You know you want to chill on that couch with your pals and play some pool.
Credit: Provided

As Metro’s spirits editor, T. Michelle Murphy hits a lot of bars. In this new column, in various states of sobriety, she offers her take on New York City’s finest — and foulest — alcohol-proffering establishments.

Troy Liquor Bar

675 Hudson St.
www.troyliquorbar.com

SYNOPSIS
What might be a nightmare on the weekend is a complete respite from reality during weekday happy hours —if you can find it.

Neighborhood: Meatpacking District

Ambience: (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.) If speakeasies were a “thing” in the ’80s, they would look and feel like Troy: brick and stone, graffiti and black-and-white prints, dark and cool (both chill and chilly). It offers a laid-back underground vibe for groups (we saw no solos or duos), especially in the sweet private rooms (steal the one with the foosball table). Ideal afternoon setting to escape the extreme heat or a sudden summer thunderstorm.

Bartenders: Christina was our waitress and recommended drinks for us; Amy was at the bar. Between these two and very available managers (hi Brian!), service was attentive but not hover-y.

Cocktails: The drinks here are explained as classics with a retro twist, which is slightly confusing because “classic” and “retro” are kinda the same thing. Regardless, they were tasty. Everything’s a riff on something else: We had the Desperado (“like a margarita with guava instead of lime juice”) and Jailbreak (“like a Pimm’s cup”). Also suggested were the Rapture (“like a cosmo, but with white cranberry juice”) and the Burnin’ For You (“like a Long Island iced tea”).

Food: Dos Caminos and Bill’s Burger Bar are right upstairs, and, you guys, you can get food from there served to your bar table. Some items are on the “Bar Bites” menu, but a trusted source tells us you can basically just ask for anything on their menus upstairs and you will have it — ahh, SERVICE!

Price: ($$) The prices here are average for the area ($12 cocktails), but if you factor in the insanely appealing happy hour prices (see below), we have to add some bonus points. File this one under “worth it.”

Specials: You have to come here for happy hour before the whole world knows about it: $8 specialty cocktails, $4 draft beer, $6 house wine or $18 for an entire bottle of red, white or pink.

Drunkenness: (+) We only stopped by for one drink, although all of the bar’s early guests were treated to a complimentary peach vodka shot.