Last summer, OC got you Tipsy and Tan. Now, we're just getting you tipsy. Meet Fridays at Five, our cocktail series where mixologists at New York City’s white-hot new restaurants create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...
We’ve always been a fan of reinvention, especially as wardrobes switch out for the season, so Hot Bird is a bar after our own heart. The name comes from an old long-gone chicken restaurant on Atlantic Avenue, but prior to its boozy reincarnation, the space was an old auto shop.
As Brooklyn bars go, this quintessential local haunt has the works: vintage tchotchkes, a stellar drink list, and come summer, an excellent patio with picnic benches and a fire pit. And while we can’t enjoy the patio quite yet, Hot Bird's William Aimi can help us partake in the tipples—especially this bright, ginger-y concoction, the Midnight Cowboy.
Name: William Aimi
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? "Funnel of Love" by SQURL ft. Madeline Follin
Drink of choice: Widow Jane on the rocks
Hangover cure: A long hot shower and plenty of water. Or, just get right back on that train with a Bloody Mary.
Best date advice: You’ll have to ask my barback, because the girls love him.
Worst pick-up: Once I saw a guy dance his way over to this girl, staring at her the whole time, then take a seat next to her. It was anything but smooth and she basically laughed at him, but not in a playful way. It was hard to watch. Even I felt ashamed after, and I was only a witness.
What not to do to your bartender: Never ask to play a song from your iPod or phone.
OC-Exclusive Recipe: Midnight Cowboy
OC Alcohol Scale*: 6
1 oz Averna
1 oz gin
½ oz fresh lemon juice
Ginger beer
Combine Averna, gin and lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Top with ginger beer.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")![]()
The Midnight Cowboy. Photos by Jessica Chou. ![]()
Combine your ingredients and give the mixture a shake. ![]()
Top with ginger beer. ![]()
Garnish with a lemon twist. ![]()
William wears the Acne Studios Isherwood Denim Button-Down in washed denim and New Balance M991 Running Shoes in oxford pigskin mesh
We’ve always been a fan of reinvention, especially as wardrobes switch out for the season, so Hot Bird is a bar after our own heart. The name comes from an old long-gone chicken restaurant on Atlantic Avenue, but prior to its boozy reincarnation, the space was an old auto shop.
As Brooklyn bars go, this quintessential local haunt has the works: vintage tchotchkes, a stellar drink list, and come summer, an excellent patio with picnic benches and a fire pit. And while we can’t enjoy the patio quite yet, Hot Bird's William Aimi can help us partake in the tipples—especially this bright, ginger-y concoction, the Midnight Cowboy.
Name: William Aimi
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? "Funnel of Love" by SQURL ft. Madeline Follin
Drink of choice: Widow Jane on the rocks
Hangover cure: A long hot shower and plenty of water. Or, just get right back on that train with a Bloody Mary.
Best date advice: You’ll have to ask my barback, because the girls love him.
Worst pick-up: Once I saw a guy dance his way over to this girl, staring at her the whole time, then take a seat next to her. It was anything but smooth and she basically laughed at him, but not in a playful way. It was hard to watch. Even I felt ashamed after, and I was only a witness.
What not to do to your bartender: Never ask to play a song from your iPod or phone.
OC-Exclusive Recipe: Midnight Cowboy
OC Alcohol Scale*: 6
1 oz Averna
1 oz gin
½ oz fresh lemon juice
Ginger beer
Combine Averna, gin and lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Top with ginger beer.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")
The Midnight Cowboy. Photos by Jessica Chou. 
Combine your ingredients and give the mixture a shake. 
Top with ginger beer. 
Garnish with a lemon twist. 
William wears the Acne Studios Isherwood Denim Button-Down in washed denim and New Balance M991 Running Shoes in oxford pigskin mesh