Recommendations

A sexy East Village bar with innovative cocktails.

Guide: Foodie (Heather)
Location: East Village

Strengths

• Death & Co is a great spot for drinks or a date. The cocktails are painstakingly prepared by mixologist Phil Ward, a veteran of Pegu Club.
• The atmosphere is dim and sexy - with a slyly morbid theme (a black color scheme; water jugs have skulls and crossbones, and the curtain covering the ice machine looks like something that might cover a coffin.

Shortcomings

• The place is quite small so if you arrive during a busy time and aren't able to get a table or a seat at the bar, you won't be as comfortable. The drinks are VERY strong, and the water glasses are VERY tiny, so depending on your mood, you'll either be very happy or very thirsty.

Insider tips

• The drink list changes seasonally and each night a special cocktail is featured. Ask your server is you have any questions about the cocktails - they're required to taste everything in house, so they'll direct you to the right cocktail for you.

Anecdotes

• I came to Death & Co for Valentine's Day, which was the perfect place to have a nightcap after dinner. If you end up getting in a fight with your date (like I did) at least there's a cocktail that combines tequila and jalapeno to take the edge off.

Credentials

• Head bartender Philip Ward previously worked at Pegu Club and Flatiron.