New York City’s elite bar and cocktail scene is well-warranted by now, and a new establishment has thrown its named into the ring and scored big.
Greenwich Village cocktail bar Sip & Guzzle recently made headlines by becoming one of the top 5 best bars in North America.
About a month ago or so, the North America Best 50 Bars List was unveiled, which recapped the continent’s best place to sip artisanal drinks and catch a vibe.
While, Mexican spot Superbueno took home the #2 spot again this year, the debut entry of Sip & Guzzle at #5 is extremely notable and equally deserving.
Since opening a little over a year ago (January 2024), the bi-level cocktail bar has garnered attention for its Japanese influence, innovative cocktails, and elevated food program.
Guests can choose between the upstairs “Guzzle” area which channels the lively spirit of an 1860s New York saloon or the downstairs “Sip” space which feels like a more sophisticated and intimate speakeasy inspired by old Tokyo.
With the two options at hand, it lets New Yorkers “pick the vibe” they’re looking for, whether it be chugging down “crushable” cocktails quickly or stepping back and “sipping” more adventurous and intricate cocktails like the Whisky Nigiri (whisky, sushi vinegar, sake, wasabi) and Gimlet Over Rice (shochu, pineapple, cucumber, lemongrass, absinthe).
The bar is held down by internationally acclaimed bartenders Shingo Gokan (Tokyo’s SG Club) and Steve Schneider (Employees Only), while Chef Mike Bagale, formerly of three Michelin-starred Alinea, leads the kitchen, bringing fine-dining techniques to izakaya fare and bar snacks (Electric Chicken, Royale with Cheese Meal, Mochi Fries).
It all gets tied together with the dark, yet-inviting bar design that truly feel like a crossroads between New York and Tokyo.
“Guzzle” ‘s rustic wood furnishings, playful touches of pop art, and vintage photographs—including whimsical images like a kimono-clad David Bowie in Shibuya—give it just the right amount of energy that feels New York enough to match the city’s fast pace energy.
Meanwhile, the “Sip” basement bar modeled after the 1860s Japanese naval ship—specifically the Kanrin Maru which carried samurai across the Pacific to New York—is much more dark, moody, and elegant.
With the low lighting and intimate narrow layout, it seems you’ve almost been clued into one of Edo’s (Tokyo) secret teleportations directly in downtown Manhattan.
Stop by North America’s fifth best bar and let us know what you think! You can make a reservation (they are hard to come by!) here.
📍 29 Cornelia St