Five Delicious Cocktails Near Downtown Live

When you think about what you miss most about pre-pandemic life, attending in-person shows is probably high up on the list. Over two weekends, Downtown Live is staging 36 free outdoor performances throughout Lower Manhattan. On May 15-16 and May 22-23, you can catch musical acts, short plays, spoken word performances and more at three locations: One Battery Park Plaza, 85 Broad Street and 4 New York Plaza. 

While you’re there, you’re going to need libations. Here are five spots in the neighborhood to grab a delicious cocktail after the show. 

Tiki Chalet at Cedar Local (25 Cedar Street)

Celebrate the return of warmer weather with a tropical selection fresh off Cedar Local’s new spring cocktail menu. Try the Tiki Chalet with mezcal, passionfruit, pineapple, agave and lime. 

Bee’s Knees at The Lovelace (66 Pearl Street)

Sip on a sweet-and-sour Bee’s Knees at corner cocktail and gin bar The Lovelace, which has 90 international gins on hand. Their version of this classic concoction comes with Barr Hill Gin, lemon juice and orange blossom honey syrup. 

The Bar Room at the Beekman (5 Beekman Street)

Sometimes you just need an Oaxacan Old Fashioned or a Brooklyn’s Cointreau Cosmopolitan.

Aberlour Apricot Sour at Underdog (55 Stone Street)

Refresh with a Aberlour Apricot Sour — a Highland, 12-year single malt —at this Stone Street destination, with a full pub menu if you need a bite to eat, too.  

Flight Attendant at The Dead Rabbit (30 Water Street)

We’re enticed by the Flight Attendant—Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey, sweet vermouth, amaro, cacao, strawberry liqueur and aromatic bitters—at the classic Irish watering hole. 

photo: @underdog_nyc