22 best bars in New York City, from classic dives to martini lounges
New York City is a dazzling tapestry woven with the threads of culture, fashion, and vibrant nightlife. For those who love to unwind with a scrumptious cocktail or enjoy the laid-back ambiance of a dive bar, the Big Apple offers an endless array of choices. From the dim corners of historic speakeasies to the sleek counters of modern martini lounges, each bar has a character as rich and diverse as the city itself. Here’s a curated list of the 22 best bars in New York City that should be on every night owl’s bucket list.
1.The Dead Rabbit – Step into this two-story pub in Lower Manhattan, where award-winning cocktail craftsmanship meets an ambience steeped in history.
2.Attaboy – Nestled in the Lower East Side, this industrial-chic spot is a place where skilled bartenders craft bespoke drinks tailored to your tastes.
3.Death & Co – A pioneer in the cocktail renaissance, this East Village locale has been serving innovative concoctions since its inception.
4.PDT (Please Don’t Tell) – Hidden behind a phone booth inside a hot dog joint, PDT offers an intimate speakeasy experience with meticulously mixed drinks.
5.Angel’s Share – This hush-hush Japanese cocktail bar inside an East Village restaurant specializes in flawless classics and creative libations.
6.The NoMad Bar – Located within the luxurious NoMad Hotel, it’s well-known for its elegant design and sophisticated drink selection.
7.Dante – A Greenwich Village institution since 1915, this bar revitalizes Italian aperitivo culture offering negronis aplenty.
8.Employees Only – A lively West Village bar that successfully mixes Prohibition-era vibes with inventive mixology.
9.The Clover Club – Brooklyn’s tribute to bygone eras provides a plush setting for enjoying pre-Prohibition cocktails.
10.Amor y Amargo – An intimate bitters-focused bar offering complex cocktails in the East Village.
11.Maison Premiere – This oyster house and cocktail den revives old-world New Orleans charm in Williamsburg.
12.Weather Up – Tribeca’s go-to for polished cocktails, served up in a space reminiscent of an old-school train station lounge.
13.McSorley’s Old Ale House – Experience one of NYC’s oldest bars with sawdust floors and only two kinds of ale – light or dark.
14.The Campbell – An iconic Gilded Age railway office turned bar located within Grand Central Terminal showcasing classic grandeur.
Diamond Reef – At this airy Brooklyn spot, tropical touches meet laid-back vibes and playful drinks like slushies spiked with style.
15.Mace Bar – With a spice-driven theme, Mace brilliantly infuses exotic flavors into avant-garde cocktails.
16.Leyenda – Co-founded by cocktail world royalty Ivy Mix, this Carroll Gardens establishment pays tribute to Latin spirits and cocktails.
17.Boilermaker– This East Village haunt is perfect for beer-and-shot pairings and fantastic burgers to match your pint.
18.BlackTail – Step into the era of Prohibition-era Havana at this Battery Park establishment that pours nostalgic yet novel cocktails.
19.Mother’s Ruin – A casual Nolita spot where frozen drinks spin all year round and seasonal ingredients shine in innovative libations.
20.Little Branch – Another West Village gem offering live jazz sounds as bartenders shake up pristine iterations of classic cocktails.
21.Sweet Polly – An ornate Prospect Heights favorite where nautical decor sets the scene for sipping on expertly crafted beverages.