Iconic Cocktail Bar Apotheke Unveils A Sexy New Speakeasy In NoMad

Since 2008, a night out in Chinatown hasn't been complete without a stop at Apotheke, the infamous cocktail bar, housed in a former opium den, that combines modern mixology with the vibes of a vintage apothecary.

And though we'll always have a soft spot for the Doyers Street original, we just might have a new go-to further uptown.

This month, the bar unveiled a second New York outpost in NoMad, which includes a cellar speakeasy and a soon-to-be-opened penthouse lounge and terrace. 

The subterranean space, designed by Apotheke co-founder Christopher Tierney (who unfortunately passed away earlier this year), channels sultry glamour with plush patterned furnishings, handcrafted wallpaper, and a glowing 20-foot rosa aurora marble bar backed by a colorful array of glass bottled spirits, herbal tonics, and the house-created APO Bitters with Benefits. On the way down, guests pass through a stairwell lined with hundreds of dried herbs and wildflowers.

The bar's signature "garden to glass" ethos informs the cocktail menu, created by Apotheke's Director of Mixology and Culinary Arts Nicolas O’Connor, which features new concoctions using natural botanicals that fall into the categories of Stimulants, Aphrodisiacs, and Stress Relievers, each with their own functional or restorative properties. Cheers to medicinal mixology!

Best of all, this new locale is the first to offer a food menu, serving up upscale bar bites like sustainable caviar, veggie plates, tea sandwiches, and a selection of dumplings (a nod to the original Chinatown location). 

While we await the unveiling of the rooftop, you can find us sniffing out this speakeasy and indulging in a drink (or three) underground. 

Apotheke NoMad, 9 West 26th Street

[Photos by Art Gray/Gabi Porter courtesy Apotheke]