The 38 Best New York City Bars You Need To Visit In 2022

New York City is back and better than ever, and with that comes a lively bar scene resembling that of the roaring ‘20s.

From prohibition-inspired speakeasies, to ping-pong-themed lounges, plush cocktail dens, to no-frills dive bars, we’ve rounded up the 38 best bars on the island.

Whether you’re the extra dirty martini type (all the cool people are), or prefer something a bit lighter, we’ve got you covered.

Grab your gal pals and some preventative Advil, and bar hop till you drop!

See Also: The 49 Best New York City Restaurants You Must Try In 2022

Acme

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9 Great Jones St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Upbeat lounge

Best For: Dancing the night away with friends

The Drink To Order: Acme 75

Pro Tip: Go before 9 PM on a Thursday!

Amor y Amargo

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95 Avenue A, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Intimate cocktail bar

Best For: Casual drinks with an old friend

The Drink To Order: Sharpie Mustache

Analogue

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19 W 8th St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Sophisticated watering hole

Best For: Whiskey and bourbon lovers

The Drink To Order: Lavender Menace

Apotheke

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9 Doyers St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Secret hideaway

Best For: Those looking to try something new

The Drink To Order: Sitting Buddha

Attaboy

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134 Eldridge St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Industrial-style

Best For: Lowkey date night

The Drink To Order: There’s no cocktail menu! The bartender makes your drink based on your preferences

Pro Tip: It’s difficult to snag a seat, so come right when they open at 6 PM

Bandits

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44 Bedford St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Retro, old-school diner vibe

Best For: Old souls with young energy

The Drink To Order: Bradshaw on Bedford

Pro Tip: Become friends with the bartender and he’ll give you espresso shots at the end of the night!

Bar Calico

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23 Lexington Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Georgia O'Keeffe-inspired

Best For: The friend who swears they’re born in the wrong era

The Drink To Order: Desert Rose

Pro Tip: Hop around the other bars at the Freehand after

Barcade

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148 W 24th St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Video game-themed bar

Best For: An interactive first date

The Drink To Order: Sambuca Milkshake

Bathtub Gin

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132 9th Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: 1920s speakeasy

Best For: A post-dinner nightcap

The Drink To Order: Aviation Gin

Bemelmans Bar

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35 E 76th St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Boujee piano bar

Best For: Celebrity sightings

The Drink To Order: Dirty gin martini

Clover Club

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210 Smith St, Brooklyn/Website

Atmosphere: Lowkey, neighborhood vibe

Best For: A classy night without the insanely steep prices

The Drink To Order: Sunkissed Sour

Dante

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Multiple Locations/Website

Atmosphere: Traditional with modern flair

Best For: Drinks and light fare

The Drink To Order: The Dante Martini

Pro Tip: Dante West Village offers $10 martinis and live piano concerts on Fridays!

Dear Irving

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Multiple Locations/Website

Atmosphere: Whimsical cocktail parlor

Best For: Impressing your Hinge date

The Drink To Order: espresso martini

Pro Tip: Known for having the best espresso martinis in NYC!

Double Chicken Please

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115 Allen St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Snug, no-frills bar

Best For: Chill Friday night

The Drink To Order: Taptail #3

Pro Tip: Order the Hot Honey chicken sandwich

Employees Only

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510 Hudson St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Prohibition-style

Best For: After-work drinks with the girls

The Drink To Order: Ginger Smash

Pro Tip: Make a dinner reservation in advance to guarantee a table!

Harriet's Rooftop & Lounge

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60 Furman St, Brooklyn/Website

Atmosphere: Swanky rooftop

Best For: Watching the sunset

The Drink To Order: Frose

Pro Tip: Start your night here before galavanting around Brooklyn

Jaques Bar At The Lowell Hotel

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28 E 63rd St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Ultra-lux

Best For Drinks with a client

The Drink To Order: White Cosmopolitan

Jungle Bird

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174 8th Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Tropical bar

Best For: A fun but tame night out with friends

The Drink To Order: Ungodly Hour

Pro Tip: Rent out the top floor for a birthday party!

Katana Kitten

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531 Hudson St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Hip and eclectic

Best For: Great drinks and even better food

The Drink To Order: Hinoki Martini

Little Branch

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20 7th Ave S, Manhattan

Atmosphere: Underground mixology den

Best For: Good vibes and live music

The Drink To Order: Bartender’s choice

Pro Tip: Grab a drink upstairs while waiting for a table at the speakeasy

Mace

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35 W 8th St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Casual, brick-walled bar

Best For: Unconventional cocktails

The Drink To Order: The Mace

Pro Tip: A very reliable first date spot

Overstory

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70 Pine St 64th Floor, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Posh rooftop lounge

Best For: Drinks with a view

The Drink To Order: In The Clouds

Pebble Bar

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67 W 49th St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Townhouse turned upscale cocktail bar

Best For: Running into Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian

The Drink To Order: 500 Miles High

Pro Tip: Come here during Fashion Week. You’re guaranteed to see somebody!

Please Don’t Tell

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113 St Marks Pl, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Hidden cocktail bar

Best For: Late-night talks with your significant other

The Drink To Order: Anything with tequila

Pro Tip: This speakeasy is hidden behind the phone booth in Crif Dogs

Raines Law Room

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Multiple Locations/Website

Atmosphere: Plush speakeasy

Best For: When you’re feeling fancy

The Drink To Order: White Ferrari

Pro Tip: They offer amazing cocktail classes!

Ray's

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177 Chrystie St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Celeb-laden dive bar

Best For: Pregaming your 2 AM pizza

The Drink To Order: Any glass of wine

Pro Tip: Befriend the bouncer

Rochelle's

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205 Chrystie St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Lowkey, hipster bar

Best For: Jamming out to 2000’s hits

The Drink To Order: Anything Whiskey

Pro Tip: Head over to their downstairs bar, Club 205

Scarpetta

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88 Madison Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Upscale with a cool vibe

Best For: Tasty Italian food and cocktails to match

The Drink To Order: Amalfi Martini

Spin

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48 E 23rd St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Modern, ping-pong lounge

Best For: Switching it up on a Friday night

The Drink To Order: PB & J Old Fashioned

Pro Tip: Get here on time so they don’t give your table away!

Studio 151

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151 Loisaida Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Vinyl-inspired speakeasy

Best For: Amazing omakase

The Drink To Order: Sake

Temple Bar

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332 Lafayette St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Dim-lit lounge

Best For: A romantic Friday night

The Drink To Order: Olive Oil Martini

Pro Tip: Add a caviar bump to your drink!

The Bar At Baccarat

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28 W 53rd St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Glitz & Glam

Best For: A special occasion with your loved one

The Drink To Order: Opus

Pro Tip: Dress to impress, because every fashion insider comes here for drinks

The Bar Room At The Beekman

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123 Nassau St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Grandiose

Best For: Showing your visitor the best of NYC

The Drink To Order: British Vogue

The Campbell

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15 Vanderbilt Ave, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Nestled in Grand Central

Best For: Classic drinks in a classic setting

The Drink To Order: Campbell Dirty Martini

The Dead Rabbit

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30 Water St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Lunch taproom meets old-school parlor

Best For: Casual date-night

The Drink To Order: Irish coffee martini

The Nines

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9 Great Jones St, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Jewel-box piano bar

Best For: The insider crowd of Acme with a supper club vibe

The Drink To Order: The Nines

The Spaniard

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190 West 4th Street, Manhattan/Website

Atmosphere: Throwback gastropub

Best For: Grabbing drinks before a night out in the Village

The Drink To Order: spicy margarita

Pro Tip: Lots of eligible bachelors here

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