Nobody Told Me

The Upper West Side (in this case, technically Manhattan Valley) is more identified with culture, academia and cozy brownstones than nightlife—but the opening of Nobody Told Me brings it one more fun after-dark option. The cocktail bar, from noted chef Nick Pfannerstill, livens up a quiet, mostly residential stretch of Amsterdam Avenue. Inside you’ll find a neon sign and floral wallpaper that might convince you you’ve stepped into a bar much further downtown. Drinks are divided into Kinda Classic and Kinda Not categories. Examples include a pepper jelly julep (bourbon, pepper liqueur, mint and pepper jelly) on the former and the inventive Assemble the Empire (Italicus, sherry, blackberries, orgeat) on the latter. Pay attention to the food menu too; among the standouts are shareable shrimp rolls, truffle queso and a crispy spicy chicken sandwich you won’t want to share.