Exclusive | Bartender to the stars elevates cocktail culture at NYCs classiest new rooftop spot where theres something for everybody

Cocktail culture in NYC just got elevated.In a city where lackluster rooftop bars are a dime a dozen, one of the country’s preeminent mixologists — who professed to once serving the late Patrick Swayze “the best Cosmo” he’d ever had — is bringing his award-winning craft to the Big Apple’s most civilized new piece of top-level real estate.

Located on the 39th floor of the year-old Virgin Hotel in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, The Post got a preview of cocktail king Charles Joly’s the Riff Raff Club, which opened its doors on Thursday — days after the drinksmith served the cast of Hulu’s “The Bear” at the Governors Ball in Los Angeles.But while Joly and crew are aiming for upper class all the way when it comes to drinks and atmosphere, all are welcome, the elite member of the shakerati explained.“I don’t want the experience to feel overly precious or nerdy,” the pro insisted to The Post.“The goal is to have something for everybody, whether for adventurous drinkers or people who’d normally sip on a plain vodka soda,” he said.

That’s not to say cocktail nerds won’t be wowed.The bar boasts an extensive “Liquid Library” of vintage spirits, some dating back to the early 1900s.

That includes a 1947 Cognac Napoléon and 1960s and ’70s-era expressions of Green Chartreuse, all sourced by Joly himself, who has an affinity for throwback booze and vintage glassware, which he will be using at the bar.There’s also the Negroni Affumicato: a Negroni infused with chicory-applewood smoke.

The $23 drink is served inside a box Joly actually created himself as part of his collection with Fortessa.The Chicagoan has made a name for himself as a force in the American cocktail scene over the years.A James Beard-winning beverage director for his hometown’s acclaimed The Aviary, Joly stands as the only American winner of the global World Class by Diageo cocktail competition.He’s collaborated alongside iconic chefs like Eric Ripert...