In Manhattan's Kips Bay, My Friend Duke isn't your typical cocktail bar -- and they know it, too. For starters, they have 25 foot ceilings, a mezzanine and large skylight (sounds fancy, right?)... But more importantly, the drinks and food are worth traveling to 27th Street and 3rd Ave. -- whether you live down the block or blocks downtown. The big thing we love about the place are the people. The team behind My Friend Duke has been doing great things for a long time. And, bringing their expertise to that neighborhood is something that area needs -- spreading the cocktail gospel all over town. So, pick a night, stroll on in, order a round and have a seat with new pals and old ones at My Friend Duke.

What We Drink While We're Here: As most of the Liquor Lab gang is obsessed with mezcal, we recommend the Ginger #3 cocktail (more on that later) and we also order a mini can of Budweiser -- something creative and something classic.

Ambiance: What starts as a bright high-ceilinged space during the day gives way to a cozy candle lit bar as the sun goes down. The space provides a refuge for those seeking that hard-to-find mix of a well made cocktail, a great soundtrack, a fun staff and a beautiful space.

Cocktail Menu Highlights: We start with the Ginger #3, a perfect blend of smoke and spice combining mezcal, fresh ginger, pineapple and cayenne. But, after our first drink, we recommend moving on to our favorite slow sipper: the Hunstman, which great for long winter nights combining smokey Scotch with rich Sherry and Mexican Amaro.

Etc: Not just a cocktail bar -- trying the food here is a must. Whether is be the daily selection of fish for dishes, like Ceviche and Fish Tacos, or the amazingly rich and creamy Mushroom Toast, the food serves as a perfect compliment to the drinks and vibe. We love the shishito peppers, to he honest. And we're big fans of the smoked popcorn and fried chicken sandwiches until the early morning hours.