266 Best Bars in New York City, New York
New Yorkers are fond of the "work hard, play hard" maxim, but the truth is, Gothamites don't need much of an excuse to hit the town. Any day of the week could easily be mistaken for a Friday or Saturday; the bottom line is that when the the mood strikes, there are always plenty of choices in this 24-hour city. Whether it's raising a glass in a historic saloon, a dimly lit cocktail den, or a swanky rooftop lounge; checking out the latest band; or laughing it up at a comedy show, it isn't hard for visitors to get a piece of the action.
The nightlife scene still resides largely downtown—in the dives and speakeasies of the East Village and Lower East Side, the classic jazz joints and piano bars of the West Village, and the Meatpacking District's and Chelsea's "see-and-be-seen" clubs. Midtown, especially around Hell's Kitchen, has developed a vibrant scene, too, and plenty of upscale hangouts dot the Upper East and Upper West Sides. Brooklyn and Harlem are go-to destinations for in-the-know locals.
Keep in mind that when you go is just as important as where you go. A club that is packed at 11 pm might empty out by midnight, and a bar that raged last night may be completely empty tonight. Time Out New York magazine has a good list of roving parties (www.timeout.com/newyork), as does Urban Daddy (www.urbandaddy.com/new-york). Scour industry-centric websites, too, like Eater and Grub Street, which catalog the comings and goings of many a nightlife impresario. New York magazine and the New York Times have listings of cabaret and jazz shows, the latter mainly in its Friday and Sunday Arts sections. Bear in mind that a venue's life span is often measured in months, not years. Phone ahead or check online to make sure your target hasn't closed or turned into a polka hall (although, you never know—that could be fun, too).
Aldo Sohm Wine Bar
Located mid-block on the pedestrian corridor that is 6½ Avenue, this sophisticated lounge pours more than 40 by-the-glass and 200 by-the-bottle wines. Aldo Sohm, considered one of the world's top sommeliers, also oversees the wine program at legendary Le Bernardin around the corner. Enjoy a delicious small-bite lunch and dinner selection that, in this case, pairs with the wine menu (not the other way around). Better still, sip varietals while gazing at this bar's original works by Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and other New York artists.
Angel's Share
Famed for its enormous and iconic whimsical angel mural on the wall, this popular and beloved subterranean cocktail bar is also well-known for its rules: only parties of four or fewer people are allowed to enter, no split parties, no reservations, and there is no standing and drinking allowed—just seated revelry, please. That said, once you obey the rules of this 65-seat Japanese cocktail bar, you're likely to stay awhile, sipping on one, two, three of the 27 signature cocktails on the menu, many of which have been mixed with Japanese ingredients.
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Bar Chord
A rotating selection of craft beers and numerous small-batch spirits, nightly live music (never a cover charge), a stellar jukebox, and an expansive year-round backyard (heated in winter) have made Bar Chord a favorite since it opened in 2013. Check out the collection of vintage guitars from the 1950s to the '70s for sale up front.
Bar Pisellino
Don't be surprised if you see some snickering Italian tourists taking a selfie in front of this bar/café's sign on the facade. The name means "small penis" in Italian. The interior is nothing to laugh at. Imagine if, by some divine miracle, a prettied-up antique bar in Milan or Rome suddenly materialized in the West Village. That's the vibe at Pisellino. The high-ceilinged, wood-and-marble-clad space is stunning. During the day, sip espresso; in the evening, stop by for a perfectly made Aperol spritz or a Negroni.
Barbès
Outstanding regular performers, such as Mamady Kouyate's Mandingo Ambassadors and the Django Reinhardt-channeling Stephane Wrembe, spin threads of folk and global into 21st-century music. There's also Slavic Soul Party!, a Baltic brass band, weekly. Shows take place in the back room, while up front the divey bar has a laid-back vibe and a full cocktail menu.
The Bell House
One of the top music venues in the borough, the Bell House hosts big-name rock musicians, cult comedy acts and live podcast recordings, and weekly trivia and karaoke in the bustling front bar area. Brooklynites (and Manhattanites, too) come not only for the performances but also for the excellent beer selection.
Bixi
From the sultry red interior with jewel-toned furnishings and quirky chandeliers to the Asian fusion menu, every detail within this cocktail bar on Restaurant Row was designed by award-winning executive chef Serena Bass (the woman behind the Chelsea Hotel's once-star-studded Serena lounge). The sexy setting serves as a playful backdrop for the well-curated drink selection, including the fan-favorite Lychee martini, and tasty bar food, like the roast duck spring rolls and Japanese yam tempura with an addictive ginger dipping sauce. Cozy up with a date on the plush, custom-made aquamarine couches and terra-cotta chairs or peep the adorable heated patio in the back.
Blue Note
Considered by many (not least its current owners) to be "the jazz capital of the world," the Blue Note was once the stomping ground for such legends as Dizzy Gillespie and still hosts a variety of acts, from Chris Botti to jazz to Latin orchestras to Maceo Parker. Expect a steep cover charge except for late shows on weekends, when the music goes from less jazzy to more funky.
Blueprint
Homemade bitters, syrups, and ginger beer make every carefully made cocktail here all the more tasty. Try the house favorite Smoky Mary's, with chipotle tequila, agave, and an alderwood smoked salt rim. The warm atmosphere is mid-century modern meets old Western hotel, and in summer you can sip your tiki-style drink on the back patio. An impressive menu of small dishes is served until 2 am. All breads and desserts are made in-house.
Bowery Ballroom
This legendary theater with art deco accents is probably the city's top midsize concert venue. Packing in the crowds here is a rite of passage for musicians (some already big; some on the cusp of stardom). Grab one of the tables on the balcony (if you can), stand (and get sandwiched) on the main floor, or retreat to the comfortable bar in the basement, which fills up after each show.
The Box
A sensation when it opened in 2007, Simon Hammerstein's Roaring '20s–style cabaret–cum–burlesque show–cum–performance art emporium remains one of the biggest players in any nightlife category. The triumvirate of gorgeousness—design, customers, and performers—explains why the experience doesn't come cheap. Check the website to make reservations and prepare for a late night.
Brooklyn Inn
One of Brooklyn's oldest and most unassuming bars, the Brooklyn Inn doesn't rely on gimmicks: it just serves reasonably priced beer and mainstay cocktails. The formula must work, because the place dates back to the 19th century. With high ceilings and large windows in front—there's a pool table in back—this is the quintessential neighborhood spot.
Brooklyn Steel
You wouldn't think a premiere live music venue would be in such a secluded, industrial district, but perhaps that it's Brooklyn appeal. Formerly a steel factory, this venue from the Bowery Presents group hosts many rock and indie acts to large space that holds 1,800 guests across its main floor, balcony, and three bars.
The Campbell
Classy tipplers and well-dressed commuters pack into this hidden away Grand Central Terminal bar (especially during the evening rush), but you can still have a romantic time in one of Manhattan's most elegant rooms. The restored space dates from the 1920s, when it was the private office and reception hall of a financier named John W. Campbell, who entertained friends and colleagues here. Sample the good life as you sip cocktails from club chairs and banquettes amid a hundred-year-old leaded glass window or come to hear live jazz on weekend nights. The proprietor also offers the smaller Campbell Palm Court and enclosed, outdoor Campbell Terrace; the latter is just outside in the former taxi driveway.
The Carlyle
Amid music-themed murals by Marcel Vertès, the hotel's discreetly sophisticated supper club, Café Carlyle, hosts such top cabaret and jazz performers as Alan Cumming, Christine Ebersole, Judy Collins, Jon Batiste, John Pizzarelli, Steve Tyrell, and comedians Mario Cantone and Tony Danza. The less fancy-schmancy (though still pricey) Bemelmans Bar features a rotating cast of pianist-singers. Bemelmans is known also for its wall murals and lampshades painted by the author of the Madeline books, who is said to have traded the artwork for lodging. Both nightspots feature old-fashioned cocktails and trendy new-fashioned ones. Chic attire only (no active sportswear permitted in either one).
Casablanca Cocktail Lounge
It's easy to see why seemingly the whole neighborhood has embraced this latest incarnation of Casablanca—there's been a bar with that name on this spot since the 1940s. Quality bartenders, reasonably priced drinks, and cool DJs mean that weekend nights get crowded with dancing and good times.
Connolly's Bar
Known for their addictively refreshing frozen piña coladas, Connolly's is a favorite for locals and travelers alike for good reason. They host plenty of specialty nights, like trivia night, which usually is on Monday, with a variety of topics. Wacky Wednesday is always a good time with drink specials and a DJ. If piña coladas aren't your thing, try their frozen pink lemonade or frozen mudslide. Frozen drinks run $11 a pop, with the option for a boozy floater for an additional dollar. Note that Connolly's closes to the public from January to the Friday of Memorial Day, but they're open year-round for private party bookings.
The Dead Rabbit
For exquisite cocktails in a quintessentially old–New York locale, venture to the tip of Manhattan for a night of Irish hospitality in a 19th-century-inspired saloon. The ground-floor taproom serves craft beers and whiskeys of the world, while a warren of upstairs parlor spaces shakes and stirs craft cocktails, many putting Irish whiskey to excellent use. If the drink menu isn't doing the trick, challenge one of the ace bartenders to mix up something special for your palate. The Dead Rabbit is always lively and unpretentious, and isn't hung up on dress codes or door policies typical of some New York cocktail dens—though it's still a good idea to reserve a table. There's also a solid food menu built on Irish faves, Monday oyster and Guinness specials, guest chefs, and occasional live music.
Diamond Lil
Greenpointers flock to this favorite neighborhood bar, named after a play by Mae West, with speakeasy vibes, creative concoctions, and oysters served daily. Its dimly lit, art deco aesthetic sets the mood, whether you settle into a booth or cozy up to the bar, for seasonal cocktails categorized as either "shaken" or "stirred." In the warmer months, the pleasant backyard is open for outdoor enjoyment.
Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola
For a night of jazz with big names and talent in a posh setting, turn to Dizzy's, an intimate club with Manhattan-skyline and Central Park views and southern-inflected cuisine (gumbo, blackened fish dishes) and cocktails. Late-night sessions are ideal for an after-dinner nightcap; some of the drinks, such as the Dizzy Gillespie, are named after jazz legends.
Donna
This cocktail bar bills itself as "an elegant space for dirty kids"—that is, just because you like nice things doesn't necessarily mean you want to dress fancy. And Donna certainly is elegant, with a white vaulted ceiling, a long curved bar, reclaimed-wood benches and tables, and beautiful people drinking fabulous cocktails like the signature frozen Brancolada (a piña colada riff with Branca Menta). Tacos and other Latin fare provide the terrific, appropriately downscale nibbles. DJs spin most weekend nights.
Dutch Kills
The dark bartop with cozy wooden booths at Dutch Kills—a cocktail den with a nod to the neighborhood's historic roots—serves finely crafted drinks for $17 each. Try Tiger Chilled Coffee, made with rum, cold brew, and cinnamon syrup, or Whiskey Fix, which is simply your choice of bourbon or rye with fresh lemon juice and sugar, served on crushed ice. Expect precisely chiseled chunks of ice and skilled bartenders who, with a few queries into your preferences and curiosities, can create a concoction just to your taste.
Existing Conditions
Science and booze merge beautifully at this experimental cocktail bar with exposed brick walls and wooden tables. The cocktail-shaking wizards here are Don Lee and Dave Arnold (from acclaimed spots PDT and Booker & Dax, respectively), who use methods like centrifuging and pressure cooking to concoct very drinkable—and fun—libations, such as a carbonated margarita with clarified strawberries and a waffle-infused bourbon drink spiked with maple syrup.
Floyd
Comfy sofas, a relaxed scene, and large boccie courts have made this bar a neighborhood staple. And while the beer cheese dip is memorable, locals flock here for the solid selection of drafts and bourbons, plus weekday happy hours and other specials like the ever-popular bucket of assorted beer by the can. The same folks run Union Hall in Park Slope and the Bell House in Gowanus.
Freddy's Bar and Backroom
We could tell you this place has history—Freddy's has been in South Slope since 2011, but it occupied its previous home in Prospect Heights for almost a century (relocating when the Barclays Center took over the area)—but what you really want to know is that Freddy's is a good time. There's pretty much always something going on, whether it's live music, comedy night, or live band karaoke. There's a full menu, too.
Grand Army
Housed in a former corner market, this easygoing neighborhood craft beer and cocktail bar, led by head bartender Patty Dennison, changes their cocktail roster seasonally, each with funny names to go along with the season's quirky theme. The kitchen keeps up, preparing light bites to pair with them.
Grimm Artisanal Ales
This award-winning brewery shines in crafting brews across the whole beer and ale spectrum, especially IPAs and sours. However, they're now also partnered with Physica, a sister wine program of local, natural wines. In addition to their already sprawling taproom that's adjacent to their tanks and barrels, is a large outdoor/indoor rooftop space, where you can use your beer or wine to wash down slices of Brooklyn-style pies from La La’s Apizza.
Harlem Nights
Located in historic Central Harlem, Harlem Nights is a cozy neighborhood bar set in a relaxed lounge atmosphere. With live entertainment ranging from open-mike nights on Monday to comedy shows on Saturday and weekend DJs, there’s something for everyone. At their daily happy hour, you can enjoy craft cocktails at a discounted price until 8 pm. And with an extensive food menu that embodies the heart and soul of Harlem, you'll want to repeat your experience at this rustic bar again and again.
Hot Bird
A barbecue-chicken joint was the previous tenant of this laid-back bar with a large patio on an industrial stretch of Atlantic Avenue—hence the name. Stake out a picnic table for a group of friends, or just hit it up as a casual date spot. There's a small menu of tacos to go with the drinks, which is good, because once you're here, you won't want to leave.
