Layla
Bar · Williamsburg ·
Cocktails, share plates, and brunch in a relaxed, vibey atmosphere
Cocktails, share plates, and brunch in a relaxed, vibey atmosphere
"On any given weeknight, almost every single table at Layla is a date. And all those tables have at least one Layla’s Juice, an orange-colored cocktail that’s sweet and sour and makes us dream of sunny days with warm breezes. Make sure you order one, and bonus points if you order it sitting in their big backyard. The cocktail bar works best for a date (as mentioned), or for a casual hang with a few fancy snacks, like some grilled snap peas with aioli, or whipped chicken liver mousse on toasted baguettes." - bryan kim, kenny yang, nikko duren, matt tervooren, will hartman
"“Layla has always been a favorite. The first time I went there was Halloween, like two years ago, and I was really impressed by the space. And now they have a big back patio, which is nice. I love their cocktails—the Layla’s Juice is where it’s at. They make a great espresso martini, and their burger is one of the best.”" - molly fitzpatrick
"Layla is right across the street from Sauced and similar in that there are always tons of first dates and people dressed in designer streetwear. But Layla focuses on cocktails rather than wine, and their Layla’s Juice—a mix of tequila, aperol, ginger, yuzu, and pineapple juice—is sure to put you in an outside state of mind. Especially when you drink one on their sunny back patio." - neha talreja, bryan kim, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman
"Williamsburg is full of excellent first date spots. Layla, a cocktail bar with seasonal small plates on Bedford, is the best of them. It’s got all you need for a lovely night with someone you don’t know too well—dim lighting, funky jazz, and an excellent cocktail list anchored by the Layla’s Juice, a sultry, summery mixture of tequila, Aperol, and a bunch of fruit juices. Don’t skip the food here—snacks like grilled peas, stracciatella, and the jonah crab pasta are all worth an order." - willa moore, bryan kim, will hartman, sonal shah, arden shore
"Like other great first date bars, Layla is a little sexy and the soundtrack is usually some combination of funk and Khruangbin. The menu has plenty of wine, but we prefer their cocktails. One sip of "Layla’s Juice," a crushable mixture of tequila, Aperol, yuzu, pineapple, and ginger, and you’ll be thinking about future beach vacations with the person across from you. The bar also has a nice back patio for all of your outdoor date needs." - will hartman, bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja