NYC’s Best All-Day Cafes Worth Drinking In
The bar at Hello Hello. Photo credit Gonzalo Loayza
The city that never sleeps may have a bit of a caffeine problem. During the day, thousands of coffee shops brew lattes and cappuccinos, and after dark, New York’s cocktail bars churn out espresso martini after espresso martini.
It’s no wonder that the city’s latest trend is an uptick in all-day cafes swapping out coffee for cocktails as the sun dips below the skyline.
“Coffee culture and cocktail culture actually have so much in common: sourcing, craft, ritual, and hospitality,” says Alexandra Tangen, Co-owner of KABIN, a SoHo cocktail bar that recently launched a daytime cafe program. "People are drinking more mindfully and prioritizing wellness differently, but they still want beautiful spaces to gather, work, socialize, and treat themselves throughout the entire day,” she says.
From the Lower East Side to the West Village, here are some of the coffee-fueled cafes that switch to stylish cocktail bars during the evening rush hour.
KABIN
300 Spring St.
The slow bar experience at KABIN. Photo credit Joanna Lin
This cozy Scandi-centric cocktail bar is a sanctuary from the bustle of Hudson Square, and recently introduced a daytime program to pair strong coffee with even stronger cocktails. Its espresso comes courtesy of La Cabra, while pour-overs from Norwegian roaster Tim Wendelboe are served alongside Norwegian-style waffles. At night, the Scandi snacks continue with Danish sourdough and chips served with smoked trout roe. When you decide to switch from espresso to alcohol, ease in with the Kardamom Bun, made with Brugal 1888, Michter’s bourbon, brown butter, cardamom, demerara sugar, lemon, egg white, bitters, and stout.
Suggested drinks to try
The Kardamom Bun at KABIN. Photo credit Joanna Lin
Free Healthcare
Everyone wants free healthcare, especially when it involves Hennessy, Aberfeldy, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, “Sushi Ginger,” honey, lemon, apple cider vinegar, and aquavit.
Cardamom Anything
When in a Scandinavian cafe, anything cardamom is a safe bet, from the cardamom latte — a barista’s blend of espresso, milk and cardamom syrup makes for a delightful pick-me-up — to the Kardamom Bun cocktail.
Patent Coffee and Patent Pending
49 W 27th St. (between 6th Ave. and Broadway)
The entrance to Patent Coffee
Patent Coffee and Patent Pending are sister concepts inside the historic Radio Wave Building in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood. The vibes at Patent Coffee are electric: Baristas here prepare freshly baked cookies and coffees with homemade syrups from its industrial space. Hidden behind a secret door inside the cafe, Patent Pending is a radio-wave-themed speakeasy that comes alive at night. Even better, drink enthusiasts no longer have to wait in line to try the cocktails: Patent Coffee now serves a small selection of these innovative creations, including a Coffee Negroni with pandan, black cardamom, and toasted coconut, as well as an espresso martini with cacao.
Suggested drinks to try
Coffee drinks from Patent Coffee and Patent Pending
Dark Forest Latte
A slightly sweet, fruity coffee made for caffeine lovers with a sweet tooth.
Cacao Espresso Martini
The perfect boozy pick-me-up with a hit of rich chocolate.
After Eden
162 Orchard St.
The interior of After Eden
You haven’t lived until you’ve had a cà phê muối, aka Vietnamese salt coffee. This brand-new cafe concept, which turns into a relaxed bar at night, is riding the popular Southeast Asian coffee wave. Once the condensed milk gets put away, out come the bottles of booze. The Vietnamese theme carries into its cocktail menu, including the Pho-tini made with a pho sweet vermouth reduction and garnished with a beef chip. After Eden also offers draft cocktails, such as the Nitro AE Espresso Martini, made with espresso, tequila, coffee liqueur, and saline.
Suggested drinks to try
After Eden’s Pho-tini
Cà phê muối
This classic Vietnamese coffee translates to “salt coffee,” but it’s really a salty-sweet mixture, akin to drinking salted caramel.
Pizzah!
When in New York City, a pizza cocktail will always be popular. This one combines Mijenta Blanco tequila, Pizza Lo-Fi dry vermouth milk punch, dried pizza spices, and basil oil.
Hello Hello Bar & Cafe
151 W 26th St. (between 7th and 6th)
The interior at Hello Hello. Photo credit Gonzalo Loayza
Part hip dive bar, part ‘70s lounge, this neighborhood hot spot is a chilled-out cafe by day and a happy hour favorite by night. New Yorkers sip Cuban coffee and munch on an apple turnover as they type on their laptops. Then, once the DJ starts to set up, the espresso martinis start flowing. It has a list of creative craft cocktails, but Hello Hello’s espresso martini menu is unsurprisingly popular. The bar’s hot dog menu is also a favorite, particularly the #2 topped with pineapple kimchi, mustard, crispy shallots, and cilantro.
Suggested drinks to try
An espresso martini at Hello Hello. Photo credit Gonzalo Loayza
Espresso Martini Latte
The perfect drink to start the night with. The mixologists combine 11th Hour coffee liqueur, espresso, latte milk, demerara sugar, and cocoa powder.
Japanese Iced Coffee
This mild roast gives off a subtle flavor, while a dash of condensed milk sweetens things up in the best way.
Aperitivo by Carta
101 W 10th St.
The exterior at Aperitivo. Photo credit Aperitivo by Carta
New Yorkers love a new neighborhood spot, and Aperitivo by Carta is just that. In the mornings, this intimate cafe smells like Paloma Bakery coffee, freshly baked gruyère and chive scones, and bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant. After 4:30 p.m., the lighting dims, and it becomes a sexy wine bar serving oysters and braised short rib. Diners can also try one of four offerings from Aperitivo’s Spritz Bar, like the Negroni Spritz.
Suggested drinks to try
A breakfast spread at Aperitivo. Photo credit Aperitivo by Carta
Hugo’s Cousin Spritz
The ideal drink on a hot New York day, this spritz is a refreshing blend of sparkling wine, elderflower, and mint.
Beetroot Latte
Perfect for the ‘Gram, this pink-hued latte is earthy, addictive, and undeniably photogenic.