The best bars in NYC right now

What is it? A laid-back, '70s-ish-style bar where snacking is half of the fun.

Why we love it: With a name like Bar Snack, you kind of have to have good snacks, yes? Luckily, this East Village bar makes good on its promise with pickle-dusted cheese curds and a Spice Bag (emblazoned with a logo fashioned like the Spice Girls) that hides a steaming center of chicken tendies, fries and pepper, curry sauce included. But bar is in the name, too, right? And what a rousing round of cocktails you'll find with riffs on whiskey sours with raspberry and smooth heads of Guinness, tiny tini's (cutely named, Snaquiri) and a particular frozen we'd dain to drink any time of the year: The Mama Tried with triple citrus sorbet with Derrumbes mezcal, St. Germain and Chartreuse.

Time Out tip: Bring your phone when you go to the bathroom. Mirrored walls, strobe lights and the classic stylings of Whitney Houston call for a selfie.

Address: 92 Second Ave, New York, NY 10003 

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 2pm–1am; Fri–Sat 2pm–2am

What is it? A red-lit Mexican-American cocktail bar from hospitality veteran Ignacio Nacho Jimenez.

Why we love it: With a year and some change under its belt, Superbueno has racked up some super good accolades. In 2024 alone, it was named one of the top bars by Food & Wine and nabbed the number two spot for the World’s Best 50 Bars North America—and for good reason. Margaritas are blackened thanks to a blend of huitlacoche and mole, and mezcal meets mole in the Mole Negroni. On top of it all, this Lower East hang is all about fun with tunes and conga lines extending well into the evening.

Time Out tip: Green Mango Martini is one of the best martinis out there right now, period. 

Address: 13 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–2am; Fri–Sun 2pm-2am

What is it? A tropical-themed speakeasy found above Gage & Tollner. 

Why we love it? Sohui Kim, Ben Schneider and St. John Frizell’s glittering Gage & Tollner revival was one of NYC’s best new restaurants of 2021, and the team followed that smashing success with Sunken Harbor Club upstairs. The permanent addition picks up where Frizell’s weekly parties of the same name left off at Fort Defiance when the Red Hook favorite relocated. Sunken Harbor Club’s new forever space has dramatic, enchanted shipwreck themes and studied drink menus as deep as the sea, thanks to chief cocktail officer Garret Richard on deck. 

Time Out tip: Closing time is a performance in itself, as bartenders ring bells, flash lights and fill the bar with fog as this ship is coming to a close. 

Address: 372 Fulton Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight

What is it? A humming, two-in-one cocktail bar run by a bunch of schmucks.

Why we love it: Have you peeped the line running down 1st Avenue? That's all thanks to the schmucks who work at, well, schmuck. The same team that previously ran the award-winning Barcelona bar, Two Schmucks, made it stateside a few years back with the dream of doing it all again, but in NYC. After nearly a year of waiting, the bar debuted in the winter of this year. It was well worth the wait with cocktails that tasted like fennel and tomato salads, and cinnamon buns with a side of coffee.  

Time Out tip: No reservation? Put your name down and walk to the second bar next door, also owned by schmuck., which has its own round of drinks to choose from. 

Address: 97 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 4pm–close

What is it? An experimental lounge from a legend of the cocktail world, where koji-fermented sours and snail-infused brambles are commonplace.   

Why we love it: We would be drawn to Seed Library for its vintage swagger alone, as the bar keys into a 1960s aesthetic with velvet seating and tons and tons of vinyl. But it is the cocktails that continue to draw us to the underground lounge with unfiltered martinis that lean on the humble potato for a sweet, almost coconutty-like finish, and an incredibly fun update on the whiskey sour, billed as the koji hardshake, with savory miso that drinks smooth with the addition of cream, sugar and an egg white. 

Time Out tip: There are two ways to access the bar here. If you are out on 30th Street, look for the bright orange door. Or, if you happen to find yourself dining at Park Rose, head downstairs and instead of turning right to go toward the bathrooms, head left past the elevators and you'll soon see the gold letters "Seed Library" written on the wall. 

Address: 51 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–1am

What is it? A slip of a bar where Sunny Lee's banchan has drawn the masses. 

Why we love it: Sunn's is small—small enough that bumping into your neighbor is more of a promise and a reservation is much required. And yet, there is more than enough space for Sunny Lee to make something special. Following her successful pop-up, Banchan by Sunny, her 16-seat spot in Chinatown follows the same drum, billed as "a little place for banchan and wine." Sunn's does that so, so well, as little bowls of banchan feature rotating kimchi and chewy and sweetened candied squid, which is one of the best bites of the bunch. The tteokbokki—you know, that one dish you've likely seen on TikTok and the 'gram—is as good as it looks with a sweet tomato sauce, a savory hit of gochujang butter and a layer of stracciatella for all the pulling. The neighboring bar, Parcelle Wine, brings it home with a curated selection of wines, Korean lagers, and soju.    

Time Out tip: Peep the daily specials on the chalkboard behind the counter. Order at least one and be satisfied. 

Address: 139 Division Street, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5-10pm

What is it? A speakeasy-ish bar that has helped to defined the genre. 

Why we love it: An NYC classic (of somewhat recent origin; Attaboy opened in the famed Milk and Honey space in 2012), this LES cocktail leader has a speakeasy vibe, a steel-brushed bar and some of the best drinks in town to top it with. The sky is the limit here as there is no menu, and that is no problem. Make friendly with the bartender and dish about your likes and dislikes or even rattle off some verbs (we've seen it—it works) and the staff will whip up something to your liking. 

Time Out tip: Walk-ins are always welcomed, but if you'd rather not waiting outside, the bar saves some reservations on Opentable. And now that the bar has absorbed its sister bar, there is more space to be had. 

Address: 134 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Daily 5pm-3am

What is it? A bi-level bar from two internationally known talents. 

Why we love it: Shingo Gokan's and Steve Schneider's bar houses two experiences under one roof. Down below, Gokan's bar pays tribute to the first samurai who returned to U.S. soil at Sip, with precision-based cocktails like the Mirepoix and Dirty Mango martini. Upstairs, there is a bit more fun to be had at Guzzle, with a spinning disco ball that comes out to play when you order their oversized espresso martini and a bell that rings when the vibe is right.

Time Out tip: The thinnest bikini sandwich (a well-known tapas in Spain) exists at Guzzle. Pressed between two stroopwaffles with Iberico ham and cheese, the snack alone is well worth the visit.

Address: 29 Cornelia Street, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Sun, Tue 4pm–1am; Wed–Sat 4pm–2am

What is it? A dual concept bar that's been consistently ranked on The World's 50 Best Bars list.

Why we love it: What first began as a vintage Volkswagen minibus tour around the United States became a brick-and-mortar destination in late 2020. Cocktails go beyond the classics with tipples like the Japanese Cold Noodle and Mango Sticky Rice. Reservations are necessary, as walk-ins can be hard to find. 

Time Out tip: The front bar, Free Range, has just as much fun, whipping up cartoon-inspired cocktails. 

Address: 115 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–1am; Fri, Sat 5pm–1:30am; Sun 5pm–midnight

What is it? A first standalone bar that follows in the same swanky step as their sister concepts, Cote and COQODAQ.  

Why we love it: Simon Kim set out to make one of New York's best martinis, and by gosh, we think he's done it. It is easy to dive into the technicalities with the bartender, as the ice here is refiltered and remineralized for a perfect dilution and the glasses, be it the wide-brimmed or the lithe kind, are nice and chilled. But this three-headed beast does more than just martinis, as the front bar is married to wine, and the other tips its hat to all things whiskey. You can get a dining deal here too, for a $95 feast of wagyu corn dogs, spring-y lettuce cups and steak frites. 

Time Out tip: Regardless of what liquor you find in your glass, make sure you find the salt bread at your table. It's buttery and flaky, with the right bit of salt at the tail end for a memorable bite. 

Address: 550 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022

Opening hours: Daily 5-11pm

What is it? The ground floor hotel lobby bar is found inside The Beekman. 

Why we love it: Visit the beautiful Bar Room in the historic Beekman Hotel for high-key romance that really wows. The soaring atrium locale is ornate from its soaring ceiling down to the bar, which is topped with martinis and all manner of other classic and creative cocktails. Tables, armchairs and large booths populate the rest of the space, should you wish to sink in a little longer. 

Time Out tip: Weekenders can and should check out the jazz brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Address: 5 Beekman Street, New York, NY 10038

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 7am–11pm; Fri, Sat 7am–1am

What is it? The Wythe Hotel's sixth-floor bar that gives justice to the hotel bar.

Why we love it: Bar Blondeau is a handsome find in Williamsburg, found six stories up above. Panoramic views of Manhattan can be had with just a swivel of the head, whether you stay inside the green-tiled and blond wood bar or take to the shrub-heavy terrace with umbrellas that keep things breezy. Overseeing Le Crocodile down below, executive chef and partner Aidan O’Neal's dishes also climb up to the roof, pleasing us with buttery scallops in a wonderful zippy broth, charcuterie plates and a round of burrata dressed in all things seasonal (this time, with peaches and melon).

Time Out tip: Steak frites are included in the latest summer edition and only ring in at $29. Steak and a view? How much more romantic can you get?  

Address: 80 Wythe Ave, 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat 2pm–midnight; Sun 1pm–midnight

What is it? "A Pretty Good Bar" in Williamsburg from two Grand Army Bar vets, where you can find blueberry pancake margs by day and disco hangs and highballs by night. 

Why we love it: For their first bar, Patty Dennison and Ally Marrone wanted to bring a divey, diner-y and neighborhood hang to Williamsburg. And they certainly nailed it with a bar that is, like the name suggests, kinda nice! Retro dinette tables and an awesome collection of knickknacks on the top floor (peep and be jealous of the deviled egg clock) are where you'll want to knock back amaro-laced frozen cherry colas and clarified numbers that drink like Peachy O's but with an undertone of smoky mezcal. But if you'd rather a late-night wiggle, dip downstairs to their dual bar, perfectly named Shenanigans with all the goings-on down there, for disco tunes and carbonated whiskey sodas. 

Time Out tip: Girl laughing with salad? That could be you, but better, with a Greek salad martini in one hand, and a Caesar salad deviled egg in the other. 

Address: 168 Borinquen Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Sun, Mon 5–11pm; Tue–Sat 5pm–midnight

What is it? A New Orleans-style cocktail bar where oysters are slurped and absinthe is ever flowing. 

Why we love it: Beloved for its chicly distressed interior and romantic ambiance, this Williamsburg mainstay is best known for its bivalves and a dedicated menu of absinthe. Sip a potent variety of the anise-forward spirit in the lush backyard.

Time Out tip: The Old King Cole Martini is shaken tableside, giving a bit of theatrics and a nicely chilled martini, of course.

Address: 298 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11249

Opening hours: Mon–Fri noon–1am; Sat, Sun 11am–1am

What is it? A retro-futuristic cocktail bar in the East Village that is experimental as they come, with whey and horseradish martinis and randomized punches of the week.

Why we love it: The drinks at Oddball are certainly a little out there. But that's very much a good thing. The East Village bar gllefully leans into experimentation, which is why you can find drinks that taste like the clouds (if the clouds tasted like corn, chocolate and kombu) and white negronis that tussle with tomato vermouth and peanuts in one glass. To test your limits even further, dip your toes into the "experimental/rotating" part of the menu for whatever daiquiri is being R&D'd at the moment or punch that is completely left up to fate.

Time Out tip: On a blind box kick? Then the Blind Box Punch is for you. Every week the bar team rolls the dice, each one attached to a spirit, botanical, and fruit to use, be it acid chai or Szechuan amaro. See what they come up with and prepare to be pleasantly surprised. 

Address: 188 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 5pm–1am

What is it? A bartender's bar where the drinks are cheeky, maximalism is the theme and it's kind of a guarantee that you'll wiggle under the disco ball soon enough.

Why we love it: I'm not a gambling man, but I'd sure bet you'd have a good time at Shania's Max Bet. Founded by former bartenders of Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club (Jericho Davidson and Robinson Daily) and their trusty, longtime regular (Michael Brown), the Atlantic-themed (and Shania-esque) bar is a maximalist's dream with disco balls, cushioned walls and an entire portion of the menu meant to be guzzled, aptly named "Mind Erasers." Drinks kind of read like a dare between bartenders; a cocktail with beer, orange juice and amaretto comes with the disclaimer, "I swear to god it's good." But they are if you don't want an adventure through salty Diet Cokes with a swig of olive brine and gin, electric Midori sours on tap and frozen pornstars with a sidecar of bubbles. Of course, a beer and a shot or a natty wine is just as good, whatever gets you going as the disco ball spins until 4am every night. 

Time Out tip: If you end up venturing to the bathrooms, you'll find the downright sexy backroom, with rows upon rows of magnifying globes to dance under. And yes, you can reserve this room for a private party. 

Address: 317 Third Ave, New York, NY 11215

Opening hours: Daily 5pm–4am

What is it? An intimate bar in Park Slope that's heavy on wine and cocktails, with Indian-ish small plates that tour the world. 

Why we love it: Park Slope's Lore picks up techniques and cuisines that mimic chef Jay Kumar's various tours around the world. Lore, his cocktail bar just a brisk 10-minute walk away in the same neighborhood, is just as worldly, with three different riffs on negronis, tangy yogurty tipples (The Vale of Cashmere), and a tiki-like drink (The Mangolorean) that leans on amchur-curried coconut cream. It's an exciting find in the neighborhood, and easily makes for a date night that goes above the standard.

Time Out tip: Much like Lore, the small plates also carry an Indian accent. And it's easy to make it a casual drink turn dinner with Mumbai pot pies and Biryani arancini.

Address: 689 6th Ave, New York, NY 11215

Opening hours: Tue–Thu, Sun 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–1am

What is it? A concrete-heavy underground bar that's actually hard to find the entry if you don't know where to look. 

Why we love it: One of the recent years' ubiquitous speakeasy-inspired bars, Saint Tuesday is closer to the archetype than any of the rest. Its Cortlandt Alley entrance is hard enough to find to humble even the most smug among us, and getting to the bar still feels like the Goodfellas Copa shot once you’re through the door. But once you scope out the door, ring the bell and journey your way to the basement of the sub-cellar of the Walker Hotel Tribeca, you'll find quite the scene. As industrial as it seems with concrete nearly everywhere you look, the bar is a sexy find with intimate two-top tables and flickering candles that illuminate the whole thing. And, of note, the drinks are terrific thanks to Christopher Covey, whose storied cocktailing includes stays at Attaboy and Little Branch.  

Time Out tip: You can swoon and croon on here as live music plays every night. Check it out Sunday through Tuesday at 9pm or Wednesday through Saturday at 9:30pm. 

Address: 24 Cortlandt Alley, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Mon, Sun 6pm–midnight; Tue. Wed 6pm–1am; Thu–Sat 6pm–2am

What is it? A dim speakeasy that's been one of NYC's finest since 2007. 

Why we love it: First opened in the early years of NYC’s great cocktail resurgence, Death & Co. is still a top pick for booze devotees who take their spirits seriously. There are limited reservations, but you can always chance walking into their effortlessly glamorous space. But if you can, request the bar to pick the bartender's brain over music, top tipples in the area and how they R&D'd the perfect faux egg foam. 

Time Out tip: Their menus range from "Light & Playful" to "Boozy & Honest," which rotate twice each year. The Occam's Razor is complex with smoky mezcal and a zip of yuzu liqueur balanced with coconut cream. 

Address: 433 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10009

Opening hours: Sun–Wed 6pm–1am; Thu–Sat 6pm–2am

What is it? Hudson Square's glossy cocktail bar that channels the sights, sounds and tastes of Scandinavia.

Why we love it: Kabin is kind of hidden in plain sight, its glassy exterior easily blending into one of New York's newest neighborhoods. But venture inside and you'll discover a sleek Norwegian cocktail lounge. Indicative of the name, Kabin reads like a cabin, alright, but one that would top your Airbnb wishlist with white-washed wooden beams and leather balanced with steel and moody fixtures. But ultimately, the soft lighting and plush pillows come off as warm and inviting, as do the Nordic-inspired drinks such as the coffee-number, the Kaffepause, and the Kardamom Bun that drinks like the real thing. 

Time Out tip: An order of the Scandi Chips will certainly bring a bit of luxe to the table as the plate full of potato chips are blessed with creme fraiche with a zip of zest and pearls upon pearls of trout roe. 

Address: 300 Spring St, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Coffee Mon–Fri 7:30am–3:30pm; Mon-Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm—1am

What is it? The timeless Prohibition-style bar known for white jacket service and live music.

Why we love it: The Central Casting ideal of Old New York, the Carlyle Hotel’s throwback grandeur is juxtaposed with Ludwig Bemelmans’ whimsical original murals here at his namesake bar. It’s as expensive as you’d expect with $28 Vesper martinis, $30 Manhattans, and $38 sidecars.

Time Out tip: Don't forget the $10 cover charge for live music.

Address: 35 E 76th Street, New York, New York 10021

Opening hours: Sun, Mon noon–midnight; Tue–Thu noon–12:30am; Fri, Sat noon–1am

What is it? A moody, dimly lit bar that lists unpretentious natural wines and Basque eats, making for an easy duck and drink in the Lower East Side. 

Why we love it: As of this summer, The Ten Bells is officially legal, celebrating its 18th year in the LES. The reason for its staying power? Steady service, small plates of cheeses and boquerones to pick at and the fact that this wine bar still feels like our little secret all these years later. It's relatively easy to snag a long table in the front or the back, sit at the counter to catch oyster shucking in action or forgo going inside altogether with the little bit of seating that spills out onto the street out front. Regardless of where you find yourself, make easy small talk with the bartenders for a stubby glass of wine (or three) in no time.

Time Out tip: One of the main reasons why we keep coming back to The Ten Bells on a consistent basis? It's daily happy hour. Every day of the week, you can get $1 oysters, $8 glasses of wine (your choice of red, white, or orange), and discounts on carafes. Catch it Monday through Friday from 5-7pm and on the weekends from 3-7pm. 

Address: 247 Broome St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu, Fri 5pm–1am; Sat 3pm–1am; Sun 3pm–11pm

What is it? An offshoot of the award-winning bar Dante, Aperitivo is all about easy drinking with spritzy things and raw seafood to go along with it. But of course, it is Dante after all, so strong martinis and Negronis carry over here too.

Why we love it: The owners behind Dante, Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson, have always had a soft spot for the corner pocket found on West 4th and Bank Street. And now with another rendition of Dante operating out of it, we do too. This version of Dante is all about slowing down over bites and cocktails, many of which lean on drinks of the spritzy variety, including those that quaff foamy heads of grapefruit and infuse tipplers with earthy notes of tomato and rhubarb. Sidewalk tables outside are in demand during the day, but the evening is where the magic happens as the golden globe fixtures and soft candelight dance upon dark velvet booths, marble tables and whatever martini you have in hand, making for a little romance in the West Village.

Time Out tip: A dessert and a drink are always a winning combo, and Dante Aperitivo has a nice round-up of sweets to finish out the night. We are partial to the granita with warm, zesty notes of ginger and shavings of lemon zest, as well as the silver chalice of soft serve showered in a few good glugs of olive oil and flaky salt.  

Address: 51 Bank St, New York, NY 10014 

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 10am–midnight

What is it? An award-winning bar that represents the Irish of today. 

Why we love it: No dearly departed hares here: The Dead Rabbit has been one of NYC's most award-winning locales since it first opened in the sometimes sleepy Financial District in 2013. The place still gets packed for terrific food and drinks, particularly the downstairs area, whose nightly soundtrack includes the chatter of finance bros mixed with fiddles and banjos from the band tucked away in a booth near the entryway. If you'd rather have a bit more peace, The Parlor upstairs serves some seriously solid cocktails, periodically reviving drinks from its decade-plus run. But a constant favorite of ours is the world-class Irish Coffee.

Time Out tip: If you happen to be traveling out of Penn Station anytime soon, pop on over to their sister bar, The Irish Exit, for a little nip before you leave town.

Address: 30 Water Street, New York, NY 10004

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–2am; Fri, Sat 11am–3am

What is it? A roving queer-owned pop-up bar found a home in Clinton Hill. And in this home, we broadcast women's sports.

Why we love it: Co-founders and couple Claudia “Clau” Capriles and Alexandra “Al” Murray made one of the chicest sports bars we've seen in recent history. The inside reads like a futuristic diner with pink neon lights, kooky cat paraphernalia and basketball, soccer and tennis balls, all of them disco-fied. The food and the drinks are just as colorful, trading out run-of-the-mill burgers and beers found at your standard sports hall for pork belly sandwiches and Bolivian cheesy bites. And come game day, the bar streams women's sports (and men's) on its various TVs on the wall and draws down the drop-down projector when the crowds swell. It isn't necessarily the biggest bar, so come early if you'd prefer a seat at the bar or at one of the cushioned booths that line this place. 

Time Out tip: There are a number of martinis here that go beyond the classic and dirty variations, including the Bodega Sammie with mustardy vodka and clarified tomato. Try a few without going overboard by ordering a few rounds of teeny-tinis.

Address: 222 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 9am-10pm; Thu, Fri 9am–midnight; Sat 11am–midnight, Sun 11am-10pm; Brunch Sat, Sun 11a–3pm

What is it? A Clinton Hill cocktail bar from the same makers behind Cafe Mado, Laurel Bakery and Place des Fêtes. Keeping in line with its sustainable sisters, the bar turns citrus peels, peppers and even invasive weeds into distillates and syrups for its alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. 

Why we love it: According to Piper Kristensen, co-founder of Redwood Hospitality, "if you can smell it, you can distill it." And thanks to a symbiotic relationship with local distiller Acid Spirits, that ethos is put into practice. Leftover lemon peels from Place des Fêtes and an overflow of sweet annie (a type of invasive wormwood) from Cafe Mado's personal forager are distilled, yielding pine-needle martinis and margaritas that are nice and peppery thanks to the inclusion of nasturtium flowers. Plus, each cocktail comes with a non-alcoholic version, making for a welcoming experience regardless of whether you imbibe. And thanks to Kristensen, the non-alcoholic counterparts are just as complex, with drinks featuring pine-needle syrups and aromatized waters made from leftover sourdough loaves.

Time Out tip: There are some seasonal bites for snacking, including sourdough with bonito butter and a delicate and lightly fried hake with achiote and aioli.   

Address: 216 Greene Ave, New York, NY 11238

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 5:30pm–midnight; Sat 3pm–midnight; Sun 3pm–midnight

What is it? A Bowery bar that brings you to the coasts of the Caribbean. 

Why we love it: Paul Carmichael of Australia's long-time-running Momofuku Seibo marked his return to NYC with a drink, well, more like his Caribbean-style rum bar. Making its debut before its tasting menu, Bar Kabawa channels the rhythms from its island-inspired fare to its cocktails, many of which tip a glass toward the daiquiri. Bites can be had here, but if you plan on dining at Kabawa later in the evening, we recommend keeping it light with a patty or two. 

Time Out tip: The bar's namesake drink comes with a glass overflowing with fluffy shaved ice. Make sure to get your camera out before the bartender pours over your drink for that perfect shot.  

Address: 8 Extra Place, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30pm–midnight

What is it? An underground cocktail bar hidden inside the 50th Street 1 Station. 

Why we love it: The last few years brought a (re) resurgence of speakeasy concepts to NYC, and Nothing Really Matters is among the best. More incidentally hidden than many ironically more heavily branded bars of the genre, its gently obscured subway platform-adjacent location makes it feel safely ensconced from friends, foes and social media followers, though it does have an Instagram-worthy bathroom. But even the interior is sure to find its way on your camera roll as the obsidian shellacked inside glows with neon accents and a disco ball that glitters just right. Admire it all at the bar over Margherita Martini's that drink like a cold gazpacho (we promise it is nice), and the thick, eggnog-like Nueva York sweetened with orange and cinnamon. 

Time Out tip: The underground bar has two sister spots in the same subway station, so you could make a day of it like our Things To Do Editor did. 

Address: 210 W 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

Opening hours: Sun 4pm–midnight; Mon–Sat 4pm–2am

What is it? A Japanese-cocktail bar from Masahiro Urushido. 

We love it: This bar in Greenwich Village was once named the 10th best in the world. See what the buzz is about over highballs, carefully crafted signature cocktails, boilermakers, sake, beer and wine across Katana Kitten’s two stylish floors. Skewers and small plates are available to pair. 

Time Out tip: The Mortadella Katsu Sando on milk bread is one of the best bar bites in town. 

Address: 531 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Sun 2pm–12am; Mon–Fri 4pm–2am; Sat 2pm–2am 

What is it? A local diner turned watering hole where martinis are cold and the frozen drinks are even colder.  

Why we love it: Occupying a corner spot that operated under the same name for five decades, and now ten years into its second act, Long Island Bar comes by its retro-lite ambiance honestly. Its flickering neon beckons eventual—inevitable—guests from all the way down the block, and rewards their patronage with comforting, welcoming environs and best-in-class gimlets and martinis, plus beer, wine and a full menu. It has a way of filling up fast, so keep that in mind if you fancy a walk-in. 

Time Out tip: The two-patty, L. I. Burger is one of the best options from the grill. 

Address: 110 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat, Sun 2pm–midnight  

What is it: An internationally known and recognized cocktail bar where tinctures, infusions and spice find their way into your glass.

Why we love it: Mace has been a regular on local and international “best of” lists since it first opened in 2015. A later move to West 8th Street gives the perennial fave a little more room, with a comfortable interior and 27-foot zinc bar all in front of the suspended spice cabinet curated by globe-trotting bar talent Nico de Soto. Sip spice and botanical-forward cocktails, such as our current favorite, the Habanero, that shares floral and spicy notes on the nose evened out with guava and bit of effervescence from CO2.

Time Out tip: A feature from day one, you can still get their signature Mace cocktail (Aperol, aquavit, beet juice, orange acid, young Thai coconut cordial and mace mist) in its iconic red vessel. Be forewarned: it drinks deceptively smooth, so don't let it sneak up on you. 

Address: 35 West 8th Street, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 4pm–midnight; Thu 4pm–1am; Fri, Sat 2pm–2am; Sun 2pm–midnight

What is it? A small beer hall located in the bustle of the Bronx's Arthur Avenue Market that pours a laundry list of suds, many of which are brewed right here in New York.

Why we love it: The Arthur Avenue Market has it all—a butchery, cheesemongers and a produce section that welcomes residents on the daily. A carved-out nook dedicated to beer also sits among its stalls. Located at the rear of the market (or perhaps closer to the front, depending on if you enter on Hughes or Arthur Ave), The Bronx Beer Hall has long picnic tables, a few odd corners and some stools at the bar for a slow down with a pint. You can easily drink your way through New York here, as the beer hall pours several suds local to the city, from Manhattan and the Bronx to the upstate areas. Things get a bit more lively when the sports game of the moment is on (there are a few TVs here). But sitting down and quietly watching as people mosey and poke around the market is just as fine too. 

Time Out tip: Fridays bring a "judgment-free" karaoke from 8pm to late. We recommend wetting your whistle before you grab the mic.

Address: 2344 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Opening hours: Tue noon-midnight; Wed noon-10pm; Thu noon-11pm; Fri noon-midnight; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun noon-6pm

What is it? New York's first female-founded brewery.

Why we love it: This woman-owned brewery first opened a taproom in Williamsburg in March of 2021. Just a few years later, the brewery has locations all over the city, from Cobble Hill to Penn Station, all selling their brightly packaged, fruit-forward beers. Alongside their beer and seasonal suds, including the summertime slushie, the brewery is always down to host pop-ups from up-and-coming chef talents. Peep their IG to see who is coming next. 

Time Out tip: Pick up some canned beer to go or a bottle of their housemade wine when it's time to say goodnight. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? A certified dive in FiDi where the beers are cold and the cups are plastic. But the food? The kitchen just so happens to churn out an excellent range of Malaysian and Chinese specialties.

Why we love it: Fish Market reads like a dive. And that's because it is, from the spidery cracks on the front door to the stack of dusty flip-flops tucked under the bathroom sink. But it is one of those places where the FiDi crowd packs it in after work, in search of beers, sports and some damn good food from the kitchen. Skip the fish and chips and opt for the palm-sized curried wings, ever so fragrant with lemongrass, and beef satay with a sambal sauce so good, you just might ask for a ramekin to take home (but you can't, we tried).

Time Out tip: The longer you stay, the more chances you get to knock back free, thimble-sized shots of Jameson poured out by the bartender at random. No need to sit at the bar for it either, as the bartender passes them around on paper plates. 

Address: 111 South St, New York, NY 10038

Opening hours: Daily 4pm–midnight

What is it? A boxing-themed dive bar that keeps the original grit of the long-gone Times Square alive. That, and the prices haven't changed much in its 50-year run, as you can still get a beer for under $5.

Why we love it: Jimmy's Corner is a snapshot in time. The late boxing legend Jimmy Glenn used to run this place; his legacy is still enshrined on the walls with framed images of boxers of yore hung up all around. His son, Adam Glenn, keeps the fight going, literally, as this classic dive is teetering on the edge of closure. Of course, we are hoping for a win, but the best way we can show our support from the stands is to come by and spend some coin at one of the best dives that Times Square has to offer.

Time Out tip: There is a minimum spend for credit cards here. And given that drinks are only $3, cash might be preferred.

Address: 140 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 11:30am–2am; Thu, Fri 11:30am–4am; Sat 1230pm-4am; Sun 4pm-2am