Although New Yorkers may not have invented cocktails, they have certainly made it their business to perfect the craft and come up with some of the best cocktail bars in the city.
NYC has ideal cocktail destinations you can choose from, such as dive bars and underground speakeasy bars.
These locations are perfect for a festive evening with friends and family or holding romantic anniversaries.
Take a look at some of the best cocktail bars in NYC.
The Dead Rabbit
30 Water St, New York, NY 10004
Phone: (646) 422-7906
Visit Website
Formerly a Manhattan’s secret, The Dead Rabbit is well known for its impeccable tavern-inspired cocktail menu, Irish coffee, and bottled punch.
The Dead Rabbit is one of the many fun places to get a drink, enjoy the lively service, and book the Parlor for private events.
If you want to hold a large gathering the Occasional Room holds up to 60 guests where individuals can wine and dine to their fill.
Death & Company
433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
Phone: (212) 388-0882
Visit Website
Located in East Village, Death & Company was first opened in NYC during the cocktail resurgence.
This casual bar is a top pick for individuals who love spirits and cocktails. It is also a well-known coffee bar where individuals can have breakfast and lunch daily.
Remember, customers are only served on a first-come, first-served basis allowing clients a fair turn in their orders.
LB
20 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 929-4360
Visit Website
Established in 2005, LB is one of the trendiest NYC places to have drinks. It is famously known for its impeccable cocktail bar in West Village.
The cocktail bar is open from 6 pm to 1 am from Sunday to Wednesday and up to 2 am from Thursday to Saturday.
Mace
35 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011
Phone: (347) 866-7739
Visit Website
If you are looking for an Upscale bar in NYC, then Mace is an ideal choice. It has served as one of the world’s best bars since its opening in 2015 by the celebrated French bartender Nico De Soto and Greg Boehm.
Mace has an award-winning menu consisting of the Mace cocktail constituting the aperol, beet juice, orange acid, mace mist aquavit, and young Thai coconut cordial.
Employees Only
510 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 242-3021
Visit Website
Employees Only is a sexy but trendy speakeasy opened in 2004 by five friends, Henry, Dushan, Igor, Jay, and Billy.
They wanted a place where they could focus on making well-crafted cocktails and provide exquisite food creating a community of believers.
It has won “World’s Best Cocktail Bar” and “World’s Best Drinks Selection” awards.
BAR GOTO
245 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
Visit Website
Bar Goto is an upscale bar comprised of Japanese heritage. It is located on Houston Street Bedlam on Eldridge Street in New York.
Bar Goto serves its customers on a first-come, first-serve basis and is well known for its outstanding Japanese cocktails, including the Yuzu-Sansho sour Sakura Martini, and the Koji-San.
Raines Law Room
Multiple Locations
Visit Website
With Multiple locations in New York, including 17th and 39th Street, Raines Law Room Chelsea and The William are upscale bars and restaurants.
It spots a dark interior design, with an intimate and comfortable atmosphere where you can drink and dine with friends and family.
You can enjoy drinking and making a Chalet Spice or Garden Paloma.
Clover Club
210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 855-7939
Visit Website
Clover Bar has served as one of the top cocktail bars in Brooklyn, New York, since 2008. From the looks of it, you would think it is a dive bar.
However, it is a casual cocktail bar with a hospitable environment, a neighborhood vibe, live jazz music, and cozy back rooms with fireplace and woody interiors.
Katana Kitten
531 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (347) 866-7739
Visit Website
Katana Kitten is another one of the best cocktail bars in NYC.
It is a trendy Japanese bar in Hudson thanks to the talented mixologist Masahiro Urushido known for his impeccable cocktails, including the hinoki martini, amaretto sour, and the panda fizz.
At Katana, be ready to ask for a second round of cocktails.
Overstory
70 Pine St 64th Floor, New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 339-3963
Visit Website
Do you live in New York City’s financial district and are looking for fun places? Look no further than the Overstory, located on the 64th floor of 70 Pine Street.
It is surrounded by a 360-degree view of the NYC skyline, making it a suitable place to have romantic evenings with a glass of Silverado or Gemini cocktail.
Attaboy
134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
Visit Website
Located on Eldridge Street, Attaboy is a trendy bar that spots a rustic but welcoming small interior space perfect for having cocktails and wine.
It was formerly a famous speakeasy in Lower East Side, NYC. Years later, Sam Ross and Michael Mcllroy took over and created some of the best drinks, such as the famous Greenpoint cocktail and espresso pours.
Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar
310 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (917) 261-6908
Visit Website
Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar is an upscale and trendy bar. It takes up the 40th and 41St floors inside the Aliz Hotel and has plenty of space to hold large celebrations.
The space features floor-to-ceiling windows, impressive rooftop views of NYC, and velvet couches perfect for having cocktails and rich conversations.
Eavesdrop
674 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Visit Website
Brooklyn residents love Eavesdrop for their crafty cocktail mixes, small-plated cuisines, and natural wines.
The space is well-curated with cutting-edge interior and upscale designs. It spots a perfectly dim-lit cocktail bar and other sitting areas for music lovers to enjoy slow music as they drink.
Martiny’s
121 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003
Visit Website
Martiny’s is the right place to be should you want a place that can exceed your drinking expectations. It is an upscale bar located at 121 E Street, New York.
The bar is famous for its cocktails crafted by mixologist enthusiast Takuma Watanabe and its small plates prepared by Wayne Cheng.
Bemelmans Bar
35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 744-1600
Visit Website
Spotting the Ludwig Bemelmans masterpiece murals in its interior space, the Bemelmans is an upscale bar that draws in business moguls, socialites, and politicians.
You can enjoy its extensive live entertainment from renowned pianists and jazz trios.
You can also enjoy their famous cocktail selection, JFK daiquiri or Ludwig’s Bunny Negroni.
Please Don’t Tell
113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
Phone: (212) 614-0386
Visit Website
Please Don’t Tell is a trailblazer bar that opened in the East Village in 2007. PDT is famously known for its inaccessibility in the city and its cocktails.
However, once you do, you will be amazed by how trendy the bar looks. It is just a perfect example of speakeasies.
The Nines
9 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 421-5575
Visit Website
If you enjoy drinking to piano music, then The Nines is the right place to spend your evenings after work. Located at the 9 Great Jones, the bar has a calm and warm interior.
You can enjoy a few rounds of their impressive cocktails, such as the N*9 Martini, Hemingway Daquiri, or the Paloma, and call it a perfect evening.
NOTHING REALLY MATTERS
210 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
Visit Website
Located along the 50th Street station, Nothing Really Matters is a NYC-themed cocktail bar that offers a perfect escape when on long journeys.
You can pass time at its disco or bar sections as you wait for the next train or when waiting for your company to arrive at the station.
Some of their popular cocktails you should try, include the Fearless Girl and Belmont.
Amor Y Amargo
95 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Phone: (833) 328-4588
Visit Website
Amor Y Amargo was opened in 2011 by Ravi DeRossi and Sother Teague and termed Wine Enthusiast’s Mixologists of the Year in 2017.
Amor was one of the trendy first-bitters bars in America and is well-known for its aromatic cocktails.
So, if you want a drink with group of friends or loved ones, please visit Amor Y Amargo.
Final Thoughts
From creative cocktail innovations to the regular drinks you love, NYC has cocktail bars for every person.
If you want to hold romantic evenings at the Overstory or enjoy evening cocktails in Clover Club, each of these cocktail bars is excellent no matter your company.
Did we miss any of your favorite cocktail bars in NYC? Let us know in the comments below.
Best Cocktail Bars in NYC
- The Dead Rabbit
- Death & Company
- LB
- Mace
- Employees Only
- BAR GOTO
- Raines Law Room
- Clover Club
- Katana Kitten
- Overstory
- Attaboy
- Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar
- Eavesdrop
- Martiny’s
- Bemelmans Bar
- Please Don’t Tell
- The Nines
- NOTHING REALLY MATTERS
- Amor Y Amargo
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings