The New York Times > Martignetti Liquors Bar in Lower E. Side, New York City > New York City

The New York Times > Martignetti Liquors Bar in Lower E. Side, New York City > New York City:
"It's hard to make assumptions about a bar that includes both Crystal ($400 a bottle) and Miller High Life ($120 a case) on its bottle service menu. Although the velvet rope at the door of Martignetti Liquors hints at exclusivity, the windows open out onto the bustle of Houston Street, suggesting a lack of pretension inside. The palm-tree print wall covering and bamboo wainscoting are festive, but take on a slightly sinister tinge when paired with the list of cocktails (all $10), which, with drink names like Agent Orange (Mandarin liquor, cranberry, orange and lime juices) and Me Lychee Longtime (Citron vodka, Chambord and lychee juice), makes confounding light of the Vietnam war.

But Martignetti Liquors, housed in the space that was formerly Carnaval and Idlewild, is also surprisingly genial: the drinks are strong and tasty, the service friendly, the banquettes comfortable and the atmosphere relaxed. Its location, at the edge of NoLIta and bordering the Lower East Side, makes it perfect for a pre-dinner martini or a late-night stop to extend a party. "