Welcome to Bar of the Week, a running series from TV and City that highlights New York’s best spots for drinks, vibes, and just the right amount of chaos.
Each week, we spotlight one bar. Sometimes it’s a cozy cocktail lounge. Sometimes it’s a sprawling beer hall. Sometimes it’s a barely-marked door behind a fake hardware store. We don’t try to cover every bar in the city. Just the ones we actually go to. The ones we’d take a friend, a first date, or someone visiting who asks, “So where do you usually hang out?”
These aren’t curated for algorithms or chasing clout. They’re the bars that make up New York. One week at a time.
🌺 Bar of the Week: Tiki Chick
📍 Location: 517 Amsterdam Ave, Upper West Side
🚇 Nearest Subway: 86th Street (1, B, C)
Vibe: A tropical oasis in the heart of the Upper West Side, offering island-inspired cocktails and a laid-back atmosphere.
🌴 Why We Love It
Tiki Chick brings a splash of the tropics to the city. The bar’s vibrant decor and open-air design create an inviting space that’s perfect year-round. On pleasant days, the windows open wide, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor seating. At night, a projector plays nostalgic ’90s movies on the wall, adding to the relaxed, beachy vibe.
🍹 What to Order
The Hurricane is a standout frozen cocktail, blending Bacardi Reserva Ocho and Marti Plata rum with passion fruit, orange, pomegranate, apricot, organic cane sugar, and lime. It’s a refreshing choice that captures the essence of a tropical escape. Other frozen favorites include the Piña Colada and the unique Pickle Painkiller, which incorporates Jacob’s Pickles Hot Sour Brine for a tangy twist.
🍗 Food Highlights
Tiki Chick offers a selection of $5 sandwiches that have garnered a loyal following. The Hot Honey features buttermilk fried chicken topped with honey Nashville sauce and pickle chips, delivering a sweet and spicy kick. For those seeking a plant-based option, the Tikilafel combines sweet and savory falafel with grilled pineapple, pickled red cabbage, and vegan sauces.
🗽 Why It’s a TV and City Pick
Tiki Chick stands out as a vibrant, affordable spot that brings the spirit of the islands to the Upper West Side. Whether you’re sipping a frozen cocktail, enjoying a hearty sandwich, or soaking in the nostalgic ambiance, it’s a place that offers a mini-vacation without leaving the city.
TV and City 