The Cocktail Playlist: NYC Bartenders Share What They’re Listening To While Mixing Drinks
If cocktails are a sensory experience, then music is the backbeat—the unspoken ingredient that guides every stir, shake, and pour. In New York City, where bartenders double as curators of ambiance, it’s not just about what’s in the glass. It’s about what’s playing in the background—and how that rhythm shapes the room.
From soul to synth-pop, from jazz to vinyl rarities, music isn’t a backdrop in NYC’s best cocktail bars—it’s part of the craft. Below, we highlight the bartenders, bars, and playlists that are blending tracks and tinctures with intention, proving that the perfect drink is often poured in 4/4 time.
Josh Davis – Soulful Sips & Emotional Mixes
Signature Playlist: 6ourbon 7ime
Suggested Pairing: Manhattan with Black Walnut Bitters
When Josh Davis steps behind the bar, Drake and Wale share space with bourbon and bitters. His playlist “6ourbon 7ime” is a slow-burn of soulful beats—tracks like "Lotus Flower Bomb" and "Laugh Now Cry Later"—perfect for low-lit conversations and contemplative cocktails.
“The right track can guide your hand, change your rhythm, even influence what you feel like creating.”
— Josh Davis
His go-to drink for this soundtrack? A Manhattan with a deep twist—bitter, balanced, and full of soul.
🔗 Tales of the Cocktail – Josh Davis
Phoebe (Miles, Bushwick) – Genre-Mixing & Menu-Bending
Signature Playlist: Miles After Dark
Suggested Pairing: Yuzu Gimlet with Shiso
At Miles in Bushwick, Phoebe lets the playlist guide the menu. Her style is eclectic—a touch of lo-fi, a splash of indie electro, and always a curveball track that gets guests asking: “Wait, what is this?”
The vibe? Creative, a little chaotic, and perfect for inventing something unexpected.
Her ideal drink to match the sound? A Yuzu Gimlet with shiso syrup, as sharp and citrus-forward as a high hat on vinyl.
🔗 Bushwick Daily – Phoebe Playlist
Chelsea Gregoire – Vinyl-Loving & Vibe-Setting
Signature Playlist: Springtime of My Life
Suggested Pairing: Clarified Apple & Elderflower Collins
Chelsea Gregoire is part bartender, part sound therapist. Their approach to music is deeply personal—often played on vinyl, always deeply felt. Tracks like "Burning Down the House" set a bold, funky tone that informs the cocktail pace and personality.
“I want the music to start the mood before the first sip. That way, the drink just completes the thought.”
— Chelsea Gregoire
Their recommended pairing is a clarified Collins with apple, elderflower, and lemon—crisp, vibrant, and a little unpredictable, just like their sets.
🔗 Tales of the Cocktail – Chelsea Gregoire
Death & Co – Moody Beats for Precise Pours
Signature Playlist: Death & Co NYC
Suggested Pairing: Tequila Oaxacan Old Fashioned
At Death & Co, music is curated like the menu: minimalist, sharp, and emotionally precise. The bar’s playlist—available on Spotify—is designed to match the lighting, the volume, and the weight of the drinks.
Expect moody electronica, modern soul, and ambient textures that give each cocktail moment the gravity of a film score.
“You’re not just making drinks—you’re scoring the night.”
— Death & Co bartender
Their classic Oaxacan Old Fashioned—mezcal, agave, mole bitters—matches the tone perfectly: smoky, deliberate, unforgettable.
🔗 Cocktails Distilled – Death & Co Playlist
Dante NYC – Jazz-Infused Heritage Sipping
Signature Playlist: Dante’s Cocktail Hour
Suggested Pairing: Negroni Bianco
In Greenwich Village, Dante’s playlist is as iconic as its Negronis. With deep roots in NYC’s jazz and blues history, their curated mixes celebrate the neighborhood’s musical legacy while setting the tone for modern sipping.
Whether it's Miles Davis or Norah Jones, the atmosphere is always lush and elegant. The perfect drink for this sound? The Negroni Bianco—lighter, floral, and designed to stretch the golden hour just a little longer.
🔗 Imbibe Magazine – Dante Playlist
Why Music Matters Behind the Bar
Great bartenders know the real secret: cocktails don’t happen in isolation. They’re part of an ecosystem—of scent, sound, space, and spirit. The right playlist:
Sets tempo
Guides mood
Inspires creativity
Builds memory
A drink served with the perfect track doesn’t just taste good. It lingers.
Build Your Own Sound-Infused Cocktail Experience
Planning an event? Want a signature drink and a soundtrack? Our expert team at Art of the Cocktail can help you curate both.
Whether it’s a private cocktail class, a brand activation, or a stylish soirée, we design everything from:
Custom cocktails based on genre or mood
Bar setups with live vinyl or DJ pairing
Spotify soundtracks to extend the experience beyond the event
Let us mix the music with the martinis—and give your guests something to remember with every beat.
Final Pour: Taste the Music, Hear the Drink
In New York, the cocktail is only part of the story. The rest is written in rhythm, shaped by the speakers, and stirred by the mood.
So next time you walk into your favorite bar, take a moment to listen.
You’re not just hearing music.
You’re hearing how the night is about to unfold.
