HiLot
Cocktail bar · East Village ·
Elegant 1970s-style cocktail bar with plush seating
Elegant 1970s-style cocktail bar with plush seating
"HiLot is from the team behind Joyface (another bar on this list). There’s no standing room here, and the space looks like a fancy home from the 1970s, with plaid carpets, fringed lamps, and a mirrored ceiling. It’s essentially a speakeasy that isn’t hidden, and it’s a great option for when you want to go out but don’t necessarily need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers who might spill their cocktails on you." - bryan kim, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah
"Both cocktail bar HiLot and its attached, clubbier sibling Joyface have electric fireplaces, but HiLot’s gives off heat (Joyface’s does too, but it gets shut off during busier hours). This themed bar takes reservations, which makes it a slightly more adult option than the party spot next door. Stop by with a group or with a date." - Eater Staff
"“I love Hilot so much. I love that it’s right next to Joyface and it’s just as ’70s but feels totally different. The interior is just so unique and so cool and intentional, and that translates into the bathroom. They have the coolest wallpaper—it’s flamingos. They’ve got a bathtub in there as well.”" - will hartman
"HiLot is from the team behind Joyface, an Alphabet City bar (right next door) where you can dance under a disco ball and hang out on a waterbed until 3am. But this is a different sort of place. There’s no standing room, and you have to make a reservation if you want a guaranteed seat. The space looks like a fancy living room from the 1970s, with plaid carpets, a mirrored ceiling, and fringed lamps perched on top of a winding leather couch. It’s essentially a speakeasy (complete with a doorbell you ring to get in) that isn’t hidden, and it’s a great option for when you want to go out in the East Village but don’t necessarily need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with folks who might spill their espresso martinis on you." - Bryan Kim
"Is a new cocktail bar from the team behind Joyface, paired next door with a 1970s-themed bar; some reservations are available on Tock though walk-ins are encouraged." - Melissa McCart