Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileThe Up & Up
New York, NY · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Up & Up operates as a speakeasy-style cocktail den with a menu organized by spirit category and an emphasis on inventive technique. Clarified milk, infused spirits, and house shrubs appear across a lineup that spans gin, whiskey, tequila, and rum. A compact wine and beer list supports the program, while several cocktails can be made non-alcoholic at the same price.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Disco Volante, a clarified milk punch with Aperol and Hayman's gin. For whiskey drinkers, the Alpine Challenger layers Jameson, Brucato Amaro, and Wild Turkey 101. The Scorpions In The Fog, a rum-based punch for two, showcases sherry and Yellow Chartreuse. Non-alcoholic versions of menu staples are available.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive, well-crafted drinks in a speakeasy atmosphere. The extensive spirit categories and creative ingredients appeal to adventurous drinkers. The availability of non-alcoholic versions makes it welcoming for designated drivers or those abstaining.
- When should I go?
- Evenings suit the speakeasy vibe, especially for a pre-dinner cocktail or a nightcap. The intimate setting and phone booth entrance suggest a more deliberate visit rather than a quick stop.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Non-alcoholic versions are priced the same as their alcoholic counterparts, suggesting a premium but fair cost.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail program's technical ambition—clarified milk, infused spirits, house shrubs—sets it apart. The ability to render many drinks non-alcoholic without a separate menu is a thoughtful touch. The speakeasy setting, including a secret phone booth entrance, adds to the allure.
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 creative, well-organized cocktail menu spanning gin, whiskey, tequila, and rum, with techniques like clarified milk and house shrubs.
Menu strengths
- — Menu organized by spirit category, making exploration easy.
- — Creative ingredients include clarified milk, infused spirits, and house shrubs.
Standout selections
- — Disco Volante – Aperol, Hayman's Vibrant Citrus Gin, clarified milk, absinthe, lemon.
- — Chekhov's Gin – Two gins, Braulio, Cap Corse, and amaro vermouth.
- — Scorpions In The Fog – Rhum Clément, sherries, Yellow Chartreuse, orgeat; serves two.
Pricing: No individual cocktail prices listed; NA versions priced same as alcoholic.
Wine
A small but thoughtful selection of sparkling, white, and red wines, available by glass or bottle. Includes a Vouvray and an Austrian Grüner Veltliner, with a Malbec for red wine drinkers.
Menu strengths
- — Available both by the glass and by the bottle.
- — Includes a classic Vouvray and a Grüner Veltliner.
Standout selections
- — Pol Clement, Blanc de Blancs – NV sparkling from France.
- — Champalou, Vouvray – Chenin Blanc from the Loire.
- — Stadt Krems, Grüner Veltliner – 2018 from Austria.
Pricing: Pricing not listed on menu.
Beer
A compact beer list covering lager, IPA, saison, brown ale, and craft cider. Offers a reliable range of styles, though limited in number.
Menu strengths
- — Covers a range of styles from lager to saison.
Standout selections
- — Augustiner Munich Helles Lager – a classic German lager.
- — Saison Dupont – a benchmark farmhouse ale.
- — Aval Artisanal Cider – a craft cider alternative.
Pricing: Pricing not listed on menu.
Nonalcoholic
Several cocktails can be made non-alcoholic, marked with ❖ on the menu. This inclusive approach extends the cocktail program's creativity to non-drinkers without a separate menu.
Menu strengths
- — Explicit NA options marked on the menu.; NA versions priced equally to alcoholic drinks.
- — Uses the same creative ingredients as the regular cocktails.
Standout selections
- — Bring June Flowers (NA) – Reyka Vodka, Suze, cucumber, jasmine tea, lemon.
- — Zuzu's Petals (NA) – Tequila or mezcal, ginger, habanero, rose water, lime, demerara.
Pricing: NA cocktails priced same as alcoholic versions.
Spirits
The cocktail menu features a wide range of premium and craft spirits, including gin, vodka, aquavit, whiskey, rye, bourbon, tequila, mezcal, and rum. Spirits are integral to the program rather than showcased separately.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive use of premium and craft spirits.; Covers a broad spectrum of spirit categories.
Standout selections
- — Hayman's Royal Dock Gin and Dorothy Parker Gin in Chekhov's Gin.
- — Suerte Blanco Tequila or Vida Puebla Mezcal in Zuzu's Petals.
- — Rhum Clément Agricole and Ten to One Dark Rum in Scorpions In The Fog.
Pricing: No standalone spirits list or pricing.
How it sits with the food
Snacks curated by Murray's Cheese are available, offering a savory counterpoint to the cocktails. The clarified milk punch's citrus and botanical notes would pair with aged cheeses, while the rum-based Scorpions In The Fog could match a robust selection.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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