"In 2022, the It-cocktail was the Dirty Shirley. In 2023, the alternative martini. And now? We’re crowning the Saltair from Bar Contra, which comes with a Modelito sidecar, and tastes like the salty-sweet dregs of a margarita (in a good way). The Lower East Side cocktail spot from the Wildair team has a bar up front where you should bring a date who goes crazy for a witty cocktail description (“Chilean rum and Coke without the rum or Coke”). The leather booths in the back are perfect for a few-hours of pre-dinner gossip. Order liberally off the tiny food menu—we like the sausage-stuffed chicken wing, and the sexy little red prawns from Montauk. " - bryan kim, will hartman, willa moore, neha talreja, molly fitzpatrick, sonal shah