Should you have imagined the hysteria for "secret" imbibing experiences to have hit its plateau, let yourself be disabused of that perfectly reasonable assumption. The latest, New York's exceedingly debonair JBird, has now introduced such exclusivity to the city's greatest expanse of populism, the area around Times Square.

John Byrd, veteran barman of The Bedford in Williamsburg, brings the originality and quality of a swanky mixologist-concocted cocktails to Brooklyn’s finest. Byrd started bartending in Boston over fifteen years ago and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. The “ladies and the gays” help him name his creations, and older people are his inspiration. Take, for instance, the Mrs. Dillin (carrot juice, lime, Stoli Ohranj), a cocktail inspired by his 86-year-old grandma, who drinks a Stoli version every day. Bryd’s also the creator of the Brooklyn Barman, providing supplies and tools—custom bar knives, jiggers, bar bags—for the average bartender. He’s the kind of guy you want to sit down and have a drink with, especially if he’s the one pouring them. Check out John Byrd's favorite spots to grab a cocktail in New York City.

I love martinis for reasons high-minded, superficial, and craven. They're crisp, astringent, nuanced, and refreshing. I like how the glass looks in my hand. And, man, they get you lifted. Since there's not much to a martini, ingredients-wise, it should be simple to get a great one in a bar, but that's rarely the case, because few bartenders can afford the time and effort I'm willing to spend when I make them at home. Here's how I like mine: Stoli, up, with olives. Cast a sidelong glance at the bottle of vermouth across the room if you like. And it has to be as cold as Antarctica in the winter. The last part is the most crucial. If it's not just barely on this side of frozen, please don't bother. You're obviously not a martini drinker.

A place that has a "4-person party maximum" and "a hidden entry off the main dining room of a typical college campus style Japanese restaurant" turns out to be pretty hit-or-miss. On the one hand, at Angel's Share, you "run no risk of being outnumbered by a giggly gaggle of gorgeous PR girls tying one on after work." On the other hand you'll meet "dudes from Jersey proving to their even-more-out-of-towner pals that they know the real New York,” while strongly sensing a "1st time student/TA romantic encounter vibe” oozing from the little booths tucked in the corners. If you can distract yourself with the "heavily feminine cocktail list (which describes the less fruity drinks as ‘masculine’)" long enough for that guy you've been "trying not to stare at but jeez this place is so goddamn small" to offer you "Some chicken on a stick? No? How about a drink?" you might find yourself back here, "nose to nose in a corner booth" reliving those late school nights sneaking booze into Denny's. Now if only they had a bottomless cup...

1. Matt Damon, after Green Zone press day: Oh, boy! There are so many great restaurants here. I like Bob De Niro's place, Nobu. That's a good one. 2. Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi @ "Masks and Mayhem" Purim party @ Solo restaurant: Definitely, L.A., Voyeur, that club, I like it. 'Cause I just like low-key stuff because, since I've been in the limelight, when I go to clubs, it's just crazy. It's hard to, actually, party and have a good time, because I usually go out with Pauly and Mike in L.A., and it's just hard to party because everyone's, like, 'Oh!' They go crazy. And we love that, but, yet again, we like to have our low times. So, Voyeur, definitely, a good place to go because there's a lot of celebrities there, so we can actually relate with people.

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Cold cocktails and summer go together. Whether you're sitting by the beach or running from your office at the stroke of five to cool down at the nearest bar, the only question is: what is the most rockin,’ balls-to-the-wall, delicious, sunshine-inspired beverages out there? This list will get you started on a summer journey through NYC’s nooks and crannies, keeping your taste buds tantalized through at least October 1.

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