By: Amy Rosner By: Amy Rosner | July 12, 2022 | Food & Drink,
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
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!
95 Avenue A, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Intimate cocktail bar
Best For: Casual drinks with an old friend
The Drink To Order: Sharpie Mustache
19 W 8th St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Sophisticated watering hole
Best For: Whiskey and bourbon lovers
The Drink To Order: Lavender Menace
9 Doyers St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Secret hideaway
Best For: Those looking to try something new
The Drink To Order: Sitting Buddha
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
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!
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
148 W 24th St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Video game-themed bar
Best For: An interactive first date
The Drink To Order: Sambuca Milkshake
132 9th Ave, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: 1920s speakeasy
Best For: A post-dinner nightcap
The Drink To Order: Aviation Gin
35 E 76th St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Boujee piano bar
Best For: Celebrity sightings
The Drink To Order: Dirty gin martini
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
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!
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!
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
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!
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
28 E 63rd St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Ultra-lux
Best For Drinks with a client
The Drink To Order: White Cosmopolitan
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!
531 Hudson St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Hip and eclectic
Best For: Great drinks and even better food
The Drink To Order: Hinoki Martini
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
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
70 Pine St 64th Floor, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Posh rooftop lounge
Best For: Drinks with a view
The Drink To Order: In The Clouds
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!
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
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!
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
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
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
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!
151 Loisaida Ave, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Vinyl-inspired speakeasy
Best For: Amazing omakase
The Drink To Order: Sake
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!
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
123 Nassau St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Grandiose
Best For: Showing your visitor the best of NYC
The Drink To Order: British Vogue
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
30 Water St, Manhattan/Website
Atmosphere: Lunch taproom meets old-school parlor
Best For: Casual date-night
The Drink To Order: Irish coffee martini
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
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
Photography by: Chris F, Unsplash