the best bars in nyc
neighborhood bars
the lost lady
broken land
greenpoint / $$
This is a cute, fun, but low-key bar in Greenpoint with the best piña coladas in the city (perfectly creamy and coconut-y but not too sweet) and a back patio (aka a summer hot spot).
maiden lane
the belfry
the wayland
union hall
park slope / $$
While this bar is a bit of a trek from Manhattan, it is one of my favorite venues in the city.
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beauty bar
gramercy / $$
The one place in the city where you will be able to get a manicure, cocktail, and free comedy show all in one place. While Beauty Bar is now a chain with several locations across the U.S., the New York one was the original location, and was converted from a beauty parlor. (There are still old school salon chairs inside).
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cocktail bars
crosby street bar
nolita / $$$
devon
lower east side / $$$
With happy hour specials almost every night of the week
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the campbell apartment
grand central / $$$
Gossip Girl here. Want to catch Nate and Serena on a hot date? This is where they filmed the steamy bar scene back in 2007. The former private office and reception hall of financier John William Campbell, the bar has actually been around since 1923, after undergoing many different uses and renovations. The beautiful space today is adorned with immensely high ceilings and modern stained glass windows behind the ornate bar.
the happiest hour
west village / $$
Cocktail bar meets casual game night at this hip but laidback spot in West Village. Adorned with palm tree wallpaper and with drink offerings like mojitos and daiquiris, this bar will temporarily transport you somewhere tropical.
lovers of today
east village / $$
sel rrose
lower east side / $$
With another location in Montauk, Sel Rrose is airy, pink, and chic. Elegant but unpretentious, Sel Rrose serves cocktails, champagne, and oysters, and is a much more refined option than its Delancey Street neighbors.
jungle bird
chelsea / $$
This tropical-themed, two-story bar on 8th Ave and 19th recently opened, and is already a popular, packed spot.
worthwild
chelsea / $$
The food here is very mediocre, but the atmosphere is cute and a good place for drinks.
joyface
east village / $$
anfora
west village / wine bar / $$
Another cute wine bar in the city that also offers an extensive cocktail menu. This is the sister bar of St. Tropez Wine Bar that’s just around the corner.
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st. tropez wine bar
soho / wine bar / $$
Grab a seat by the window and enjoy quality wine while people watching and peeking into the enviable townhouses across the street.
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speakeasies
straylight
nolita / $$
raines law room
flatiron + midtown / $$$
apotheke
chinatown / $$$
peachy’s
chinatown / $$$
Although I have only been here once, this tucked away bar in Chinatown has become one of my favorite places in the city to grab a drink. Decorated with cute neon signs, floral décor, Gucci wallpaper, and shelves of ceramics, this bar is equal parts trendy and low key.
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patent pending
flatiron / $$$
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blind barber
east village / $$
Located behind a barber shop on Avenue B, Blind Barber offers haircuts by day and drinks/djs by night.
dear irving
gramercy park / $$$
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My favorite speakeasy in the city! With three rooms decorated in the themes of three different eras (Great Gatsby, Lincoln, and Marie Antoinette), Dear Irving will transport you back in time in a fun but modern way.
la esquina
soho / $$
While there are two other La Esquina locations in the city (one in Midtown and one on the Upper East Side), they are solely dedicated to food, and they do not have the same hidden charm that the original Soho locale does. Located behind the basement kitchen of the Corner Deli (which FYI, their tacos are delicious and cheap), La Esquina is a spacious, dark, and sexy Mexican cocktail bar and restaurant.
dead rabbit
fidi / $$
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124 old rabbit club
west village / $
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bathtub gin
meatpacking / $$$
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fig et al
lower east side / $$$
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sake bar decibel
east village / $$
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please don’t tell
east village / $$$
This place took my speakeasy virginity.
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the garret
west village + east village / $$
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little branch
west village / $$
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death & co
west village / $$
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rooftops
last light
lower east side / $$
Atop the Sister City Hotel in LES, this relatively new rooftop bar is a happening but unpretentious bar with a great view of the New York skyline.
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the crown
chinatown / $$
Located on an unassuming area on Bowery, this rooftop boasts a surprisingly good view along with a low-key crowd and reasonable drink prices.
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gallow green
chelsea / $$
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wythe hotel
williamsburg / $$
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westlight
williamsburg / $$
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harriet’s rooftop
dumbo / $$
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dance vibes
pulqueria
chinatown / mexican / $$
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tijuana picnic
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kind regards
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house of yes
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schimanski
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the woods
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et al
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freehold
williamsburg
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babies all right
williamsburg
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china chalet
fidi / $
outdoor bars
pig beach
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gilligan’s
soho / $$
frying pan
brooklyn barge
williamsburg
This fun bar is only open seasonally (May - October)
d.b.a.
east village / beer / $
You can byo food and your dog to this bar, so what more could you need/want?
loreley beer garden
lower east side / beer / $$