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Experimental Cocktail Club

(Now Closed)

Cocktail Bar$$$$

Lower East Side, New York

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The experts at The Wall Street Journal and Eater recommend this place

102 Tips and reviews

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EaterFebruary 19, 2013
Drinks from Nicholas de Soto, who's big on infusions and creating flavors of his own in lieu of liqueurs. The vibe is comfortable and cozy on weekdays, rowdy on weekends. The Kinkakuji is a must.
GothamistOctober 27, 2014
Order the Midnight Snack. This drink combines Bittermen's Coffee liqueur with Bulleit Bourbon & Tawny Port, then sweetened with syrup & fortified with a whole egg. It's served with a butter cookie. Read more
LivaFebruary 16, 2015
You can't go wrong there. Close your eyes and put your finger on a drink or just tell one of the mixologists what you're in the mood for, he'll fix you something perfect anyway.
Ben MackeyJanuary 29, 2015
The first place I've been where I genuinely wanted to try every cocktail on the menu. I had the Amarus Lavendem and it was amazing.
Viktoriya SvyazevaApril 2, 2013
Perfect place for great cocktails with friends and little dancing right at the bar. Good looking crowd. No reservation needed, but make sure to dress up well or have Lower East side hipster look :)
Serious EatsAugust 29, 2013
You'll find cocktails inspired by everything from gelato to seaweed salad at this Lower East Side cocktail den, which also has locations in Paris and London.
Lisa WFebruary 20, 2013
Great speakeasy style cocktail bar tucked away. Decor is great, but the drinks are the real standout. Lots of housemade ingredients and intriguing combinations. The daring combos are worth the cost.
Raphael LangenscheidtSeptember 13, 2015
Try any of the bottled cocktails - they're usually incredibly good. Changing menu offers great variety and the staff is typically superfriendly. Come early if you're in a group.
CharlottesFebruary 8, 2015
Cocktails, of course! My most memorable was 'medicinal' with candied ginger. Really good. We got there around 930 and found a seat at the bar, no problem. It was packed by 10-1030.
Champ EnsmingerAugust 23, 2015
On the higher price scale for cocktails, but the vibe matches its sister location in London Chinatown, and the mixologists really perform works of art and science with every pour.
Nicky K.August 31, 2014
The perfect date spot! This place is surprisingly unpretentious and accommodating. They'll make what you want but I suggest ordering off the menu for something unique.
Cole KennedyJuly 5, 2015
Unbelievable craft cocktails in a super stylish atmosphere. The door to the bathroom is just a panel in the wall. My only regret? Not remembering what this drink is.
PureWowJuly 2, 2014
The Club is a throwback to old New York with pressed-tin ceilings, bartenders clad in suspenders and a selection of extremely aged libations from the 1960s. Read more
Laura ChinSeptember 14, 2013
Sometimes, "experimental" can be too experimental. Avoid the shiitake mushroom cocktail, unless you REALLY love- and I mean LOVE- shiitake mushrooms. (Angelita is a great drink!)
Graham LindnerJuly 17, 2015
Fantastic cocktails. Don't bother with the menu--just tell them what you like and let them work their magic.
Derek T. KuSeptember 15, 2015
Wonderful vibes and great drinks. Seasonal rotational bar in the back is a nice surprise. (Experimental Carribean Club)
Eli ShowalterApril 5, 2015
Friendly staff made room for us at the bar even though the place was pretty packed. The speciality cocktails were a bit sweet for my liking, but I'll definitely come back again.
EchoDAAugust 13, 2012
nice range of Experimental drinks, cool vibe and you feel as though you are taken back in time to a different era!.. enjoy next to "The Box" in case you need to go to the after party
The Wall Street JournalMarch 19, 2013
Try the Green Horny, a carbonated vodka drink bottled in-house, or the Blackheart made from bourbon, maraschino liqueur, orange oils and coffee. Read more
Alberto SimonOctober 12, 2013
Great environment and decor. It was especially nice when not full, music was pleasant and the cocktails were tasty and inventive.
James JDecember 23, 2014
Been here 5+ times
I've been here and it was a secret dance party and another time it was quiet speakeasy. Both times drinks were great.
Sara 🌈⚔🍾June 6, 2015
Delicious and rally creative cocktails. Lovely atmosphere, though the music can be a little loud.
Andrew LitvakMarch 4, 2015
Been here 5+ times
One of the best cocktail bars downtown. Inconsistent atmosphere though, and it can get insanely hectic on a Saturday night.
SwigNovember 14, 2014
Great cocktails and very interesting bartenders. Drinks are intricate and thoughtful. Remember to Swig your drink.
Veronica HMarch 3, 2013
Definitely earn the word experimental in their name. Interesting concoctions you've never heard of. Think fig infused vermouth and blue cheese bitters.
Lauren HeppsOctober 8, 2014
Lovely little place. Sit at the bar and pick the bartender's brain. He's super friendly and knowledgable.
Ashley SimonMay 6, 2012
make reservations if you want to sit at a table, or just cozy up to the bar. try the curious prescription - it's basically a spicy margarita.
darryl ohrtFebruary 7, 2013
Never mind the menu. Just tell the bartender what things you like, and they'll bring you the perfect concoction.
Chris GellesDecember 31, 2013
A bit snooty. Obnoxious, entitled ladies compose a large segment of their clientele. Bring some mild booze knowledge and critique your drink until they get it right.
Joshua GirardOctober 18, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Will is the best bartender here and will make you the most interesting concoctions you can think of fly providing a little input.
Oscar M. R.June 27, 2015
Bar staff is friendly, drinks are yummy and the DJ spinning last night was great!
Yaz MusNovember 25, 2014
Try the Milano Green martini with a twist, it's citrusy, smooth and you'll kinda feel like James Bond
Peter BoyceJuly 6, 2012
Great spot with genuine speakeasy feel. Mixology is definitely on point: try the Experience No.2
Irina BApril 17, 2015
Great cocktails and music. Our go-to place for a fun night out .
Gaia BennettJune 22, 2015
They mean it when they say Experimental - cocktails here are extremely hit or miss, as though they are just throwing ingredients together and hoping for the best. Service here is quite poor as well.
Matt HantzDecember 30, 2012
The Kota Ternate is genius. The ingredients imply "Caribbean, umbrella-style", but it's not sweet. Instead, balanced and delicious.
VernaJanuary 6, 2013
$15 (or more)/drink, the doorman pulls the "are you here with a reservation" but overall it's not a terrible spot if you're with a good crew. DJ is decent and the decor is nice but def not a must do.
DinaApril 24, 2014
A sexy elegant space, easier to get into than most others (not on a weekend of course). Drinks are hit or miss, mostly underwhelming. A few can hit the spot but it's not nothing amazing.
ᴡ ReinfordApril 12, 2013
delicious cocktails. the original spot is in paris, and is also good.
Emilie FuttermanAugust 10, 2015
Great music (sometimes a little loud), good for groups
Calvin MultanenJune 7, 2015
Great cocktails and service. Chill but trendy atmosphere.
val bravermanJanuary 24, 2015
The cocktails are interesting & not for the timid. The cocktail waitress' sh*t didn't stink. No Maker's Mark on hand, so went with Bulleit for an Old Fashioned which was prepared decently.
Nicole DesmondApril 28, 2012
Been here 10+ times
This place is beautiful! Great atmosphere. Try the Jack O Lantern if you like flips.
c0uPMarch 30, 2013
A white rum old fashioned with celery bitters and some crazy, honey-like syrup!
Constance LeungJuly 13, 2013
Service staff are friendly. Drinks are awesome, Blackheart is recommended.
Wilson ZhouAugust 10, 2014
Pistache Club-gin based pistachio syrup and egg white
Chris ChenOctober 5, 2012
We tried 4 different drinks. They were all very unbalanced. Doorman would not let us in although there was plenty of space inside. Service was top notch. Overall was underwhelmed.
Robert BurrMay 21, 2012
A very unique option is the vintage cocktails using rare old ingredients.
@theMichaelShaneDecember 15, 2012
Try the experimental cocktails.
Amy WangMarch 7, 2015
Solid cocktail. But just another dark old fashioned cocktail lounge. Comfy chairs a huge plus! Other than that meh

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Experimental Cocktail Club

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