Antik

The premise behind Antik is—plain and simple—a good idea. Similar to an actual restaurant, patrons make reservations ahead to time and are seated at loungey tables, where they're served drinks by waitresses (all of which seemed to have passed a 5'10"+ height requirement).The best and most interesting part? There's no bar, it’s all seated service. Genius! Not only does that eliminate the utter chaos that going out can bring, but it also keeps out the dreaded post-college transplanted kids who seem to flood the area on weekends.  The decor of the semi-private, intimate lounge (it only holds 74) looks a bit like it was ripped off from nearby Bowery Hotel's lobby bar, with patterned scarlet wallpaper and under-lit palm trees, but it works. A full bar is on hand, but the specialty cocktail menu is fabulous, you'd be remiss not to try at least one. Standouts include the White Lotus,  a sweet blend of vodka, St. Germain, Negori sake, plum wine, lime juice and cloves and the Moscow Mule, a more straightforward mix of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice.

See more: NoHo bars, East Village bars