amor y amargo is a cozy, small bar specializing in bitters - it definitely has the best bitters i've ever had. it is probably an indirect competitor to angel's share (which has become too touristy) but the bitters here are crafted much more subtly, whereas bitters at angel's share are overwhelmingly bitter. the best way to describe it is by its name ("love and bitters") - the drinks are bitter yet sweet, almost potion-like. it is a bit pricy for the sheer size of the drink (it's probably around 4-5oz for on average $14 pre-tip), but it's worth a visit to try out the flavors.
TIPS
- arrive early to get a seat at the bar, because there really is not much room. i was here on a sunday night and had to stand, and have been in the space on weekend nights when there
- i don't believe the drinks are as strong as people make them out to be (honestly how can you get good buzz off of a drink this small, unless its all grain?), but they are definitely on the stronger side
- as such, this is NOT a place to get drunk (despite what a lot of yelpers have said), but rather a place to sit and enjoy the art of bitters
- crowd seems to be on the older, trendy side
- intimate place but also good for small groups
This place is tiny and super packed. I got one drink here, but it really wasn't anything special. I think the issue was because the place is so small. Maybe if I was able to get a seat, I would have enjoyed it more. But I hit my head against their bookshelf a few times, and had to keep moving for people to go to the bathroom.
Review Source:Come here if you like bitters. Also be warned it is a very small bar with only bar stool seating. I came here on a Sunday night so it wasn't as crowded and so we got quality bartender service. We told him what we like, and he made it for us. Drinks are good, but too thick and more like cough syrup to me. Still good, and they have a very wide selection of bitters to choose from.
Review Source:Met up with the wonderful Kevin L and the Boy, and what a great suggestion!!!
This was, by far, the best (and booziest) drink I've had in New York so far. All of the drinks on the menu sounded great, so I was a bit overwhelmed. It seemed like the kind of place where you could tell the bartender what you like and he could shake you something up. I gave the specs that (a) I'm usually a whisky drinker (Scotch in particular), (b) I don't like sweet drinks ("We only use bitters," the bartender said, pointing to the part of the menu that says almost verbatim, "We only use bitters." "Why, yes, that is what that says, isn't it?" I said.), and (c) that I didn't mind a boozy drink. He said okay and mumbled something about Scotch and chocolate and I said, "Okay" immediately as the word "chocolate" escaped his lips.
The creation was outstanding, just the right amount of bitter and sweet, and it definitely had a chocolately aftertaste (so, sweet, but in a good way). I nursed it for a while, just so I could savor.
This space is small, so I can't imagine how crowded it must get on a weekend night. We went for HH around 6:30 and all the stools were taken already, so beware.
Again, I am so glad Kevin suggested this spot!
Wow. Hype lived up to and topped. As a cocktail enthusiast in the East Village which is ground zero for these type of places, its easy to get spoiled. I didn't think anything could touch Wayland or Summit Bar but this place....does. I got the Bespoke special Dealers choice which is basically the bartender makes you a drink based on your tastes. I like smokey whiskey drinks and he did not disappoint. It was insane, delicious, and got me very buzzed very fast. Excellent service - the older bartender left the bar, came to us and asked us what we wanted and brought it out to us. What! In NYC???!?!!! That is service! Also he was very cool, explained the drink and what was in it and how it got its flavor and was prompt. This place is great for a drink before a night out or a date with a girl who is cool enough to know her drinks and worth the price (its not cheap here but well worth it). My roommate had a gin drink with bitters, not sure the exact name but it was also redonkulous. Go here, now.
Review Source:Amor y Amargo definitely lived up to the hype! This fantastic cocktail bar has been on my East Village bucket list all year--I wish I had made it there sooner. The bartender was super friendly, but not annoying, and very knowledgeable. He gave us a brief Bitters 101 when we asked "what exactly are bitters?!" Â and then proceeded to whip up a couple of stellar cocktails. My favorite was the Di Pompelmo, which also happens to be featured on a list of NYC's top 100 cocktails of 2012.
This is the perfect spot for a trendy but causal date -- it was nicely crowded on Wednesday evening around 9 pm and we were able to snag the best seats in the house, at the end of the tiny bar. The decor reminded me of some of my favorite bars from my study abroad days in Sevilla and I loved the 40's tunes they started playing around 11 pm. Beware: the cocktails are pretty strong. I had 3 of them in about 2 hours and was a notch past tipsy, although I have been know to be a bit of a light-weight.
Love stopping by here when I'm in the city! The drinks are amazing here and the bartenders are like chemist with the different bitters. If you don't know what you'd like from there list of great drinks, the bartenders are very helpful with helping you narrow it down. They even just take your choice liquor (mine being gin) and make something great thats not on the menu
Review Source:I came here last night with 3 of my friends [thankfully not more] on a whim, just walking by. Blink and you miss this place as its literally a hole in the wall [think of a really big walk-in closet with a bathroom].
They serve really awesome drinks [$12-$14 each] and specialize in bitters. I had the Citron Collins with gin, simple syrup, soda, and cintron sauvage. It was on the stronger side but really top notch.
I loved the decor, with small bottles of bitters and cocktail cookbooks lining the walls. I just wish this place was slightly bigger, I was constantly bumping into people with my bag and the busboy as he went from the dishwasher [I'm assuming] to the bar with clean glasses dripping overhead.
I Â came here about a year ago when my boyfriend and I were going through a bitters and gin phase (which we're still enthralled by, but less feverishly). The cocktails were wonderful and it was a simple pleasure just hanging out, chating with the bartender who was really friendly and knew his spirits. We kept meaning to go back but somehow it's slipped... happy this place came up on Yelp's "weird bars" list... jolted my memory! Note: there's nothing actually weird about it, though weird for a bar bc it is very very small and somewhat understated considering the really elegant cocktails that they serve
Review Source:having this place only a few doors down from Death & Co. sets you up for a fantastic one-two punch of potent, expertly-made cocktails from two great establishments. This place is tiny, but we got there early on a tuesday and grabbed two bar stools. This place specializes in bitters, and they line the whole length of the bar. Bitters in every flavor, most I have never knew existed- charred pineapple, apple, grapefruit, sriracha!!. The bartender was very friendly and the place is very laidback, no pretentions here. The drinks were great..I had a sharpie mustache and a riff on an old-fashioned with habenero bitters...at least thats what I think it was. The drinks are pricey- $14-$16 range but for a cocktail-lover like me it's worth it.
Review Source:This is your place if you like drinks on the stronger side with bitters. Bitters is practically this place's middle name...oh wait.
The cocktails here are priced in line with other speakeasy/cocktail bars in the city, and I daresay they're even a bit more generous than other places with quantity. You can definitely tell that the drinks are all in one genre, but they still varied enough that you can probably find something you like.
One major downfall of this place though is that it's very small. I'd say the majority of the patrons were standing and cramped together, while a serve staff carried a mysteriously-dripping tray of (hopefully) freshly-washed glasses up over our heads through the crowd. If this place were bigger and could be somewhere a bit more reliable to bring a friend or two, it'd be perfect.
I didn't buy into the whole mixology thing until I walked into Amor y Amargo the second time. Came here to catch up with another former Seattle-ite on a Saturday night --- that was a bad idea (coming here on a Saturday night, not the catching up part). Â The place is small but not too crowded, so we stood by the bar and ended up getting a beer --- another bad idea. Â
Came back earlier this week on a weeknight and it was a much more pleasant experience. Â We briefly looked through the menu, ordered at the bar and promptly found some empty stools. Â Even though the bar was busy, I love that it didn't get too loud and the bartender was attentive despite us sitting away from the bar. Â I also love how warm, colorful, cozy, and incredibly intimate this place is. Â Wait, did I just use the words warm, colorful, cozy, and intimate in a positive light??? Â My friends would describe me as being extremely aloof, so I generally use these words with slight displease.
When I pay $15+ for a drink, I'd like it to be pretty gosh darn good or I expect it to be pretty potent. Â So far, only Amor y Amargo drinks have lived up exceptionally well to BOTH expectations... Â and their drinks are actually less than $15! Â I had a couple Gin & Tonic (my absolute favorite), White Negroni, and a negroni dealer's choice (yes, yes, I had a few drinks on a weeknight, don't judge! It was a long week as Brooklyn B would say). Â All of the drinks I had were amazing and well worth the price.
I can't wait to come back on another "quiet" weeknight.
Popped in here with my girlfriend on a Saturday night as we were waiting for call backs from either PDT or Death and Company (a sister establishment of Amor y Amargo). Â When we got there around 9:00, it was busy but not packed, by time we left though, it was packed! Â We stayed for one drink each, I ordered a Grandyman and my girlfriend ordered a Negroni on the rocks. Â Both were strong, but did not sacrifice quality for strength which is a major problem at a lot of establishments.
I give this 4 stars because I feel like this is a great place to get a drink or two, but to me at least, is not the type of place to spend an entire night.
Come here for a drink after work - I can only imagine how packed it gets on the weekends judging from the crowd on even a Wednesday night at 9 PM. Ask questions, order a few cocktails, and enjoy. The bartender on duty will surely answer any and all inquiries into what the cocktails contain, why they were made a certain way, and how you can make it at home. I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere (they only have a handful of seats and the entire space is probably 350-400 square feet) and their Manhattans, which were hands down the best I've ever had. The bartender even helped me pick out a nice base bitters to make something that I've been wanting to try but haven't been able to track down. I loved this spot and can't wait to introduce more people to it.
Review Source:Bitters bitters everywhere!
As long as the fact the place is about as big as a walk-in closet  doesn't bother you, boy do I have a place for you.
A great little cocktail bar with a list of interesting choices and the ever popular I call it or you call it custom cocktail option that turned out very well when I pulled a you call it.
Everything I tried there was quite good and seemingly made by people who care about the flavor and not just the novelty of making something classic or different to be different.
Very nice bartenders who appeared happy to be there and to take you on a cocktail journey.
Squeeze in there and try it!
I always get nervous trying a cocktail that I've never had before. Â I don't like lemon, lime, or anything with bubbles. Â Clearly, I'm a tad bit picky. Â So imagine my joy when the bartender says that they don't even use those ingredients here! Â It's all smooth mixtures, with lots of bitters.
I ordered the Casualty, which is described as a chocolatey version of the negroni. Â It was so good! Â It's strong but it goes down smooth. Â Although the word "chocolatey" is accurate, I wouldn't call it sweet. Â It's really just the perfect blend of ingredients.
The bartenders here really know what they're doing. Â Watching them make your drink is like watching them create a piece of art. Â It's a delicate process and they are masters at it.
My biggest complaint is really the size of the place versus the cost. Â If I'm paying $12 for a drink then I want to be able to enjoy said drink without people bumping against my seat, especially when there are so many spacious speakeasies nearby. Â That being said, I will probably come back at some point.
This is a unique bar in New York, and worth a visit if you are at all a fan of cocktails. Â It's very small and probably fits only about 20 people at once, so the bartenders are always attentive and can help you with your selection if you need it. Â They have a list of cocktails, or you can tell the bartender what you like and he will mix something for you. Â The drinks are on the cheaper end of the premium cocktail spectrum, and they are plenty strong so you usually have a pretty good lean going after two or three.
Here is what sets this place apart: All of their ingredients contain alcohol, which means no citrus, no sweeteners, and few traditional cocktails prepared in the traditional way. Â The execution of the idea here is perfect. Â However, I am taking away a star because I am not a huge fan of the idea in the first place. Â I personally prefer more traditional drinks, like the ones you find at other cocktail lounges. Â Regardless, I 100% recommend you come here at least once and give it a whirl.
This is my favorite bar in all of NYC.
What's not to like? Amazing drinks, cozy space, great location, never too crowded, a rotating cast of great bartenders, and if you like the bitters in your drink, you can buy them and take them home!
My favorite drinks here are the 'Scandi Gibson' (off the menu) with Aquavit and Cardamaro, and the 'Oaxacan Negroni' (off the menu) with Campari, Mezcal (instead of Gin) and Zucca (instead of sweet vermouth)
They're always happy to put their spin on a classic for you, and really, the way the menu works, you can customize to your heart's content.
You can also do Amaro tastings, and they're happy to educate Amaro and Bitters noobs on the history, process and tasting of these heavenly drinks.
I love this bar. What's not to love about a place that has a 'no vodka, no sugar, no juice' policy?
"No vodka, no sugar, no juice" says the bartender.
After saying to a different bar tender walking around around taking drink orders that we were "okay for now" and did not want a drink at that moment he said, "well, we don't have the space for non-drinkers," to which I replied, "understood." I understand that this is a smaller place, but there was no line. There was still space to move around and it was by no means packed. I would have appreciated a little more courtesy from the staff at Amor y Amargo.
We ended up staying to enjoy time with friends but never ordered a drink.
I will not be going back here.
Amazing bar that focuses on bitters both grand and petit. Come in any day of the week and get blown away by drink after drink!
Don't expect your regular cocktail bar as they only have stirred drinks served down. Might not be for everyone but if you love a good Old Fashioned or Manhattan then you've found the right spot. Â
They also have a large selection of classic cocktail tools, bitter and books. What more do you want!
This small and unassuming establishment is probably the most fiscally responsible choice in this economy. The drinks are strong and they're practically giving them away. If you want cocktails with juices, flowers, syrups and other frilly nonsense, this place is not for you. The affable and good natured disposition of the staff perfectly completes the experience.
Review Source:This is my kind of place. Â Absolutely no frills cocktail bar. Â If you don't want any bullshit juice watering your drinks down or you love your bitters, this is the place. Â The ambiance and attitude is really what makes this place stand out. Â It's a tiny space and was packed on a Saturday night. Â One of the workers kept out trucking back and forth between the crowd with racks of glassware but everyone made room and no one batted an eye. Â That's just how this place rolls.
There were only two bartenders rockin' the place. Â I made eye contact with the one taking orders but he took a second to give me a menu, it was busy after all. Â This place has a ton of drinks. Â My friend and I ordered a Casualty (a play on a Negroni) and the Chimney Sweep (recommended for those in between a beer and a cocktail). Â It didn't take a really long time for the drinks to get made but once you watch (and you just get pulled in) the other bartender making them you'll understand why. Â Each drink has so many components, bitters measured meticulously. Â The bartender had 7 glasses in front of him and was grabbing bitter bottles from a row of at least 12 without blinking an eye. Â I don't know if it was the droning prog rock in the background or what but they were in the zone and I was getting sucked in too. Â It was a perfectly improvised dance.
The Casualty was a kick in the face. Â Very boozy. Â Its description as a chocolatey Negroni is on point with its mole bitters. Â I make Negronis at home and very very surprised at how much the chocolate stood out. Â It was stellar. Â The Chimney Sweep seems like something people don't order that often, I think the bartender paused for a second to remember what went into it, but it was quite light. Â Misleadingly light. Â I don't remember the exact components but it's first taste reminded me of simple bitters + seltzer combinations that I make for an upset stomach. Â The other stuff in there though had floral components that was a pleasure to sip. Â The slow booze burn, rearing up from behind, unbeknownst.
As we finished our drinks and left, Tool's Laterlus started playing and I didn't want to leave.
Definitely need to come back on a weekday and hang at the bar. Â Have some of their food, which I hear is awesome.
On one of the most brutally frosty nights in NY aka the arctic chill of 2013, a brave friend and I made our way to Amor Y Amargo. At first sight, it was definitely love; intimate, quiet, and cozy.
Our bartender was knowledgable, friendly and generous. My friend kindly advised "this bar is not for people who like fillers." After taking a sip of my old fashioned concocted with three different bitters (lemon, sriracha, and apple), I said "Wow, this stuff will grow hair on your chest!" No pansy drinks here. The best part is the bartender encourages you to try the different bitters (flavors ranging from herbal to fruit).
So what could possibly top this? A scotch pickled egg and a cheese plate! I adore eggs and the scotch pickled egg is fried deliciousness. Gregarious customers will strike up a conversation with you. Highly recommend for the solid drinks, tasty food, and casual atmosphere.
Bartender: "Fun fact: There are only 2 things in this bar that don't have alcohol in them, can you guess?"
Our Group: Â uhhhhh - drunken blank stare
Bartender: "Water and Club Soda"
So don't go in expecting a vodka-cranberry....these are serious cocktails that lead to a serious buzz! Â The bar isn't that big and gets pretty crowded on the weekend, so go midweek if you want a seat at the bar. Â The bartenders are simply awesome.
Amor y Amargo is not just a bar, but an experience. We stumbled in after being quoted a half hour wait time next door at Death and Company, just expecting to have a drink to kill time. We ended up staying all night, and being sold on the creativity, passion and precision behind this bar.
The name means "Love and Bitters" and that's exactly what you'll find here. And, like me, may develop a new love and appreciation for bitters. Their selection of bitters is endless, ranging from the likes of Meyer Lemon, Black Mission Fig, Rhubarb, and so many more.
We were instantly made to feel welcome as soon as we entered. Bartender Chris L was friendly, engaging, and incredibly skilled. The bar is very tiny, but it was an intimate and warm feel that's hard pressed to find in New York City. It was full of locals, amazing conversations, and was just the perfect evening.
You can't go wrong with any of their cocktails. They know how to do the classics right. My husband, the worlds pickiest Manhattan drinker, was pleased. Their version of the Gin and Tonic is unmatched. Chris explained it had something to do with replacing tonic water with a spirit that had similar effect. I was too drunk at this point to understand, but it totally made sense. ;)
I followed some drinks to the menu, and loved all of them. The drinks I loved most, however, were the ones I asked Chris to make for me. He made me unique drinks with Rhubarb bitters, and another with Fig, and honestly, they were so carefully crafted and amazing. The rhubarb drink was one of my favorite drinks I've ever had.
Prices are so reasonable for the quality here. Bartenders are skilled and truly take their time at their craft. Chris taste-tested each drink before handing it out, ensuring it was perfect.
I will return, absolutely, and recommend this place to anyone looking for a unique, thoughtful, even romantic adventure into the world of bitters and classic spirits.
I loved the bar here. Such a small "locals only" feel. When I say small I mean small. One widown unit AC for the whole place, the sound system is a bose Ipod dock.
I agree with previous reviewers that its not the type of place to get hammered. I mean hey the drinks are very bitter, you take small sips. I felt like I could only do one or two drinks tops here but I would be open to going back to try others to find my niche.
A week night stop for a quick drink with a friend....this place is perfect.
Love! Been twice and had a nice time each time.
Small food menu and a savvy bartender.
The bar is small but comfy enough where you can have an intimate conversation and not have to shout. Lovely.
Will go back repeatedly...if anything, just for the lineup of bitters I can continue to taste test.
Relaxed and cozy bitters bar - perfect for a late drink on a weekday. It's a really small spot, but people here are friendly and try to make room for one another. If you need a lot of space, this isn't your place.
Every single kind of bitters flavor imaginable. Of course, they have a full bar and can make you basically anything your heart desires, but dark spirits are the specialty. They have a menu, or for the more adventurous talk to the bartender about your flavor loves and let them figure it out for you.
Love this place.
I had planned a night of cocktail bars with a friend. I know this place gets great reviews, but I just didn't think that it would be all that great. I was ever so swept off my hipster feet. I think there are like 6 places to sit in this place. The Bartenders are really cool, and explain what they're doing. They made drinking whiskey a much more pleasurable experience for me. No longer am I stuck within the confines of a shot of powers whiskey and a PBR. I CAN order an Old Fashioned. Either I'm getting older or my tongue is finding new ways to please me :)
Back to Amor y Amargo. Go here, check it out. It really is worth it.
I've been holding off on writing this review for a while because I don't know if I can properly put in to words how much I like this place.
It's not a place to get hammered - although I've definitely done so.
Amor y Amargo is a great place to go with a friend or two to enjoy a few perfectly concocted drinks and good conversation. On paper the drinks might not be for everyone, but I've never brought anyone here who didn't love them, many have been surprised that they did.
I prefer coming weeknights when it's nice and quiet, especially Wednesdays when Souther is behind the bar. I hate weekends pretty much everywhere.
This place is TINY! I mean I have seen some small bars in NYC before but this is a new level of small. Â I think any more than 15 ppl inside and it becomes a health hazard. Â
The good news is that if you do find yourself here, you can expect to taste some very good cocktails at reasonable prices (mostly $12 - $14). Most of the concoctions are made from a combination of bitters, rye or rum. I tried the Old Fashioned and the Sticky Mustache (or something like that - Â I really gotta start taking notes). Both were excellent. For my 3rd drink, I got a bespoke cocktail - bartender's choice. He made me a drink that he said he developed while he was doing the Burning Man. It was the best of the 3 drinks I had there. They also have cocktails on tap and their own takes on some other run-of-the-mill cocktails but I think you'll be wasting your time here if you order a Vodka Soda. Actually I'm not even sure if they have vodka!
3 cocktails were enough for me. Â I did notice that they sell a lot of their bitters along with some other helpful stuff such as proper sized ice boxes, all designed to help you make your own perfect drink. Â Most of the bitters seemed to come from exotic lands such as Brooklyn or Washington...
Obviously they are serious about their drinks here, so you should come with people who appreciate their liquor.
Let's make this review interactive! Count how many mentions of the word 'bitter' I can fit into this write-up starting...now.
Amor y Amargo is a fantastic spot, though it's really too small to earn the designation of a 'bar'. More like an Alcove of Awesomeness. Unfortunately, the bitter truth is that its size combined with its popularity makes it difficult to snag some room - we came by on a Tuesday night at 11pm and it was PACKED, to the point that we had to cram ourselves against the corner near the kitchen. My ladyfriend was initially a bit bitter that we were so smushed, but then the best part of the bar emerged - the Great Bartender himself. The Great Bartender actually left the bar just to personally hand us menus and apologized for it being so crammed. He helped guide us through the drink menu, answering any and all of our dumb question about the drinks, and without any bitterness, waited while we hemmed and hawed about what drink we were gonna get.
Shortly after, a couple seated at the bar got up to leave, and before anyone else could swoop in to snag the seats, The Great Bartender called out to us and said to join him at the bar since we were squeezed in so tight. Damn thoughtful. Me and my friend proceeded to get into a discussion about old flames and bitter heartbreak, and then The Great Bartender, having overheard, slipped in a line that was so brilliant that....I can't even remember it. It was something about the difference between a situation being heartbreaking or heart-wrenching, and it blew our minds.
We had to leave shortly after since the bar was closing, but I won't forget the high level of professionalism and thoughtfulness that The Great Bartender exuded throughout the short time we were there. Considering how most of these deluxe cocktail bars feature bitter bartenders that perceive themselves as Too Cool to Poo, I was thoroughly impressed. As for the drinks, all I remember is that they were fantastic and extremely well-made, though that almost seems like a given.
I can't wait to come back. Great drinks, great atmosphere, and The Great Bartender means that you'd be hard-pressed to find a bitter place to grab a drink! SORRY, HAD TO DO IT.
'Bitter' Word Count - 6.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,608 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,970 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,309 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,906 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,985 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
