10 Essential Hangover Cures in Manhattan
They come in varying levels of pain, and sometimes hit when you least expect it, but hangovers can happen to the best of us. Short of giving up drinking, there's no sure-fire way to make sure you don't wake up with regret. However, there are plenty of ways to treat that headache, from hair-of-the-dog Bloodies or mimosas to juice to a bacon, egg and cheese. Here are 10 essential hangover cures in Manhattan. Good luck, we're in your corner.
1) Take a pit stop at Duane Reade: The drugstore chain located at almost every corner of NYC is stocked with a variety of resources needed to help you out of the hole you dug yourself into. You'll find all the necessities: ginger ale, aspirin, Gatorade, crackers, vitamins, self-help books and so on. This is the prime solution for the most extreme hangover cases. You know, when you can barely drag yourself out of your bed and you’re now bargaining with God, Buddha, the Egyptian goddess of fertility, your deceased childhood pup, the guy down the hall — anyone who is listening really — that you would never drink again if you were provided relief from the torture (all lies).
2) Order bottomless brunch at The Sun Burnt Cow: This Australian brunch joint in the East Village serves a meal plus unlimited mimosas, screwdrivers and Bloody Marys for only $20. If the hair-of-the-dog doesn’t work to cure your hangover, try focusing your attention on the hot Aussie servers — works every time (137 Ave C; 212-529-0005).
3) Slurp some Sweet Pickle at Cookshop: If you’re one of those who swear by pickle juice as a remedy, head down to Chelsea for this specialty concoction: Bar Hill vodka, pickle juice, honey, lime, cranberry and tiki bitters. The bar also makes a meaty BLT Bloody Mary, stocked with bacon-infused vodka and an Applewood bacon slice (156 10th Ave; 212-924-4440).
4) Share a pitcher at Five Points: For when Momma needs her “morning juice" — and a whole pitcher of it, STAT — head to NoHo for large doses of mimosas, sangria and “morning punch" (essentially, a juice blend mixed with your choice of tequila or vodka) (31 Great Jones St; 212-253-5700).
5) Dance it off at Il Bastardo: Sometimes the only way to cure your hangover is to try to forget about it. This weekend brunch spot in Chelsea keeps the party going through the morning with a DJ, continuously pouring booze, and a rowdy vibe (191 7th Ave; 212-675-5980).
6) Order a Bloody Mary from the experts at Prune: A dedicated Bloody Mary menu can be found at this East Village restaurant, providing you with over 10 types of the healing cocktail to choose from. Try the Caesar Bloody Mary: Boodles gin, clam juice and a pickled egg (54 E 1st St; 212-677-6221).
7) Make your own DIY Bloody Mary at Saxon + Parole: Amplify and customize the bar's signature blend with over 20 add-ins and seasonings (316 Bowery; 212-254-0350).
8) Indulge at your closest greasy spoon: For all the difficulties NYC imparts on it’s inhabitants, it also blesses us with comfort food and diners aplenty — and is there anything a solid bacon egg and cheese can’t cure? Some suggestions: Cup & Saucer (89 Canal St; 212-925-3298) or Joe Jr. Restaurant (167 3rd Ave; 212-473-5150).
9) Get Zen at Peacefood Cafe: If you’re the type that is able to take a yoga class after a night of debauchery — and who doesn’t experience severe hangover self-hatred and disgust that leads to devouring 15 cronuts — well, first, congratulations. And second, you might enjoy this Hangover Cure Juice (apple, orange, carrot, celery, ginger root) on the Upper West Side. (460 Amsterdam Ave; 212-362-2266).
10) Just relax. If you’re terribly hungover, sometimes all you need is to just sleep it off. To quiet your mind, soothe your anxiety, and get some much-needed rest, try downloading Relax Now, the free audio hypnotherapy app that helps you unwind.
Top: Bloody Mary bar at Saxon + Parole; bottom:oyster Bloody Mary at Five Points