433 East 6th Street, NY 10009

On our recent romantic holiday to New York, my boyfriend and I checked out Death & Co.. A friend recommended this killer cocktail bar in East Village, and the name suggested that we were heading for something otherworldy or perhaps down to the depths of despair!

The oak wooden doors hide the goods behind, but the small plaque tells you you're at the right place. The doorman, who was far from gothic, told us there would be a wait and he would take our number to call us when there was space. Since we were Englishmen in New York, we got away with five minutes at the door...and then we were allowed behind the velvet curtain...

Death & Co is small but bustling with friendly people in good clothes and cool tattoos and, as you'd think, creative types. With the booths being full, we were seated up at the marble bar and presented with an extensive cocktail 'book' detailing the origins and anecdotes of each drink. The bartender took her time in a good way, even coping with my choosy boyfriend who likes something niche. They were the strongest, tastiest cocktails I'd had in a long time: catching each flavour and getting us adequately drunk. All behind the velvet curtain that makes you feel like you definitely are partaking in sin…

 (DONNA,  MadLoveGame founder)