Bars near the Statue of Liberty

Come for the beer (they’ve got a 99-label strong collection that includes brews like Chimay and Duvel) and stay for the chicken? The “Wing Ding” special promises two hours of unlimited, wings, fries and booze for just $22. It’s a fine distraction…assuming the 15 flat-screens don’t do the trick.

  A cocktail bar in the Financial District.

This Revolutionary-era tavern now operates as the first stateside outpost of Dublin’s Porterhouse Brewing Company. Tangles of filament bulbs above the bar and distressed mirrors on the walls smack of artificial ye-oldeness, but the real pedigree of the place still holds appeal for beer-swilling history buffs, who can geek out over the thought of George Washington drinking here in the 1700s. Hoist imperial pints of Porterhouse’s own brews—we like the smooth, slightly tangy Oyster Stout and the easy-drinking Porterhouse Red—or sample the globe-trotting selection of guest beers, including Victory Prima Pils on tap and bottles of Schlenkerla smoked beer.

Down in the Financial District, you can find a few spaces animated by the threadbare spirit of old New York. And though it may not be even close to the oldest establishment in the city, the neighborhood, or even this list, The Dead Rabbit cultivates that all-too elusive atmosphere to great effect. That’s not to say this place is old-man-y; though you can certainly enjoy an expertly-pulled Guinness or nice glass of wine in the warm, inviting environs, Dead Rabbit’s inventive cocktail program earns it a place on critics’ lists year after year. The vibe: Old New York but innovative. The food: The food menu consists mostly of well-realized Irish-core but it there’s plenty of vegetarian takes on the favorites, so how can I not recommend the all-day Irish Breakfast? The drink: Order a citrusy Sunlit Sin cocktail starring vodka, Yuzu, and tangerine.

Taking cues from Coyote Ugly, this FiDi saloon makes its bartenders the main event. The all-female cast of boozeslingers is known to perform feats of fire-blowing and hula-hooping while serving cheap swill like $2 Rolling Rocks—one of them may even pull you up on to the bar for a dance. A full menu includes typical bar fare, and if you go there on a Sunday, you can enjoy gratis burgers and hot dogs when you purchase a drink.

Overstory is as cozy as a music box in the sky inside, with views that seem to go on forever out on the wrap-around terrace. Perched on the 64th floor of 70 Pine Street above sibling spots Crown Shy and Saga, it's the just-drinks cherry on top of the trio of outstanding spots. The futniture's plush, the cocktails are crafty and even the ice is extra nice at what's become one of NYC's most elegant cocktail destinations since it opened last year. 

It looks like slumming hipsters will put up with anything to say they’ve been to a “legendary” strip club. That’s the only explanation for the Pussycat’s current vogue. The decor is shabby; the strippers, predictably bored; and the management, unabashed about airing unpleasant prejudices. If you must go, eschew the desperation downstairs in favor of the upstairs lounge. Its wooden beams and vaulted ceiling oddly bring to mind a countryside retreat—now frequented by the prepsters who call the Financial District home.

Missed out on cruising around Europe this summer? Yeah, us too. Thankfully, Ariel Arce (yes, the very one behind Heroes, Pearl Box and the once beloved Champagne lounge, Niche Niche) opened her very first hotel bar this spring, inviting all of us to her Italian terrace. Taking to the skies for her first hotel bar, Arce opened Leonessa, a spritizing and snacking bar on the 16th floor of the Conrad New York Downtown. The jewel-box-like roof is seemingly lifted from the motherland, with limoncello-colored couches and corners, a bubbling lion's head fountain and lush greenery, including a few real lemon trees. No, you won't be able to gaze upon the waters of the Amalfi Coast, but you can at least give a wave to Lady Liberty herself. Cycle through spritzes and bitter-forward drinks like the Sbagliato (with prosecco a la Emma D'Arcy). Yet the drink of the summer has to go to the Sgroppino, a Belvedere vodka and prosecco-based cocktail that comes with a foamy head of lemon sorbetto. Snacking will come at a later season (there are currently only nuts and olives for eating), so make sure you get a little something in you before you get to spritzing.

You don’t expect to find biker bars in the Financial District, and that’s what makes coming upon one so damn fun. Stop by and you’ll find pitchers for $8 each, pool, darts and dudes with ZZ Top facial hair hitting the jukebox. It’s charming in its own rough-around-the-edges way, and the perfect pit stop after a hard round of foraging at Century 21.

Bouncing back from Hurricane Sandy, Abraham Merchant (Merchant Rivers House) unveiled a beer-focused waterfront bar on the restored Pier 15. On offer are sea-inspired bar bites like lobster rolls, fish-and-chips, crab cakes and shrimp cocktail with heirloom tomato gazpacho. Sip local craft beers like Bluepoint on red bar stools as you watch sports games on seven flatscreens or, better yet, take in scenic skyline views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. During the day, the bar also doles out cones of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, sorbets and frozen yogurt, fit for indulging your inner kid as you soak up rays on the outdoor deck.