Bar Contra
A moody Lower East Side lounge serving inventive cocktails categorized by technique, from carbonated to nitro-muddled.
- Mon – Thu, 17:30 – 01:00 (+1); Fri – Sat, 17:30 – 02:00 (+1)
- Free Entry
- 138 Orchard Street
- 4.6 (144 reviews)
People
Dave ArnoldDesigner
JeremiahOwner
FabianOwner
Description
Behind the bar at this Lower East Side spot, cocktails designed by author Dave Arnold focus on novel ingredients and technical precision. The two-page menu split by method—spanning Shaken, Stirred, Frozen, Built, and Nitro Muddled—delivers drinks that often favor tight carbonation and light fruit accents over heavy sweetness. Bartenders move through rapid glassware chilling and drink prep against a backdrop of funky international lounge music, accompanied by a selection of small plates.