Botanic Lab

Botanic Lab is a great find (granted the first time we tried visiting we ended up at a terrible place called botanical gardens instead). I’m a big fan of speak easies, finding them is half the fun, and usually when there, you are blown away by the interesting flavors of their cocktails but also by the attention to the décor of these secret gems. We first heard of Botanic Lab about a bit over a year ago at a Unilocal event where different cocktail bars competed to make the ultimate rum drink using Starr Rum (an African rum). Our favorite (and everyone else’s) was the lemongrass fizz which Botanic Lab created. I remember that I not only gave all my votes to them, but would come back throughout the nights for more. Since then, we vowed to come back and try the drinks.
Last night we finally made it happen, and while there, we were treated to unique cocktails made by the mixologist/​bartender (more respect for people that know how to mix alcohols and bitters). I mentioned that I preferred tequila, not spicy, citrus or berries, not sweet, better on the more alcohol side and less on the flavors, I have just got into green chartreuse, and I like grapefruit. With all that said, I got an interesting cocktail that was for the most part, very tart. I mentioned to him that it was probably too tart for me, and he mentioned to give it a few more sips and see if the taste changes. It kind of did… I feel that the I either got used to it, or my taste buds opened so much that I was able to taste the tequila after a few seconds. That said, I probably would not get that again, as it was kind of like a tequila sunrise.
Now, this place… I mean… Not the biggest fan of the décor, looks a lot like the back of a theater stage, a bit of chairs in a corner and a table… and the alligator on the wall… well. interesting, but there is nothing else there… so just not sure if much thought was put into it. Kind of not impressive, dark place, but you came here for the drinks, not the ambiance I suppose.
It was nice, and I would say, I would come again to try a different drink, but with so many other cocktail bars, not sure just yet this makes it on my top list.
To be updated upon my next visit. I am hopeful!

What I place man. I love the vibe Marlo’s the DJ and especially Miguel Aranda the bartender and co-​founder of the place. Wow I’m amazed by the way they take care of you…

We stumbled upon this place while wandering in the LES on a Friday night. This basement level bar is great for rendezvous and organic cocktails. The vibes are excellent, there’s an alligator skin on the wall, the bar has all these bottles and plants around it, it looks very much like an apothecary. The botanists have on lab coats, and all the drinks are stored in glass jars with cork stoppers, they know each drink mix by heart. The ingredients and quality in each drink are superb and carefully handcrafted. $ 14 cocktails but worth the price.
It has a very speakeasy like quality, and these bars are my favorite. Little secret hideouts where you can meet with friends. There is barely any signage, and the few people milling around were dancing to great beats. The atmosphere is laid back, velvet seats and chairs, not overly done to match the hidden feeling. The jars on the wall behind the bar have different plants in them, gives it a great basement lab feeling. Some people here ended up super drunk, and couldn’t make their way up the stairs, fun times. I would come again to try all the different cocktails, the Matcha drink is calling my name.

This is one of those places that I’m hesitant to write a review about, because I’d really really like to keep it a secret. That said, this place has been around for nearly two years and it appears to be immune to the heavy LES traffic. And because of that, I am going to own this five-​star review — Botanic Lab certainly deserves it.
Came here on a Thursday night for happy hour (7−8pm). Unilocal lists that Botanic Lab opens at 6, so we were actually the first people to enter the bar. Kinda eerie, kinda awesome. Felt kinda cool, kinda alcoholic. In any case, my first note is that while Botanic Lab isn’t a speakeasy, it’s certainly got that vibe. The signage is pretty subtle — just a small glass plate that lights up when the place opens (perks of being the first person there?). Seeing as its next to Casa Mezcal — which is anything but discreet — this place is easy to miss.
Ambiance: A++++
Check my pictures for the full effect. Upon walking in, you’re immediately greeted by a massive — and I mean MASSIVE — alligator (crocodile? I don’t know) that appears to have been run over… and then hung up on the wall in all of its glory. I thought it was awesome, but I’m guessing it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (that will become a relevant pun in a moment). Otherwise, this place is classy without being pretentious, which can be a difficult balance to strike. Plush couches, low lighting, plenty of candles — pretty much your standard intimate cocktail scene. There’s also quite the impressive stage at the back of the space, complete with sultry, velvet curtains. I get the sense that they host events/​shows here quite often (we actually realized we were one of the only groups there that wasn’t part of some language group meeting there around 7:30 — a little awkward to realize but I found it endearing given the setting), which isn’t typical of these types of places. Standout cocktails AND entertainment? Sounds good to me.
Service/​staff: Equally amazing. Everyone who works here is friendly, bubbly, personable, knowledgeable… need I say more? I suppose this could’ve been because they were hosting a small event/​because it was early in the night, but I’d like to assume they’re just awesome with no strings attached. The bartender and his assistant just seemed so happy to be working there — just brought a smile to my face. And of course, as this is a cocktail bar, they also happen to be fantastic mixologists.
DRINKS: Sadly, I only ordered one, as we were waiting for a table at a restaurant nearby. Once the weather confidently decides that it is, indeed, time for fall, I pretty much only drink whiskey-​based drinks. The bartender spoke very highly of their rosemary-​infused gin gimlet (which looks really really good), but I ended up opting for the Whiskey Matcha (pictured) — bourbon, homemade matcha green tea syrup, fresh lemon juice and mint, served over ice. I’m kind of ashamed that my first time drinking matcha was in a cocktail, but given my affinity for mixology, I suppose it’s fitting. The drink itself was perfectly balanced. If I had to describe it in one word, I’d go with «earthy». If you’re looking for something more «polished» l’d probably recommend the Rosemary Gimlet. Just depends on what your tastes are. My equally enamored company went with the Sicario (basil-​infused tequila, fresh pineapple, lime and agave hibiscus tincture, basil salt rim, served on the rocks), which got rave reviews as well.

Well it’s a little biased. We were here on a Friday night early… like too early to party early. Say around 8PM? we are old, don’t judge.
The place just open and pretty much empty. The guy look at us like what in the world are you doing here at this hour. Well guess what, we are here to party at 8PM. Being just 2 of us at a lounge we get to have their full attention. It’s really nice and romantic to have that drink and hear each other. I would recommend coming here early to have that quiet date drink before the crowd pours in instead of going to a bar packed with stranger.
The drink is typical (or extreme) priced at $ 14 each. So 2 drinks end up to be around $ 35 including tip (generous tipper). they are really good. lots of flavor. If you go another hour, I don’t really guarantee their standard. When it’s busy, don’t expect too much.

Great tucked in place. This is why NY is awesome. You can walk around and find a gem of a place without looking around too much

We got there shortly after they opened and we were the only people in the place, which was kind of nice. Had the place to ourselves. I got a mixed drink that was awesome. The bartender was a nice guy and they were playing some club music. Going to go back to again to watch one of the free shows they put on. There is a stage where they have different shows. I recommend this place. Just go later at night when there are more people or earlier if you want the place to yourself!

Mcson is awesome!!! The drinks are AMAZING! Just tell Mcson what you like and he will make you an awesome drink.

A fun randomly cocktail/​salsa bar type place. The drinks were very good (I got the day of the dead). Staff was nice/​accommodating. They had a live salsa band the night we went so we did a lot of dancing. Would definitely go back for the drinks and festive vibe!

Fantastic ambience that they manage to ruin by trying to make it a club. And the music mix was disgustingly awful. Reggaeton mixed with Taylor Swift mixed with house music.
Would love to see an intimate concert here.

Botanic lab is absolute gem of lower east side. In this cosy late night cocktail bar u can enjoy different varieties of events from Wednesday to Saturday. It works till 4 am so when u can’t go anywhere else, here is where you are welcome. They serve great cocktails, infusions and bartenders are so friendly. They host bands and different private events on slow days such as Monday and Tuesday. Everyone who has chance check them out! They are amazing !

Underneath Casa Mezcal, this place is a secret goldmine of a bar with fantastic cocktails. Master Mixologist Miguel Aranda from Apotheke mixes some of the best drinks I have ever had in my life! I sometimes dream about his Bourbon Sours while I’m working and make a trip to the LES just to have a sip whenever I can.
If you have not tried this spot, GO!!! Its a perfect place to bring a date or the guys.

Good drinks. Loved the cucumber and penicilin cocktails! Bartenders are super friendly also. Will definitely come back!

I felt like I was on the set of a 1980’s porno.
My first clue should have been that I couldn’t even find this place, and actually had to call to find out if I was warm or cold while wandering around outside for 7 minutes. Deep in the bowels of Casa Mezcal is where you will find this unique bar.
My drink was 80% ice and 15% egg white, and $ 16. You do the math on my alcohol to extras ratio. On any day that ends in Y, this simply will not do. Bar Buddy was sorely unimpressed when his Moscow mule was handed to him in a glass tumbler come on mixologists, GIMME YO COPPER MUG.
The layout of this bar is super awkward, groups of tables that fit 8 – 10 individuals complete with leather couches you wouldn’t want to see with the lights on.
The crowd here is definitely in the 30 – 40 range, so maybe that whole vibe I mentioned before really takes them back. Unfortunately the ambience didn’t do it for me. I sadly will not be returning to Botanic Lab.

I came here with a handful of friends after celebrating my bday at Casa Mezcal.
We took up residence on the stage. What an amazing night. I was shitfaced out of my mind since it was my bday, but I do remember the bartender being amazing.
The ¹⁄₅ of a drink I could take down was complex & refreshing. Good cocktails according to the crew as well.
I want to come back when I’m more with it.

Nice ambiance, fairly minimal but a little bit of a speakeasy feel to it, antique lights, comfortable chairs, etc. The music was not at all in line with the visuals of the bar, but it was pretty awesome 80s music… so all good.
The drinks themselves are very good and interesting. Sometimes you get something that is just too sweet or has one flavor which is so incredibly overpowering. I didn’t find that to be the case here, after trying several. I particularly liked my green tea whiskey drink. Nice and boozy, with a touch of matcha, yuzu, etc.

So after a heavy meal and a long day, I was in dire need of a drink. Underneath Casa Mezcal was a small basement bar called Botanic Bar. Low and behold, the mixologist behind the (I wouldn’t dare call him a bartender) is Miguel Aranda who I know well from Yerba Buena. OH SNAP!
The space is dimly lit basement with nice sofas and a velvet-​curtained stage. Something about it made me feel like a burlesque show would begin and I would have an affair with the star! (Don’t judge me) in other words, great ambiance. But back to the matter at hand: the DRINKS!
Botanic lab lives up to its name. Fresh herbs, fresh fruit and essential oils mixed with quality spirits. I had three different ones (I know, I know. I was restraining myself) and lords knows what the names of them were. My eyes were rolling back in my head. One was a drink that had orange oil, lime, sherry and whiskey (I think) and it was great. There was also another one with cucumber which was refreshing after a long day. I will return to Botanic Lab and I will be reserving it for private events.

Given the ever increasing amount of places to drink (well) all over NYC, there is little left at Botanic Lab for a return visit.
With such a catchy name, to which I particularly feel attracted to, together with an impressive (and unnecessary?) skinned alligator hanging on the wall, surrounded by a seductive lighting and inviting atmosphere, which certainly conform your archetypical speakeasy lounge, it just doesn’t seems enough to compensate unbalanced drinks, average service and a quite intense musty basement smell. Given the fact that Botanic Lab has been already in business for over 6 months I would have expect at least two of the three to be resolved.
The menu features a plethora of unique ingredients in their cocktail menu. Saffron, cardamon, Solbeso, pink peppercorn and more. Almost all of their cocktails exhibit a not-​your-​average cocktail element. Nice. It just didn’t work for me. The Velvet Penicillin, a more classic recipe consisting of malt scotch, lemon juice, raw ginger juice, cane syrup and egg white was enjoyable. Very strong on the ginger to almost resembling smokey whiskeys. My friend’s Parfait Beso however, was overly sweet. In contrast to the Lemongrass Fizz, too strong on the herb for the other elements to shine not even a little. The Rosemary’s Sephora was my least favorite. Perhaps due to my dislike for Prosecco mixed with anything else. But in my opinion there was not balance at all, even when my friend enjoyed it towards the end.
Botanic Lab gets everything on the paper, but only, and quite unexpectedly I guess, the music played by the DJ was the only success of the night for me. That my friend was actually delightful I have to say.

Have been holding out on my review of Botanic Lab because I don’t want it to get too popular and crowded! The Saturday night we went there a few months ago it was the perfect mix of busy, and we were able to secure a bunch of couches for our friends. The bartender told our group there was going to be a burlesque show later that night, but after 3 hours of drinking ~$ 13 strong cocktails, we naturally left and headed to karaōke.
Drinks: Apparently there is such a thing as «quinoa vodka» — healthy and gets the party going! Also to go along with the «Botanic» theme they kept lighting plants/​herbs on fire and waving them around the bar.
*Side note: one of their bartenders was at a Unilocal cocktail challenge event this Monday night and beat out 9 other bartenders with their lemongrass rum cocktail. It had my vote!

I love that the entire menu is based on interesting flowers/​herbs/​spices. I had a hard time narrowing down my choice to just one but I eventually settled on a matcha whiskey cocktail. I liked the drink very much; at that point in the night I had a tipple too many and couldn’t be discerning enough to really break down the flavors that were going on in my mouth.
Nevertheless, Botanic Lab is a really cool space. It’s a speakeasy, tucked in the basement of a Lower East Side building, and is of a good size, not too large or small. The host was super friendly and genial. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from a giant alligator skin that was hanging on the wall. It was a dried up sheet of alligator skin. Alligator/​crocodile — one or the other. It was cool.