theme, with lots of variations on spice and liquor. We tried the spiced nuts but they also have flatbreads for snacks. Our waitress was really helpful and sweet. Highly recommend this place but we will see in a few months when there will probably be a long wait and a huge crowd. read more

One of the Top Five Bars I frequently visit during New York Fashion Week every year. After a day of running from one show to another, I find myself beat and looking for a different buzz. MACE New York is an Amazing spot in the East Village I can not resist! They have the most unique concoctions of mixology adult refreshments around. LOVE LOVE LOVE the "Long Pepper" or their signature namesake "Mace" drinks. TDF. ***You will not be disappointed. read more

Have been on the hunt for the best cocktail bar in New York City and can definitely say this is one of my favorites! They offer an extensive cocktail menu sorted by spices. Each cocktail is exquisitely unique and, having tried four, I loved them all! read more

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

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I'm like ashamed of myself for not reviewing Mace earlier. It's become my go-to destination when I want to plan a happy hour, host a get-together, or find a spot to meet up with friends. Plus, the space is so cute but the drinks are well-priced and amaziiiing. I'm a fan of the cocktails especially! Nothing like a good cocktail. And the bartenders are always friendly. I spent New Year's Eve here and was taken care of splendidly without having to fight my way through millions of people to get to the bar. Literally so blessed Mace is nearby my work, thoughts on opening a bar in South Slope? Love to have you be my neighborhood bar too! (little down, the music but I am sure you can get better.... I am very picky) read more

Favorite cocktails in NYC, and that's saying a lot. Each drink sounds so weird on the menu, but then you take a sip and are hit with a complex combo of flavors that all meld together into a glorious drink sent from the heavens. read more