Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileEmployees Only
New York, NY · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Employees Only runs a proper cocktail bar: an extensive menu split into classics, fancy drinks, modern hits, and dessert cocktails, all priced at $21–$24. The Billionaire Cocktail and EO Espresso Martini anchor the program, while the wine list reaches from $16 glasses to a $750 Dom Pérignon. Non-alcoholic options like Buzzkill and Spirited Away hold their own at $18. This is a place that takes drinks seriously without forgetting the fun.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Billionaire Cocktail, a Maker's Mark Cask Strength bourbon number with fresh lemon and absinthe bitters. The Manhattan, built on Wild Turkey 101, is a classic done right. For something modern, the Cherry On Top mezcal cocktail with clarified coconut milk is worth the $24. Spirit-free? Try Buzzkill.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking both classic and inventive drinks will find plenty. Wine lovers will appreciate the broad by-the-glass and bottle list, from a $16 prosecco to prestige Champagne. Non-alcoholic drinkers are covered with two thoughtful zero-proof options. It's a fitting stop for anyone who values a serious beverage program in a lively setting.
- When should I go?
- Evenings suit the cocktail bar vibe, especially for a pre-dinner drink or a late-night dessert cocktail. The 'Celebrating 20 Years' menu section suggests a nod to history, so any time is fine, but a weekend night likely captures the full energy.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $21–$24, spirit-free drinks $18. Wine by the glass starts at $16, with bottles from $64 to $750. Coffee is a modest $5–$6.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu's structure—EO Classics, Fancy Cocktails, Modern Hits, Dessert Cocktails—shows a bar that honors tradition while pushing forward. The use of specific high-quality spirits like Wild Turkey 101 and Maker's Mark Cask Strength in classics, plus a clarified mezcal cocktail, signals craft without pretension. A dedicated non-alcoholic list and a wine list with everything from prosecco to Dom Pérignon round out the program.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A well-organized menu with classic and innovative drinks, using quality spirits and clear pricing. Signature cocktails like the Billionaire and EO Espresso Martini stand out. Non-alcoholic options are also available.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive cocktail menu with classic and innovative offerings.
- — Uses high-quality and diverse spirits.; Includes non-alcoholic options.
Standout selections
- — Billionaire Cocktail – Maker's Mark Cask Strength bourbon, fresh lemon, EO grenadine, absinthe bitters.
- — Manhattan Cocktail – Wild Turkey 101, Italian vermouth, Grand Marnier, Angostura bitters.
- — Cherry On Top – Contraluz mezcal, cherry, chocolate, vanilla, clarified with coconut milk.
- — EO Espresso Martini – signature dessert cocktail.
Pricing: EO Classics, Modern Hits, and Dessert Cocktails are $21; Fancy Cocktails are $24.
Wine
A diverse wine list covering sparkling, red, white, rosé, dessert wines, and port, with global regions and premium Champagne. By-the-glass and bottle options provide flexibility.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse wine selection with global regions.; Offers both by-the-glass and bottle options.
Standout selections
- — Employees Only Prosecco Brut – $16 glass / $64 bottle.
- — Perrier Jouët 'Grand Brut' – $35 glass / $150 bottle.
- — Dom Pérignon 2013 – $750 bottle.
- — Belleruche Cotes-du-Rhone – $18 glass / $72 bottle.
Pricing: Glass prices range from $16 to $35; bottles from $64 to $750.
Nonalcoholic
Two dedicated non-alcoholic cocktails, Buzzkill and Spirited Away, offer thoughtful alternatives at a reasonable price. They are integrated into the cocktail menu, not an afterthought.
Standout selections
- — Buzzkill – Almave NA Blue Agave spirit, hibiscus, elderberry, ginger, cherry blossom tonic.
- — Spirited Away – Undone Whiskey, Italian bitter aperitif, verjus rouge, chocolate black tea.
Pricing: Spirit-free cocktails are $18 each.
Spirits
The cocktail menu showcases a wide range of spirits, from bourbon and rye to tequila, mezcal, gin, vodka, rum, sotol, and Japanese whiskey. This breadth supports a versatile cocktail program.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive and diverse spirit selection used in cocktails.
Standout selections
- — Wild Turkey 101 in the Manhattan.
- — Maker's Mark Cask Strength in the Billionaire.
- — Siete Misterios Mezcal in Ready Fire Aim.
- — Charbay Meyer Lemon Vodka in West Side.
Pricing: No dedicated spirits list or pricing beyond cocktail menu.
How it sits with the food
Dinner menu items are designed to complement the beverage program. The cocktail list, with its range of styles, can match from light aperitifs to rich, spirit-forward drinks. Wine by the glass and bottle offers flexibility for pairing across courses, and dessert cocktails align with the dessert menu's coffee options.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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