1. Attaboy (Photograph: Filip Wolak)
    Photograph: Filip Wolak
  2. Attaboy (Photograph: Jessica Lin)
    Photograph: Jessica Lin |

    Attaboy

  3. Attaboy (Photograph: Virginia Rollison)
    Photograph: Virginia Rollison |

    Attaboy

  4. Attaboy (Attaboy)
    Attaboy
  5. Attaboy (Photograph: Jessica Lin)
    Photograph: Jessica Lin |

    Paper Plane at Attaboy

  6. Attaboy (Photograph: Jessica Lin)
    Photograph: Jessica Lin |

    Torch Light at Attaboy

  7. Attaboy (Photograph: Jessica Lin)
    Photograph: Jessica Lin |

    Gold Rush at Attaboy

Review

Attaboy

4 out of 5 stars
  • Bars | Cocktail bars
  • Lower East Side
  • price 2 of 4
  • Recommended
Morgan Carter
Advertising

Time Out says

As I sat before the bartender at Attaboy and wished to pick his brain, he remarked he had about 900 cocktail recipes rattling around up there. And I believe him. You see, this is just the type of talented barkeeps you'll find at Attaboy. Founded by Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy
—alumni of Milk & Honey, the acclaimed speakeasy that once stood in its space—Attaboy carries the torch of its previous tenant and has done so for 13 years. Those who seek it will be rewarded with tipples that suit any whim, fancy or feeling, as all drinks here are made on the fly.

The vibe: Attaboy still maintains its secrecy to this day. The only giveaway is a metal door on Elridge Street that reads, "Please Wait To Be Greeted" and "AB" placed where a peephole would be. Find the buzzer and soon a staff member will arrive to usher you past the curtain (if you have a reservation). Your eyes may take some time to adjust to the dim digs before you, moderately dressed with whitewashed brick, tin ceilings and a line of stools pushed up against the steel bar top. If possible, it's best to park it at said bar where you can pique the interest of the staff at your leisure. 

The drinks: There are no menus; only a conversation with the bar staff is needed. You could be as granular as you want to be, specifying by liquor of choice, cocktail type and general avoidances. Or, you could play it like "Mad Libs," much like my drinking companion did, throwing out verbs like "impactful," "zingy," and "strong" and letting the bartender freewheel it. One order should likely include the Penicillin—Ross was the originator of it, after all.

The food: There isn't a food menu to speak of, so make plans to visit a spot in the Lower East Side before or after your resy. 

Time Out tip: If you happen upon a wait, which is guaranteed late night and on the weekends, you can always skip next door to their sister spot, Good Guy's, for a spritz and some conservas. 

Details

Address
134 Eldridge St
New York
10010
Cross street:
between Broome and Delancey Sts
Transport:
Subway: F to Delancey St; J, Z, M to Delancey–Essex Sts
Price:
Average cocktail: $20.
Opening hours:
Daily 5pm-3am
Do you own this business?Sign in & claim business
Advertising
You may also like
You may also like