Paul Kushner
New York City has something for everyone. No matter how specific your niche, New York’s endless list of attractions and events will satisfy every interest, taste, and age.
One of the most renowned aspects of New York’s cultural offerings is its restaurant and bar scene. The NYC bar scene is the best example of how diverse the city is.
If your pleasure is whiskey, there isn’t just one whiskey bar, but a long list of Whiskey bars in NYC that you can explore below.
The Whiskey Ward
121 Essex St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (646) 682-9016
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The Whiskey Ward is a cozy whiskey bar in a wooden floored, brick-walled space with billiards and a long wooden bar.
Located on the Lower East Side, The Whiskey Ward has been lauded by Food and Wine, Buzzfeed, New York Magazine, and more for their incredible whiskey and bourbon selection.
They have hundreds of whiskeys and bourbons from America, Canada, and Ireland, not to mention craft cocktails, beer, and wine. I recommend ordering a whiskey flight.
Brandy Library
25 N Moore St Frnt 1, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 226-5545
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Located in the heart of Tribeca in a sleek and sexy bar space that looks like a library, Brandy Library is a classy cocktail bar with one of my favorite atmospheres in the city.
The walls are lined with shelves displaying spirit bottles instead of books. A spirit sommelier will help you pick the best alcoholic flight or beverage to suit your tastes.
Great Jones Distilling Co. & The Grid Restaurant
686 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (332) 910-9880
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Great Jones Distilling Co and The Grid Restaurant is a massive complex in NoHo a few blocks from the Washington Square Arch with a distillery, multiple bars, a liquor store, and a restaurant.
Visitors can take a tour of the distillery to learn all about whiskey distillation before heading to the bar to sample a whiskey flight paired with small plates from local kitchens and vendors.
Nancy Whiskey Pub
1 Lispenard St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 226-9943
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Nancy Whiskey Pub is a dingy Irish dive bar with welcoming service, a lively atmosphere, and graffiti-covered bathrooms.
Nancy Whiskey Pub has been a Tribeca institution since 1967, featured as one of New York’s treasures in New York Magazine. They offer cheap whiskey, Guinness, and other beer, cocktails, and American bar fare.
The Whiskey on Grand
524 Grand St #3503, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (347) 725-4386
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The Whiskey on Grand is a fashionable Whiskey Bar in an industrial space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with numerous flat-screen TVs broadcasting sports games interspersed with old-school calligraphed neon lights.
The Whiskey on Grand offers a full menu of American pub fares like wings, tacos, sandwiches, and loaded fries. They have ten beers on tap, along with an extensive whiskey selection with specials on different whiskeys every day.
Whiskey Tavern
79 Baxter St A, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 374-9119
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Located in a lively and friendly space in Chinatown, Whiskey Tavern is a cozy bar, lounge, and restaurant with a well-rounded menu of food, whiskey, beer, and cocktails.
Their whiskey list consists of Canadian, Irish, Japanese, and American whiskies and a variety of scotch, bourbon, and rye. I especially liked their Montreal Mule drink with rye, bitters, and ginger beer.
On the Rocks
696 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 247-2055
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On The Rocks is a cozy, laid-back whiskey and bourbon bar in Hell’s Kitchen. The warmly lit space is packed with whiskey lovers, with a lively atmosphere.
It’s a great place for socializing, meeting new people, and enjoying a great happy hour with friends. They also offer late-night meals to soak up the multiple whiskeys on the rocks you’ll have thrown back.
The Craic
488 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (347) 384-2772
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As the name implies, The Craic is an Irish whiskey pub in Williamsburg, a block from McCarren park. The comfortable and spacious interior has an Old-World tavern feel with limestone walls, billiards, and circular leather booths.
The Craic has dozens of types of Irish whiskey, bourbon, rye, and scotch, along with multiple beers on tap, cocktails, and a full food menu.
d.b.a.
41 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
Phone: (646) 707-0599
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d.b.a is a trendy beer bar with a great outdoor patio in the East Village, a few blocks from Tompkins Square Park. They have a covered backyard patio that’s dog friendly, with a cozy interior featuring board games, video games, trivia nights, and a great weekday happy hour.
Their beer list is impressive, but they have all the spirits along with a great deal on a whiskey shot with a beer.
Whiskey Trader
71 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 582-2223
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Located three blocks from Central Park in Midtown East, Whiskey Traders is a whiskey bar and lounge with a funky atmosphere and multiple rooms.
The lounge area’s walls are bordered with leather couches and flat-screen TVs to enjoy a delicious whiskey with friends while watching a sports game.
There’s also a game room upstairs. The menu features a long list of classic cocktails, a small selection of beer, and a well-rounded whiskey menu. They make a great Old Fashioned!
American Whiskey – Midtown
247 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 967-1070
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Overlooking Penn Station in Midtown, American Whiskey is a giant venue offering high-end cocktails, New American food, and one of the most extensive selections of whiskeys on my list.
The atmosphere is lively and welcoming. I had a flight of French whiskeys to accompany a plate of steak frites with black pepper jus and waffle fries.
The Whiskey Brooklyn
44 Berry St Store 4, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: (718) 387-8444
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The Whiskey Brooklyn is a chill, casual whiskey bar with TVs, basketball hoop games, and friendly and accommodating staff.
Located in Williamsburg, a block from McCarren Park, Whiskey Brooklyn has a solid list of whiskeys, ciders, beer, cocktails, and hearty pub fare.
They always have a great playlist, adding to the fun and cozy atmosphere.
Uptown Bourbon
3631 Broadway, New York, NY 10031
Phone: (646) 918-6627
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Located in Hamilton Heights, Uptown Bourbon is a charming neighborhood cocktail bar with old-school carved ceilings, brick walls, and interesting framed art pieces cluttering the walls.
They have a dog-friendly streetside patio. They offer comforting and delicious vegan meals to accompany a top-notch cocktail menu mixed by expert mixologists.
Copper & Oak
157 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 460-5546
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Teetering between the Lower East Side and The Bowery, Copper, and Oak is a stunning spirits bar specializing in Japanese whisky.
The beautiful design, classy atmosphere, and incredible menu of spirits have garnered acclaim from the Wall Street Journal, Whiskey Advocate, and Zagat, to name a few.
You won’t find cocktails at Copper and Oak, just the finest spirits from around the world.
Caledonia Bar
Multiple Locations
Phone: (646) 912-9277
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With locations in the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, Caledonia Bar is a cozy whiskey, beer, and cocktail bar with hundreds of whiskeys, bourbons, spirits, beer, wine, cocktails, and flights.
The bustling atmosphere is a fun place to share a flight, cocktail, and snacks with fellow whiskey lovers.
The Flatiron Room
37 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 725-3860
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The Flatiron Room is an upscale and extravagant cocktail bar with vintage chic décor, live jazz music, delicious high-end bar food, and a noteworthy whiskey menu.
Located in the heart of the Flatiron District, The Flatiron Room consistently wins Whisky Magazine and The Bourbon Review’s vote for Whiskey and Bourbon Bar of the year.
Library of Distilled Spirits
80 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (646) 878-0396
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Featured in the Wallstreet Journal, Eater, TimeOut, and the Gothamist, The Library of Distilled Spirits is a stunning, high-end cocktail bar inside the Hyatt Union Square in Greenwich Village.
It is a mid-century modern space modeled after a library featuring over 1000 bottles of spirits. I recommend trying a Manhattan cocktail with rye, bitters, and sweet vermouth.
You’ll even get the history of the cocktail typed on an old-school catalog card.
Hudson Bar and Books
636 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 229-2642
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Hudson Bar and Books is a West Village whiskey and cigar bar in an old-school space with a speakeasy vibe. The bartenders wear tuxedos, pouring delicious, expertly crafted classic cocktails.
They have a great list of classic, seasonal, and signature cocktails. I went during the winter and enjoyed a Spiced Hot Toddy with Irish whiskey, orange liquor, lemon, and spices.
William Barnacle Tavern
80 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 388-0388
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Located just west of Tompkins Square Park in NoHo, William Barnacle Tavern is a cozy Irish tavern with a historic, old-world feel.
They offer live Irish music, open-mic nights, trivia, and more. They even have black and white movies projected on the back wall.
They have a speakeasy-style menu with creative cocktails like the Sussex drink with black licorice and absinthe.
The Hamilton
998 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
Phone: (646) 912-9421
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The Hamilton is a cute Upper West Side Amerian Whiskey Bar with ample selections of beer, cocktails, and wine. The narrow and intimate bar is a laid-back hangout spot for locals and tourists alike.
I especially enjoyed their “brewsky” menu featuring a beer and whiskey pairing. I went for the Kings County Single Malt and Bronx Pale Ale.
Whiskey Town
29 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 505-7344
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Whiskey Town is a hip, divey whiskey bar in the East Village with a solid whiskey menu, cocktails, beer, and bar snacks.
They have a great happy 4-hour from Monday through Thursday with 4$ house whiskey shots and 10$ whiskey and pizza deals.
Final Thoughts
Whiskey bars in NYC run the gamut from stunning, opulent cocktail bars to historic dive bars. Whatever atmosphere you’re looking for, all the bars on my list offer a wonderful selection of whiskeys to satisfy any whiskey lover.
Let me know in the comments below which whiskey bar you enjoyed the most.
Best Whiskey Bars in NYC
- The Whiskey Ward
- Brandy Library
- Great Jones Distilling Co. & The Grid Restaurant
- Nancy Whiskey Pub
- The Whiskey on Grand
- Whiskey Tavern
- On the Rocks
- The Craic
- d.b.a.
- Whiskey Trader
- American Whiskey – Midtown
- The Whiskey Brooklyn
- Uptown Bourbon
- Copper & Oak
- Caledonia Bar
- The Flatiron Room
- Library of Distilled Spirits
- Hudson Bar and Books
- William Barnacle Tavern
- The Hamilton
- Whiskey Town
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