Pazza Notte Is All About The 2 for 1 (Fruity) Martinis

If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so I thought maybe it was time to introduce a happy hour column to the site. Every Friday afternoon our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

When I got a tip that Pazza Notte (on 6th Ave. btw w. 55+56th) had a good 2 for 1 martini happy hour I had to check it out. There are a lot of deals like this around but most of them refer to beers or simple well cocktails. A nice martini is bit swankier, a bit more refined, and the type of deal you can take your girl friends and coworkers too. I headed over to see how superior this special was.

When I first arrived I was impressed to see Pazza Notte’s happy hour is from 5pm till closing, excellent for late nights. But every rose has it’s thorn and I was a bit disappointed when I looked at the the martini list. The special martinis are all flavored: lychee, peach, raspberry, cosmopolitan, mango, etc.. Though that isn’t in itself a deal breaker, it will put off most of your patrons that don’t want candy colored and tasting drinks.

Personally I like a plain dry martini or on occasion a thick dirty-tini. The passion fruit and chocolate martini tasted just like you’d expect. At $12 for two drinks I’d say you could do better at a neighborhood bar, but if you like inventive cocktails then this will be an excellent choice for you.

The dinning space is ample with sunlit seating facing the boulevard for people watching and also more cozy private red booths for a more intimate meal. If you work in the area and need a tipple Pazza Notte is a good standby, but I wouldn’t travel out of my way for it.

The + (What someone who likes this place would say)

  • 2 for 1 martinis is a good deal for midtown
  • Large bar that can seat multiple groups which makes for a nice spot to take coworkers and friends
  • If you love your lychee and apple martini’s then you’ll be set for the whole night here

The – (What someone who dislikes this place would say)

  • If you are looking to just get a beer you’re paying full price
  • Menu doesn’t offer any inexpensive bar food or dinner items
  • Pretty much your generic Manhattan Italian restaurant

Pazza Notte, 1375A Avenue of the Americas (btw w. 55th/56th), (212) 765-6288

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