The best cocktail bars in NYC

What is it? One of NY’s newest, shiniest, coolest cocktail destinations, an import from Barcelona. It pulls a mixed crowd–industry types, locals, and cocktail tourists.

Why we love it: In a city with a billion different bars, the experience here feels genuinely novel. The drinks are super clever and impressively imaginative; rather than just renaming classics or throwing in some orgeat, these are inventions. Concept doesn’t translate to chaos. Everything is controlled and purposeful. You can feel the team here trying to earn your repeat visit.

Time Out tip: A reservation is really the way to go. The place is kind of schizophrenic in a fun way, with two experiences to be had over the two rooms, one loungey and one with a big communal table; The Living Room and The Kitchen Table, respectively.

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

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 4pm–1am; Fri 4pm–2am; Sat 2pm–2am; Sun 2pm–1am

Expect to pay: ~$12-23/snacks; ~$9/beers; ~$15/glass of wine; ~$19/cocktails

What is it? A Lower East Side cocktail hub that offers two different experiences, food-inspired cocktails, and a steady line outside. It attracts those seeking the elusive place where quality meets novelty.

Why we love it: There’s a ton of fun to be had here. In the front is the more casual bar, and Free Range is your more standard bar experience. The wild sense of humor and invention and weirdness is going on in The Coop–the back room. Taking chances rewards with a sense of genuine wonder, i.e., how the hell did they think of this?

Time Out tip: Double check the menu to make sure you’re ordering a drink, not food or vice versa. Weeknights here are, predictably, easier to slip into. Treat a trip here as dinner.

Address: 115 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

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

Expect to pay: ~$9-21/small plates; ~$16-22/sandwiches; ~$19-22/cocktails

What is it? A psychobilly pseudo-speakeasy tiki cocktail bar with spot-on aesthetics and a huge menu of novel but delicious drinks. Expect a mixed crowd here to have fun; this place toys with punky dive bar trappings but is decidedly classier.

Why we love it: The aesthetic and overall sense of humor encourage smiles. The drinks are rum-centric and delicious first and foremost. But the place’s sense of humor doesn’t mean you can’t dial into your preferences–not everything under the ‘Tiki’ umbrella has to be a Coco-Lopez sugar-bomb.

Time Out tip: It’s walk-in only, and groups of eight or more are a no-go.

Address 100 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Mon–Sun 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: ~$6–$18/small plates; ~$16-$25/cocktails

What is it? A Brooklyn institution that offers classics as living language, mutable and evolving, not a museum display. The crowd is locals, industry, and anyone chasing that “classic New York bar” feeling.

Why we love it: The diner-esque sign outside is not cosplay; not only is this place a cocktail destination, it serves genuinely excellent food, including upscale greasy-spoon fare. This place, like many of New York’s treasures, is a melange of ideas that might not work on paper but absolutely shine in practice.

Time Out tip: Don’t plan on going here after dinner for drinks; let this place ‘wow’ you with its burger before it floors you with its martini.

Address: 110 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

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

Expect to pay: ~$18–$20/cocktail; ~$8-10/beer; ~$12-25/glass of wine, ~$110/bottle of wine; $17-21/small plate; ~$18-27/mains

What is it? A Japanese/New York cocktail dive with an energy all its own.

Why we love it: You can have a few different but equally excellent experiences where punky energy and nerdy technique meet. The menu is also full of accessible Izakaya-ish food that plays perfectly with drinks, whether they’re simple highballs or more inventive concoctions.

Time Out tip: If you’re trying to go here on a weekend evening, good luck. Happy hour is a great way to take a short tour through Katana Kitten’s ethos; Mon–Fri from 4pm–6pm, you can score a beautiful cocktail for just $12 and a mini BLT for $8.

Address 531 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

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

Expect to pay: ~$8–$12/beer; ~$19.50–$23/cocktails; ~$15/glass of wine; ~$11–$19/small plates; ~$15–$21.50/mains

What is it? A gorgeous Cobble Hill cocktail bar with classic New York vibes. It’s a destination, but it still feels like a neighborhood staple because it is very much both.

Why we love it: The menu balances originals and classics with a deft hand; that’s true for the food and the cocktails. Bringing a date here bespeaks good taste; it’s got that old-world feel with dark wood and brick, but it isn’t coasting on vibes.

Time Out tip: Happy hour runs Monday–Friday, 4–6pm, with $12 cocktails. Go then if you like your elegance at a discount.

Address: 210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–midnight; Fri 4pm–1am; Sat noon–1am; Sun noon–midnight

Expect to pay: ~$15-$19/small plates; ~$18-$37/Mains; ~$8-$9/bites; ~$17-$24/cocktails; $8-$13/beer; $17-$18/glass of wine, ~$68-$150/bottle of wine

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bateman’s (@batemansnyc)

What is it? A compact cocktail bar named for the famously exacting anti-protagonist of Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho. You’ll often find locals here rather than out returning videotapes–people who want a killer drink without a long-winded lecture.

Why we love it: Despite its namesake and high standards, the mood here is low-pressure and friendly. Drinks are the focus, not philosophy or theme or the idea of a nice cocktail bar. It’s unpretentious.

Time Out tip: If you can swing it, book the rotating cocktail tasting: five mini drinks served omakase-style. And the bar snacks are great. Who doesn’t love a cheese plate?

Address: 308 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 6pm–11pm

Expect to pay: ~$20-26/cocktail; ~$7-$12/beer; ~$15/glass of wine; ~$5-$20/snacks

What is it? Kenta Goto’s Japanese soul glows bright on the Lower East Side. It’s intimate, softly lit, and reliably packed with people seeking cocktail nirvana.

Why we love it: The cocktails are simple in that they’re straightforward, but there’s a ton of care and expertise and precision in their construction. The room reflects the drinks; clean lines, understatement, everything pared down to its essence.

Time Out tip: Happy-hour martinis are available 5–6pm daily—a steal at $12 each. It’s walk-in only. Show up early, order snacks, settle in.

Address: 245 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Tue, Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu 5pm–1am; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 5pm–midnight

Expect to pay: ~$18-32/cocktail; ~$9-14/beer; ~$17/glass of wine, ~$80/bottle of wine

What is it? A modern New York legend built around a bartender’s expertise: you hand them preferences, they whip up something better than you would’ve ordered.

Why we love it: Some of the most respected and inventive bartenders work here; these are people at the top of their game. The lack of a menu means that you’ve got to meet them halfway. The nondescript entrance is undeniably cool.

Time Out tip: Be specific when ordering; you’re not doing anyone a favor by misrepresenting yourself or deferring to the bartender’s choice. Think spirit, flavor profile, texture–dig deep.

Address: 134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Daily 5pm–3am

Expect to pay: ~$20-25/cocktail

What is it? An itsy bitsy shipwreck fantasy tiki cocktail bar perched above Gage & Tollner.

Why we love it: The decor goes for it. If you squint, you’ll feel like you’re drinking in a schooner lost to the deep. The cocktails here are fun, well-tuned, and tasty. Even the large-format drinks feel intentional, not just a novelty for its own sake. But there’s also some of that, too. “El Diablo!”

Time Out tip: Walk-in only. There are very few seats in this place, so don’t count on waltzing right in. Go early for the best shot. But you can also put your name in for post-meal drinks.

Address: 372 Fulton St, 2nd FL, Brooklyn, NY 11201

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

Expect to pay: ~$18–$20/cocktails; ~$45/communal cocktails; ~$100/large-format cocktails

What is it? An adorable Italian East Village spot that made “bitters and amari” into a staple. People come to learn and drink thoughtfully in a space that doesn’t distract or overassert itself.

Why we love it: It’s compact, charming, and uniquely cozy with euro-vibes. The menu celebrates bitter; hero flavors are often found in notes that balance tartness and aroma. If you’re uninitiated, the staff can steer you toward something less challenging without making it feel like you’re on training wheels. You’re more than welcome to ask questions.

Time Out tip: If you’re here, you’re amaro-curious. Don’t run from it. Start with the bartender’s choice and give them one boundary (spirit, citrus, sweet, bitter).

Address: 443 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

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

Expect to pay: ~$18/cocktail

What is it? A subterranean speakeasy-ish cocktail bar featuring nightly music.

Why we love it: Well-made, mostly classic cocktails in intimate environs that recall the 1920s and the neighborhood’s industrial roots in equal measure. Unlike many of its ilk, this place feels like a secret even if it isn’t actually. The entrance requires going face-to-face with one of Manhattan’s last alleyways.

Time Out tip: This place is below the Walker hotel and if you’re confused, the staff inside will help you find the entrance. Saint Tuesday is absolutely perfect for a date or drinks before heading out to Chinatown or Little Italy for dinner.

Address: 24 Cortlandt Alley, New York, NY 10013

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

Expect to pay: ~$23/cocktail; ~$16/small bites

What is it? A Mexican/American cantina/cocktail bar that runs on high energy: bright flavors, loud laughs, and a location that all but ensures a lively room. 

Why we love it: The menu is fun and the environment is low-pressure, but this place is serious about cocktails. Drinks balance crowd-pleasing with real technique. It’s one of those places that stands up to hype because it’s built for volume and the skilled staff can bang it out.

Time Out tip: Happy hour is Monday through Thursday, 4-7pm; Friday 2pm-7pm, during which you can not only get yourself a beautiful cocktail for a nice discount, but also delicious tacos are $5.50 apiece. Arrive hungry.

Address 13 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

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

Expect to pay: ~$20-23/cocktails; ~$18-25/small plates; ~$23-29/mains; ~$10-12/beer; ~$18/glass of wine

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mace (@macebarnyc)

What is it? An herb and aromatic-forward bar that’s been quietly informing New York’s cocktail culture for years. If someone is drinking here, odds are good that they know exactly what they’re doing.

Why we love it: You might not know this, but when you taste a drink with a lot of subtle complexity and nuance, there’s a better than good chance that it’s down to the herbaceous elements; bitters, tinctures, etc. The menu brings this principle to the fore.

Time Out tip: If you’re indecisive, start with a classic you know and love and ask for a recommended tincture addition. That will, no doubt, set the stage and get you excited.

Address: 35 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011

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

Expect to pay: ~$20-23/cocktails; ~$10-13/beer; ~$17-24/glass of wine, ~$66-95/bottle of wine

What is it? The not-so-secret-door-in-the-phone-booth-inside-a-hot-dog-joint setup whose quality and buzz have made it one of the city’s worst-kept secrets, rendering its name a supreme irony.

Why we love it: It’s got the ‘wow’ factor on a few levels; the entrance, the quality cocktails, the hot dogs. If you want to impress out-of-towners, this has to be near the top of your list.

Time Out tip: No standing room. Reserve a spot if you can. If you can’t, show up early, and yes, absolutely eat a hot dog first.

Address: 113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009

Opening hours: Daily 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: ~$20 cocktails

What is it? A Theater-district adjacent vaporwave cocktail bar located in a subway station with caviar and a sparkling golden bathroom.

Why we love it: While factually 100% true, the above description does indeed sound like something you’d hear out of Bill Hader’s SNL character, Stefon. This place does its own thing all the way down the line, which includes easy-to-love cocktails.

Time Out tip: If you’re catching a show and don’t feel like debriefing at one of the tourist trap bars in the neighborhood, this is the place to go.

Address 210 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019

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

Expect to pay: ~$10/beer; ~$15/glass of wine; ~$20/cocktail

What is it? An intimate Art Deco high-rise cocktail bar with wraparound views and a crowd that tends sophisticated.

Why we love it: The skyline does the seduction, but the drinks seal the deal. The cocktailing here is high-level. You’re occupying one of a scant few seats; you can taste that the bartender is giving your order their full attention.

Time Out tip: Dress with intention and don’t show up starving. The Terroir Old Fashioned is the signature, but don’t feel pressured to order it. There’s excellence all over the menu. This place feels exclusive because it is–a privilege for which you will be charged.

Address: 70 Pine St, Fl 64, New York, NY 10005

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu–Sat 4pm–1am; Sun: 4pm–midnight

Expect to pay: ~$25-30/cocktail; ~$11-22/beer; ~$9-73/plate

What is it? A West Village speakeasy-esque basement bar that focuses on perfected classics.

Why we love it: There is something subtly thrilling about getting the perfect version of a well-loved classic and you can most certainly find that experience here. The bartenders are also encyclopaedic, so they can act as a guide if you’re trying to branch out.

Time Out tip: There are rules for decorum. They’re not strict in that you should feel nervous or pressured–they’re there to keep things civil. Assuming you’re with one or two others, you can usually walk in here; there’s plenty of seating and, unlike other places of this ilk, standing room at the bar.

Address: 22 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014

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

Expect to pay: ~19-20/cocktails: ~$8-10; Beer: ~$17/glass of wine

What is it? An oyster bar and absinthe-heavy cocktail destination that’s been setting standards in Williamsburg since the early 2010s.

Why we love it: The food and drink here reflect New Orleans’ gentry; red beans and daiquiris, this is not. The focus here is clean seafood flavors and cocktails mixed with care and attention. There’s no other place in the city quite like Maison Premiere.

Time Out tip: The garden is seasonal, but it is absolutely the place to go from April to November. If you haven’t ever tried it, give absinthe a chance–this is the place.

Address: 298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–1am; Fri noon–2am; Sat 11am–2am; Sun 11am–1am

Expect to pay: ~$18-28/cocktail; ~$8-38/plate; ~8-42/beer; ~$14-26/glass of wine, ~$55-450+/bottle of wine