A Cocktail spot hidden in plain sight: The Manhattan

Downtown Oklahoma City is home to many hidden gems. Historic buildings, hidden tunnels, museums, and beautiful parks. Mostly filled with businessmen and women and the casual tourist, not too many just wander the streets or business past lunch and happy hour. Well that all changed in 2017 when the creative minds behind Rococo opened The Manhattan OKC. A bar hidden among the hustle and bustle of downtown. At the corner of Park and Harvy, under the watchful eye of a raven, come meet, eat, and drink. That’s the motto of The Manhattan and they live up to it. Once you enter the small space, you are welcomed and set at ease. With a relaxed atmosphere and a warm modern design, The Manhattan is a classy yet approachable spot to enjoy a great cocktail and meal. Tyler Moore, The Manhattans bar manager wants everyone to know they are welcome. The Manhattan is more than just a bar and restaurant. It’s a place where like-minded individuals mix with others and challenge the construct that fine American food and cocktails are only for certain social groups. Inside you will find everyone from every walk of life, from the service industry to oil and gas, blue-collar and suits, to tourists, no one is out of place.

The Manhattan is home to great food and drinks. The menu is inspired by American classics with a modern approach and seasonally inspired. They always use the freshest ingredients and make most things in-house. During the lunch hours, you will find a menu full of easy and great options like sandwiches. A place to come, slow down, and enjoy a mid-day break. What does the Manhattan offer that other downtown locations don’t? A great after-work spot, date night, group meet-up, or solo meal. Their dinner menu is a welcoming change offering everything from appetizers like their famous crab cakes to nightly specials, baked salmon, and cheesecake, something for everyone. Besides their amazing food options, The Manhattan really shines and excels in making some of the greatest cocktails in the city. With a name like The Manhattan, you’d expect exceptional classics like martinis and old fashions. While they are great, what you need to order at least once is their namesake cocktail, the Manhattan. They stay true to the classic but add their own special touch by using rye whiskey and amaro to give it a distinctly spiced taste. Another great classic cocktail that they added their own pizzaz to is the lavender sour, their take on the popular gin sour. Their recipe uses vanilla vodka and an inhouse made lavender syrup for a sweet and refreshing change. Don’t just stop with the classics, The Manhattan is also known for their creative seasonal cocktails that they change every couple of months. The Spring cocktail menu is all about keeping you refreshed with cocktails featuring local Garden Club gin, elderflower liqueur, Earl Grey syrup, lemon, and spiced cherry bitters for the aptly named, Splash of Grey. Or my personal favorite, the creation of bar manager Tyler, the Cooler If You Did. A fun spin on a cucumber cooler and margarita featuring tequila, lime, in-house-made cucumber syrup, and falernum, which will have you chanting Dazed and Confused quotes all night. The Manhattan also has a great lineup of wines, whiskeys, and local beers. Come during happy hour, 2-6, and you can enjoy some appetizers and drinks at a great price. They have domestic beers for $3, tapped cocktails, an old fashion and rococo water, their take on ranch water, for $6 as well as wine specials.

In the words of Tyler, “a night out in Oklahoma City, starts at the Manhattan. Set the night for an amazing evening.” With a great spot, located next to many great offerings in the city, The Manhattan truly is the perfect starting point for your evening. As a local or a tourist, enjoy the finer things that OKC has to offer. The Manhattan is the perfect OKC place where you can count on not only a delicious meal and perfect drink but a fun and inviting atmosphere. You’ll become an instant regular and friend, with a constant smile on your face. The Manhattan is open from 11-10 on weekdays and 3-11 on Saturdays. They take reservations and are highly recommended on Friday and Saturday. Come say HI, relax, indulge, and enjoy yourself, under the raven.

The Manhattan Recipe

2 OZ Rye Whiskey

1 OZ Sweet Vermouth

2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

Stir Gently

Pour into a chilled cocktail glass

Garnish with 1 (good) Amarena cherry