The best bars in NYC’s West Village

What is it? A 70s throwback-style burger joint/cocktail bar hybrid from The Garret Group.

Why we love it: It’s cool, well-designed, deliberate top to bottom. Its fun aesthetic is buoyed by focused output. Committed to serving up good times, it may get crowded on weekends but things don’t dip all the way into sloppy. You can get a heaping plate of well-made food and a surprisingly good, inventive cocktail on any night of the week.

Time Out Tip: Martini Monday asks $10 for a very well-made martini. Add a burger and fries to that and pay just $25 (before tax + tip). Monday through Friday, happy hour you can get a burger+beer for $20, $11 well drinks, a slushie for $11, and/or a High Life for just $5.

Address: 44 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Mon–Wed 4pm–2am; Thu–Sat 1pm–4am; Sun 1pm–2am

Expect to Pay: ~$8–$10/beer; ~$19/cocktails; ~$18–$22/glass of wine; ~$7/small plates; ~$17–$23/mains

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What is it? The reincarnation of Williamsburg’s beloved, worker-owned tropical cocktail bar with Latin-inspired bar snacks and excellent beachy drinks.

Why we love it: Compared to the neighborhood’s moodier corners, Donna’s white brick, soft pink banquettes, and endearing disco shimmer make it feel like a little oasis. The award-winning cocktails tend fruity but don’t tip into dessert, like the well-balanced sweet/smoky Coconutty featuring toasted coconut mezcal, mole bitters, Montenegro and sweet vermouth. The bites are savory and salty—finger foods like tacos, empanadas, and nachos. And since the place is worker-owned, you can count on excellent service.

Time Out Tip: The weekday 5–7pm happy hour is real—show up on the early side, take the bar, and you’ll likely stay for another.

Address: 7 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–11pm; Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri 5pm–1am; Sat 3pm–1am; Sun 3pm–9pm

Expect to Pay: ~$14/beer; ~$19/cocktails; ~$16–$17/glass of wine; ~$9–$20/small plates; ~$12/desserts

What is it? The legend is reborn and we’re all breathing a sigh of relief—hushed, precise, super-technical Japanese cocktailing–some of the best of its kind in the city.

Why we love it: This is Japanese cocktailing at a very high level of execution. This is a great bar to get outside of your comfort zone and see what happens when a place plays by its own rules. If you’re not into cocktailing and/or you’re a fussy drinker, you’re gonna have a bad time. If you’re excited by cocktail wizardry and open-minded, you’ll love this place.

Time Out Tip: Walk-ins only; groups of four max; no standing; no split parties. These rules are non-negotiable. Line up a few minutes before 5pm for the first seating, or be prepared to wait.

Address: 45 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Tue–Sat 5pm–last call

Expect to Pay: ~$19–$23/cocktails; ~$7–$21/small plates

What is it? A neighborhood favorite that’s unfussy and welcoming. It bills itself as a dive but it isn’t really. Do you see any xmas lights?

Why we love it: This is an easygoing place. It’s not selling any kind of identity except itself. The stamped tin ceilings, tile floors, and scarred-up wooden bar lend it old-New-York cred. It’s one of the only places in the neighborhood where you’re not being heinously upsold. Also, there’s a jukebox.

Time Out Tip: Cash only. The bartenders may make you a classic cocktail if you ask and they’re in the mood, but you might want to just keep things straightforward.

Address: 558 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Mon, Tue: 3pm–4am; Wed 4pm–4am; Thu, Fri 3pm–4am; Sat, Sun 1pm–4am

Expect to Pay: $8/beers; $8/well drinks; $10/call drinks; $12/specialty cocktails

What is it? A super fun, unique cocktail bar with a unique POV melding Japanese mixology and izakaya with the American dive-bar aesthetic.

Why we love it: It’s doing its own dive izakaya/izakaya dive thing and it works. The place wants you to have fun. Y2K pop, chili-salt palomas, and Japanese-ish snacks–everything works together. The real draw here is cocktailing–it’s one of the best in the city. The Hinoki Martini is their calling card and truly something special. Pair that with a mortadella katsu sandwich and it’s peak High and Low without paying a King’s Ransom (bad-dum-tiss)

Time Out Tip: If you’re not there right at opening to snag a table, you’ll likely have to put your name/number in and wait for a text. But don’t stray too far–they won’t give you grace if you’re late.

Address: 531 Hudson St (entrance on Downing St), New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 4pm–midnight; Sat 2pm–midnight; Sun: 2pm–10pm

Expect to Pay: ~$10–$12/beer; ~$20–$23/cocktails; ~$15/glass of wine; ~$11–$19/small plates; ~$12–$21.50/mains

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What is it? A beautiful Italian outpost with cocktails and coffee, elegant and accessible.

Why we love it: The marble, the walnut “banco,” Grove Street’s quaintness–this place is picturesque. BP does a lot of things and all of them well. They’re not exactly full-service, as there are limitations on either end of the spectrum; you can neither drink all night nor eat a complete meal here. What you can do is have an espresso first thing in the morning, a panini at lunch, a Negroni at sunset, and a martini nightcap.

Time Out Tip: If you want to eat at Via Carota (you do), this is across the street and the perfect place to wait, but there may be a wait here, too. You’ll have an easier time getting in here early in the evening.

Address: 52 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Daily 8am–11pm

Expect to Pay: ~$7/beer; ~$15–$17/cocktails; ~$15–$16/aperitivi; ~$3.50–$10/caffetteria; ~$5–$8/small plates

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What is it? Palm-frond, neon-light, good-times with a tiki cocktail list and a friendly food menu.

Why we love it: It’s easygoing and fun. Big, fruity drinks that you can absolutely crush before realizing how boozy they actually are, a tidy menu of easy eats, including a double-patty burger that’s well-seasoned plus American cheese and confit onions. The place doesn’t turn into a club, but it definitely turns way up late at night.

Time Out Tip: That “Happiest Meal” combo is the way to go if you’re trying to fortify yourself for a long night: burger + fries + any cocktail/beer/wine for ~$24 (before tip)

Address: 121 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Tue, Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu 5pm–2am; Fri 5pm–3am; Sat 2pm–3am

Expect to Pay: ~$7–$10/beer; ~$17–$18/cocktail; ~$12–$15/small plates; ~$12–$18/mains

What is it? This is actually two conjoined bars from Takuma Watanabe (Martiny’s, Lighthouse, Birds): the serene, staid Sip up front; the louder, looser Guzzle in back.

Why we love it: It’s got a wide range of experiences to suit different tastes. A lot of clear focus is applied at both places, each with its own vibe. Spirits are top-shelf, highballs nail it, and the Wagyu-fat popcorn is that kind of silly yet perfect bar snack. Do you need a $150 A5 wagyu burger? Well, do we have news for you…

Time Out Tip: Ask for counter seats at Sip to study the skilled bartenders at work; head back to Guzzle for a slightly expanded food menu and a more party-ish vibe. That said, the turned-upness tends to attract a bit more of the bro persuasion.

Address: 29 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–1am; Fri–Sat 5pm–2am

Expect to Pay: ~$19–$26/cocktail; ~$6–$15/beer; ~$19–$31/glass of wine; ~$8–$150/plate 

What is it? The second location of the Italian-ish chi chi spritz/martini/aperitivo outpost named for Macdougal Street’s dearly departed cafe.

Why we love it: It’s an inarguably handsome setup top to bottom; corner location to flower arrangements. White marble, crystalline coupes, whitewashed walls and ceilings. It’s easy to see how this place caters to the starched-collar, afternoon Negroni crowd: cocktails are made with precision, service is impeccable, the food is good–very high quality if not overpriced.

Time Out Tip: Bar seats turn over fairly quickly, so you and a friend may be able to just walk in without a res if you’re okay sitting side by side, but if you’ve got a group and/or want a table, get on Resy a few days in advance.

Address: 551 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Daily 10am–midnight

Expect to Pay: ~$9–$12/beer; ~$19–$24/cocktails; ~$15–$25/glass of wine; ~$7–$41/small plates; ~$27–$64/mains

What is it? A polished West Village cocktail lounge that’s more straightforward than its name suggests.

Why we love it: Atmosphere without pretension, thematic accents without heavy-handedness, skilled bartenders without eyeroll flair. The menu features classics (Old Fashioned, Penicillin) and house signatures (the spicy, peppercorn-accented, egg-foam-topped Grace is a standout). There are some bites, beer, and wine, too.

Time Out Tip: This is a great date-night spot. It won’t break the bank, but it bespeaks taste. 

Address: 64 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri 4pm–1am; Sat 2:30pm–1am; Sun 2:30pm–midnight

What is it? Sasha Petraske’s subterranean, hidden bar specializing in classic cocktails, i.e., roaring '20s style.

Why we love it: It’s cool, classy, calibrated. This place helped usher in the hidden-bar craze. This is the kind of place where you should NOT bring your obnoxious woo-girl or dude-bro buddies, but your sharp, savvy, stylish friends who get it. That doesn’t mean it’s stuffy–it’s definitely not. There’s jazz and truly excellent cocktailing here, it’s just not the place to get sloppy.

Time Out Tip: Cash only, small groups only, and be ready with a spirit preference if you want something bespoke. The entrance isn’t marked, but you’ll know it by the location on the narrow corner.

Address: 20 Seventh Ave S, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Sun 6pm–midnight; Mon–Wed 6pm–1am; Thu–Sat 6pm–3am

Expect to Pay: ~$19/cocktails; ~$8/beer; ~$17/glass of wine

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What is it? A hidden-in-plain-sight cocktail hideaway.

Why we love it: The cocktailing here is playful and creative (e.g., popcorn washed rum, cracker jack salt, calabrian chili oil), but everything is tasty and neat–this isn’t a whacky experience, it’s cool. Plus, you know. Burgers.

Time Out Tip: Yes, you have to enter through the Five Guys. The place isn’t huge, so you might want to make a res. Do we really have to spell it out? Get a burger on your way to and/or from. Are you kidding!?

Address: 296 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–1am; Thu, Fr: 5pm–2am; Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 2pm–midnight

Expect to Pay: ~$8–$11/beer; ~$17–$23/cocktails; ~$14–$22/glass of wine

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What is it? A longtime moody, couch-lined pseudo-dive with a back-room fireplace and a sprawling, late-night food menu.

Why we love it: There are a ton of devoted regulars here; it’s been a staple for over 30 years. The place is low-stakes and welcoming, so it’s easy to relax. As you may have guessed, Art Bar celebrates New York’s art scene, but also the arty weirdos without whom it wouldn’t exist.

Time Out Tip: Daily 4–7pm happy hour is a steal with $5 draft beers, well drinks, and select wines. The kitchen is also open super late (until 2am Sunday through Thursday; until 3am Friday and Saturday), which we all know can be a lifesaver.

Address: 52 Eighth Ave, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Daily 4pm–4am

Expect to Pay: ~$6.50–$12/beer; ~$11–$18/cocktails; ~$6.50–$9.50/glass of wine, ~$45–$125/bottle; ~$8–$15/small plates; ~$14–$15/mains

What is it? The city’s rowdiest show-tune, piano, sing-along bar. It’s selling off-key charm, cheap drinks, and everyone is welcome regardless of singing ability.

Why we love it: It’s a sing-your-lungs-out dive right in the heart of Greenwich Village. If you love showtunes, you’ll love this place. The prices remind us of a bygone world. The crowd is super friendly and when you’re all belting it out together, there’s really no feeling quite like it.

Time Out Tip: Two-drink minimum; bring cash for the tip jar, and be respectful. The pianists and singing servers work hard to facilitate fun. You can make a request if the pianist is in the mood, but take ‘no’ for an answer.

Address: 59 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Daily: 4pm–close (music from ~5:30pm)

Expect to Pay: ~$7–$10/beer; ~$7–$10/cocktails

What is it? A postcard-size dive with a jukebox.

Why we love it: This is one of the only remaining honest-to-goodness dives in the neighborhood. No pretense, just cold beer, a hefty pour, and a snug room where you’re liable to make friends. It’s not doing anything particularly well, but it isn’t claiming to. Is it a little grimy? Yeah, but that’s a dive bar and this is New York, so what d’you want?

Time Out Tip: If you’re wandering in on a weekday evening, you can belly right up. Weekends, it gets packed fast. If the bartender is grumpy or short with you, don’t take it personally. Again: It’s a dive bar, this is New York City, and you ain’t Carrie Bradshaw.

Address: 90 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Daily 3pm–4am

Expect to Pay: $6/beer; $12/shot

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What is it? One of NYC’s original craft-beer standard-bearers with 28 rotating drafts, not to mention bottles and cans.

Why we love it: There’s so much to choose from! If you’re a beer person, this place is a destination. Clean lines, interesting picks, a wide variety–you’re sure to find something that’ll hit the spot. That’s not to mention the sneakily very good menu of bar food.

Time Out Tip: Come off-peak (weekday afternoons) to actually chat with the bartenders about the list. The place can fill up on weekend evenings, so if you’re trying to do some exploring and tasting, don’t try during the rush.

Address: 281 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–4am; Sat, Sun 10am–4am

Expect to Pay: ~$9–$12/beer; ~$9–$12/small plates; $10/glass of wine, $56/bottle; ~$ 12–$18/mains

What is it? A little neighborhood bar famous for its straightforward burgers.

Why we love it: Long before anyone was smashing patties or using brioche buns, Corner Bistro was a burger hero. Neither the place nor its burger has changed much, if at all, in God knows how long. That’s both good and bad. Good in that it’s still a great little neighborhood place to have a drink and hang out late. Bad in that the shine is decidedly off the salamander-broiled burger–a victim of serious competition coupled with higher standards across the board. But you can’t argue with a tasty burger that comes out quickly, sells for a reasonable price, and tastes good in a room with character.

Time Out Tip: Hit late afternoon for a near-guaranteed booth; nights get packed and stay that way until close at 4am. The burger patty is thick and proves unwieldy with all of the salad fixings, so keeping it minimalist is key.

Address: 331 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Sun–Wed 11:30am–2am; Thu–Sat 11:30am–4am

Expect to Pay: ~$5/beer; ~$10.75–$14.75/burgers

What is it? NYC’s oldest gay bar, landmarked and lived-in, with great burgers and friendly staff.

Why we love it: Not only is this the oldest gay bar in the city, it’s one of the oldest bars, period, dating back to the 1860s. It’s got both that old-world feel and today’s dive bar straightforwardness. History was made here with the 1966 Mattachine Sip-In–one of the US’s first applications of civil disobedience (pre-Stonewall) aimed at securing dignity, rights, and parity for gay Americans. Today, it’s a dive where you don’t have to look far to find a good time.

Time Out Tip: Cash only; the grill runs late on weekends, but lines form, so order quickly. Want a chuckle? Call the restaurant’s listed phone number.

Address: 159 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–2am; Fri 4pm–4am; Sat noon–4am; Sun noon–2am

Expect to Pay: ~$9/beer; $10-$14/cocktail; $5–$15/small plate