Enter this speakeasy through a flower shop. Doris Sun photo
Technically, Florería Atlántico is a speakeasy, but patrons never experience the performative gestures that often come with the label. Guests enter through a functioning flower shop, where staff greet you with an ease that makes it clear they know why most people are there, even if a few are genuinely browsing bouquets. There’s no theatrics, just a quick confirmation before you’re guided downstairs.
The space opens into a long, dimly lit room that feels both intimate and energetic. The crowd reflects that balance on any given night, and can comprise large groups of in-the-know locals, couples tucked into corners on date night plus a steady mix of international drink enthusiasts.
The YVY Maraey with forest earth distillate, cashew liqueur and sage soda. Doris Sun photo
The cocktail program, led by Tato Giovannoni (recipient of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award from World’s 50 Best Bars in 2020), provides a cultural lesson in Argentina’s immigrant roots. With drinks that draw inspiration from the groups that shaped the country (Italian, Spanish, British), expect unexpected ingredients, including plenty of the Fernet-Branca that’s beloved by Argentinians, Patagonian berry sorbet, native botanicals and even Giovannoni’s own brand of vermouths and gins.
The food menu is as carefully crafted to highlight the best of Argentina as the cocktails are. The king crab empanada, in particular, is a standout: delicate and an indulgent tribute to the country’s humble national snack. This makes a trip to Florería Atlántico a complete experience, one that easily turns a quick stop for drinks into an evening to remember.
—by Doris Sun
