My Bartender
New York City is on every traveler’s bucket list, with endless attractions and activities for every taste, interest, and age group. For every one of drinking age, New York has one of the best bar and nightlife scenes on earth.
If you’re traveling with a crowd, you’ll feel cramped in many of the tiny bars. I’ve provided the following list of the best bars for groups in NYC that offer a diverse range of atmospheres, drinks, and plenty of space!
The Jeffrey Craft Beer & Bites
311 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 355-2337
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The Jeffrey Craft Beer & Bites is a Michelin Guide-recommended bar and kitchen in the Upper East Side a block from Bloomingdales. They offer a casual and lively atmosphere in their industrial bar area and outdoor patio.
The Jeffrey offers 19 tap beers from microbreweries, over 30 bottles from international and domestic breweries, wine, cocktails, and a full menu of tasty snacks, salads, tacos, sandwiches, and brunch.
Nowadays
56-06 Cooper Ave, Queens, NY 11385
Phone: (347) 523-8535
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Featured in Thrillist and the Infatuation for their incredible outdoor patio, Nowadays is a beer garden in the heart of Queens, overlooking Knollwood Park Cemetery.
Nowadays is a laid-back beer garden for day drinkers and a lively DJ-fueled party by night. They have a 12-beer tap list, plus numerous cans, classic cocktails, and spirits to accompany a menu of appetizers, sandwiches, and ramen.
Fools Gold NYC
145 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 673-2337
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Located in The Bowery district of Manhattan, Fools Gold is a casual, gritty gastropub with over-the-top bar food and a long list of craft beers, cocktails, and whiskeys.
There’s an event every day of the week at Fools Gold, whether it’s trivia night, board game night, or dance parties.
Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar
310 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (917) 261-6908
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Dear Irving is a swanky, beautifully designed indoor and outdoor rooftop bar on the top floor of the Aliz Hotel in Midtown.
The opulent mid-century modern interior offers a cocktail list to match its elegance, while the open-air rooftop offers spectacular views of the city.
I had a delicious creative bourbon cocktail with friends as we watched the sunset over the Hudson.
Ampersand
294 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 477-8100
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Teetering between Murray Holl and Kips Bay, a block from Gramercy Park, Ampersand is a classy and welcoming cocktail bar with a vintage meets industrial chic design.
They offer creative cocktails, a wide selection of beer and wine, and a small selection of Southwestern-inspired small plates.
I loved their Amperoni, a tropical take on the classic Negroni, to accompany a plate of pork tacos.
Royale
157 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009
Phone: (212) 254-6600
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Royale is a popular East Village joint for delicious burgers and high-end cocktails. The Infatuation voted Royale’s cute outdoor patio the best outdoor patio bar in New York.
They offer a seasonal cocktail list, 12 beers on tap, and 13 cans from independent and domestic breweries. The real star of the show at Royale is the food, with bowls of chili, decadent mac and cheese dishes, and the most extravagant burgers I’ve tasted.
Loreley Beer Garden
7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 253-7077
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Loreley Beer Garden is a longstanding Lower East Side Biergarten that purports to be the first of its kind in New York City. The giant outdoor patio is open year-round, with heating and covered options for inclement weather.
Loreley Beer Garden is a German-inspired beer garden with 12 imported German beers on tap, along with local brews, spirits, and cocktails. They also have an authentic German pub fare menu.
Harlem Tavern
2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026
Phone: (212) 866-4500
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A favorite Harlem pub, Harlem Tavern is a family-friendly neighborhood bar and restaurant with a covered outdoor beer garden.
Their upscale American gastropub menu is as diverse and impressive as their beer list, with everything from Truffle Burgers to fried chicken and waffles.
I went for a summery whiskey drink called the Honey Badger, with Jack Daniels, honey, lemon, and peach puree.
The Delancey | Best Downtown NYC Rooftop
168 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 254-9920
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Named for the Lower East Side’s main artery avenue, The Delancey is a trendy lounge with a rooftop bar and live music.
The fashionably designed space has multiple rooms with vintage wallpaper and cozy booths. They offer a range of spirits, champagne, and cocktails with an authentic Mexican food menu.
The Wren
344 Bowery, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 388-0148
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Located in NoHo a quick walk from Washington Square Park, The Wren is a quaint gastropub that’s received praise from Wine Enthusiast, The New York Times, Eater. Imbibe, and more.
Its cozy atmosphere and delicious food and drink program make them a favorite spot for group dinners, lunches, and brunches.
The Winslow
243 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 777-7717
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The Winslow is a British-style pub and gin bar overlooking Stuyvesant Square in Gramercy. They offer over 40 different brands of gin and authentic British pub food along with scratch-made American bites in a refined, old-world atmosphere.
I went for their Happy Hour to take advantage of their cheap gin and tonics to wash down a Scotch Egg.
Kingston Hall
149 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 673-2663
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Kingston Hall is a Jamaican-style cocktail bar and event space in a large, multi-room event space in the East Village. Each room is impeccably designed with different décor, from modern to vintage-chic.
Kingston Hall offers a wide list of beer on tap, bottled Jamaican and independent brews, classic and tropical cocktails, and a great Caribbean-inspired food menu.
I recommend the Island Sliders with a bottle of Red Stripe.
Attaboy
134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
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Attaboy is a hip cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe in The Bowery. Its super narrow, shotgun space manages to accommodate cozy booths for crowds.
It also has an intimate, heated outdoor patio. Attaboy has been featured in various NYC guides for its cool vibe and unique no-menu format.
Porchlight
271 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 981-6188
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Located in Chelsea, a block from Hudson River Park, Porchlight is a fun, high-end cocktail bar from Southern owners who have created a food and drink menu to honor their roots.
Porchlight features live music and happenings weekly along with a great happy hour every day of the week for at least 4 hours! I went for a delicious Mint Julep.
Ramona
113 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: (347) 227-8164
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Ramona is an elegant and understated cocktail bar in Greenpoint, Brooklyn offering craft cocktails, classic cocktails, frozen drinks, and a modest selection of wine and beer.
The atmosphere and quality of the drinks at Ramona make it a popular spot for wedding rehearsal parties, happy hours, and other group gatherings.
Spritzenhaus33
33 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: (347) 987-4632
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Another Greenpoint institution, Spritzenhaus33 is a German restaurant and beer garden in a massive indoor-outdoor warehouse overlooking McCarren Park.
Their long list of beers and cocktails makes the perfect pairing for an authentic menu of German snacks and multi-course meals. I loved their house-made Bavarian pretzels with mustard.
d.b.a.
41 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
Phone: (646) 707-0599
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d.b.a. is an East Village beer bar with an impressive list of beers from all over the world, a dog-friendly covered outdoor patio, and a fun, divey interior.
The interior has Nintendo and arcade games along with flat-screen TVs for you to play while your furry friends lounge on the floor.
They offer 16 artisanal brews on tap, not to mention countless cans and bottles and a full spirits list.
Juke Bar
196 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 228-7464
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Another East Village favorite, Juke Bar is a kitschy and fun cocktail bar that has live music, delicious cocktails, and a two-story outdoor patio. They have Trivia Nights every Monday and Comedy on Tuesdays, not to mention dance parties all weekend.
They are a favorite bar for birthday celebrations, offering expertly mixed cocktails and tasty small bites like pigs in a blanket, chicken tenders, and giant soft pretzels.
The Dead Rabbit
30 Water St, New York, NY 10004
Phone: (646) 422-7906
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Featured in Departures and Thrillist magazines’ city guides, The Dead Rabbit is a cozy gastropub with award-winning food and an impressive list of classic and creative cocktails.
Located in the heart of the Financial District, The Dead Rabbit offers authentic Irish, British, and American pub fare along with an 18-beer tap list, countless cocktails, and more.
Raines Law Room Chelsea
48 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011
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Raines Law Room Chelsea is an old-school speakeasy with elegant décor and award-winning cocktails. Their multi-room bar will transport you back in time to the 20s, with wood-carved walls, antique light fixtures, and velvet furniture.
I loved their elaborate cocktail list with some of the most creative mixed drinks you’ll taste.
Subject
188 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (646) 422-7898
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Subject is a Lower East Side neighborhood cocktail bar with a cozy, laid-back atmosphere modeled off a typical NYC living room.
They offer a high-end cocktail list using locally sourced ingredients. They also have a modest list of local microbrews, natural wines, and an impressive spirits selection.
Their Oaxacan Old Fashioned may be the best mezcal and tequila beverage I’ve had in the Big Apple.
The Spaniard
190 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 918-1986
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The Spaniard is a West Village pub located a few blocks from the famous Washington Square Arch. It has a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, a refined urban chic dining space, and a great outdoor covered patio.
The Spaniard offers New American menus for lunch, dinner, and brunch. They also have a wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Their whiskey and tequila/mezcal list were especially impressive.
The Tippler
425 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011
Phone: (917) 261-7949
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Located in the cellar space of New York’s famous Chelsea Market, The Tippler is a beautifully designed vintage-chic cocktail bar.
The atmosphere is worth the trip, with a stunning recreation of an old library with preserved antique fixtures and furniture.
The cocktails are sophisticated and delicious, reminiscent of opulent speakeasy menus.
142 Sullivan Bar
142 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 477-2404
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142 Sullivan Bar is a SoHo wine, beer, and cocktail bar with a funky yet fashionable atmosphere. The rustic interior has old-world décor, often projecting silent films on the back wall at night.
They offer European-style small plates to accompany an interesting list of wine, beer, and cocktails.
St Tropez Soho
194 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (917) 261-4441
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St Tropez is a French-owned wine bar and French Eatery in the West Village with a charming rustic-chic atmosphere in a high-ceilinged space.
They have over 40 selections of wine by the glass to accompany a decadent multi-course French meal prepared by a Michelin Starred head chef from Paris.
Final Thoughts
If you are traveling with family and friends, my list of the best bars for groups in NYC has the space to accommodate you!
Whether you’re looking for a beer garden, speakeasy, or rooftop bar, you’ll find a wealth of different atmospheres to choose from.
Let me know which bar you like the most in the comments below!
Best Bars for Groups in NYC
- The Jeffrey Craft Beer & Bites
- Nowadays
- Fools Gold NYC
- Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar
- Ampersand
- Royale
- Loreley Beer Garden
- Harlem Tavern
- The Delancey | Best Downtown NYC Rooftop
- The Wren
- The Winslow
- Kingston Hall
- Attaboy
- Porchlight
- Ramona
- Spritzenhaus33
- d.b.a.
- Juke Bar
- The Dead Rabbit
- Raines Law Room Chelsea
- Subject
- The Spaniard
- The Tippler
- 142 Sullivan Bar
- St Tropez Soho
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