Hekate Café & Elixir Lounge — Restaurant in New York

This is the prettiest, most unique cafe/bar in NYC- it’s an alcohol-free bar, it’s got witchy artworks and products for sale, AND it’s got amazing furniture and a galaxy painted on the wall. What’s more, they have tarot readings available most days from 3-7pm. And events most weekends. It’s really a gem. Most people think this place is connected with the withcraft shop Enchantments next door, some even assume it’s “their coffee shop,” but the two aren’t connected in any way, totally different businesses, and totally a coincidence that the two moved in next door to each other post-pandemic. Maybe something magic in the air on this block :) There’s so much going on at this coffee shop it takes a while to explain it all. Bar owner Abby, who owns and works at the illustrious Lucky Bar across the street (regular alcohol bar and meetup spot for Burning Man crowd for years) opened up this coffee shop and runs it along with Brooklyn Coffee Roasters. The idea is an artistic, coffee-and-nonalcoholic drink spot, with a super witchy twist. It’s got a super feminism meets Victorian style with a touch of galactic mystique vibe. Also the nonalcoholic elixers are served in amazing crystal glasses. You have got to, you have GOT to, visit this place if you’re anywhere NEAR this part of town. So this place is opened pretty recently and is still evolving and new things are added all the time. The menu is growing as Abby’s bar staff learn espresso drinks and Brooklyn roasters learn to mix drinks (alcohol free ones). Which reminds me, I haven’t even talked about the drinks. Abby and her staff from Lucky bring years of expertise mixing amazing-tasting beverages, and now they have a place to experiment with a whole range of new products and innovative alcohol-free brands. You can really taste the artistry in Abby’s mixed drinks, and with their being alcohol-free, it’s not even about disguising the taste of liquor, it’s about what unexpected flavor amazingness am I going to get next. So as I’m writing, the alcohol-free elixirs tend to be available after 4pm for the evening crowd, and the rest of the day coffee drinks are available. The 2 kinds of drinks will be available for more hours of the day as the staff grows and gets the training. I’ll update in future. Oh, and I didn’t mention tarot readings! A different reader is available almost every day of the week, each one has their own approach and prices. You can sometimes catch one hanging out at noon, or later in the night, but they tend to be there 3-7. It’s a very diverse and eclectic bunch they’ve got reading there. They are part of what makes this cafe spontaneous, artsy, organic, unexpected. And of course magic. As I said, lots to be said about this spot. It’s sure to become your favorite hangout if you’re a local, or a favorite memory if you’re visiting NYC. Also If you’re there while Abby is mixing drinks, just ask her for whatever she thinks you’d like or whatever she’s developing now, you’re bound to get a drink that’ll knock your socks off, you’re in the...

I’ve been wanting to check this place out but after seeing how the owner responds to negative reviews I was turned off completely. I did not want to support a business where the owner speaks to customers so poorly, but I still gave it a chance and stopped by for a drink. Big mistake! The drinks are horrible and it doesn’t matter if you’re sober or not. Taste buds are taste buds no matter what your lifestyle. The vibe of this place is not welcoming at all. It seems the owner opened the place to please themselves and not consider what paying customers might be looking for. The concept is great, but poorly executed. Save yourself the trouble of visiting. I heard in a meeting once that you can be sober for years, and still be completely out of your mind. This must be what they were...

Had an excellent first visit to Hekate! The Healer was wonderful an easy sipper and leaning a little sweet. The jalapeño marg was a bit unbalanced leaning overly acidic after the first few sips. I know they call themselves a dive bar but I think some of the decor pieces may be preventing from that aesthetic from coming to fruition. The large cabinet of curiosities is amazing but deprives the space of seating and standing room which I typically associate with the dive energy. Overall, a great start and a wonderful place to begin the night or bring those who don’t love being in alcohol fueled environments! Way to go! I look forward...