NYT Mini · 1-Across · 3 letters
Old-fashioned business? NYT Mini crossword clue
Editorially reviewed October 9, 2026
Answer · 3 letters
BAR
BAR is the three-letter answer to October 8 NYT Mini 1-Across. 'Old-fashioned' points to an Old Fashioned cocktail, while 'business' asks for an establishment that serves it. The question mark invites this playful reading rather than a shop with outdated habits.
Different crossing letters? Check another fit →Read the drink name inside the adjective
In ordinary prose, old-fashioned describes something out of date. The International Bartenders Association also lists Old Fashioned as a cocktail name. That second reading supplies the link to a drinks business; the clue's hyphen and lowercase styling disguise it without changing the answer.
The clue asks where, not what is poured
A drink name identifies the menu item, but the noun 'business' shifts the answer to the establishment. RYE or GIN would name spirits rather than businesses, even though each has three letters. Use the grammatical category before relying on the shared length.
References behind this explanation
These references support the meaning or background; they are not publisher endorsements.
Where this clue appeared
1-Across in NYT Mini puzzle for October 8, 2026.
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