must visit nyc bars

The 24 Most Beautiful Bars in NYC Right Now

We love New York City for its bar scene: from small, low key bars to perfectly designed, modern locations, there are so many different bars to choose from. Check out the 25 most beautiful bars, this city has to offer. From Manhattan to Queens and Brooklyn,  we found them all. 

Check out, these articles are probably interesting for you as well

• Rooftop Bars in Manhattan
• The best Bars in Manhattan

To help you quickly and easily see which spot is near you, find all the most beautiful bars in NYC on an interactive map .

By the way:  you’ll find many more New York City spots in our  Loving New York travel guides !

Where can I go out in NYC?

It’s the weekend, you just had a wonderful dinner and now you’re wondering where you could go out in New York City. Let us share our favorite bars, which also happen to be the most beautiful ones in town. It’s nice to surround yourself with the locals, sip fancy cocktails or enjoy a really good glass of wine. We narrowed down the 25 best places to go to.

My Favorit Most Beautiful Bars in New York

Westlight nyc.

The Westlight in Brooklyn is considered one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in New York – and rightly so! It belongs to The William Vale Hotel and has a rooftop bar, a lounge area, a bar and a restaurant. What distinguishes the Westlight from many other spots is the unspoilt panoramic view of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

Barely Disfigured

The Barely Disfigured Cocktail Bar is one of those insider spots you would just walk past, because it is totally inconspicuous from the outside. But as soon as you go inside you will understand why it is on our list of the most beautiful bars in New York. Sensational interior, a relaxed atmosphere and wonderful drinks. Also great for a romantic evening (or how I did it: went there with my best buddy Tino)!

The Flatiron Room

With relaxed live jazz you can choose from a very extensive whiskey repertoire (600 varieties!). What we hadn’t seen before is their program “Bottle Keep”. If you like a whiskey, you can buy the bottle and have it stored – of course labelled – to enjoy your bottle of whiskey again next time.

Oscar Wilde

Even though we like it clean and neat when it comes to interior design, Oscar Wilde is a must and had to make its appearance on our list of the most beautiful bars in NYC. Even if I felt overstimulated after 2 hours of being there: the place is definitely worth a visit!

Dear Irving on Hudson

The bar Dear Irving on Hudson is a real insider tip. Located very close to Times Square, you can look down on Manhattan’s “urban canyons” from here and be relatively undisturbed. The bar is small and cozy and not yet as crowded as many others in the neighborhood. The cocktail menu is not that big, but the cocktails are really good. 

McSorley's Old Ale House

McSorley’s Old Ale House is a true legend. The pub is the oldest in town (opened in 1854) and best of all, not much has changed since then. Old wooden floors covered with sawdust, old newspaper articles and a bartender like from a Hollywood movie make McSorley’s a very relaxed place.

The Press Lounge

When it comes to the best rooftop bars in NYC, The Press Lounge is a place you have to visit to enjoy a drink. On top of the Ink48 Hotel, this gorgeous bar offers stunning views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.

If you know, you know. Apotheke in Chinatown is one of those speakeasy types of bars that are still super trendy to go to. It still maintains the classic look and almost speakeasy vibe from back in the days.

The Back Room

The Back Room Bar is a really special bar and one of a kind. If you think about speakeasy bars in the 1920s, that’s what the Back Room has to offer.

Proletariat

A small bar that sprays with atmosphere and individuality. Altogether only 20 people fit in, because the bar consists of 2 small tables and a long bar counter. On a small blackboard is written with chalk, which kinds of beer are available today, where they come from and what makes them special.

The Campbell Apartment

This small bar inside Grand Central Station just got newly renovated and is one of the hidden secrets of the Grand Central Station.

Brandy Library

Even if the name suggests otherwise: the Brandy Library has a huge selection of even very rare whiskeys in its program, which will make the heart of every whiskey fan beat faster. More than 1,000 bottles are used as decoration, especially in the evening it looks like a library of high-proof drinks. What we found very exciting are their events where you can learn more about Bourbons, Cognacs etc. Conclusion: Super-atmospheric and a real highlight!

Harriet's Rooftop Bar

Be sure to check out the 1 Hotel Rooftop and Garden Bar, even if you don’t decide to stay there. You can enjoy a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge. The bar serves great drinks and finger food.

Peak Lounge Bar

Above the observation deck Edge, in addition to the restaurant, there is an elegant and very stylish bar, which not only prepares first-class cocktails and drinks, but the view is also sensational.

Bemelman’s Bar

Bemelman’s Bar is our favourite spot on the Upper East Side and already several times after a visit to Central Park our first stop to let our legs rest for a while. If you can also enjoy a delicious drink in a wonderful atmosphere, it hardly gets better. Oh yes: with the Hammer-Burger that is available here!

Refinery Rooftop

A very small rooftop bar very close to Bryant Park with a nice view of the Empire State Building is the Refinery Rooftop from the Refinery Hotel. This two-story rooftop bar in Midtown isn’t particularly large, but it certainly has its appeal due to the combination of location and quality of the cocktails. 

The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog

Have you ever thought about how to take the Irish Pub into the 21st century? Go check out the Dead Rabbit bar and find out. This modern Irish pub and restaurant, which opened in 2013, is one of our favorite bars of all times. As soon as you enter the bar, you are transported into another world. There is nothing ultra-modern here, but everything is stylishly trimmed to old. From the original cash register, old punch glasses for the drinks to the wooden floors covered with sawdust.

Ophelia Lounge NYC

Ophelia is one of the newest additions to the local bar scene in Midtown East. The beautiful bar in NYC comes with 360-degree views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Here we were sceptical at first, because after the new opening a huge PR wave started. Everyone was talking about how great and good Ophelia is. Even though we were in NYC at that exact time, we wanted to wait for the first wave of euphoria and so we were there only recently. The Ophelia is on our best list because they surprised us positively: great drinks, a very nice and harmonious interior and a wonderful view. A tiny little area is even open like a rooftop bar – what more could you want?

Copper & Oak

Ui, this is where we as whiskey fans lost our hearts – the operators behind the bar are the same as from the Brandy Library in Tribeca. Like there, the bar is always well attended. No wonder, the bar is not very big and beautiful. Shelves filled with whiskeys, rum and co instead of books, an illuminated bar and super delicious bar food make it one of the bars that is one of the most beautiful for us!

Death & Company

Recognized as one of the 50 best bars in the world, Death & Company in the beautiful East Village is also one of our favorite spots to go out in NYC.

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

This French wine bar is one of the best in the city. Don’t judge a book by its cover. From the outside “La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels” doesn’t look as special and chic as it is from the inside.

Le Boudoir has two separate areas: One is decorated in Victorian style with velvet walls and old-timey decorations and the other is a brick basement

Connolly's Pub & Restaurant

The bar Connolly’s Pub and Restaurant is an Irish pub like it is in the book and is for me one of the best pubs in New York. A huge, rustic bar, lots of colourful taps and tons of good whiskey immediately attract attention. The kitchen is also excellent. The burgers are a blast!

The Cibar close to Union Square is one of those hidden little bars that do not really look like anything from the outside. However, if you are inside and want to have one of their delicious drink s (I’m not a rum lover, but on the bartender’s recommendation I tried the “ Hedo Rick “. Crazy!) you know what I mean! The Cibar is really a nice bar in New York !

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The Most Beautiful Bars in NY on the Map

A map with all the beautiful bars in New york can be found here – just click on “ FULL MAP ” if you want to see more. You can click on each restaurant on the map to find out everything you need to know.

The 50 Best Rooftop Bars in Manhattan

The 50 Best Bars in Manhattan Right Now

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

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The Essential Cocktail Bars of New York City

13 of the city’s best cocktail bars

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What takes a cocktail bar from good to great? Is it the scene, knowledgeable bartenders, cocktails that overperform, a Nicholas Cage-themed drinks list, or a food menu that goes beyond the usual olives and oysters? A combination of all of these elements must be at play when a bar graduates from a neighborhood watering hole to a citywide destination. Use this guide as a checklist of the city’s essential cocktail bars, whether the occasion calls for a chilled martini or bright pink Cosmo.

Sugar Monk nods to the speakeasies of Harlem’s past in a low-lit space with live jazz on Monday nights. The cocktails come with elaborate presentations and garnishes; there are more than 20 of them on the menu named after works of art, historical events, and songs. The bar is known for its non-alcoholic cocktails, too.

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Bemelmans Bar

A new generation of customers have claimed this swanky Upper East Side bar at the Carlyle as their own, says the New York Post , but if you’re craving Old New York, there’s no better place than Bemelmans. The place is known for its great drinks and service in a space with live music and murals by Ludwig Bemelmans. There’s a cover charge that starts at $10 per person.

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The Campbell

This tucked-away venue is where millionaire railroad executive John W. Campbell once had an office in Grand Central. He died in 1957, and it was turned into a signalman’s office, before becoming a police station, where officers stored guns. It also held a stint as a small jail. Suffice it to say, the space has a past. The Campbell, which took over in 2017, remains a destination for jazz and cocktails.

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Dutch Kills

Created by late cocktail visionary Sasha Petraske, Dutch Kills is still one of the top places to go for original cocktails. Request a specialty cocktail based on liquor and taste preferences or order off the menu with cocktails like the Tiger Chilled Coffee, made with rum, cold brew, absinthe, and a float of sweet whipped cream.

Katana Kitten

Japanese cocktail bar Katana Kitten has two settings depending on the mood: Upstairs is a more open area for sipping cocktails like its Amaretto Sour (rye, amaretto, salted plum, honey, lemon, egg white, red shiso), while the downstairs is closer in style to an izakaya. Katana Kitten made a splash in 2018, the year it opened, taking home a title for “best new American bar.”

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This popular cocktail bar took over the 100-year-old Caffe Dante in 2015, turning the space into an all-day cafe and bar. The signature drink, the Garibaldi, simply mixes “fluffy” (fresh-pressed) orange juice with Campari for an easy-to-sip cocktail. The bar runs a popular happy hour, from 3 to 5 p.m. each day, when Negronis cost $10 each.

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Death & Company

This influential bar is an icon of New York’s craft cocktail era and now has locations in Washington, D.C., and Denver, Colorado. Credited with having the “world’s best cocktail menu” in 2010, the bar mixes cocktails with macadamia nut, chocolate black tea, red miso, and eucalyptus. Death & Co is walk-in only.

Kenta Goto opened this Lower East Side izakaya after years of bartending at the trailblazing Pegu Club, which closed in 2020. The veteran bartender serves a list of eye-opening cocktails highlighting Japanese flavors and spanning all tastes; they start at around $16. Bar snacks, like the chicken wings and okonomiyaki, are great, too.

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Double Chicken Please

Double Chicken Please, the “number one” bar in the country, comes from Taiwanese bartenders GN Chan and Fay Chen. They serve around a dozen cocktails on tap, plus fried chicken sandwiches, from the front of the bar. The magic happens in the back, where the team reimagines popular foods — cold pizza, a Waldorf salad — as drinks. Cocktails start at around $20.

Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy changed this city’s cocktail scene with Attaboy, where cocktails have been made by request since 2012. Offer up a favorite liquor, or a desired flavor, and out comes the cocktail of your dreams. (Hopefully.) With its dim lighting and intimate vibe, this is a great place to start or end a night, which are also the times when it’s easiest to get a table.

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The Dead Rabbit

This acclaimed cocktail bar recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. In that time, the Dead Rabbit survived a fire and expanded its dining room, whose floors are still covered in sawdust. Its Irish coffee is still the best thing on the menu, but the menu has grown to include a range of cocktails from Ireland and elsewhere, with a couple of non-alcoholic, too.

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The Long Island Bar

Opened in 1951, the Long Island Bar holds court on a prominent corner in Cobble Hill. The bar is now run by Joel Tompkins and Toby Cecchini. (The latter bartender is credited with creating the Cosmopolitan.) It remains a great place to drink, with reasonably priced cocktails, like martinis and gimlets, that don’t need theatrics to impress. The cheeseburger, and popular nut mix, are among the reasons the Long Island Bar has remained popular.

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Clover Club

This cocktail bar from industry legend Julie Reiner works for casual happy hour drinks or a more celebratory night out, and it’s almost always possible to walk right in. The large menu is divided into sections — spirit-forward, martinis, whiskey, and punch bowls — with something for everyone. Cocktails cost around $16 each.

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22 best bars in New York City

By Emily Saladino and Devra Ferst

There are all sorts of reasons to travel to New York – the museums, the shows, the bagels , and the city’s bar scene is among the world’s best. Friendly dives sit alongside brewpubs, wine bars, and destination cocktail dens that can dictate drink and design trends for years to come. In a city where apartments are comically small, bars are where New Yorkers go to meet friends, toast milestones, complain about their boss or ex, and engage total strangers in conversations about art, culture, sports, and whether the G train is running that weekend. Whether you’re thirsty for a boilermaker, glass of natural wine, or inventive cocktail unlike anything you’ve ever imagined, you’ll find it here. These are the best bars in New York City .

Bemelmans Bar

At Bemelmans, Ludwig Bemelman's illustrations – you might remember them from the Madeline books – adorn the walls. In one panel, a bunny smokes a cigar in Central Park; in another, a man hands a boy a clutch of balloons. This is a bar where gawking is permissible. The cocktails here very much depend on who’s making them: an Old Fashioned might be a bit watery, a whiskey sour too tart. But often, a dirty gin martini is just perfectly executed. Everything is expensive – it’s clear why you’re here – so take the edge off that sensation by digging into the free, hearty snacks that float your way.

Address: 35 E 76th Street, New York, NY 10075, Website: rosewoodhotels.com

This century-old watering hole is a welcome break from the comedy club-hawking flyer guys of Greenwich Village, Dante was established in 1915, and after a century, it snagged new owners and a faded grandeur vibe that conjures its famous regulars – Patti Smith, Hemingway, Anaïs Nin – of yore. There are aperitivi and Bellinis, obscure Amaro and bitters, and a Martini Hour menu (each of which is only $10 between the hours of 3pm and 6pm) for which its fans flip.

Address : 79-81 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: dante-nyc.com

Martiny's

In early 2022, Takuma Wantanabe, the Tokyo -born head bartender of cult cocktail den Angel's Share, opened this intimate spot in an 1800s townhouse. The elegant space has three floors of carefully crafted cocktails, including a lower-level private event venue. Martiny's pours intricate, often cerebral drinks with top-shelf ingredients and prices to match. One standout is the Caprese cocktail, a refreshing combination of tomato water, whisky, grapefruit juice, basil, and milk that pours crystal-clear. No matter how busy the bar, the staff is unfailingly attentive. Want to sit alone with a fancy drink and stare blankly into your phone or the middle distance? They'll give you your space. Curious about a bottle of rare Japanese whisky or the makings of one of the more complicated cocktails? A bartender will gladly share the details.

Address : 121 E 17th Street, New York, NY 10003 Website: martinys.com

Musette Wine Bar

This cosy wine bar and restaurant sits on a Central Harlem corner next to its sibling bottle shop, Pompette, a neighbourhood favourite since 2015. The space has exposed brick walls, a slim bar, and fresh flowers on every table, making it equally popular among well-dressed locals, second dates, and wine geeks. In addition to beer and cocktails, the bar pours nearly 100 wines by the glass and bottle, and the list is organized not by region or grape, but rather by reds, whites, sparkling, orange, and "Black AF," or an array of Black-owned wine labels including New York City's own B.Stuyvesant. Expect to fall in love with your drinking companion, a well-priced glass of pet-nat, or both before you leave.

Address : 420 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037 Website : musettewinebar.com

Baby's All Right

At this 5,000-square-foot bar and performance venue in South Williamsburg, drinks flow freely while independent bands, drag shows, and other acts grace the stage. Drinks include the usual suspects like espresso martinis and rye Manhattans, as well as Miller High Lifes and a speciality boozy slushy. In the evenings, the kitchen sustains the party with a solid if unremarkable array of nachos and tacos. It shines brighter at Baby’s popular weekend brunch, serving house cocktails alongside brioche French toast and arugula- and Sriracha-aioli-topped breakfast sandwiches. Check the onsite calendar to reserve tickets since shows often sell out weeks in advance, and previous acts have included everyone from SZA to Billie Eilish.

Address : 146 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211 Website: babysallright.com

Double Chicken Please

Named North America’s best bar in 2023, Double Chicken Please houses two distinct concepts in one snug space on an industrial-looking stretch of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The walk-in-only front bar is modelled after the neighbourhood’s early-20th-century soda shops and serves draft cocktails, called “taptails," as well as the excellent titular fried chicken sandwiches. Seats in the more formal rear bar, The Coop, can be reserved up to six days in advance, and are privy to a menu of pricier, made-to-order cocktails like Mango Sticky Rice, a beautifully balanced combination of Bacardi Reserva Ocho, mango, pu’erh tea, and coconut. The more formal food menu in back includes plates of chicken liver mousse.

Address : 115 Allen St, New York, NY 10002 Website: doublechickenplease.com

Come here – a minimalist shelter from the storm of Lower East Side partiers – for okonomiyaki, sleek Japanese design, and excellent highballs. Kenta Goto, owner and barman, was once at the dearly departed Pegu Club, and has retained that famous bar’s excruciating attention to detail. It shines in his highballs and the delicate coupe cocktails, such as one made with a rosy cherry blossom, sake, gin, and maraschino. The food here is not an afterthought. The okonomiyaki – that killer izakaya drinking standard of fried cabbage and kewpie mayo, dancing with bonito flakes and stuffed full of pork belly, rock shrimp, and squid that will transport you to Tokyo – is some of the best in town.

Address : 245 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002 Website: bargoto.com

The Long Island Bar

The lights over the booths are intimate and old-timey, and the decades-old bar itself – note the quadruple-panelled mirror by the cash register – is stunning. Folks throw on their nice pair of jeans, or some good earrings, to come here. Co-owner Toby Cecchini (who, incidentally, invented the Cosmo at The Odeon many years ago) has a following, and his cocktails are known around the city, so it’s a bit of a see-and-be-seen along the bar. The menu sports a short list of slightly twisted classics – a martini made with junmai daiginjo sake, a gimlet with ginger-lime cordial, a white negroni sbagliato. Pick one off the menu or list a mix of flavours you like; you’ll end up happy either way.

Address : 110 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Website: thelongislandbar.com

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67 Orange Street

Since 2008, this Harlem jewel box has been serving some of the city’s best cocktails. The stylish crowd includes early-in-the-game dates, locals grabbing after-work drinks and snacks, and multigenerational friend groups discussing world events and craft cocktail culture, and vibing to a soundtrack of jazz classics, hip hop, and Latin tracks. An impressive cocktail list spans classic sazeracs and inventive creations like the Umegroni, made with gin and ume liqueur, and a large-format Brazilian Rum Punch. Weekday happy hours from 5-7 pm. include cocktails, tilapia tacos, and crispy chicken sliders; the kitchen also serves plates of flash-fried Brussels sprouts or panko-crusted mac and cheese.

Address : 2082 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, New York, NY 10026 Website: 67orangestreet.com

The Dead Rabbit

Sometimes, the beverage programme at hyped bars starts to rest on its laurels. This is not the case at Dead Rabbit, a tri-level Financial District destination which offers an impressive mix of classic and house cocktails, a devoted list of Irish Whiskey drinks, draft beers, and non-alcoholic creations. Food menus vary by floor, with some overlap. Try Irish-accented pub grub like Guinness-braised burgers and chicken pot pie in the lower-level taproom, and smoked salmon deviled eggs and lamb chops in the upstairs Parlor Room.

Address : 30 Water Street, New York, NY 10004 Website: thedeadrabbit.com

It takes just two steps to get from street level to Henry Rich and Tom Kearney's June Wine Bar, but what a difference those two steps make: This is a transportive, intimate space, complete with warm, romantic lighting and a design that nods to vintage Paris . June is a natural wine bar, so if you're looking for a bottle from Jura or several skin-contact options, you won’t be disappointed. Perhaps the only downside here is that the wine list is so long it can overwhelm a novice; thankfully, the well-selected staff is happy to help. Start the night off with one of the menu's small plates, like ricotta toast with lemongrass and tomatoes, before decamping for a heartier meal elsewhere.

Address : 231 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Website: junebk.com

Death & Co.

Unless you show up right when they open, you'll want to make a reservation, lest you end up on a a very long list. Death & Co. cropped up on New Year’s Eve, 2007, and made one hell of a splash. The drinks were so precise, containing instant classics now mimicked nationwide (and now available nationwide, too), that it lured talent who have since opened their own famous bars. Look for riffs on classic cocktails like the Jungle Strut, which substitutes the traditional Jungle Bird’s rum, Campari, and pineapple juice for sotol, clairin, and watermelon. Things get much more esoteric than that, though, so flip through the huge book to see what you might want.

Address : 433 E 6th Street, New York, NY 10009 Website: deathandcompany.com

Walking down Brooklyn ’s bustling Smith Street, it’s hard not to notice Leyenda, with its large, arched windows and red-tile overhang, which wouldn't look out of place in parts of Latin America. From esteemed NYC bar professionals Julie Reiner and Ivy Mix comes this lively spot that leans deep into the spirits of that region as well as the Caribbean's, including rum, tequila, and mezcal. Try them in cocktails like the Tia Mia (mezcal espadin, Jamaican rum, orange Curacao, lime, and orgeat); or sip them on their own, preferably alongside the Latin-accented small plates. Hardly standard bar grub, the kitchen turns out tuna ceviche, pupusas churrasco skirt steak nightly, and at its popular weekend brunch.

Address : 221 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Website: leyendabk.com

The Bar Room

When some of New York City's elite publishing companies moved downtown, their new neighborhood required great hotel bars for those with expense accounts and a story to tell. Thank goodness for the Bar Room at the Beekman. Grab a seat at the bar – a gorgeous number with teal stools and a green-and-gold motif – and you might find yourself next to a Vogue designer, investment banker, or tech millionaire in town from Dubai. This is a proper cocktail spot with a changing, seasonal menu that seems to always fit the weather outside; also look for the extensive amaro list that seems to suit the glimmering, low-light decor.

Address : 123 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038 Website : templecourtnyc.com

A serious cocktail bar alongside the High Line, Porchlight is a treasure in a part of town where overpriced dive bars still dominate. Surprisingly spacious, with dark brick-lined walls lending an air of coziness, this Danny Meyer joint has his signature hospitality in spades. Most people roll in for the cocktails, which at $18 a pop, which may seem like it's on the high end of normal, even in NYC, but classic cocktails are just $11 at the 3-7 pm daily happy hours (all day on Sunday).

Address : 271 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10001 Website: porchlightbar.com

Threes Brewing

Gowanus's Threes Brewing is one of those rare New York City taprooms that can please almost everyone. There are booths, a stellar backyard, a large bar, and beers that will impress hops nerds as well as folks who simply want a glass of something cold on a hot summer day. As the name implies, it's a functioning brewery, and the menu shows off not only the house-made beers but a rotating cast of brews from producers like Allagash, Suarez Family Brewery, and Other Half, a Brooklyn favourite. Each is listed beside its flavour profile, and many come in a range of pour sizes. There’s a small list of wines and cocktails, too.

Address : 333 Douglass Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 Website: threesbrewing.com

Angela Dimayuga, who blossomed into a darling of the culinary world back when she was running the kitchen at Mission Chinese New York, is the brains behind this queer bar at The Standard Hotel, where she’s also the creative director of food and culture. The drinks list is short and full of swagger, and includes specialties like the Say Gay, a blend of vodka, aquavit, tangerine, and lemon; bar snacks include crispy artichokes with lemon herb aioli and sweet potato tots with miso mustard. Swing by for a date or a themed evening (like a screening of RuPaul’s Drag Race ).

Address : 25 Cooper Square, New York, NY 10003 Website: standardhotels.com

Maison Premiere

The little round marble bar and a whiff of New Orleanian dishabille catch your attention first. This Williamsburg standby is renowned for its cocktail programme, oyster happy hour, and general Southern Gothic vibe. The light is made for Instagram, and you’ll see brunchers taking full advantage of it. Absinthe addicts, attention: This is your bar. There’s a whole separate menu devoted to absinthe cocktails, a real vintage drip in-house, and barkeeps who know what they’re doing with it all. Brews are mostly locally sourced and tasty, and the non-absinthe drinks shine, too.

Address : 298 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249 Website: maisonpremiere.com

The Rum House

Although it’s been popping up on tourist guides with increasing frequency, The Rum House still feels cosy and welcoming – a proper respite from the madness of Times Square. Rum, rum, and more rum: You want a “daiquiri your way” (classic, dark, pineapple-tinged or Hemingway-esque) or an extravagantly coconutty riff on the Piña Colada called “The Escape.” For fun, look for obscure rums, such as Samaroli from Guadeloupe. If you want to stick to your usual bourbon Old Fashioned or French 75, they have those, too.

Address : 228 W 47th Street, New York, NY 10036 Website: therumhousenyc.com

Inside the former Milk & Honey space where the modern cocktail revival began, the speakeasy vibe remains, and the bespoke cocktails served today would make Sasha Petraske proud. If there’s a beer or wine list at Attaboy, it’s irrelevant. Everyone has a cocktail in hand – a pricey one. This is a menu-free environment, so bring your inner cocktail nerd and any questions you might have. Sam Ross, founding co-owner, invented the Penicillin, and if you haven’t tried that combo of ginger, lemon, and Scotch before, let today be the day.

Address : 134 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002 Website: attaboy.us

Middle Branch

Most of the city’s serious cocktail scene lives south of 14th Street. Middle Branch, located in a two-story townhouse in Murray Hill, is a delightful exception. The menu here has you covered if you’re looking for something classic, but if you’re even slightly adventurous, opt for the Bartender’s Choice. And with its proximity to Midtown, Middle Branch is close enough to the office or theatre to make stopping by without much warning easy.

Address : 154 E 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 Website: instagram.com/middlebranch

Jimmy's Corner

That a bar in the heart of Times Square is so tourist-free is one of many mysteries at Jimmy’s, a boxing memorabilia-saturated spot once dominated by the Midtown media set. In one snapshot, the late longtime owner and former boxing trainer Jimmy Glenn poses with the late Muhammad Ali. Especially if you have to visit out-of-towners in tow who, bless their hearts, really only want to see Times Square. It’s a way to sneak them a little bit of Real New York. They’ll be grateful.

Address : 140 W 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 Webite: facebook.com

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The 14 Most Iconic New York City Bars and Restaurants

By The Bon Appétit Staff

One of the best things about New York is how it's ever-evolving—not just keeping up with the times, but defining the curve as it goes. And yet, once you've watched the last mom-and-pop left on your block be replaced by yet another big box store, there's some comfort to be taken in the old standbys where time has stood still since the day they first opened. These 14 New York establishments have committed to keeping every detail intact, to the point where sitting down at a table can feel like stepping into a time machine (where the prices match current-day inflation, that is). We picked the best places in town where you can get a taste of classic New York.

Keens Steakhouse, Midtown

There are a lot of steakhouses in New York, but there is, quite simply, no place like Keens. Founded in 1885 , it is the epitome of old-school, from the white tablecloths to the legendary "mutton chop" to the veteran servers. There is no bad place to sit, but there are many options: the bro-y bar, the family-friendly pub area, the more formal main-floor dining room, the cozy upstairs "pipe room," and probably a few more enclaves we don't even know about. The bar and pub offer a more casual menu, but it's worth shelling out for the real deal. Here's the order: iceberg wedge with bacon, shrimp cocktail, a gorgeous T-bone or Porterhouse, classic sides of creamed spinach and your favorite iteration of potato, and a hot-fudge sundae for dessert. —Julia Kramer, senior projects editor

Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle, Upper East Side

The piano player, the painted murals on the wall, the little bar snacks, the preposterously priced cocktails: It’s a cocktail bar as a cocktail bar should be . It’s also as Upper East Side as the Upper East Side gets—when you go uptown and feel like you’re in another city. Just don't forget your Gold Card. —Adam Rapoport, editor in chief

Don Peppe, Ozone Park

Sometimes I hope my family’s flight out of JFK is massively delayed. Crazy? You’d only think that if you had never been to Don Peppe in Ozone Park, Queens, an easy 10-minute Uber from the airport. Restaurants like this— honest, no-frills, red sauce Italian —might have existed on every corner at some point. These days, they are endangered species that need to be celebrated. The doctor’s office-level lighting is mildly annoying, as is the cash-only policy and the limited wine list (two bottles, white and red). But, in the end, it’s all part of the throwback charm. This place is a legend for its perfect OG Italian classics served family style. Here is what you are ordering: Salad Don Peppe, baked clams, linguine with white clam sauce, shrimp Luciano, and steak pizzaiola . If you end up missing your flight, it will have been worth it. —Andrew Knowlton, deputy editor

Balthazar, SoHo

What happens when the City of Light is transplanted in the City That Never Sleeps? Well, if this classic spot is any indication, it makes every meal feel like a celebration. It's the kind of place where you'll want to order champagne just 'cause ; you'll feel beautiful in the warm, golden light no matter what you're wearing; and you'll feel inclined to splurge on an otherwise ordinary Monday night. The no-frills menu commits to classic French fare, from moules frites to steak frites (basically, just don't miss out on the frites ). You will be surrounded by models, and you will be surrounded by Europeans. You may be surrounded by European models. But as they poke at their salads with dressing on the side, you won't envy them in the slightest. —Julia Black, associate web editor

Katz's Deli, Lower East Side

I don’t think I’ve ever been to Katz’s before 1 a.m., and that’s the way I prefer it. I walk in a few vodka-sodas deep, and always order a pastrami sandwich (free pickles!), a small matzo ball soup, and a side of latkes (they aren’t my favorite in the world but, hey, tradition is tradition). Everyone who works there is nice in that not-nice New York way . Well, unless you lose your ticket . Then they're not-nice in that not-nice New York way. —Rachel Karten, senior social media manager

J.G. Melon, Upper East Side

There are burger joints, and then there’s J.G. Melon’s. I’m not sure exactly what the secret formula is for this place. Is it the decades-old seasoning seared onto the griddle, the fur-clad old ladies milling around , or perhaps the fact that you know exactly what you’re getting the minute you see those green, checkered tablecloths? Whatever it is, eating a cheeseburger at J.G. Melon’s on a weeknight is one of the most New York things you can do . The only indicator that you’re not rooted firmly in 1979 is what people (old ladies aside) are wearing. Whether you’re crammed into a corner in the back room or sipping a martini at the weathered bar, time doesn’t matter inside J.G. Melon’s. The only thing that matters is that you’re in New York. —Alex Delany, assistant web editor

McSorley's Old Ale House, East Village

The Irish pub’s slogan emblazoned on the window outside says it all: “We were here before you were born.” Sip $3 beers (your choice of light or dark house ale) in the same sawdust-littered room that entertained Abraham Lincoln, John Lennon, and Babe Ruth. This isn't Cheers and it doesn't pretend to be. The city’s oldest saloon is covered in memorabilia from the last century and beyond: there are portraits of dead presidents, tanned leather baseballs, and a kooky collection of wishbones predating World War I. It's like stepping into a history book—with cheap beer. —Ashley Mason, editorial assistant

Blue Ribbon Brasserie, SoHo

I have just four words for you: fried chicken and champagne . That's the signature move at the original late-night industry hangout, where you can also get a burger, escargot, or a mile-high tower of seafood right up until 4:00 a.m. any day of the week. Stepping into the intimate SoHo space is as good a way as any to time-travel back to the lavish New York '90s , with velvet booths, dim lighting, and smooth jazz soundtrack complete the mood. You'll feel like you're in an episode of Sex and the City in the absolute best way. —Julia Black, associate web editor

Neil’s Coffee Shop, Upper East Side

Here are some things you should know about my favorite diner in NYC: The red neon sign, hanging on the corner of 70th and Lexington, is a beautiful lie. It labels a diner as a coffee shop. The layout is like a freshman year architecture student’s last-minute midterm project . The sausage is amazing: crispy skin and soft, well-seasoned interior. And then there are the people. The same exact waitstaff has been there across the decades serving neighborhood veterans, kids fresh off the Little League fields at Central Park, construction workers, and confused French tourists . If New York was a restaurant, it would be Neil’s. —Alex Delany, assistant web editor

Old Town Bar, Gramercy

You travel back in time when you walk in. Wander in at five on a Sunday afternoon and realize that there’s no other place on the planet you need to be. God, I love that place. Inconsistent fries, but consistent atmosphere—and cold beer. I hear the urinals are nice , too… but I’ll never know for sure. —Alex Beggs, senior web editor

Peter Luger Steakhouse, Williamsburg

I've lost track of the number of Big Life Events I’ve celebrated at Peter Luger’s. It’s where my family goes for birthdays, graduations, and all the other momentous occasions worth toasting over steak. We go for the meat, of course, with crispy brown edges seared in who-knows-how-much butter; the fat French fries meant for dunking in beef fat ; the silky creamed spinach; and the mound of schlag (that’s whipped cream, to the uninitiated) served with dessert, which is great in coffee or, frankly, eaten by the spoonful. And then there’s the vibe—the worn wooden tables and dark wooden walls, the no-nonsense waiters who aren’t nearly as gruff as their reputation suggests. We go because it never seems to change. Yes, we’re getting older with each birthday, but at Peter Luger’s it really feels like time is standing still. —Meryl Rothstein, senior editor

Veselka, East Village

Is Veselka good? I can’t really remember, but that’s not the point. Whenever I find myself in the East Village without a reservation or two hours to wait, Veselka is there for me, just as it’s there for the totally random assortment of party kids, Eastern European grandpas, and tourists . Get the short rib pierogis, duh, but don’t forget a bowl of borscht . It’s true healthyish comfort food, especially splooshed with a dollop of sour cream. —Amanda Shapiro, Healthyish editor

The Odeon, Tribeca

On a recent lunch shift, a friend who works at the Odeon spotted Kara Walker scribbling on her paper tablecloth and managed to intercept the precious doodle before it hit the trash. That's just the kind of thing that happens at the Odeon, where celebrities, art world stars, and ex-club kids go for a taste of classic TriBeCa (Lena Dunham has the iconic orange sign tattooed onto her hip). After establishing its reputation as the preeminent late-night hangout for the Bright Lights, Big City set in the ‘80s, the Odeon retains its aura of cool 37 years later after opening. The menu is classic French brasserie, so stick with standbys like the Croque Monsieur or the steak tartare . Hang around for a few hours and you’re more likely than not to spot a famous New Yorker munching on a frisee salad. —Julia Black, associate web editor

Russ & Daughters Shop, Lower East Side

When you come to New York, you have to eat a bagel . It's a rule—and man, do you have options. The City That Never Sleeps is also the City of a Million Bagel Shops, many of them good, but there is one place that's stood out for over a century: Russ & Daughters. The Lower East Side "appetizing shop" is a true institution, doling out so-thin-they're-translucent slices of smoked salmon, dainty tins of caviar, and a nonstop parade of bagel sandwiches . Come in for whitefish on a bialy, leave with a pound of rugelach, a briny carton of half-sour pickles, and some black and whites for good measure. The morning rush can be deadly, and the bagel sandwiches are some of the most expensive in the city, but the ingredients are unparalleled. Eating a Russ & Daughters bagel isn't just a good idea—it's a bonafide New York City tradition. —Aliza Abarbanel, Healthyish editorial assistant

14 Legendary New York City Bars You Must Visit

Wanna sip a tipple like a Gotham local back in the 1700s? Dust off your beer goggles, we're taking you on a tour of New York City's must-visit legendary bars.

Pour one out for all the hammered heroes who went before you, blazing the trail from a well-worn barstool to the dimly lit washroom — and back again — with nary a dart to the head. These are the watering holes that lived to tell the tale, that smell like prohibition and spilled pints, that welcome you like an old friend. They're the historic haunts of New York City. And you've really gotta see them to believe them.

In a city with 25,000 bars, clubs, and restaurants, sampling the keg behind the bar of a true icon can feel kind of needle-in-a-haystack-ish. But thanks to stories passed down by seasoned bartenders, expert historians, looong-time residents, and architectural conservationists, you can put your butt in a seat that Abraham Lincoln sat in, too — actually, you can't sit in it, but he did! Let's throw one back, shall we?

The Campbell

Well-hidden inside midtown's Grand Central Terminal, The Campbell showcases the Gatsby-like former office space of financier and railroad mogul, John W. Campbell. And it looks almost exactly like it did back in 1923.

Soaring 25-foot ceilings, a tall stone fireplace, and original leaded-glass windows frame the jewel-toned mohair seating in The Campbell Bar. Step into the Campbell Palm Court to transport yourself to somewhere Miami-ish, and grab a cool cocktail on a warm summer night on the Campbell Terrace. 

While it might be easy to screw up an Old Fashioned at home , it's even easier to sip one on repeat when it's mixed by The Campbell's most beloved bartender, Paris DuRante. Or, you could always go for the GG Manhattan (it's the bar's most popular cocktail). DuRante has been a familiar face there for decades. He turns a stunning location into an unforgettable experience thanks to his attention to detail and sixth sense for knowing what you need.

Drink: GG Manhattan with Woodford reserve bourbon, Carpano Antica vermouth, and Angostura bitters ($22). Eat: Pretzel Bites with Dijon mustard and beer cheese ($12). Be merry: Live jazz on weekend evenings, the kitchen closes at 11 p.m., and the dress code ranges from casual to business profesh.

15 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017

(917) 209-3440

Bemelmans Bar

Well you can't take yourself too seriously when you're drinking a martini next to an illustration of a rabbit smoking a stogie and all the schoolgirls from the Madeline books. The bar's namesake Ludwig Bemelmans (original creator of the Madeline series) painted the murals on the walls and accepted 1 ½ years of free boarding at the hotel above the bar (also for his family), as payment.

Nestled into The Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side, Bemelmans feels like an art deco hideaway from the bustle of the city. Established in 1947, and restored to its original glory in 2002, you can snuggle up on a chocolate leather banquette and hypnotize yourself by looking at the glimmering 24-karat gold leaf ceiling. For the pint-sized set, reserve a spot for the beloved, sing-a-long Madeline Tea, hosted every Saturday in November and December. (Word on the street is that the kid-friendly dessert bar is its own legendary experience.)

Drink: Gold Fashioned with Oban 14 yr Single Malt Scotch Whiskey ($34). Eat: Homemade Pigs In A Blanket ($23). Be merry: A live music cover charges begins at 5:30 p.m. for the pianist with additional table and bar charges for jazz performances. A smart dress code also starts at 5:30 p.m.: collared shirts for men.

Bemelmans Bar 35 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021

(212) 744-1600

Over 200 years ago, in 1817, somebody was like, "It would be cooler if we sold beer out of here." But that's not even the earliest history behind the SoHo gem, the Ear Inn.

The building was originally built in 1770 for George Washington's aid, James Brown. After Brown died, the spot became a home-brew sales depot, then a restaurant, and then a prohibition-era speakeasy. It was given a name in the 1970s. Hoping to skirt the red tape involved in getting a new outside sign approved, they covered the curvy parts of the B in "BAR" so the original sign read, "EAR." (It still looks like that.) The dive-y Ear Inn is one of the oldest consistently operating bars in New York City. Hey, if it ain't broke in 200 years, don't fix it.

Drink: Speakeasy Dark & Stormy ($15). Eat: The 8 ounce Pat LaFrieda Burger with fries ($17.50). Be merry: On Sundays the house band plays, with visiting artists appearing on Wednesdays.

Ear Inn 326 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013

(212) 226-9060

Fraunces Tavern

Powder your puffiest wig. Fraunces Tavern [FROWN-siz] is the actual location you wish your high school American History class took place. Written accounts show that George Washington celebrated the end of the Revolutionary War by popping in for dinner there in 1783. It's a legit national treasure, people!

An icon of the Financial District, Fraunces Tavern is one of New York City's oldest bars, having been established in 1762. The building survived several fires, near-demolitions, new owners, almost being razed into a park, additions, renovations, and multiple addresses. While it may not look exactly like its original self, it certainly acts like it. Fraunces Tavern even hosts their own public museum and tours, showcasing the building's patchwork past. Pick your poison with multiple rooms to choose from; Hit up the Independence Bar for casual drinks, the luxurious and leathery Dingle Whiskey Bar for an extra rare bottle, or the newer Piano Bar for a full bar with plenty of yummy snacks.

Drink: Presidential Punch ($18). Eat: Slow Roasted Chicken Pot Pie ($26 *It was George Washington's go-to, America). Be merry: Enjoy live music every night of the week.

Fraunces Tavern 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004

(212) 968-1776

Once serving Herald Square Theatre District's A-list clientele (some actors hustled in for a drink during the intermissions of their own shows), Keens Chophouse has been setting 'em up and knocking 'em back since 1885. Just ask the nude woman in the oil painting above the bar. She's definitely seen some things.

Churchwarden pipes were kept on site and registered for their owners to use when they stopped in. You can still join the Pipe Club, which houses more than 90,000 pipes. Keens' regulars included Teddy Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, Albert Einstein, Herbert Hoover, J.P. Morgan, and John Barrymore. By 1905, British actress Lillie Langtry had enough of the boys' club and sued for access to the men-only establishment. (Celebrate in the Lillie Langtry room with up to 24 of your friends.) The bottle collection and food menu here are enormous, with lots of old-world recipes and cocktails that knock it out of the park. You can even reserve a wine, scotch, or steak tasting.

Drink: Glenlivet Nadurra ($ N/A). Eat: Our Legendary Mutton Chop ($68). Be merry: Reservations are suggested.

Keens 72 West 36th St, New York, NY 10018

(212) 947-3636

The Landmark Tavern

A favorite of Hell's Kitchen, The Landmark Tavern has been cooking up Irish American bangers and mash since 1868. Now, there's plenty of Guinness, Smithwick's, and their own Landmark Lager on tap.

Back when it first opened, The Landmark Tavern sat on the Hudson River waterfront (The place where 12th Ave would later be built). The building itself has been spiffed up in the years since, but still maintains most of its original charm. That means you can grab a seat at the indestructible mahogany bar, under the pressed tin ceiling, with a penny-tiled floor that's cracked and uneven, showing its age. 

Drink: Knappogue Castle 12 ($ N/A). Eat: Corned beef sandwich ($14.50). Be merry: This place does St. Patrick's Day like it's their job. Wear something green or get pinched (Them's the rules).

The Landmark Tavern 626 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036

(212) 247-2562

At Dante in the West Village, a white-washed tin ceiling, subway tiles make it feel more like a bright Italian deli than a bar. But, at just 104 years old, it won World's Best Bar at the Spirited Awards in 2019.

Originally known as Caffe Dante back when it opened in 1915, the vibe is humming. (By the way, you only think your whiskey cocktail tastes like a bacon egg and cheese bagel because you've unknowingly made the pilgrimage to the BEC mecca.) This Dante revitalization prefers a high-profile collab, live music, and usually shows a waitlist for rezzies. Just check out their merch line for everything from a Dante's signature cocktail tray, to sweats, cocktail-inspired candles, and the Negroni Occasions Box. Famous regulars over the years have included Jerry Seinfeld, Al Pacino, Bob Dylan, Whoopi Goldberg, and Ernest Hemingway.

Drink: Dante's Garibaldi ($15). Eat: Pappardelle All'Ragu ($29). Be merry: Reservations suggested.

Dante 79-81 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

(212) 982-5275

McSorley's Old Ale House

The motto at McSorley's Old Ale House is, "We were here before you were born." Since the business launched in 1854, that's usually true. (No offense, ghosts.) The golden rule for the bar? "Be good or be gone." (Re: Ghosts.)

While ladies weren't allowed until 1970 (they didn't install a women's bathroom until 1986), during the nearly 80 years prior to that, a whole lot of shenanigans went down. What began as The Old House At Home, briefly became a full bar in 1905. McSorley's then stuck with beer-only (light or dark) to become America's oldest Irish bar. Look for an original John Wilkes Booth "wanted" poster, and handcuffs worn by Harry Houdini. Abraham Lincoln also stopped in after his Cooper Union address (his chair hangs above the bar). Plus, Teddy Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy regularly knocked back a pint or two. 

Drink: Light or dark ale, which comes as a 2-for-1 ($8). Eat: Liverwurst sandwich ($6). Be merry: Cash only, and no kids after 6 p.m. (P.S., just because it's cash-only doesn't mean the same etiquette for tipping won't still apply.)

McSorley's Old Ale House 15 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003

(212) 473-9148

Old Town Bar

Gramercy haunt, Old Town Bar, is home to New York City's oldest, working pulley system for moving food between floors: The dumbwaiter. From the first floor, you'll see the gears grinding by the end of the bar to bring your cheeseburger to you via its own little elevator. 

Originally owned by Germans in what was a German neighborhood, Old Town Bar (Called Viemeisters, back then) opened in 1892. You can sit in the same hollow booths that hid alcohol bottles during prohibition. Just sidle up to the 55-foot marble and mahogany bar, order yourself a refreshment, and chat up the neighbors a couple stools over. There won't be any TV's flashing overhead — or too-loud music — providing you with the perfect conditions to have your own moment. 

Drink: A martini ($ N/A). Eat: Hamburger platter (Starting at $17.25). Be merry: No reservations accepted, and no more than two credit cards per table.

Old Town Bar 45 East 18th St, New York, NY 10003

(212) 529-6732

The Brooklyn Inn

Lean into that ancient dive bar energy. You might usually be nose-deep in the latest craft beer power rankings , but at Boerum Hill's coveted outpost, The Brooklyn Inn, you'll have what they're having. 

It's one of the borough's oldest watering holes, featuring a wooden bar brought over from Germany, circa 1870. The spot officially opened 15 years later, in 1885. Inside, you'll find pool tables, a jukebox, usually-friendly service, and a full bar — all of which make this a go-to hang for Brooklyn locals. While they don't serve food, you are more than welcome to order in. Pull up a chair and stay a while.

Drink: Brooklyn Lager ($ N/A). Eat: No food — but takeout menus provided. Be merry: Cash only.

The Brooklyn Inn 148 Hoyt St, Brooklyn, NY, 11201

(718) 522-2525

Peter McManus Cafe

Chelsea gem Peter McManus Cafe also claims the "oldest bar" title — but with a twist. They're the oldest bar in New York City run by the same family the entire time. And they've kept that Irish whiskey flowing since 1936. (As the story goes, Peter McManus — the person — left Ireland for the States with just $5 and a single potato.)

Much more of an unassuming dive bar than regular cafe, this relative youngster among the Big Apple titans on this list offers a welcome respite from its neighboring scenesters. Slide into one of their two original wooden phone booths, or grab a leather stool at the bar to admire the decades-old Tiffany stained glass windows. Expect to be chatted up by customers and staff. After a few pints, you'll feel like part of the family.

Drink: Jameson & Ginger ($ N/A). Eat: McManus' Reuben ($15.25). Be merry: Alcohol is available until 4am every day of the week, but the kitchen closes at 12am Sunday through Wednesday, and 1am Thursday through Saturday.

Peter McManus Cafe 152 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10011

(917) 261-5504

Pete's Tavern

Ever since 1864, Pete's Tavern has been graciously serving the Gramercy Park crowd and anyone else who stops by. Around here, a pint of dark beer goes with summer , fall, winter, spring, summer — did we mention summer?

Pete's Tavern goes head to head with McSorley's for the oldest continually operating restaurant and bar in the city (missing the title by a teensy decade). While it might reveal a little less personality than the other bars on this list, the stunning rosewood bar, tile floors, cavernous wood booths, and shiny tin ceilings are originals from back in the day. Most famous of the booths would be the second one, where writer O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) wrote "The Gift Of The Magi." And the tavern's prohibition-era business front? Selling flowers. 

Drink: O. Henry's Negroni ($18). Eat: Gramercy Burger ($23). Be merry: Happy hour from 4-6pm Monday through Friday. Kitchen closes at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 11pm the rest of the week.

Pete's Tavern 129 East 18th Street at the corner of Irving Place

(212) 473-7676

P.J. Clarke's

Ignore all the other P.J. Clarke's dotting the city, and head to the Third Avenue outpost — the one that started it all. Shortly after the building went up, taps were officially cracked open in 1884.

Curious about the watering hole's notable history? Apparently, singer Buddy Holly and his future wife got engaged there, a mere five hours after meeting each other. Frank Sinatra stopped in late night (his table was #20), songwriter Johnny Mercer grabbed a bar napkin to write the hit "One for My Baby (And One for the Road)," and Nat King Cole himself loved the bacon cheeseburger so much, he compared it to the fanciest car around: The Cadillac. Oh, and the Kennedys also came by frequently for burgers. The flawlessly restored Third Avenue spot is popular with the Wall Street set, and the bar can get packed. Expect an old-world feel, set to the clicking of dress shoes from an upscale crowd.

Drink: Perfect Manhattan ($ N/A). Eat: East Coast Oysters ($24 for ½ dozen, $46 for a dozen). Be merry: Happy hour runs from 3-6 p.m. on weekdays. P.J.'s also has a membership-only dining room called Sidecar, available via staircase on 55th Street.

P.J. Clarke's 915 Third Avenue, at 55th Street, New York, NY 10022

(212) 317-1616

White Horse Tavern

At the West Village's White Horse Tavern, it's just another day in 1880 — retooled for people accustomed to reliable electricity. It's one of the holdouts of a working class era, in a neighborhood that's decidedly boogie. Think elevated takes on classic bar food and drinks, without being a snoot about it.

Affectionately known as "The Horse," it was a home away from home for bohemian music industry legends like Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison, plus literary icons like Hunter S. Thompson, Jack Kerouac, Dylan Thomas, and James Baldwin. Don't miss the original bar and tin ceilings from this registered landmark as you navigate through the NYU crowd. Who knows, maybe a few sheets to the wind and you'll be writing the next best-selling novel in a moody corner of the bar. (Keep your tab open — you've got some stiff historical competition. Dylan T's reported max whiskeys was 18 at a time.)

Drink: White Horse Martini ($18). Eat: French Dip Sandwich ($28). Be merry: Happy hour is 4-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 2-6 p.m. on Friday. Brunch specials like $10 cocktails happen on Sundays 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

White Horse Tavern 567 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

(212) 989-3956

How we chose these particular NYC bars

While we would happily slide into a booth at any one of these fine establishments, we relied on available historical record, press releases, and reputable interviews to suss out the most impressive stalwarts of the New York City bar scene. Okay, also, we may have left a little wiggle room for exaggeration as part of some of the folklore, but no one can ask Abraham Lincoln about it, so we're going with those semi-unofficial official accounts.

No biggie, but we like to think that we nailed it. (Drinks on us! Well, no, not really!)

Tip your bartender correctly no matter where in the world you grab a drink — especially when your Gotham-poured pint is served with a shot of jaw-dropping history. Plus, you can pay homage to those old-school mixologists by making your own scratch cocktail using the golden ratio bartenders swear by.

The Best Cocktail Bars in New York City

The most sophisticated places to spend happy hour.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

New Yorkers may not have invented cocktail hour, but they have certainly put their time and energy into perfecting it. Whether you're looking for perfectly shaken classics at an iconic hotel bar or surprising new sips at a subterranean speakeasy, these watering holes deserve a spot on your drinking to-do list.

Greenwich Village: 79-81 Macdougal St.

MORE : 50 Great Things to See and Do in New York City

Dante West Village

Dante opened its second location on the corner of Hudson and Perry Streets in the West Village in mid-2020. Seating is first-come, first-served at all times except lunch, when reservations are available. With a slightly larger space, there is also more of a focus on food, with offerings from a seafood-driven menu. The drinks also do not disappoint.

551 Hudson St .

King Cole Bar

There are few bars in the city as instantly recognizable as this iconic spot at the St. Regis New York, bedecked as it is with Maxfield Parrish's famous 1906 oil mural of the eponymous merry old soul. It's the place to head when you're craving a taste of old New York, both literally and figuratively—the bar claims to have been the first bar in America to serve a Bloody Mary, or, as they're known at the King Cole Bar, a Red Snapper. As an added bonus, the private tray of snacks you receive with your cocktail order is bountiful enough to make an ideal afternoon snack while shopping on Fifth Avenue.

2 E 55th St.

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Mister Paradise

With cocktail names like Party Lobster, An Awfully Big Mustache, and Doug you'd expect the drinks at this colorful East Village hub to be, well, unexpected, and they certainly won't let you down. Though the combinations—think: gin, scotch, smoked grapefruit, and popcorn butter—might sound like something from Willy Wonka's happy hour, the shockingly delicious results and fun atmosphere will reward your adventurousness.

105 1st Ave.

Great Jones Distilling Co.

Located in the NoHo neighborhood, Great Jones Distilling Co. is the first and only legal distillery to open in Manhattan since Prohibition. Visitors can tour the working distillery and sip the bourbon and rye whiskeys it produces.

686 Broadway

The second-floor tasting room bar (shown here) is the perfect spot to sip a cocktail made with a house whiskey, like a Ginger Jones or an Applewood Smoked Old Fashioned.

The Polo Bar

No one does luxe Americana quite like Ralph Lauren, so maybe it's no surprise that his signature cocktail bar is brimming with opulent, preppy style. From the polo mallet-shaped stirring sticks in the Moscow Mules to the gleaming copper bar, no detail is spared in making each moment you spend in The Polo Bar feel special—which is also, perhaps, why seats at the reservation-only spot are famously difficult to come by.

1 E 55th St.

The cocktail menu includes classics like an Old Fashioned (shown here), a Moscow Mule, and a Brown Derby.

The Bar at Baccarat Hotel

If you're looking to impress, The Bar is the place to lay your cocktail napkin. This hot spot is well-known for its celebrity sightings, so consider making a reservation if you hope to get a seat during peak hours. As the lavish surroundings suggest, the cocktails lean toward opulence with house-infused liquors, scarlet ice cubes, and even a $150 kir royale made with vintage champagne.

28 W 53rd St.

The luxurious cocktails are all served in Baccarat crystal glasses, naturally.

Katana Kitten

Like its playful name suggests, Katana Kitten —another World's 50 Best Bars list-maker—is equal parts sleek Japanese precision and whimsical fun, thanks in no small part to its ever-grinning proprietor Masahiro Urushido who brings his sharply-honed mixology sensibility to offbeat highballs, quirky signature cocktails like the horchata and ancho-infused Leche de Gato, and, yes, a full selection of boilermakers for a high-low experience that will definitely have you ready for a second round.

531 Hudson St.

The 18th Room

The sister bar to the boisterous Bathtub Gin next door, The 18th Room (named for the 18th Amendment, which banned the sale of alcohol in the U.S.) takes the trappings of a speakeasy and turns them luxe. The more subdued, private atmosphere make it an ideal place to unwind over drinks and good conversation, and maybe spot a celebrity or two. And while they do specialize in bespoke cocktails, they also offer a regularly-shifting seasonal menu (presented on custom, period-inspired newspapers) with an emphasis on sustainability—they try to make use of every scrap they can from the kitchen and bar, so nothing goes to waste.

134 9th Ave.

Double Chicken Please

This Lower East Side bar , which opened during the middle of the pandemic in November 2020, began as a roving cocktail pop-up inside an old Volkswagen camper. The front bar serves original cocktails on tap and chicken sandwiches , and the back bar, which features mid-century modern decor and lighting, has a fine dining menu and a revolving list of contemporary and classic cocktails.

115 Allen St.

Bemelmans Bar

Ordering a (perfect) martini at this illustration-studded outpost at The Carlyle is like stepping back in time. The walls and lampshades are lovingly decorated in fanciful scenes hand-drawn by Ludwig Bemelmans, the author of the Madeline children's books (keep an eye out for the twelve little girls in two straight lines amongst the picnicking rabbits and skating elephants) and nightly live music makes the bar feel as if Frank Sinatra or Jackie Kennedy (two of the famous faces who were regulars at the bar) might walk in any minute.

35 E 76th St.

Luis Serrano, head bartender at Bemelmans, told T&C Editor in Chief Stellene Volandes that the Old Cuban is his favorite cocktail to make: " I love the taste of the mint and it’s the perfect balance. All my regulars ask for it."

Don't go looking for a menu at this relaxed Lower East Side bastion —there isn't one. Along with a few house specials, Attaboy concentrates their efforts on bespoke cocktails crafted to your tastes You're in very good hands; co-owner Sam Ross invented both the Penicillin and the Paper Plane, both of which are modern cocktail menu mainstays. And while that pedigree might suggest pomposity, the bar pairs their serious mixology chops with a refreshingly unpretentious vibe that make it a great place to grab a drink for any occasion.

134 Eldridge St.

The Dead Rabbit

The Irish pub is a classic genre of the NYC bar scene, and for cocktail lovers, this former World's 50 Best Bars winner is the Platonic ideal of the style. The gloriously unpretentious space (their comic book-style menus have become the stuff of industry legend) is divided between the ground level Taproom where the focus is on properly poured pints, their famed Irish coffee, and just about every iteration of whiskey you can imagine. Or head upstairs to the Parlor, where the flavor references range wider and live blues performances set a moodier tempo.

30 Water St.

Employees Only

This famed West Village cocktail bar made its name in the mixology boom of the early '00s and has since become something of a legend on the NYC cocktail scene (pros who have manned the bar at EO often sport a tattoo of the bar's logo as a form of bona fides.) Over a decade and a half old, it remains perpetually packed, but fighting for a seat at the speakeasy-influenced bar is still as worthwhile for the expertly crafted cocktails that will make you understand why it kicked off a cocktail revolution.

510 Hudson St.

The Campbell

Whether you're taking in the history and majesty of Grand Central or you're hopping a train, The Campbell is an ideal place to stop in for a drink. Originally serving as financier John W. Campbell's private office and reception hall in the '20s, the restored room has a European-nobility-by-way-of-Gatsby flair, with 25-foot painted ceilings, an enormous stone fireplace, and a century-old leaded glass window overlooking the bar. Drinks lean toward the classics, including a full selection of Old Fashioned riffs, but you'll also spot more modern takes like a lavender gimlet and a coffee-infused martini.

15 Vanderbilt Ave.

Grand Banks

Open seasonally, Grand Banks might be the best place to drink and dine on the water in the city. The floating bar is on a historic wooden schooner, and it features oysters and food from noted chef Kerry Heffernan, nautically themed cocktails, wines, champagnes, and sessionable beers—ideal for a sunny afternoon.

Pier 25 at Hudson River Park

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20 Incredible New York City Bars You Need to Visit Right Now

Home » 20 Incredible New York City Bars You Need to Visit Right Now

Are you looking for a great bar to visit in New York City? Look no further! Here are 20 of the best bars in the city that you need to check out right now. From craft beer bars to rooftop hangouts, there’s something for everyone in NYC. 

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Table of Contents

1) Nubeluz – New York City Bars

Address: 25 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001

Located in: The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

Nubeluz is one of the best bars in New York City. Located at the Ritz-Carlton in NoMad, Nubeluz has become a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. This upscale bar has an impressive list of craft cocktails, signature drinks, and a wide selection of international wines. With its chic and cozy atmosphere, Nubeluz is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Enjoy their delicious charcuterie board and other snacks while sipping on your favorite cocktail. Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out or simply want to spend time with friends, Nubeluz is the place to be.

2) Bemelmans Bar

Address: 35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10075

Located on: the 1st Floor, Café Carlyle

Bemelmans Bar

If you’re looking for an upscale place to relax and enjoy a cocktail, look no further than Bemelmans Bar! Located in the heart of New York City’s Upper East Side, this bar has been a favorite for generations of New Yorkers.

Named after illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans, who created the beloved Madeline children’s books, the bar is adorned with his iconic murals that make it feel like a classic, old-time bar.

Bemelmans Bar is well known for its wide selection of exquisite cocktails and the knowledgeable and friendly staff that serves them. Whether you’re looking for a classic Manhattan or something more unique, there’s something here for everyone. And don’t forget to try one of their signature martinis—they are second to none.

Along with drinks, Bemelmans Bar also offers an extensive menu of light fare and gourmet dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for caviar and oysters or some light snacks, you can find something to satisfy your cravings here.

With its incredible drinks, delicious food, and charming ambiance, Bemelmans Bar is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy a night out in New York City.

3) Thyme Bar – New York City Bars

Address: 20 W 23rd St, Cellar, New York, NY 10010

Thyme Bar is an underground hidden gem located in the cellar of 20 W 23rd Street in New York City. This bar has an old-world charm that is perfect for intimate conversations and cozy dates. The dim lighting, plush couches, and vintage décor create a comfortable atmosphere for guests. 

The drinks selection at Thyme Bar features a wide array of classic cocktails, craft beers, and wines. With an ever-changing menu, you can always find something new to try. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly, so don’t be afraid to ask for their advice. The bar also serves delicious small plates of cured meats, cheeses, and other snacks to enjoy with your drink. 

If you’re looking for a unique experience in New York City, check out Thyme Bar. You’ll love the atmosphere, drinks selection, and food that this hidden gem has to offer.

4) Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar

Address: 310 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018

Located in: Aliz Hotel Times Square

Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar

If you’re looking for a rooftop bar with an unbeatable view of Manhattan, Dear Irving on Hudson is the place to be. Located in the Aliz Hotel Times Square, this stunning terrace bar overlooks the NYC skyline and Hudson River. You can relax with a glass of wine or craft cocktail while admiring the stunning view. The bar offers an extensive selection of drinks including classic and modern cocktails and a great wine list. The decor is luxurious and sophisticated, with an elegant lounge atmosphere that makes it ideal for special occasions and romantic dates. And don’t forget the delicious food! Dear Irving on Hudson serves up delicious dishes from small plates to full entrees. So if you’re looking for a unique spot to enjoy some of the best views in New York City, make sure to visit Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar.

5) The Back Room – New York City Bars

Address: 102 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002

The Back Room

If you’re looking for a unique bar experience, look no further than The Back Room. This bar is tucked away in the heart of the Lower East Side and is the perfect spot for anyone looking for a cozy atmosphere with some of the best cocktails in the city.

The Back Room is a hidden gem that is easy to miss, so make sure you don’t pass it up! As soon as you walk in, you’ll be welcomed by a warm and inviting atmosphere with a relaxed vibe. The drinks menu is vast and consists of everything from classic cocktails to house specials. Whether you’re a beer person or prefer to sip on something more crafty, there’s something for everyone here. 

The bar also has an extensive wine list that boasts a wide selection of reds, whites, and roses. If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of their signature drinks like the “Chinatown Sour,” which is made with lemon juice, whiskey, honey, and ginger. 

The Back Room also has an impressive selection of craft beers and ciders, so if you’re a beer lover, you won’t be disappointed. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable and can help you pick out the perfect drink to suit your taste. They also offer bar snacks such as popcorn, pretzels, and chips if you need something to nibble on while sipping your drink. 

So whether you’re looking for a cozy spot for an intimate conversation or a lively atmosphere for a night out with friends, The Back Room is the perfect place for you.

Address: 135 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036

Located in: Hyatt Centric Times Square New York

Located in the Hyatt Centric Times Square New York hotel, Bar 54 is the perfect spot for an elevated evening experience. The bar is modern and inviting, with a warm atmosphere that invites you to sit back and relax. As one of the tallest rooftop bars in Manhattan, Bar 54 is a stunning location to take in views of the NYC skyline while enjoying carefully crafted cocktails and small plates. Choose from a selection of hand-crafted drinks including creative twists on classic cocktails and unique signature libations. The small plate menu has something for everyone with a variety of sharable dishes such as crispy Brussels sprouts, chicken wings, and flatbreads. Come enjoy the atmosphere and breathtaking views at Bar 54!

7) The Gold Room – New York City Bars

Address: 455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022

Located on: 1St Floor, Lotte New York Palace

The Gold Room

Located in the luxurious Lotte New York Palace, The Gold Room is one of the most opulent bars in New York City. Its location in Midtown makes it easy to access from anywhere in Manhattan. With its glamorous design, beautiful fixtures, and inviting atmosphere, it’s no wonder that this bar is a favorite among tourists and locals alike.

The Gold Room features a full bar, offering a variety of spirits, craft cocktails, and wine. It also features signature craft beers, handcrafted by the bar’s team of expert bartenders. With its stunning marble accents and classic décor, The Gold Room is sure to impress.

This unique venue also offers a light menu, including classic favorites such as charcuterie boards, flatbreads, sliders, and salads. Plus, they offer daily specials that vary from day to day. The Gold Room is open 7 days a week, making it easy to find the perfect time to come in and enjoy a drink.

If you’re looking for an evening of luxury and sophistication, then The Gold Room at the Lotte New York Palace is the perfect place to go. Whether you’re grabbing a drink with friends or having a romantic evening out, you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable experience.

8) Undercote

Address: 16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

Located in: KOHLER Experience Center by Best Plumbing Supply

If you’re looking for an intimate and unique bar experience, Undercote is the perfect place. This hidden gem is located in the KOHLER Experience Center by Best Plumbing Supply on West 22nd Street. As soon as you walk in, you’ll feel transported to a different time and place with its vintage-inspired decor, chandeliers, and velvet seating. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable and can craft up some delicious specialty cocktails. If you’re looking for something extra special, try one of their craft beers or a glass of wine from their extensive list. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a casual night out, you won’t regret spending some time at Undercote!

9) Death & Company – New York City Bars

Address: 433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

Death & Company

If you’re looking for a unique and special drinking experience, then you must visit Death & Company. This chic, speakeasy-style bar is located in the East Village and is one of the most popular bars in New York City. As soon as you step inside, you will be greeted by the inviting atmosphere and classic cocktails that are sure to keep you coming back. The bartenders here specialize in creating innovative and delicious drinks with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Whether you want something light and refreshing or a stronger cocktail, Death & Company has something for everyone. As well as a wide range of cocktails, they also offer an extensive selection of wines, beers, and spirits. So come to Death & Company and enjoy a fantastic night out with friends!

10) The Flatiron Room

Address: 37 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010

The Flatiron Room

If you’re looking for a unique and sophisticated atmosphere, The Flatiron Room is the perfect place to go. Located on the corner of 26th Street and Broadway, this upscale lounge features beautiful decor that is sure to impress. You’ll be surrounded by a warm and inviting atmosphere with comfortable seating and a long bar that invites you to relax and enjoy the evening.

The drinks menu at The Flatiron Room features an extensive selection of classic and craft cocktails, as well as an impressive selection of wines and beers. They offer a variety of small plates to accompany your drinks, including sliders, charcuterie, and cheese boards. There is even a weekly rotating oyster selection. If you’re feeling adventurous, they have an expert mixologist who will create custom cocktails tailored just for you.

In addition to drinks and food, The Flatiron Room offers live music every night. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy the night. With its unique décor and excellent drinks, The Flatiron Room is one of the best bars in New York City to visit right now!

11) Bar Hugo – New York City Bars

Address: 525 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Located in Hugo Hotel

If you’re looking for a great spot to have a drink in New York City, Bar Hugo is the place to be. Located in the trendy Hugo Hotel, Bar Hugo offers a unique atmosphere that combines modern sophistication with a classic speakeasy vibe. The space is sophisticated and comfortable, with plush leather chairs, velvet couches, and exposed brick walls.

The bar offers an extensive list of both classic and innovative cocktails as well as an impressive selection of beer and wine. From their signature Hugo Martini to the classic Manhattan, there’s something for everyone. If you’re feeling adventurous, the mixologists at Bar Hugo can create something special just for you.

For those who want to snack while sipping, Bar Hugo offers a delicious menu of small plates and snacks. From artisanal cheeses and charcuterie to sliders and wings, there’s something to please every palate.

Bar Hugo is the perfect spot to grab a drink with friends or on a date. Its cozy yet chic atmosphere makes it a great place to unwind and relax after a long day. Stop by and experience why this hidden gem has quickly become one of the best bars in New York City.

12) BAR CHRYSTIE

Address: Public Hotel, 215 Chrystie St, New York

Located in Public Hotel

BAR CHRYSTIE

BAR CHRYSTIE at the Public Hotel is one of the most unique and stylish bars in New York City. Located on the 10th floor of the chic hotel, this rooftop bar offers guests spectacular views of the cityscape and a luxurious lounge setting to enjoy a refreshing drink. The bar has an impressive selection of craft cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits, along with delicious snacks to satisfy any craving. BAR CHRYSTIE is a great spot to relax and unwind after a long day of sightseeing or shopping. If you’re looking for a trendy spot to meet up with friends or impress a date, this is the place for you!

13) Castell Rooftop Lounge – New York City Bars

Address: AC Hotel, 260 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018

Located in: AC Hotel New York Times Square

Castell Rooftop Lounge

The Castell Rooftop Lounge located in the AC Hotel New York Times Square is the perfect spot to go for a night out with friends. Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat, a delicious cocktail, or just want to enjoy a stunning view of the cityscape, Castell has you covered. With its modern and sleek decor, cozy booths, and incredible skyline views, Castell provides an atmosphere that can’t be beaten. The venue also offers private cabanas and VIP areas for those looking for a more intimate experience. If you’re looking for an unforgettable evening in the Big Apple, make sure to check out the Castell Rooftop Lounge.

14) Forgtmenot

Address: 138 Division St, New York, NY 10002

Welcome to Forgtmenot, one of the best bars in New York City!

This vibrant Lower East Side hotspot is known for its amazing selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. With an intimate atmosphere and a cozy outdoor garden, it’s the perfect place to spend an evening. The bar also has regular live music events and an ever-changing menu of specialty drinks. Stop by this lively bar and enjoy a night out with friends or a romantic night out with a loved one. With various beers on tap and knowledgeable staff, you’ll surely find something you like at Forgtmenot.

15) Madame George – New York City Bars

Address: 45 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036

Madame George

Madame George is the perfect place to visit for a night out in New York City. Located in Midtown, Madame George provides an intimate atmosphere for those looking for a unique bar experience. This speakeasy-style establishment features handcrafted cocktails and carefully curated wines from around the world. Enjoy your favorite drinks while taking in the vintage décor and laid-back atmosphere. With its modern yet cozy vibe, Madame George is sure to be a hit with locals and tourists alike. So come on down and see what all the fuss is about!

16) Garfunkel’s

Address: 67 Clinton St 2nd floor, New York, NY 10002

Located on: 2St Floor, The Burgary

Garfunkel’s

Garfunkel’s is a popular spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City. Located on the second floor of The Burgary, Garfunkel’s is a cozy and inviting spot that serves up amazing drinks and delicious food. The menu offers up a variety of tasty cocktails, craft beers, and wines. There’s also a wide selection of small plates and entrees, from burgers to salads and more. The atmosphere at Garfunkel’s is laid-back and relaxed, making it an ideal spot to kick back and have a few drinks with friends. So if you’re looking for a great bar in New York City, look no further than Garfunkel’s!

17) Employees Only – New York City Bars

Address: 510 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Employees Only

If you’re looking for a unique bar experience, look no further than Employees Only. Located in the heart of the West Village, this sophisticated speakeasy offers a relaxing and intimate atmosphere for those looking to grab a drink with friends or spend time alone with a good book. The menu is full of classic cocktails, craft beers, and fine wines. You can also enjoy bites like burgers and sandwiches, flatbreads, and small plates like charcuterie boards. 

Employees Only have won numerous awards, including being named the Best Bar in America by Tales of the Cocktail. It was also voted one of the Top 50 Bars in the World by Drinks International Magazine and is included in the 2018 World’s 50 Best Bars list. Whether you’re looking to relax with a few drinks or have a lively night out on the town, Employees Only is sure to provide an unforgettable experience.

18) Azul on the Rooftop

Azul on the Rooftop

Azul on the Rooftop is a chic and modern bar located in Hugo Hotel in New York City. As its name suggests, this bar is located on the rooftop of the hotel, offering stunning views of the city skyline. Guests can enjoy signature cocktails, craft beers, and a variety of small plates and tapas while taking in the amazing views. With its bright colors, sleek furniture, and eclectic music selection, Azul is the perfect place to relax and unwind with friends or even enjoy a romantic evening out. If you’re looking for a bar with spectacular views, delicious drinks, and good vibes, look no further than Azul on the Rooftop.

19) The Bar Room – New York City Bars

Address: 117 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022

The Bar Room

Located in the heart of Manhattan, The Bar Room offers guests an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. Offering an expansive menu of delicious cocktails, wine, and beer, it’s the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a romantic evening for two. In addition to their expertly crafted drinks, The Bar Room also offers shareable plates of snacks and light fares such as grilled cheese sandwiches, tacos, and more. The Bar Room is also home to weekly events such as live music and trivia nights, making it the ideal destination for a night out on the town. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax after a long day at work or to celebrate a special occasion, The Bar Room is the perfect spot for any occasion.

20) Swan Room

Address: 54 Canal St, New York, NY 10002

The Swan Room is a modern, chic bar located in New York City’s Chinatown district. The bar’s decor is sleek and sophisticated, with warm lighting and inviting seating. The menu offers a wide selection of craft cocktails, beer, wine, and light bites. The drinks are all expertly prepared by talented mixologists and can be accompanied by delicious Chinese-inspired appetizers. The atmosphere is always relaxed and enjoyable, with plenty of conversation among patrons. Whether you’re looking for a casual hangout spot or an intimate date night, the Swan Room has something for everyone. Be sure to try the signature drink – the classic “Swan Punch” – a blend of rum, pineapple juice, and cherry liqueur.

New York City is a bustling metropolis filled with culture, art, and amazing bars. Whether you’re looking for an upscale rooftop lounge or a cozy speakeasy-style bar, you’ll be sure to find it. With so many great bars to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go. 

To help you narrow down your search, we’ve rounded up the 20 best bars in NYC. From cozy hideaways to trendy hotspots, these are the places you need to check out right now!

And don’t forget to show off your bar-hopping adventures with Framey ! Framey is an app that makes sharing and inspiring others with your vacation photos easy. You can also use it to stay up-to-date on what your friends are doing and see the world through their eyes. 

With Framey , you’ll never miss out on the best spots and experiences that New York City has to offer. 

So download it now and start exploring the city like a pro!

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THE 10 BEST New York City Clubs & Bars

Clubs & bars in new york city.

• Bars & Clubs
• Bar, Club & Pub Tours
• Comedy Clubs
• Dance Clubs & Discos
• Gay Clubs & Bars
• Jazz Clubs & Bars
• Karaoke Bars
• Coffeehouses
• Blues Clubs & Bars
• Country & Western Bars
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
• Midtown West
• East Village
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Kids
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. McSorley's Old Ale House

2. Rudy's Bar & Grill

3. Terra Blues

4. The Village Vanguard

5. 230 FIFTH ROOFTOP BAR NYC

6. The Carnegie Club

7. Cafe Wha?

8. Gotham Comedy Club

9. Village Underground

10. Hard Rock Cafe New York

11. The Frying Pan - NYC

13. The Back Room

14. Live Axe

15. Top of the Strand Rooftop Bar

16. Bemelman's Bar at The Carlyle

17. Campbell Apartment

18. Laurie Beechman Theater

19. Mezzrow

20. Burp Castle

21. Tonic Bar - Times Square

22. Paradise Club

23. Landmark Tavern

25. O'Hara's Restaurant & Pub

26. The Stonewall Inn

27. The Iridium

28. Swing 46

29. Bitter End

30. Joe's Pub

What travelers are saying

• NOT Just Sinatra
• The Cutting Room
• VR World® NYC
• Terra Blues
• McSorley's Old Ale House
• The Village Vanguard
• Tonic Bar - Times Square
• Paradise Club
• 230 FIFTH ROOFTOP BAR NYC
• Rudy's Bar & Grill
• Landmark Tavern
• Fanelli's Cafe
• Top of the Strand Rooftop Bar
• Bemelman's Bar at The Carlyle
• The Carnegie Club

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The Best Rooftop Bars in NYC

By Nicole Kliest

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A rooftop bar is always the most glamorous place to get a drink. An al fresco spritz with wish-you-were-here kind of views is precisely the energy we seek from a hospitality experience, particularly during the warmer months of the year when lingering outdoors enjoying a drink and small bites is a permanent fixture on the weekend agenda.

The best rooftop bars in NYC, more specifically, are of a notably high caliber thanks to the city’s iconic skyline and community of world-renowned talent, from celebrated design firms to sought-after bartenders. Perhaps you’re on the hunt for somewhere you can enjoy a refreshing herbal cocktail with a view of the Empire State Building? Or a glass of bubbly overlooking Central Park? At the 17 rooftop bars ahead, no vantage point is too extravagant.

A bar so high it deserves its own zip code, Overstory is located an astonishing 64 floors up inside a striking Art Deco skyscraper in the Financial District. Bar director Harrison Ginsberg oversees the cocktail program at this quintessential New York rooftop bar, with drinks that lean on classic ingredients elevated by innovative techniques. Upon arrival, guests are escorted up a travertine stairwell and seated within this intimate bar space that offers a wraparound terrace with 360-degree views of the city skyline.

elNico  at  The Penny

If one skyline isn’t enough to satisfy you, head for this vibrant rooftop offering views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan cityscapes. The menu was created by executive chef Fernanda Serrano and takes cues from her upbringing in Mexico, with cuisine highlights like pink mole and pulpo pibil. When you get thirsty, order from beverage director Christian Rodriguez’s assortment of refreshing drinks, like the rhubarb margarita or olive oil martini, then sink into one of the many stylish seating nooks surrounded by prickly cacti and decor awash in saturated hues.

Roof at 66 Park

After a years-long renovation, New York City’s first Japanese-owned luxury hotel makes its debut in a storied building once owned by the Rockefeller family, and includes a rooftop bar on the 18th floor with wraparound terraces and an impressive list of rare Japanese whiskeys. Johnny Marsh of atelier marsh spearheaded the look and feel of the space, which positions guests up close and personal with views of the Empire State Building.

Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

By Lorena Meouchi

By Leah Faye Cooper

By Hannah Coates

A remarkable addition to the New York City bar scene, this glimmering space sits on the 50th floor of The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, and is helmed by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés. With interiors by Martin Brudnizki and a menu of bites that hark back to the chef’s native Spain (think: boards of jamon, queso, and embutidos), the experience is nothing short of immersive. For drinks, try the Foggy Hill cocktail crafted with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, Yzaguirre 1884 Gran Reserva vermouth, Cynar, Aperol, and an orange-thyme aromatic cloud.

Panorama Room at Graduate New York

Hop aboard the scenic aerial tramway (opened in 1976) to Roosevelt Island for an afternoon of atmospheric cocktails. Located high up on the 18th floor of the Graduate New York hotel, the Panorama Room offers some of the city’s most jaw-dropping skyline views. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a raw bar and seafood-forward menu of small bites.

The Cantor Roof Garden Bar

Pop into The Metropolitan Museum of Art to pay a visit to your favorite Rembrandts and Renoirs, then escape up to the museum’s hidden rooftop garden bar (open for the season starting May 16). Order from a selection of classic cocktails and snacks and settle in with cinematic views of Central Park.

Top off an afternoon of shopping at Restoration Hardware with a cocktail atop the 90,000-square-foot design gallery in the heart of the Meatpacking District. To enter, an all-glass elevator takes guests up to a garden oasis complete with trickling fountains and memorable views. Order prosciutto and crispy artichokes for the table, topped off with a glass from their extensive American and European wine list.

THE ROOF at PUBLIC Hotel

Ian Schrager’s Lower East Side hotel features a rooftop bar with uninterrupted 360-degree views of the city. Keeping in line with his sophisticated signature look, the space offers an industrial, minimalist backdrop but with the added comforts of plush seating and enveloping greenery for a setting you could easily spend all afternoon in.

Gansevoort Rooftop

With its cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture, the Meatpacking District’s distinct look provides a unique vantage point for a bar with a skyline view. The Gansevoort’s rooftop features a stunning glass enclosure and a brass-framed blue onyx-topped bar, with colorful details like Moroccan tiled floors and custom patterned seating. Enjoy fresh bites like branzino and shrimp pil pil alongside classic cocktails. (Who could resist their rooftop spritz?)

Darling  at  Park Lane New York

A Central Park fixture in a historic building, the Park Lane Hotel’s rooftop bar on the 47th floor confidently delivers on sweeping views and a well-curated menu of indulgent bites like seafood towers and caviar grilled cheese (all created by Scott Sartiano). The space is designed with a wraparound outdoor porch, lending the ideal environment to enjoy a refreshing spritz or tropical libation on a warm afternoon.

Starchild at Civilian Hotel

If you’re venturing to the theater district to catch a show, begin or end your evening with a rooftop drink at this panoramic bar offering vistas of the skyline all the way to the Hudson River. Two fully outdoor patios allow visitors to bask in the sun (or sunset) and the entire space is wrapped in a trellis, encircling a bamboo bar finished in blue lacquer.

Enclosed in a gorgeous 360-degree greenhouse terrace on the 26th floor of Beekman Tower, Ophelia is an elegant cocktail lounge housed within a 1928-era Art Deco building. Decor accents like vintage flapper hats and century-old tarot cards cement the historic mood of the space, and a strongly curated menu of bar bites and drinks will keep you coming back. Be sure to plan a visit on Tuesday when they host live jazz from 6 to 9 p.m.

Harriet’s at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Ranking among the best views of the Manhattan skyline, this waterfront rooftop bar leans on reclaimed and sustainable materials for its refined design scheme. Asian-influenced cuisine and regionally-inspired drinks are at the core of their offerings, working with farmers across New York and New Jersey and serving from a sustainable cocktail list. (Order the Brooklyn Garden, made with Hendricks Gin, Moet Ice, Brooklyn Green Juice Home-made, and Fever Tree Yuzu Lime Soda).

LilliStar  at  Moxy Williamsburg

Relish in unobstructed skyline views of the Williamsburg Bridge, East River, and Lower Manhattan at this indoor-outdoor lounge and cocktail bar perched on the rooftop of Moxy Williamsburg. The menu follows a similar energetic tone as the interior design, with playful riffs on favorite flavors, like the Elote Twisted Tea and Jazzy Jerk Margarita.

The Flower Shop at The Walker

The Flower Shop—a cult favorite watering hole in the Lower East Side—is opening its second location on the roof of The Walker Tribeca this summer. It will retain its hidden gem aesthetic with a floral-forward rooftop bar overlooking the Manhattan skyline including 360-degree views, and serve from a menu of South American share plates like crudos and ceviches. To cool off, order one of the refreshing cocktails on offer, like the classic frozen margarita or cucumber gimlet.

JIMMY at ModernHaus SoHo

A destination where you can find not only a rooftop with panoramic views but also an outdoor pool deck and working fireplace? Sold. This scenic bar is located 18 stories up and was inspired by Picasso’s blue period, with vintage and contemporary furniture accents scattered throughout. Order a refreshing bubbly with light bites like Aleppo French fries and guacamole and chips and savor the views of Midtown, Wall Street, the Hudson Rivers, and the bridges stretching across the East River.

Electric Lemon

From restaurateur Stephen Starr, this 24th-floor oasis located in the Equinox Hotel was designed by the Rockwell Group and features an expansive 8,000-square-foot terrace overlooking the Hudson River. Jaume Plensa sculptures and a tranquil herb garden add to the restaurant’s hidden gem ambience, and a menu of seasonal cocktails and fresh bites sourced from local farmers, fisheries, and artisans makes it the perfect spot for a summer afternoon.

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15 Must-Visit Bars in New York

• May 10, 2022
• Lauren Stuttaford

The City That Never Sleeps is home to some of the most famous bars in the world. New York has more than its fair share of incredible watering holes to explore (and quench your thirst). Whether you’re looking for a cozy place to grab drinks with friends or you want to try some of the best cocktails, these are some of the best bars in New York.

15 Bars in New York You Simply Have to Visit

1. the dead rabbit.

What do you get when a pair of Belfast bar vets decide to conjure up a 19th-century tavern, complete with a refined cocktail parlor upstairs? That’s right! The Dead Rabbit. When it comes to local bars New York is popular for, it’s easy to find one, but it’s certainly not easy to find one that offers 60 different kinds of whiskies. In its four years since opening, The Dead Rabbit has become home to bartenders from around the globe, as well as a historic cocktail of its own creation: The Old Boy. With a name inspired by the Five Points-era gang, you’d half expect the cast of the Peaky Blinders to be throwing back pints at the bar.

Opening Hours: Monday – Closed. Tuesday 4 PM – 2 AM. Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday 12 PM – 2 AM. Friday – Saturday 12 PM – 3 AM.

2. The Magician

This speakeasy on 17 East 5 th Street is the epitome of fun bars. One of the least-themed bars in the city, the Magician is always bustling but not too busy. Make sure you start off with their Original Cocktail – this craft cocktail bar is known for its old-school ambiance and great drinks specials. If you’re looking for jukebox tunes and a place that has oodles of that classic New York bar charm, this is the spot for you.

Opening hours: Sunday to Monday 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM. Saturday 2:00 PM – 11:30 PM.

This East Village bar is a cocktail lover’s dream. In addition to an extensive and well-researched menu of classic drinks, Attaboy has numerous daily specials and seasonal drinks that you can sample. If you love trying new cocktails, there are few better bars in New York than Attaboy to visit. Delve into a prohibition-style space at the steel-brushed bar inside, of course, or sit outside in the mod patio area.

Opening hours: Sunday to Monday 6 PM – 4 AM.

PS: If this is your first visit to New York, here are some top tips on how to get around .

4. PDT (Please Don’t Tell)

When we say PDT is hidden, it may be slightly misleading. The entrance to this taxidermy-strewn saloon is hidden behind an old phone booth inside Crif Dogs. There’s an unassuming neon sign outside and a doorbell to ring when you arrive, but once you get inside, the wood accents, charming bartenders, and lack of windows are what truly make it feel like a hideaway. This is where you go for drinks before dinner or after work—but it’s also a great option for date night if your date likes whiskey.

Opening hours: Sunday to Tuesday 5 PM – 2 AM. Wednesday 5 PM – 12 AM. Thursday to Friday 5 PM – 3 AM.

5. Minetta Tavern

One of the oldest on this list of best bars in New York, Minetta Tavern, has been open since 1937. Located just a block away from Washington Square Park, Minetta Tavern is considered one of Manhattan’s finest restaurants and one of its best steak houses. But the best seats are at the bar, and you’ll want to order a cocktail first. The vintage setting pairs better with a Martini or Manhattan. The food is incredible — there are plenty of meat entrees to choose from — but most people come here for drinks instead. Be prepared to wait, but it’ll be worth it.

Opening hours: Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM, 5:30 PM – 12 AM. Monday to Tuesday 5:30 PM – 12 AM. Wednesday 12 PM – 3 PM, 5: 30 PM – 12 AM. Thursday to Friday 12 PM – 3 PM, 5:30 PM – 1 AM. Saturday 11 AM – 3 PM, 5:30 PM – 1 AM.

Before you Google: local bars New York – why not visit this century-old watering hold that the likes of Heming way and Patti Smith frequented. Dante is a must-visit establishment in Greenwich Village, located right by Union Square, and naturally is a hipster’s dream bar. Bring your friends or come alone—you’ll make some new ones here! With Bellinis, obscure Amaro, and a “Negroni Sessions” menu, happy hour has never been happier!

Opening hours: Sunday to Monday 12 PM – 11 PM.

7. Dutch Kills Bar

A traditional Irish pub on Long Island City’s Restaurant Row, Dutch Kills Bar is exactly what you picture when fun bars New York City comes to mind. This hidden gem has seven beers on tap and local beer specials during happy hour (3–7 PM every day). With incredible food and drink on the menu and a warm atmosphere, you can easily spend hours at Dutch Kills Bar.

Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday 4 PM – 2 AM. Thursday to Saturday 4 PM – 3 AM.

New York City’s newest craft beer bar, Tørst, is a dream come true for beer lovers. The drinks are carefully selected and prepared, both classic and new American beers are offered, and delicious bites like housemade chorizo help soothe your palate after some of Tørst’s bolder brews. Tørst also offers cask ales, which can be hard to find elsewhere.

Opening hours: Sunday 12 PM – 12 AM. Monday to Wednesday 3 PM – 12 AM. Thursday 3 PM – 12 AM. Friday 12 PM – 1 AM. Saturday 12 PM – 1 AM.

9. Maison Premiere

Maison Premier oozes best bars in New York energy. This popular bar and restaurant is excellent for groups, boasting live music, a lively bar scene, and fantastic lobster dishes. Renowned for its cocktail program and oyster happy hour, and once you catch a whiff of their New Orleanian dishes, you’ll fall in love with the Southern Gothic vibe. Although pricey (drinks average about $14), you can’t beat it for a fun night out with friends or colleagues. Make sure you try one of their absinthe cocktails.

Opening hours:   Sunday 12 PM – 1 AM. Monday to Thursday 4 PM – 1 AM. Friday 4 PM – 2 AM. Saturday 12 PM – 2 AM.

10. The Rum House

Established in 2008, The Rum House is a popular bar for tourists and local residents. Located just one block away from Times Square, The Rum House provides a relaxed atmosphere and an extensive food menu, making it a great place to kick back and relax while you take in some of New York’s best scenery – and of course, drinks. Try a “daiquiri your way” (classic, dark, pineapple tinged or Hemingway-esque) or an extravagantly coconutty take on the Pina Colada called “The Escape”. Either way, it’s rum galore at the Rum House!

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 4 PM – 1 AM. Friday to Saturday 4 PM – 2 AM.

Speaking of the best bars – Singapore is another must-try destination for foodies and cocktail lovers.

11. Death & Co

If you’re looking for a true cocktail experience and don’t mind dropping a few extra dollars for a drink, Death & Co. is a great choice when it comes to bars in New York. The bar has an extensive menu of craft cocktails, all created by an award-winning mixologist. Death & Co is a top pick for those who take their spirits seriously and anyone who enjoys effortlessly glamorous spaces. Seating is first-come, first-serve, so you’ll need to wait if you’re hoping to grab a spot at peak times.

Opening hours: Sunday to Saturday 6 PM – 1 AM.

12. The Honeywell

Easily one of our favorite bars in Manhattan, The Honeywell has all you need for a good night out. Fun bartenders, great décor, and an incredible selection of drinks make it well worth your visit. Bartenders at this cool downstairs bar serve yummy sips in unlikely vessels like “lightbulbs” and even glowing approximations of lava lamps. Not sure what to order? Go with a whiskey or gin martini, and if you are looking for something unique, try out their signature martinis. You can thank us later!

And did we mention how fab the atmosphere is? Picture retro tunes and amber hues playing off wood panels and beaded curtains. Living up to its uber-sweet name, The Honeywell is the kind of bar that leaves you wanting more.

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 4 PM – 12 AM. Friday to Saturday 4 PM – 2 AM.

13. Overstory

Hovering near the top of special occasion destinations, this next bar is close to cloud 9 – since it’s perched on the 64 th floor of a downtown Art Deco skyscraper. Part Dive Bar, Part Boutique Hotel, Overstory is unique when it comes to fun bars New York City has to offer. Especially when you factor in the gorgeous views from its wrap-around terrace, it’s tucked away on West 11th Street (between 5th Ave & 6th Ave). It’s one of those places where you can grab drinks, have an amazing meal, and sleep in their comfy hotel rooms.

Opening hours: Sunday to Monday Closed. Tuesday to Saturday 5:45 PM – 12:30 AM.

14. Katana Kitten

Ask anyone who has spent more than a few days in Manhattan where to go for a drink – the answer is always Katana Kitten. No one knows why they’re so great – perhaps it’s because this cool bi-level bar specializes in all different kinds of booze. We think it’s magic, but either way, you should go there right now (and we don’t even care if you live on Jupiter). Sip on carefully crafted signature cocktails, boilermakers, sake, beer and wine.

Opening hours: Sunday to Friday 4 PM – 2 AM. Saturday 2 PM – 2 AM.

15. Heaven or Las Vegas

If the name isn’t enticing enough to lure you inside, Heaven or Las Vegas also has karaoke! The final spot on our best bars in New York list will make you feel like you’re in an early 2000s music video, with umbrellas stuck to the ceiling, neon accents, and sultry red lighting. If you’re in the mood to sing your heart out, stop by for karaoke before 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. And even though you’re technically in the heart of New York, the saying still applies “What happens in Vegas. . .”

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 6 PM – 2 AM. Friday to Saturday 7 PM – 4 AM.

So, which of these best bars in New York do you plan on making your new haunt?

Bars in New York FAQs

What part of nyc has the best bars.

Although you can find incredible drinking spots all over the City That Never Sleeps you can find some of the best bars in New York in these neighborhoods:

• Lower East Side
• East Village
• Greenwich Village
• West Village

What is New York's most popular drink?

Last year Upgradedpoints revealed the most popular drink in every state according to Google search results, in New York, it was the Vodka Fizz. Other popular favorites of the city include Appletini, Cosmopolitan, Martini, and of course The Manhattan.

What drinks did New York invent?

You’ve probably already sipped on some of New York’s signature cocktails. Here are some of the drinks that have come out of New York:

• Manhattan – invented at Little Branch
• Red Snapper (Bloody Mary) – invented at King Cole Bar
• Cosmopolitan – invented at The Odeon
• The Bronx at the Waldorf-Astoria’s Peacock Alley
• Gin-Gin Mule at Pegu Club
• Oaxaca Old-Fashioned at Death & Company
• Penicillin at Attaboy

What is a classic New York cocktail?

Craving a classic New York cocktail? Order one of these at your local bar and taste some of the Big Apple no matter where you are in the world.

• The Manhattan – a three-ingredient whiskey cocktail that packs a punch.
• New York Sour – a whiskey sour with a twist: red wine float!
• Long Island Ice Tea – a highball glass that has everything in it (vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin) and a splash of coke.
• Cosmopolitan – aka Cosmo – a yummy vodka cranberry cocktail.
• Appletini – the sour apple version of the iconic Martini *shaken, not stirred please*.

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Jenny Cohen Derfler

Air dr ceo & co-founder.

Jenny is the CEO and one of the Co-Founders at Air Doctor. She spent more than 20 years at Intel, most recently as general manager of its manufacturing facility in Israel and before that in various engineering and manufacturing roles in Silicon Valley. Air Doctor is her second startup having previously founded electric vehicle company ElectRoad.

Beautiful Bars In Nyc: A Guide To The City\’s Most Stunning Drinking Spots

New York City is known for its vibrant nightlife, with countless bars and clubs that are sure to suit any taste or budget. For those looking to indulge in a more sophisticated atmosphere, the city

Martin Holms

Review overview, privacy overview.

The Best Rooftop Bars in NYC for Drinks with a View

Rooftop bars in manhattan, apotheke nomad.

With a flagship in Chinatown plus an outpost in LA, Apotheke NoMad has a reputation as a trendy cocktail destination that excels in botanical beverages. The space is separated into two sections: a 74-seat cellar speakeasy and a penthouse lounge featuring floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows and velvet seating. Choose from quirky sips like the Scarlet Dance (vodka, raspberry, rhubarb, aloe vera, thyme, champagne) and Among the Sunbathers (pisco, bitter melon, clementine shrub, orange blossom water).

Sweeping views of Central Park South and the uptown skyline are reason enough to visit the famed Park Lane New York hotel’s rooftop bar, Darling. Perched on the 47th floor, the spot’s swanky penthouse-apartment aesthetic, specialty beverage program, and weekly DJ sets are the recipe for a chic evening out. While hanging on the colorful terrace, sip on a Bali Colada (vodka, coconut, ginger, sherry, lemon) or Supermodel Summer (tequila, basil brandy, raspberry, yuzu, orange bitters).

Electric Lemon

The chic patio at Electric Lemon is something of aesthetic dreams. From stunning views of the Hudson River and its own herb garden to a reflective water feature and towering sculptures of heads by artist Jaume Plensa, there’s plenty of eye candy to keep you entertained at the Equinox Hotel’s 8,000-square-foot rooftop terrace. From the Garden (herb-infused gin, snow pea, celery, cucumber, shisho) and Scarlet Sky (vodka, cherry brandy, tart cherry) pair with health-conscious—this is a wellness-centric hotel after all—shareables such as the Fancy Vegetables and Dip, which comes with carrot juice and a fermented soybean dip.

Highlight Room

Alongside Loosie’s (a nightclub) and Silver Lining (a jazz lounge), Highlight Room completes the Moxy Lower East Side’s trio of lively nightlife spots. Known for its wild weekend parties and expansive terrace, Highlight Room also offers plenty of photo opps against the skyline or the interior’s massive olive tree as a background. Drop by for a casual pre-dinner drink or peruse the events calendar for an upcoming DJ set.

A longtime favorite of locals and tourists, Modernhaus Soho Hotel’s 18th-floor rooftop covers all the essentials: dance floor, pool deck, craft cocktails, and approachable small bites. With the bliss of spring (and soon enough summer) upon us, an evening at JIMMY pairs perfectly with a warm evening, some flirting, and a Golden Sunset (tequila, passion fruit, apricot, lemon).

Make Believe

Boozy nights filled with immaculate sunset views and bumping electronic beats are the standard practice at the Sixty Hotel’s tropical-themed haven, Make Believe. Slide into one of the vibrant pink booths and order the table a round of signature matcha cocktails before meandering to one of the two terraces or the dance floor. You can expect this rooftop to reach full capacity early on weekend nights, so plan your arrival accordingly.

Although it might have a “basic” reputation, Hotel Indigo’s rooftop, Mr. Purple, is popular for good reason: It’s a top tier, sky-high bar. Two terraces allow the choice between a more intimate lounging space or a lively rooftop pool and bar with communal tables and a wide variety of banquettes. For an ideal start to any night, accompany your Espresso Martini with an order of Tuna Tartare or Chips and Guac.

Panorama Room

Hopping on a tramway or subway ride to an island in the middle of the East River is well worth it for an evening spent at The Graduate Hotel’s gorgeous drinking destination. Sporting a photogenic design of neon ceiling lights melded with vintage velvet touches, the 168-seat Panorama Room serves up a dramatic look with views of Queens, Manhattan, and the Queensborough Bridge. There are drinks like Study Session (vodka, gin, cold brew, vanilla), to accompany raw bar offerings like oysters or the Seafood Tower.

This spot is designed to emulate a chill backyard garden that’s always in the midst of a party. While scooping locally brewed beers or canned cocktails from the coolers, work up an appetite for made-to-order tacos at the beer pong table. Alternatively, hit up $1 taco and $9 margarita happy hour from 4 pm–6 pm Tuesday to Friday and 12 pm–3 pm Saturday and Sunday. All the while, top hits and ’90s throwbacks provide ample opportunity for singing your heart out.

Roof at 66 Park

After an extensive renovation, the ultra-luxe The Prince Kitano New York hotel has debuted its highly anticipated rooftop bar on the 18th floor. Wraparound terraces, an impressive roster of rare Japanese whiskey, and phenomenal views of the Empire State Building make for a thrilling trifecta. The bites menu sports everything from savory selections like Crab Cakes and Wagyu Beef Cocktail Frankfurters to sugar fixes like Thin and Crispy Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream. Lavish house drinks that are sure to impress the masses on your IG story include the Lucky 66 (vodka, ginger liqueur, matcha, gold flakes).

Gritty design features like street art-covered walls, a stickered elevator, and an on-property tattoo parlor make the Lower East Side’s UNTITLED Hotel stand out among the city’s many lodgings. On the eleventh floor of the downtown spot, New Yorkers can find a hidden-gem rooftop bar dubbed UNLISTED. Here, the Lower Manhattan aesthetic flourishes with city-inspired cocktails served in everything from fake spray can bottles to mini water towers. While gazing out at views of One World Trade and the Empire State Building, sip on a Lloyd’s Famous (carrot cake, pecan, rye) or a No Sleep Til… (coffee, cardamom, vodka).

Rooftop Bars in Brooklyn

After grazing the day away in McCarren Park, cross the street to Berry Park’s rooftop beer garden. As weather reaches peak form, the spot starts screening sport games via three large projectors. Even the most seasoned beer drinker will be impressed by the extensive list of German and Belgian brews (ask about the seasonal specials). Complement your lager with an order of Frickles (fried pickles) or a Bavarian Pretzel.

El Nico offers visitors a low-key alternative to wilder Brooklyn rooftop spots. Located atop the Penny Williamsburg, El Nico serves Mexican-inspired small plates including Caviar Sope (osetra caviar, salsa cruda, creme fraiche) and Caramelized Onion Tlayuda (cheddar cheese, pear). These snacks go well with playful sips off of the beverage menu like a Michelada (lacto-fermented habanero pepper, white miso, sour beer) or Tamarind Paloma (tequila, tamarind, coriander, honeydew, lime). Settle into a cushy seat inside or take in the sights on one of the two terraces.

Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co.

The calling card for Greenpoint’s resident small-batch brewery is an easily recognizable stained-glass water tower—which sits atop the building like a beacon for beer lovers. Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. is known for its non-rowdy crowd of regulars who sip on specialty ales and lagers within the 2,000-square-foot picnic bench-scattered rooftop. Classic bar bites include Beer Battered Frickles (Southern-fried pickles) and a Giant Bavarian Pretzel. Also, stay tuned for upcoming events like trivia nights and DJ sets.

For unparalleled Brooklyn Bridge views, the 1 Hotel Brooklyn’s rooftop is the answer. Overlooking the iconic River Cafe and touting panoramic Manhattan views, the rooftop’s industrial look includes a spread of couches, wide-brimmed umbrellas, lounge chairs, and an extensive bar. A menu of specialty cocktails (floral garnishes are a recurring theme) and small bites like Edamame and Chicken Gyoza make it a favorite among hotel guests and visitors alike.

Joining its popular siblings K’Far and Laser Wolf, Jaffa Cocktail and Raw Bar is the third concept within The Hoxton, Williamsburg. Although Jaffa doesn’t sit up high—it’s on the second floor—it features a dedicated side entrance, al fresco seating, and an expansive indoor bar. The concise menu spotlights dishes like Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and Fluke Crudo, alongside several variations of hummus. Under the twinkling string lights, sip on beverages like the Jelly Donut (olive oil-washed vodka, raspberry, lemon) and The Jaffa Orange (vodka, aperol, orange)—which comes frozen. For afternoons or evenings out with the crew, tables can order cocktail pitches or liters of wine.

Inspired by the laid back surf cultures of Australia and Indonesia, LilliStar is the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg’s rooftop gem. With eleventh-floor views of the Williamsburg Bridge and East River, the space is decorated with hanging lotus flowers, string lights, and plenty of greenery. Seasonal drinks pack a tropical punch like the Elote Twisted Tea (elote-washed whiskey, black tea, lemon oleo, smoked paprika salt). LilliStar also hosts DJs, clothing brands, and record labels throughout the season.

Westlight is one of those famously popular rooftops everyone has to experience firsthand. Take in the 360-degree views of all five boroughs while sipping on signature cocktails like the Green With Envy (tequila, green chartreuse, dry vermouth, green apple, lime) and Plum Perfect (vodka, plum liqueur, orange, vanilla). Keep your energy up and the night going with global street food-inspired snacks like Coconut Curry Cashews or Mezcal-Cured Salmon Tostadas. Want more Thrillist? Follow us on  Instagram ,  TikTok ,  Twitter ,  Facebook ,  Pinterest , and  YouTube .

Izzy Baskette is the New York City Staff Writer for Thrillist. Talk to her at [email protected] or find her on Instagram .

photo credit: Soumojoy Dutta

Barcelona Bar

Molly Fitzpatrick

April 26, 2024

Included In

The Most Fun Bars In NYC Right Now

Since 2005, Barcelona Bar has been operating on the sacred principles set forth by the poet Lil Jon: “Shots. Shots. Shots. Shots, shots, shots.” At this Hell’s Kitchen dive with a neon shot glass in the window, the beer is cheap, and the jukebox tempting, but most importantly, their menu of more than 100 shots is unlike anything else in the city. The infamous “theme” shots are really audience-participation skits, complete with music, props, and costumes. Consider the Pokémon shot: The bartender clutches a Squirtle doll and blasts a bubble gun before serving up a generous, pale-pink pour that tastes like a too-sweet, mystery-fruit juice box you’d have been psyched to find in your lunch bag—or possibly liquefied Jigglypuff. It’s perfect.

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26 Must-Visit Hidden Bars In New York City With Secret Entrances

If we know one thing about NYC, it's that it knows how to hide amazing bars in the most unassuming of places.

From speakeasies that were actually running during the Prohibition era, to laundromat fronts and random, unmarked street doors, NYC is filled to the brim with hidden bars in the most unassuming spots.

For when you’re looking to go somewhere under-the-radar, here are NYC’s best hidden bars with secret entrances to head to:

1. The Office of Mr. Moto , East Village

Those who are able to score a seat at this East Village omakase speakeasy will receive a letter which must be carefully read in order to solve a cipher that hints at how to enter the hidden restaurant.

A Victorian-era mailbox with a pin pad inside is stationed at the unassuming storefront, where visitors will have to enter the passcode. If entered correctly, the opaque front door window will become translucent, allowing guests to enter the space. Read all about the space here .

📍 120 Saint Marks Place

🚇 Closest subway station: 2 Av (F)

2. Attaboy, LES

Formerly known as Milk & Honey, the bar on 134 Eldridge Street was reinvented as Attaboy in 2012. With no menu to pick a cocktail from you’ll have to tell the bartender what you’re in the mood for and trust that they’ll whip up the perfect drink for you.

To get in you’ll have to ring the doorbell at the regular gray metal door you come across that simply has the letters “AB” on it. And not only is it one of NYC’s best hidden bars, it’s also one of the world’s best bars .

📍 134 Eldridge St.

🚇 Closest subway station: Essex St (M, J, Z)

3. Blind Barber , Alphabet City

This one’s a fun place if you’re looking to dance your legs off. Located through a daytime barbershop in Alphabet City, behind a sliding wooden door, you’ll find a small bar with good drinks and good music. Learn more about Blind Barber here.

📍 339 E 10th St.

🚇 Closest subway station: 1 Av (L)

4. Nothing Really Matters , Midtown

Make your subway commute a little more interesting when you stop for a drink at the 50th Street subway station on the downtown 1 line–yes, literally inside the station! This hidden NYC gem serves mouthwatering cocktails beneath beaming lights, giving you an intimate experience without the intimidation. Read more about this cool spot here .

📍 210 W 50th St.

🚇 Closest subway station: 50 St (1)

5. Tomi Jazz, Turtle Bay

Find the staircase leading below 53rd Street and walk into an intimate, cozy space that’s the epitome of what a jazz bar should be. Make sure to order their Japanese-inspired bites to pair with any of their wonderful cocktails.

📍 239 E 53rd St.

🚇 Closest subway station: Lexington Av-53 St (E, F, M)

6. La Noxe , Midtown

Unbeknownst to many straphangers and New Yorkers alike, La Noxe is hidden away at the 28th St. subway station behind an inconspicuous door. But once found, guests are quickly whisked away into a secret world that’s been right underneath their nose!

Elegant dishes and signature cocktails come together at this hidden spot to make for an unforgettable experience. It seems like NYC really likes to tuck away their hidden bars in subway stations! Read more about this spot here .

📍 315 7th Ave. (Subway Staircase to Train 1 Local)

🚇 Closest subway station: 28 St (N, R, W)

7. Lovers of Today, East Village

For more hidden staircases, locate Lovers of Today by spotting a glowing red neon heart sign tucked behind another East Village bar, Niagra. Head beneath street level and sip on mouthwatering “love potions” and enjoy both their intimate indoor and outdoor spaces.

📍 132 E 7th St.

8. Edie’s, Kips Bay

Edie’s is the Andy Warhol-inspired speakeasy in the back of the Kips Bay restaurant called The Factory 380. The bar is named after “THE Factory Girl” and is a funky space reminiscent of old New York.

📍 380 3rd Ave.

🚇 Closest subway station: 28 St (6)

9. The Woo Woo , Times Square

Nestled underneath the Mean Fiddler, this vintage stop called The Woo Woo is taking us back a few decades to NYC’s grunge era. To find it you’ll have to ring the bell at the door inscribed with “Come As You Are,” where you’ll then enter into a time machine of graffiti walls, neon lights, and vintage punk concert posters.

Inside you’ll even find an adults-only sex shop that’s sure to bring a blush to your cheeks. Read more about this spot here .

📍 266 W 47th St.

🚇 Closest subway station: 49 St (N, R, W)

10. Fig. 19, LES

Fig. 19 can be found through a door at the back of an art gallery on the Lower East Side. It’s a small space that’s the complete opposite of the all-white gallery you passthrough before entering.

📍 131 Chrystie St.

🚇 Closest subway station: Grand St (B, D)

11. Chapel Bar , Flatiron

This exclusive, members-only bar is located inside a 19th century chapel. Coming from Fotografiska and NeueHouse, this awe-striking spot serves up impressive cocktails and gorgeous architecture. See here how to become a member and visit this spot.

📍 275 Park Ave S.

🚇 Closest subway station: 23 St (6)

12. Keys & Heels , UES

Upper East Siders beware, your seemingly neighborhood locksmith & shoe repair shop might not be what you expect. In fact, it’s a hidden speakeasy!

Behind the glowing neon sign and incredibly believable “since 1971” banner, you’ll find this speakeasy utterly disguised in plain sight. And the only thing they’re fixing here for you is a drink! Read more about them here .

📍 1488 2nd Ave.

🚇 Closest subway station: 77 St (6)

13. The Little Shop , Seaport District

To get to this extravagant cocktail bar entirely decorated with eclectic antique finds you’ll have to head through an actual bodega on Front Street. Get past the sliding door and instant noodles and be amazed by the incredible interior where you can enjoy quality craft cocktails.

📍 252 Front St.

🚇 Closest subway station: Fulton St (2, 3)

14. Little Branch, West Village

Behind this unmarked door on a West Village corner is the small underground bar, Little Branch. It’s an intimate space that doesn’t fit many, making it one of NYC’s smallest hidden bars, though some nights they host live jazz sessions!

📍 20 7th Ave. S

🚇 Closest subway station: Houston St (1)

15. Patent Pending , NoMad

In the back of a coffee shop in NoMad (called Patent Coffee) you’ll find the Tesla-inspired speakeasy, Patent Pending. Cute, right? Well it gets even better because the drinks are broken down into four electric categories: energy, frequency, vibration, a descent.

📍 49 West 27th St.

16. Thyme Bar , Flatiron

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Did you know this hidden cocktail lounge was right beneath your feet whenever you walked by Madison Square Park?! Well, now you do! This underground hideaway takes you back more than a century in a pre-war cellar –a space that actually once belonged to a gambling den and speakeasy in the 1920s!

Thyme Bar offers a revolutionary take on mixology in both taste and presentation, and you can read more about them here .

📍 20 W 23rd St., Cellar

🚇 Closest subway station: 23 St (N, R, W)

17. Loulou , Chelsea

In the heart of Chelsea you’ll find Loulou, a cozy French bistro that has a swanky basement speakeasy…well maybe, if you know what to look for. In order to get inside you’ll have to head through a vintage Coca Cola refrigerator door.

Once inside, you’ll be greeted by a glimmering chandelier and a dark staircase which leads you to a lively bar and seating area with music and an extensive craft cocktail menu. Read all about it here .

📍 176 8th Ave.

🚇 Closest subway station: 18 St (1)

18. Sake Bar Decibel, East Village

This one isn’t exactly “hidden,” but it’s hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for —and it always impresses people when you show them. Located in the East Village, there’s an easy-to-miss sign with a sake image, and you’ll know if it’s open based on the lit up “On Air” sign above. The bar is completely dedicated to sake, and you don’t need a secret password to get in…but it feels like you should.

📍 240 East 9th St.

🚇 Closest subway station: 8 St-NYU (N, R, W)

19. Mr. Fong’s, Chinatown

You’d never suspect the magic hidden behind this modest door on the corner of Madison and Market Streets. Once inside, you’ll be greeted by a dimly-lit atmosphere with loud music and Chinese-inspired cocktails. This watering hole is one of the local’s best kept secrets and we get why!

📍 40 Market St.

🚇 Closest subway station: East Broadway (F)

20. Death & Company, East Village

Behind ominous, wooden doors on 6th street lies an incredible cocktail institution, Death and Company. With other locations in Denver and L.A., this humble spot is full of surprises and delicious drinks upon entry.

📍 433 E 6th St.

21. Sunshine Laundromat, Greenpoint

NYC’s most hidden bars prove to be super creative, like at this spot where you can do your laundry, play pinball games, and drink with friends all at the same time. This speakeasy and arcade can be found behind a washing machine door in the back of the laundromat.

📍 860 Manhattan Ave.

🚇 Closest subway station: Greenpoint Av (G)

22. KBG Bar, East Village

One of NYC’s best hidden bars is a writer’s haven located on the second floor of an unassuming East Village building. The Soviet Union-themed bar is known for its cheap but powerful drinks.

📍 85 E 4th St.

🚇 Closest subway station: Broadway-Lafayette St (B, D, F, M) & Bleecker St (6)

23. The Back Room, LES

Being that this was actually a working speakeasy during the Prohibition, you’ll have to follow the rules of the past and remain completely silent as you walk down the alleyway from the curb to the bar. You’ll use the same hidden entrance used in the 1920’s, and sip your cocktails from tea cups. There’s also a secret room you can enter behind the bar’s bookcase…

📍 102 Norfolk St.

🚇 Closest subway station: Delancey St (F, M, J, Z)

24. UES., UES

One of NYC’s sweetest hidden bars is actually a real ice cream shop on the Upper East Side! However, we should know by now that not everything in NYC is as it seems. Behind their wall of ice cream is a gorgeous little speakeasy.

📍 1707 2nd Ave.

🚇 Closest subway station: 86 St (Q)

25. Tokyo Record Bar, Greenwich Village

This underground listening bar lets you curate the playlist for the night! Choose a song from their extensive, decade divided vinyl menu and wait to hear it as you feast on an izakaya-style menu.

You can find Tokyo Record Bar below Air’s Champagne Parlor (a great spot to start your night off with some bubbles before dinner). And to make the experience even better than it already is, they give you a slice of pizza to-go as your last course.

📍 127 MacDougal St.

🚇 Closest subway station: W 4 St-Washington Sq (A, C, E, B, D, F, M)

26. 929 , LIC

929 recently celebrates mixing in all of its forms–from playful cocktails that showcase familiar Chinese flavors to meticulously curated playlists and live DJs that highlight retro Asian pop music. The discreet cocktail bar is hidden behind a Taiwanese takeout spot and combines mixology, music, and creative design all under one roof. Learn more about 929 here.

📍 42-45 27th St., Long Island City

🚇 Closest subway station: Queensboro Plaza (N, W, 7)

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12 NYC bars are named among North America’s ’50 Best Bars’ for 2024

These bars represent 24% of the list—a sign that NYC is a top spot for cocktails.

We know that New York City has the best bars in the world, but when the world recognizes our faves, it feels pretty good.

The 50 Best Brand , which also names the 50 Best Restaurants in the world, has unveiled its list of the 50 Best Bars in North America for 2024.

RECOMMENDED: Here are all of the NYC finalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards

While the title of No. 1 went to a spot in Mexico City, Handshake Speakeasy, New York City was the most prominent city with a whopping 12 bars making the list: Superbueno  (No. 2), Overstory  (No. 3), Martiny’s  (No. 4), Double Chicken Please  (No. 7), Katana Kitten  (No. 12), Employees Only (No. 15), Dante  (No. 20), Attaboy  (No. 31), The Dead Rabbit  (No. 33), Maison Premiere  (No. 41), Angel’s Share  (No. 43) and Milady’s  (No. 44).

Most of them have been spotlighted by ’50 Best’ before, but two  took home specific honors this time. Martiny’s is the “Nikka Highest Climber Award” because it jumped 25 spots between 2023 and 2024, and Superbueno earned the “Disaronno Highest New Entry Award.”

“ Each year, New York continues to excel in delivering the world’s most amazing craft cocktails. In 2024, New York holds 12 of the 26 U.S. listees, including the continent’s highest achievers,” the organization said in its press release.

Apparently, Mexico City is where it’s at right now for the best cocktails ! The ’50 Best’ awards ceremony was held there again this year. The city “continues to platform the country’s place as a leader of the global cocktail scene.”

Below are the top 50 Best Bars in North America:

• Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
• Superbueno, New York
• Overstory, New York
• Martiny’s, New York
• Rayo, Mexico City
• Jewel of the South, New Orleans
• Double Chicken Please, New York
• Thunderbolt, Los Angeles
• Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
• Tlecān, Mexico City
• Zapote Bar, Playa del Carmen
• Katana Kitten, New York
• Café La Trova, Miami
• El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
• Employees Only, New York
• Aruba Day Drink, Tijuana
• Café de Nadie, Mexico City
• La Factoría, San Juan
• Kumiko, Chicago
• Dante, New York
• Civil Liberties, Toronto
• Service Bar, Washington DC
• Allegory, Washington DC
• Botanist Bar, Vancouver
• Herbs & Rye, Las Vegas
• Baltra Bar, Mexico City
• Bekeb, San Miguel de Allende
• Kaito del Valle, Mexico City
• Bar Pompette, Toronto
• True Laurel, San Francisco
• Attaboy, New York
• Meadowlark, Chicago
• The Dead Rabbit, New York
• Selva, Oaxaca
• Library by the Sea, Grand Cayman
• Century Grand, Phoenix
• Arca, Tulum
• Pacific Cocktail Heaven, San Francisco
• Cloakroom, Montreal
• Bar Mordecai, Toronto
• Maison Premiere, New York
• Hanky Panky, Mexico City
• Angel’s Share, New York
• Milady’s, New York
• Brujas, Mexico City
• Mírate, Los Angeles
• Cure, New Orleans
• Best Intentions, Chicago
• The Keefer Bar, Vancouver
• Atwater Cocktail Club, Montreal

If you want more top-notch bars to drink at, don’t miss our very own list of the 50 Best Bars in NYC , which include other spots like the Long Island Bar, Bemelmans Bar, Sunken Harbor Club, and Dutch Kills.

• Shaye Weaver Editor, Time Out New York

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Best bars in NYC: This spot ranks second in all of North America

NEW YORK - It's no secret that the Big Apple is home to some of the most iconic eateries. 

According to one ranking , New York City has 12 of the 50 best bars in North America.

One new bar in the East Village has landed second on this list. 

Among its new continental ranking, Superbueno was also named the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award 2024 , and The Best Bar in Northeast USA 2024.

Best bars in NYC?

The Mexican-American cocktail bar is located on First Avenues.

They are most known for their mushroom margarita, mole Negroni, salted plum and tamarind milk punch, and a mezcal slushy.

Other New York bars on the list include:

• #44 Milady's
• #43 Angel's Share
• #41 Maison Premiere
• #33 The Dead Rabbit
• #31 Attaboy
• #15 Employees 
• #12 Katana Kitten
• #7 Double Chicken Please
• #4 Martiniy's
• #3 Overstory
• #2 Superbueno

The 50 Best Bars in North America 2024 Were Just Announced

By Charlie Hobbs

Since 2022, when World's 50 Best first began ranking North America’s 50 Best Bars, New York City and Mexico City have vied for the top spot. Always the bridesmaid, CDMX's Handshake Speakeasy has earned second place for the last two years in a row (first trailing Attaboy, then Double Chicken Please —both beloved Lower East Side joints). This year, however, the Colonia Juarez cocktail bar takes first place at long last.

While New York City is no longer top dog, its watering holes occupy second, third, and fourth place with Superbueno, Overstory , and Martiny’s, respectively. Rounding out the top five is another Mexico City establishment, Rayo.

Last year’s number one, Double Chicken Please, has fallen to seventh—but New York City continues to house more of North America’s top bars than any other city, with 12 of the US’s 26 entries. The other bars are Katana Kitten (No. 12), Employees Only (No. 15), Dante (No. 20), Attaboy (No. 31), The Dead Rabbit (No. 33), Maison Premiere (No .41), new entry Angel’s Share (No.43), and Milady’s (No.44). With the exception of Maison Premiere in Williamsburg, all of the above bars are located in downtown Manhattan.

So, what is it that pushed Handshake Speakeasy over the top this year? The details are unclear, but the bar—which is notoriously difficult to find, and therefore aptly named—has for one thing maintained its quality with nothing short of steadfast joy. Emma Sleight, 50 Best’s Head of Content, notes in a statement that the bar is “part of a strong cocktail culture in Mexico ” that warrants celebration. Adding to the mystique is bar director Eric van Beek, who with his team cooks up clarified juices, fat-washed spirits, and home-made syrups from a proper alchemist’s laboratory hidden onsite.

There are, as always, superlatives galore to be picked apart from the results. Superbueno earns the title of Disaronno Highest Entry for its debut at number two (the bar opened in early 2023) and in the process also takes the crown as the best bar in the United States. Toronto 's Civil Liberties is the best bar in Canada for the third year in the row (No. 21), while the best bar in the Caribbean is Puerto Rico ’s La Factoría (No. 18). Grand Cayman marks its first entry on the list with Library by the Sea (No. 35)—it was also recognized with the London Essence Best New Opening Award.

Also notable: San Francisco ’s True Laurel (No. 30) takes home the Kettle One Sustainable Bar Award with some much-needed representation for the West Coast ( Los Angeles has two entries, Thunderbolt at No. 8, and Mírate at No. 46.) The 270 members of the voting academy bestowed Claudia Cabrera of Mexico City’s Kaito del Valle with the Roku Industry Icon Award for her work championing female bartenders through her Japanese izakaya-style bar program.

The full list of winners can be found below, to be studied for your next few rounds of drinking on this great continent.

Handshake Speakeasy was crowned the best bar in North America.

• Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
• Superbueno, New York
• Overstory, New York
• Martiny's, New York,
• Rayo, Mexico City
• Jewel of the South, New Orleans
• Double Chicken Please, New York
• Thunderbolt, Los Angeles
• Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
• Tlecān, Mexico City
• Zapote Bar, Playa del Carmen

Katana Kitten, a New York regular on the list, came in at No. 12.

Hannah Towey

CNT Editors

Jessica Puckett

Steph Koyfman

12. Katana Kitten, New York

13. Café La Trova, Miami

14. El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara

15. Employees Only, New York

16. Aruba Day Drink, Tijuana

17. Café de Nadie, Mexico City

18. La Factoría, San Juan

19. Kumiko, Chicago

20. Dante, New York

21. Civil Liberties, Toronto

22. Service Bar, Washington DC

23. Allegory, Washington DC

The Botanist Bar in Vancouver is the second-highest Canadian entry at No. 24.

24. Botanist Bar, Vancouver

25. Herbs & Rye, Las Vegas

26. Baltra Bar, Mexico City

27. Bekeb, San Miguel de Allende

28. Kaito del Valle, Mexico City

29. Bar Pompette, Toronto

30. True Laurel, San Francisco

31. Attaboy, New York

32. Meadowlark, Chicago

33. The Dead Rabbit, New York

34. Selva, Oaxaca

Library by the Sea represents Grand Cayman's first entry on the list, at No. 35—it also took home the London Essence Best New Opening Award.

35. Library by the Sea, Grand Cayman

36. Century Grand, Phoenix

37. Arca, Tulum

38. Pacific Cocktail Heaven, San Francisco

39. Cloakroom, Montreal

40. Bar Mordecai, Toronto

41. Maison Premiere, New York

42. Hanky Panky, Mexico City

43. Angel's Share, New York

44. Milady's, New York

45. Brujas, Mexico City

46. Mírate, Los Angeles

47. Cure, New Orleans

48. Best Intentions, Chicago

49. The Keefer Bar, Vancouver

50. Atwater Cocktail Club, Montreal

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Could Trump Go to Prison? If He Does, the Secret Service Goes, Too

Officials have had preliminary discussions about how to protect the former president in the unlikely event that he is jailed for contempt during the trial.

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By William K. Rashbaum

The U.S. Secret Service is in the business of protecting the president, whether he’s inside the Oval Office or visiting a foreign war zone.

But protecting a former president in prison? The prospect is unprecedented. That would be the challenge if Donald J. Trump — whom the agency is required by law to protect around the clock — is convicted at his criminal trial in Manhattan and sentenced to serve time.

Even before the trial’s opening statements, the Secret Service was in some measure planning for the extraordinary possibility of a former president behind bars. Prosecutors had asked the judge in the case to remind Mr. Trump that attacks on witnesses and jurors could land him in jail even before a verdict is rendered.

(The judge, who held a hearing Tuesday morning to determine whether Mr. Trump should be held in contempt for violating a gag order, is far more likely to issue a warning or impose a fine before taking the extreme step of jailing the 77-year-old former president. It was not immediately clear when he would issue his ruling.)

Last week, as a result of the prosecution’s request, officials with federal, state and city agencies had an impromptu meeting about how to handle the situation, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

That behind-the-scenes conversation — involving officials from the Secret Service and other relevant law enforcement agencies — focused only on how to move and protect Mr. Trump if the judge were to order him briefly jailed for contempt in a courthouse holding cell, the people said.

The far more substantial challenge — how to safely incarcerate a former president if the jury convicts him and the judge sentences him to prison rather than home confinement or probation — has yet to be addressed directly, according to some of a dozen current and former city, state and federal officials interviewed for this article.

That’s at least in part because if Mr. Trump is ultimately convicted, a drawn-out and hard-fought series of appeals, possibly all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, is almost a certainty. That would most likely delay any sentence for months if not longer, said several of the people, who noted that a prison sentence was unlikely.

But the daunting challenge remains. And not just for Secret Service and prison officials, who would face the logistical nightmare of safely incarcerating Mr. Trump, who is also the presumptive Republican nominee for President.

“Obviously, it’s uncharted territory,” said Martin F. Horn, who has worked at the highest levels of New York’s and Pennsylvania’s state prison agencies and served as commissioner of New York City’s correction and probation departments. “Certainly no state prison system has had to deal with this before, and no federal prison has had to either.”

Steven Cheung, the communications director for Mr. Trump’s campaign, said the case against the former president was “so spurious and so weak” that other prosecutors had refused to bring it, and called it “an unprecedented partisan witch hunt.”

“That the Democrat fever dream of incarcerating the nominee of the Republican Party has reached this level exposes their Stalinist roots and displays their utter contempt for American democracy,” he said.

Protecting Mr. Trump in a prison environment would involve keeping him separate from other inmates, as well as screening his food and other personal items, officials said. If he were to be imprisoned, a detail of agents would work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rotating in and out of the facility, several officials said. While firearms are obviously strictly prohibited in prisons, the agents would nonetheless be armed.

Former corrections officials said there were several New York state prisons and city jails that have been closed or partly closed, leaving wings or large sections of their facilities empty and available. One of those buildings could serve to incarcerate the former president and accommodate his Secret Service protective detail

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for the Secret Service in Washington, declined in a statement to discuss specific “protective operations.” But he said that federal law requires Secret Service agents to protect former presidents, adding that they use state-of-the-art technology, intelligence and tactics to do so.

Thomas J. Mailey, a spokesman for New York State’s prison agency, said his department couldn’t speculate about how it would treat someone who has not yet been sentenced, but that it has a system “to assess and provide for individuals’ medical, mental health and security needs.” Frank Dwyer, a spokesman for the New York City jails agency, said only that “the department would find appropriate housing” for the former president.

The trial in Manhattan, one of four criminal cases pending against Mr. Trump and possibly the only one that will go to a jury before the election, centers on accusations he falsified records to cover up a sex scandal involving a porn star. The former president is charged with 34 counts of felony falsifying business records. If convicted, the judge in the case, Juan M. Merchan, could sentence him to punishments ranging from probation to four years in state prison, though for a first-time offender of Mr. Trump’s age, such a term would be extreme.

If Mr. Trump is convicted, but elected president again, he could not pardon himself because the prosecution was brought by New York State.

Under normal circumstances, any sentence of one year or less, colloquially known as “city time,” would generally be served on New York City’s notorious Rikers Island, home to the Department of Correction’s seven jails. (That’s where Mr. Trump’s former chief financial officer, Allen H. Weisselberg, 76, is currently serving his second five-month sentence for crimes related to his work for his former boss.)

Any sentence of more than a year, known as state time, would generally be served in one of the 44 prisons run by New York State’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

The former president could also be sentenced to a term of probation, raising the bizarre possibility of the former commander in chief reporting regularly to a civil servant at the city’s Probation Department.

He would have to follow the probation officer’s instructions and answer questions about his work and personal life until the term of probation ended. He would also be barred from associating with disreputable people, and if he committed any additional crimes, he could be jailed immediately.

Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.

William K. Rashbaum is a Times reporter covering municipal and political corruption, the courts and broader law enforcement topics in New York. More about William K. Rashbaum

Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial

News and Analysis

Donald Trump’s lawyers tried to paint Keith Davidson , the man who helped broker a hush-money payment  for Stormy Daniels, as a specialist in extracting money  from the famous by exhuming a decade’s worth  of celebrity scandals.

After Trump was held in contempt and fined for violating a gag order, the judge overseeing the trial conducted a hearing to determine if Trump had broken the rules again .

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fixer who paid the hush money  at the heart of the case, hasn’t testified at the trial. But he’s been a focus .

More on Trump’s Legal Troubles

Key Inquiries: Trump faces several investigations  at both the state and the federal levels, into matters related to his business and political careers.

Case Tracker:  Keep track of the developments in the criminal cases  involving the former president.

What if Trump Is Convicted?: Could he go to prison ? And will any of the proceedings hinder Trump’s presidential campaign? Here is what we know , and what we don’t know .

Trump on Trial Newsletter: Sign up here  to get the latest news and analysis  on the cases in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.