OUR ARTICLE

While the best thing you can do right now is stay inside, there are still ways to support the bars, coffee shops and small businesses in your community from afar. Local gathering places are intrinsic to the soul of the city, and they are currently facing an uncertain future without access to the patrons they regularly serve. We’ve listed a few of our favorites that are still open for business in some capacity below—just remember to always call ahead or check social media for updates, as conditions are changing daily.

COFFEE

Kobrick Coffee (Meat Packing District)

With four generations of NYC coffee roasting experience and a prime Meat Packing District café outpost, Kobrick has acquired a cult status among New York coffee and cocktail enthusiasts. While you, unfortunately, cannot currently sample the Mexican Jumping Bean—a buzzy tequila drink blended with a ristretto shot—the full cafe menu as well as 1lb bags of beans are available for delivery on Seamless and Caviar.

Those outside the delivery radius can order beans online with free shipping, including 5lb bulk bags that were formerly limited to the trade, and the Kobrick roasting plant in Jersey City is allowing pick-ups on orders placed locally. We recommend the Kiss of Africa for all your home brewing needs.

La Colombe (Manhattan)

In uncertain times, it feels good to stick with the familiar. La Colombe is a household name known for a reliably great cup of coffee, and many of their locations in NYC are working to stay open for take-away to make sure you don’t have to go without your fix. Call ahead for shop hours, as days and times may vary by location.

A perk of being an international distributor is that all of La Colombe’s beans are also available online, as well as their canned draft lattes & cold brews, teas, and brewing equipment. Stock your pantry and treat yourself to a new Chemex, all in one shipment.

Hungry Ghost (Brooklyn)

Brooklyn favorite Hungry Ghost is maintaining daily schedules (7am—5pm) at their locations in Prospect Heights, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Fort Greene, and Williamsburg. They’re open for take-away on all coffee drinks, kombucha, Stumptown beans, and pastries, and they’re still committed to pursuing that perfect shot of espresso.

A Hungry Ghost purchase right now goes beyond supporting their hard-working staff—the kind people behind the coffee have partnered with Operation Feed Brooklyn to provide coffees for first responders and healthcare workers at the Brooklyn Hospital Center and NYP Brooklyn Methodist. Can’t make it there in person? Consider a gift card purchase—orders over $50 get a 20% discount and proceeds go directly to payroll.

Birch Coffee (Delivery)

Another local favorite dedicated to supporting their community, Birch Coffee has temporarily closed all fourteen of their popular NYC locations but are currently taking online orders and donating coffee to healthcare workers around the city. As of April 10, Birch had donated over 600lbs of coffee and set up mobile brewing stations at the Metropolitan Hospital Center, NYU Langone, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Available for purchase on their site are $20 Healthcare Donations, a full array of beans ground to your brewing preference, and a “Quarantine Survival Kit” featuring a bag of freshly roasted coffee, a quart of Oatly oat milk, and the rarest of all finds—a roll of toilet paper.

BARS

The Four Horsemen (Williamsburg)

While liquor stores are technically considered an essential business during this time, many are choosing to close to protect their staff and clients. Thankfully, some industrious wine and cocktail bars are opening their impressive cellars to the public for pickup orders. The Four Horsemen, the Williamsburg wine bar and restaurant founded by LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy, and its sister location Daymoves/Nightmoves are offering a wide selection online at nextdoorspacebk.com.

There are currently four pages of wine on the site, and you can email Justin (justin@fourhorsementbk.com) for the full list. Beer, cocktails, and coffee are also available, as well as gift cards and merch—a “fill the bag” order of 4 wine bottles gets 50% off a signature tote. Pickup only, Monday–Friday from 12–6PM.

Sugar Monk (Harlem)

Creativity thrives under constraints, and the mad cocktail scientists at Sugar Monk have risen to meet the challenge of quarantine hospitality. Offering a weekly rotation of pre-mixed house specialties for take-away on Fridays and Saturdays, Sugar Monk is keeping Harlem’s spirits up one drink at a time.

Orders must be placed in advance on their website, and pick up is from 4-8PM both nights of the weekend. Keep an eye on the Sugar Monk Instagram for the weekly specials, prices range from $40 for a 375ml bottle to $75 for a 750ml blend.

Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturales (Little Italy)

During less socially-distant times, this Nolita-based offshoot of a renowned Parisian wine bar offers one of the best by-the-glass menus in the city. Now, they’re touting their wares online in curated groupings ranging from $69 for the “Morning, Noon & Night” set (Coffee, Tea & Rosé), to a cool $12,000 for the “Drink While We Got It” collection, featuring four über-rare vintages.

Purchases are available for pick-up Monday–Friday from 2-6PM, and deliveries available in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. The most popular set, a Farmers Market Special featuring a produce selection from the Union Square Green Market and 2 bottles of natural wine, is currently sold out but we hear a re-up is in the works. Check their Instagram for up-to-date info and new deals.

Sweet Polly (Brooklyn)

This Prospect Heights spot, founded by Murat Uyaroglu of Hungry Ghost, is open for cocktails and snacks to go Thursday through Sunday each week. Cocktails on offer include house specials, classic Negronis and Martinis, and frozen tropical options. Take-out and delivery window is 2-8PM.

Never ones to slack on presentation, each individually bottled cocktail comes with a Sweet Polly insignia wax seal and non-perishable garnishes (think: dehydrated orange slices) to elevate your at-home drinks game. To send bar staff additional love during this time, visit their staff Go Fund me page.

PIZZA

Rubirosa (SoHo)

If there’s one thing New Yorkers are especially missing right now, it’s pizza. Manhattanites can indulge their cravings at Ruibrosa, the legendary SoHo staple famous for their 60-year-old New York style family recipe, and Tie-Dye Vodka pizza. The full menu, including gluten-free pies and mozzarella sticks, is currently available on Caviar for delivery and takeout from 12-10PM daily.

Weekend coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries to go are also available from 10AM-10PM. Show the staff your appreciation by purchasing the Limited Edition Staff Relief t-shirt, or the Porta Via Negroni or Rubi Staff Spritz with your take-out order.

Roberta’s (Brooklyn)

Brooklyn Pizza and pasta lovers can turn to Robertas. The Bushwick institution is currently offering pickup and delivery from all locations, including bread and baked goods, meal kits and frozen pizzas from the kitchen at 261 Moore Street.

If you have the time and inclination, why not test your culinary chops with the Make Your Own Pizza / Create Your Own Pasta kits. Your bag comes with everything you need to make classic Roberta’s dishes in the comfort of your own home, as well as a guaranteed evening (or afternoon, or morning) activity.