Picking New York City’s best cocktail bars is an exercise in diplomacy: There are simply too many amazing bars in this town to avoid leaving someone’s favorite off the list. That said, whether you’re playing an escape in the city or a veteran local, any one of the following picks is guaranteed to knock your socks off. Ready to give both your liver and credit card a workout? The below guide – just the beginning when it comes to discovering the best cocktail bars in New York City – can help you get a head-start on your in-town adventures.
Attaboy Boilermaker Employee’s Only The NoMad
| Name | Location | Description |
| The Dead Rabbit | 30 Water St. | Cocktail nerds will think they’ve died and gone to heaven walking into this Financial District gem, which is lined floor to ceiling with a dizzying array of bitters, liqueurs, and other potent potions. Its Celtic roots make for one of the city’s best Irish whiskey selections, while the cocktail menu is a masterclass in historic cocktail culture. Enjoy a crafted cocktail creation in the upstairs parlor, or tip back a pint in the downstairs taproom. |
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113 St. Mark’s Pl. (behind Crif Dogs) | From the street, it looks like a hot dog stand, but pass through the phone booth in the back (provided you called for a reservation) and you’ll find one of the defining bars of the NYC cocktail renaissance (not to mention some incredible cocktails on-site as well). Despite its formality, there is a pleasingly laid-back vibe to this venue once you have obtained a seat. You can even order hot dogs and fries in from next door. |
| Little Branch | 20 7th Ave. S. | Upon entering this nondescript building on a corner in the West Village, and heading down the stairs, you’ll find yourself in an entirely different, more amenable world. This cool, capacious gem was started by NYC’s cocktail godfather, the late Sasha Petraske. True to Petraske’s mission, you’ll find an excellent seasonally-driven menu, a supremely service-driven wait staff, and accommodating bartenders who will tailor your drink to your personal palate. |
| Attaboy | 134 Eldridge St. | After Petraske’s Milk and Honey vacated this space in 2013, two of his former employees took it over and turned it into a more laid-back version, getting rid of the strict reservations system. An incredible before or after dinner stop on the ultimate NYC date night itinerary, you’ll want to make a point to swing by. |
| Boilermaker | 13 First Avenue | When the upstart ‘70’s-themed uber-hipster cocktail mecca Golden Cadillac closed after just eight months, New Yorkers feared their beloved cocktail revolution had hit an ebb tide. When the same owners re-opened just months later as Boilermaker, there were sighs of relief all around, partially due to the fact that Boilermaker is far lower key than your typical craft cocktail joint. Though you can still get an impeccably made drink here (one of the owners is a founder of barware company Cocktail Kingdom), the menu is also packed with interesting shot-and-beer combos (hence the name). Not only are prices friendlier, the vibe is more “ayy Smitty!” than “sorry sir, no jeans.” |
| Temple Bar | 332 Lafayette St. | Trends come and trends go, but Temple bar remains. A high-end cocktail bar before high-end cocktail bars were cool, this dark, moody space is all about perfect drinks, and giving you the kind of privacy required for serious business or serious romance. |
| Pegu Club | 77 W. Houston St. | A modern classic, Pegu Club is a veteran of the cocktail wars of the last 15 years. Remarkably, its decor has kept up with the times by determinedly placing itself outside of time – specifically, in a British colonial officer’s club in Burma during the late 19th century. An atmospheric and energetic space, it’s a great launching pad for an epic evening on the town. |
| Employees Only | 510 Hudson St. | Breeze past the “psychic reader” storefront and you’ll find a true art-deco cocktail treasure that also features a high-level food menu. In a city whose cocktail bars thrive on exclusivity, this is one that wants to let you in on the secret. Stick around ‘til 3:45 and you’ll be treated to the bar’s traditional late-night remedy: a complimentary cup of chicken soup. |
| 433 E 6th St. | If you’re looking for the full speakeasy experience, you are the reason Death + Co. was created. This dark and moody space is away from prying eyes and features a massive whiskey-forward drinks menu. David Kaplan’s romantic and intimate space has been awarded just about everything that can be awarded. It’s a must for true cocktilians. | |
| Angel’s Share | 8 Stuyvesant St., 2nd fl | Sure, New York City was influential in the global cocktail renaissance, but as it was getting going, NYC was also taking its cues from Japan. Tucked behind a nondescript door near the entrance of a Japanese Restaurant, the teeny-tiny Angel’s Share (it only seats parties of four or fewer) is easy to miss, but hard to forget, with impeccably crafted libations served in an elegant, almost somber atmosphere. If you can get in, you won’t regret it. If you can’t, head down the street to their “annex” bar, upstairs from the Sharaku restaurant at 14 Stuyvesant. |
| The NoMad | 10 W. 28th St. | Yes, it’s a hotel bar. No, that shouldn’t stop you from visiting. The atmosphere is clubby, but laid back, and the service and drinks are impeccable. If you’re with a group, the bar’s large-format drinks are a must. If you’re traveling light, make sure to check out the venue’s selection of innovative barrel-aged cocktails. As a bonus, you can pick your vibe, from the stand-up Elephant Bar to the plush Library Room to the tavern-style overflow space next door. It’s only been open since 2014, but has quickly become one of the city’s gold-standard gin joints. |
For more of New York City’s best cocktail bars and lounges, also see:
Executive Editor Scott Alexander has been writing and editing for over two decades at publications from Playboy to Popular Science. A seasoned publishing industry vet, he works up and down the East Coast and plays wherever they'll have him.
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