City Winery Transforms Its Speakeasy Into a Swanky Cocktail Bar

Last September, City Winery unveiled a “speakeasy-style” side project for drinkers who wanted a hush-hush, in-the-know experience. Ponce City Market’s restaurant/wine bar/music venue has decided its done with secrets, and the space has been revamped as a cocktail bar called ABV.

Instead of limiting access to those with knowledge of the day’s password, ABV, which officially launched on Friday, is open to all comers. There’s a daily happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., during which patrons can get a free slice of French bread pizza with the purchase of a cocktail. A $3 shot of the day and $5 punch are also available. The beverage menu has been updated with new drinks like the trouble maker (Elyx vodka, Lillet Rouge, yellow Chartreuse, lime, honey-lavender syrup) and Mama Mary (Sazerac rye, Antica Formula vermouth, Cappelleti Aperitivo, lemon, orange, lime juice, aromatic bitters, simple syrup, rosemary).

ABV’s entrance is to the left of Binder’s Art Supplies. The bar is open daily from 5 p.m. to midnight, and new executive chef Don Cherry’s revamped food menu, with a charcuterie board and poutine among the new dishes, is served until 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

City Winery may be geared toward a more mature crowd, but it’s clear the venue, which also has locations in New York City, Chicago, Nashville, and Boston, is attempting to lure a younger clientele with the updated cocktail bar.

“ABV’s completely different from the wine bar we offer upstairs,” City Winery national director of food and beverage JC Shurts said in a prepared statement. “It’s a neighborhood place where young urban professionals looking for something new can sit down with friends and have some really interesting and creative concoctions they won’t find anywhere else.”

• Shh, City Winery’s ‘Speakeasy-Style’ Cocktail Bar Is Now Open [EATL]
• City Winery Changes Directions; Don Cherry Is IN as Executive Chef [EATL]
• All City Winery Coverage [EATL]