Inside Recreation, the Sprawling Lobby Bar at the Moxy NYC Downtown Hotel

A 5,000-square-foot public space is hard to find in Manhattan, and we’re not referring to a pier, park or parking lot.

We’re talking an all-day hangout suited for a morning coffee, maybe a business call or meeting, and definitely cocktails after office hours. Enter Recreation, a communal co-working space by day and cool cocktail lounge by night, backed by Jon Neidich of Golden Age Hospitality. Situated on the third floor of the 30-story Moxy NYC Downtown in the Financial District, the atypical hotel lobby bar shares the same look as your well-to-do friend’s hip pad, the one who throws the stylin’ Friday night parties. Rock vinyl records wrap the walls, a corner crochetdermy bear poses for playful photo opps, and several seating areas are scattered throughout, perfect for posting (and boasting about the night) over social media. Keg-tapped cocktails await behind the built-in bar.

Risky Business

Conceived by Beverage Director Jim Kearns (The Happiest Hour, Slowly Shirley), the cocktail selection reflects the retro theme that adorns the king-size space. Highlights include Risky Business, a buzzier riff on a Dark ‘n’ Stormy, and Rock N’ Rye All Night, a youthful Old Fashioned binding both sugar and spice. These on-tap cocktails are also available in large formats, some served in big, unique vessels and others featuring house-made tonics and sodas. The rare draft cocktail system ensures quality and consistency drink-to-drink and cuts back on wait time for thirsty guests. It also allows imbibers to easily sample different cocktails before deciding on one.

Recreation Gaming Area

Recreation offers an old-school arcade machine with games like Ms. Pacman, Centipede and Donkey Kong, which are all free to play. There’s jumbo Jenga, Twister (which is permanently painted on the floor) and a half-court-size basketball court, which is equipped for all types of events like weekly movie nights, corporate meetings or just to shoot around like a pro-baller while taking a break from your MacBook Pro.

Crispy Chicken and Waffle Bites

Open all day, every day, you can find fun takes on traditional American fare like avocado toast and croissant French toast during breakfast hours and a four-cheese flatbread with white truffle oil and bite-size crispy chicken and waffles until the late-night hours. There’s happy hour on Monday through Saturday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and includes discounted draft beers, bubbles and select specialty cocktails. If you can’t make it to Recreation ASAP, channel the bar’s cool vibes with their take on the classic Old Fashioned.

Rock N’ Rye All Night

Rock N’ Rye All Night

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Wild Turkey 101º Rye
• .25 oz. Mister Katz’s Rock & Rye
• .25 oz. Demerara Syrup
• 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 2 dashes Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters
• Orange Wheel (to Garnish)
• Cherry (to Garnish)

Preparation: Over ice, combine all liquid ingredients into a mixing glass and stir for 20 seconds. Strain over ice in a rocks glass and garnish.