NYC’s food and drink selection is massive, especially when it comes to bars. With new ones opening every day it seems, it’s a constantly changing scene that we love to keep our pulse on. Depending on what you’re looking for in a bar, you have so many options! Looking to snuggle up in a cozy speakeasy? Or maybe even enter through a hidden door? You can do that. In the mood for a rooftop bar with immaculate views? Be our guest!
But what about for our signature cocktail lovers? Well we got some recommendations for you too! If you’re looking for unique cocktails you won’t find anywhere else (plus fantastic atmospheres to enjoy them in), check out our list of the best cocktail bars in NYC right now!
1. Attaboy, Lower East Side
Attaboy was ranked the #1 bar in North America for good reason, and it’s because of their divine cocktails and friendly staff! Formerly known as Milk & Honey, the two owners Michael McIlroy and Sam Ross pride themselves on serving bespoke signature cocktails that are made on a per person basis, mastered by one of their star-studded bartenders. Start the night in their intimate setting, or round out an evening with a custom drink made for you in their lounge.
Where: 134 Eldridge St
2. Dante, West Village
This spot is one of our favorites for many things…happy hour, negronis, aperol spritzes, and the list goes on and on! Dante’s Italian food is also a nice touch, but much of the praise often goes to their signature concoction, the Garibaldi (Campari & fluffy orange juice). We suggest stopping by for their $10 martini hour, or even taking some bottled signature cocktails home with you! Check out their full cocktail list here.
Where: 79-81 MacDougal St
3. The Dead Rabbit, FiDi
The Dead Rabbit is not only one of our favorite Irish pubs, but it’s also top-tier for whiskey cocktails. If you go, we suggest grabbing an authentic Irish Coffee, but their array of Irish concoctions will surely please you, no matter what you pick. They also have a decent menu of pub food to pair your drinks with! Check out their full cocktail menu here.
Where: 30 Water St
4. Angel’s Share, West Village
After closing their doors last year, the iconic Angel’s Share cocktail bar is preparing to reopen in the coming months in a brand new West Village space. According to the New York Times, the new bar will take place where the last one left off, which means the return of the famous cherub mural and signature cocktails (plus new ones too). We can’t wait to hang in their new lounge and celebrate the grand opening. Stay tuned to their Instagram for more announcements about the new location!
Where: 45 Grove St
5. Death & Co, East Village
Death & Co is a cocktail institution, and their Prohibition-era art inside proves they’ve been up to their craftwork for a long time. It’s now known as one of the most famous speakeasies and cocktail bars, and it’s probably due to their unique ingredients they incorporate into cocktails, like macadamia nuts and red miso. It’s even been handed many awards throughout the years like the Best American Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu. Only walk-ins are accepted here and no reservations are allowed. Check out their full cocktail menu here.
Where: 433 E 6th St
6. Maison Premiere, Williamsburg
Known best for their killer oyster specials, as well as their stunning hidden outdoor dining space, we can’t forget about the cocktails, which holds Maison Premiere down to its core. Absinthe-focused cocktails are at the heart of their menu, like the Casablanca (St. George, Yoga, Chai Lime), but there’s way more than that, like “Maison Toddies” and other signature cocktails. Check them all out here.
Where: 298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
7. La Noxe, Chelsea
Tucked away inside the 28th Street subway station is La Noxe, a warmly lit cocktail space that serves drinks and delicious tapas. Formed by founder Jey Perie, and influenced by his experience of living in Tokyo, Barcelona, and France, this spot is a haven for mischievous house cocktails, like the Kiss & Tell (Mate Gin, Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur, lime, rose water, sugar) and the Secret Garden (Mezcal, kale, lemon, apple, agave, chili salt). Might we suggest something from their tapas menu while you’re at it? Check out their cocktail menu here.
Where: 315 7th Ave (Entrance at 162 W 28th St)
8. Shinji’s, Flatiron
From the team behind Michelin-starred omakase restaurant Noda, comes Shinji’s, a Japanese cocktail concept. Their curated cocktails are carefully made, with a main highlight being the pictured above Tropicana (Classic screwdriver with vodka and orange liqueur served inside an orange). Come for the cocktails and stay for the delicious Japanese fare, like the Uni Chawanmushi (Japanese savory egg custard topped with Hokkaido uni and Royal Ossetra Caviar). Check out full menu here.
Where: 37 W 20th St
9. Nubeluz, NoMad
Nubeluz opened to the public at the end of last year, and it’s been serving some of our favorite rooftop cocktails ever since. Stop into the cocktail bar at the Top of The Ritz-Carlton hotel to enjoy one of their smoke-infused cocktails like the Floral Cloud (fords gin, lemon, maraschino, crème de violette, hibiscus-rose-orange blossom aromatic cloud) or the Foggy Hill (del maguey vida mezcal, yzaguirre 1884 gran reserva vermouth, cynar, aperol orange-thyme aromatic cloud). This venture by Chef Jose Andres is flat out gorgeous, and definitely deserves a visit. They also have a Flamenco Residency that you can enjoy during every Tuesday during the month of April! Full cocktail menu here.
Where: 25 W 28th St
10. Jeremy’s, Upper East Side
Blending New York and Viennese cultures together into one bar, Jeremy’s on the Upper East Side will be sure to “stimulate creativity” and have you “feeling inspired.” The narrow cocktail bar seats only 25, but its dimly lit bar and interior will have you longing to try one of their drinks. Some highlights include the Elaine Kaufman (Dry gin, dry vermouth, absinthe, maraschino) and the Herman’s Pisco Sour (Capuerro Pisco, lime, Finger Lakes Cassis). Full drinks menu here.
Where: 1652 2nd Ave
11. Thyme Bar, Flatiron
Thyme Bar is nestled inside a historic pre-war cellar, and their intimate atmosphere is perfect for a date and some drinks. It’s ornate ambiance and cocktails that are captivatingly presented give the feeling of enjoying “sippable art” in a 1920s gambling den. Their best sellers include the Red Sorghum (Baijiu Sichuan liqueur, Nonino Amaro, Maraschino, Cacao) and The Bloomist Cloche (Roasted Barley Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Kaffir Lime Leaves, St Germain Elderflower, Montenegro Amaro), which focus on floriography (aka using florals to upscale a cocktail). Full menu here.
Where: 20 W 23rd St, Cellar
12. Martiny’s, Gramercy
Martiny’s is a Japanese-style cocktail lounge that has mastered the art of signature cocktails. Crafted by Takuma Watanabe, his three-level bar now proudly serves all sorts of tasty drinks that are influenced by his homeland. They include Japanese ingredients like Nikka whisky and matcha, so you know they’ll be packed with flavor! Check out all of Martiny’s stunning concoctions on their IG here.
Where: 121 E 17th St
13. Clover Club, Cobble Hill
For our Brooklyn folks, we suggest stopping by Clover Club, whose cocktail techniques, ingredients, and unexpected flavor pairings are some of the best on this list! It’s located on Smith Street in Cobble Hill/Gowanus, and they pride themself on embracing the neighborhood, as well as being a safe haven for “cocktail newbies and curious wanderers.” We recommend the self titled Clover Club (Gin, raspberry, dry vermouth, lemon, egg white) or the Port of Call (Gin, ruby port, cinnamon, cranberry preserves, lemon). Full cocktail menu here.
Where: 210 Smith St, Brooklyn
14. Employees Only, West Village
Employees Only is a West Village staple, and their Prohibition-era speakeasy vibe has withstand the test of time in the neighborhood. They’ve accumulated tons of awards over the years, and have become a common household name for their drinks, like their twist on a Manhattan (Rittenhouse Rye Stirred with Italian Vermouth, Grand Marnier & Dashes of Angostura Bitters) as well as the Ginger Smash (Muddled Ginger Root & Fresh Cranberries, Shaken with Roku Gin, Apple Liqueur & fresh lemon juice. Served over ice). Full cocktail menu here.
Where: 510 Hudson St
15. Double Chicken Please, Lower East Side
If you’re in LES, consider stopping by the Coop for some chicken and signature cocktails. Double Chicken Please is “inspired by the exploration and experimentation of traditional drinks and dishes” and aims to “deconstruct, redefine and rebuild” iconic cocktails and cuisine. Their cocktail names are whimsically named after foods like the Japanese Cold Noodle (Bacardi Superior, pineapple, cucumber, coconut lime, sesame oil) and French Toast (Grey Goose, roasted barley brioche, coconut, milk, maple syrup, egg) and they of course serve warm chicken sandwiches to go alongside them. Check out their menu here.
Where: 115 Allen St
16. Katana Kitten, Greenwich Village
Katana Kitten is a Japanese cocktail bar with great hospitality, a great interior, and of course great drinks. Their space is split into an “Upstairs” and “Downstairs” based on vibes, with the upstairs serving more as a lounge for sipping, and the basement as a bit more rowdier. We suggest trying a signature cocktail like the Amaretto Sour (Rittenhouse rye, amaretto, salted plum, honey, lemon, egg white, yukari) or even something more festive like a Panda Fizz (Haku vodka, pear, calpico, lemon, pandan, lava salt). Full menu here.
Where: 531 Hudson St
17. Overstory, FiDi
Another rooftop paradise is Overstory, a 64-story cocktail bar with unparalleled views of New York City. Sip on an In The Clouds (Whiskey, Earl Grey, Vanilla, Champagne, Clarified Milk) while you’re perched among them yourself, or dive into one of their specialty gin drinks like the Gemini (Gin, Tequila, Chamomile, Pear, Woodruff, Vermut). There’s also a lovely rooftop restaurant a floor under it called SAGA (in case you get hungry). Reservations are recommended and you can view their cocktail menu here.
Where: 70 Pine St
18. Mace, Greenwich Village
Mace continues to accumulate accolades and it’s because owners and bartenders Nico de Soto and Greg Bohm have mastered their craft. Their one-of-a-kind cocktails are created with out-of-the-box spices and ingredients from all over the world. Take the Makrut Lime Leaves (mezcal, Campari, sweet vermouth, Balinese sambal matah) and Bhut Jolokia (blend of rums, rendang spices, coconut water, jackfruit, lime, bhut jolokia, soy–clarified) as examples. Check out their full cocktail menu here.
Where: 35 W 8th St
19. The Up & Up, Greenwich Village
Among the William Morris wallpaper, marble, brass, and wood you’ll find The Up & Up, a neighborhood craft cocktail hangout. It’s low-key, intimate, and has a ton of history. We suggest grabbing a cozy booth and giving one of their “Up & Up Originals” a try, like the Happy Trails or Mezcal Safecracker. Full cocktail menu here.
Where: 116 MacDougal St
20. Garfunkel’s, Lower East Side
On the 2nd floor above The Burgary is Garfunkel’s, a full service mixology bar whose spirit-forward concoctions are focused on whetting the palate and stimulating digestion. A majority of their menu’s focus is on gin and whiskey, but there’s tons of other standout cocktails too, like the TNT (tequila, Ancho Reyes, tamarind and habanero bitters) and the 1933 (aged rum, pear liqueur, angostura and black mission fig bitters). Full cocktail menu here.
Where: 67 Clinton St, 2nd floor
21. Please Don’t Tell
22. Jac’s on Bond, NoHo
There’s a reason Jac’s on Bond made its way onto our list of best new bars of 2023, and it’s because it’s one of the few places you can play pool while sipping on elevated cocktails. This bar feels like someone’s really cool den…complete with photographs of old-school hip hop artists, employees rocking AWAKE NY uniforms, and more. It’s cool, it’s hip, and the drinks are great. See full cocktail menu here.
Where: 26 Bond St
23. Sugar Monk, Harlem
Located right around the corner from the legendary Apollo Theater sits Sugar Monk, a relaxing cocktail bar paying homage to the uptown speakeasies of Harlem’s past. It’s a perfect place to hit before a show or if you want to go taste testing with friends. Their complex drinks are concocted with some of the city’s most intricate spirits, liqueurs, and infusions…and is something you won’t find elsewhere. See full cocktail menu here.
Where: 2292 Frederick Douglass Blvd
24. Apotheke, NoMad & Chinatown
This intimate basement cocktail lounge is vibey for sure, and serves botanically-focused cocktails in their candlelit atmosphere. With two locations in both NoMad and Chinatown, you can try out different “pain killers,” “stress relievers,” and more infused with house-made herbs and botanicals. See full cocktail menus here.
Where:
NoMad – 9 W 26th St
Chinatown – 9 Doyers St
25. Bemelmans Bar, Upper East Side
Bemelmans Bar is not only one of our favorite cocktail bars in NYC, but also one of the best hotel bars in NYC. Between their walls draped in Ludwig Bemelmans murals to their live jazz performances and cocktails, it’s the perfect place to feel like the main character and sip incredible drinks. See cocktail menu here.
Where: 35 E 76th St