Julien Levy

Solid bedrock is one of the central geological features enabling New York to sprawl skyward. But that same terra firma also means that builders and property owners can set their sights lower. Most buildings reserve their basement space for, y’know, basement stuff. Lucky for us, a few possess the arable conditions of space, code compliance, and vision that let basement bars take root. RECOMMENDED: The best bars in New York Basement bars truly are special things. No matter what awaits you, descending a set of stairs to a bar feels like being let into a secret. In New York, that feeling in itself is serious currency. Some basement bars let their digs remain in the novelty zone; they simply found an accommodating space and–windows, who needs ‘em? But a few places know the premium of subterranean space all too well and utilize it to play with irony or design. Some bars even lean all the way in, adopting a full-on speakeasy theme, eschewing signage altogether and decking their bar out in 20s style.  No one approach is right because not every bar is for every person. That’s why we are here: to give you a rundown of some of our favorite NYC basement bars.  August 2025: It’s impossible on a city summer’s sojourn–standing on a squalid subway station’s sweltering subterranean platform–to consider almost anything other than your proximity to hell. The irony is that, on a day like that, there is really no better place to beat the heat than underground–in cool environs with a cold drink in

Sure–celebrating Cinco de Mayo satisfies any South-of-the-Border craving, but why reserve the city’s best margaritas in NYC for just one day? It's always time for tequila, especially when shaken up with a hit of spice or swirled with sweet watermelon. Hit NYC’s best Mexican restaurants for some serious agave spirits, or down them alongside some of Gotham's best tacos. Fair warning, though: You're gonna want a pitcher.   RECOMMENDED: Full guide to cocktails in NYC Updated May 2025: We added Gueros Brooklyn, Fresco's Cantina, Oyamael and Superbueno. We removed the Black Ant as it closed, La Contenta, La Loncheria and Kokomo. 

When good weather breaks through the clouds, NYC has an abundance of things to do outside. In addition to parks and other outdoor attractions, we have a slew of rooftop bars and outdoor dining options to choose from. And some of the best bars in NYC fit into the beer garden and hall categories, ideal for those brief and beautiful moments when it’s neither too hot nor too cold, and only a crisp brew will do. These NYC beer gardens have everything you’d expect—outdoor tables, fun games, lovely music and, of course, thirst-quenching pints, many brewed on-site. Throw in some tasty snacks and you’ve got yourself the perfect afternoon. Whatever style of suds you prefer, NYC has an alfresco option for sipping a cold one on a gorgeous day. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC

Not ready for the 6-train schlep, but not prepared to call the evening quits? If you're wondering where you should you go for that all-important, post-cultural-experience debrief or where to grab a sophisticated sipper or what your best option is for getting weird and spending a night out on the Upper East Side, we can help. I’m a lifelong New Yorker with roots on the UES—my dad grew up in a Yorkville tenement when it the area was still populated almost entirely by diasporic Europeans—and I’ve been a bartender in the city for well over a decade. So rather than abandon all hope ye who enter the UES, think of me as Virgil to your Dante. If you’re looking for the best bars on the Upper East Side and what to drink once you’re there, follow me and I’ll see you through. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants on the Upper East Side

What are you doing in midtown? Seeing a show? Going to a meeting? Did you get lost? This is New York City, so people do actually live in midtown, which means it's an honest to goodness neighborhood. No every single bar therein is a tourist trap or pit of besuitted finance bros—some are just actually great bars proud to serve their (comparatively) little community.  The last time I went to midtown, I met a friend at Nothing Really Matters. I won’t spoil why the place is so special (read below!) but it was fun to watch my normally-jaded, native New Yorker buddy light up with excitement at how actually great that bar is—no qualifications. As a native myself, I got a real kick out of playing host in such an odd, scarcely-visited section of Manhattan isle. Below, you’ll find hotel bars, dives, cocktail meccas—a little something for everyone. It turns out midtown, like every neighborhood in this city, contains multitudes. Remember this: In a city as dynamic and disparate as New York, defying expectations set by neighborhood prejudice is a precious kind of currency. And on the other side of that coin is familiarity with the institutions that define a neighborhood’s identity. So pay attention to the places I’ve named below and next time you’re in the area (no matter the reason) you’ll be flush.   RECOMMENDED: See all of the best bars in NYC March 2025: We removed Five Acres and King Cole Bar and added As Is.

Every day across the five boroughs, food & bev establishments make their play to attract you—yes, you—with a few scant hours of cheap deals. We’re talking happy hour and, if you ask me, a native New Yorker with over a decade of bartending under my belt, there’s no reason to play hard-to-get. Maybe these bars and restaurants are trying to woo you with a few bucks off the top, a lagniappe on your order, an oh-so-special menu—a lot of places shoot their shot, but only a few really hit.  Look, if you’re content to hold off enjoying yourself until weekend evenings when nearly all of the best spots pack to the rafters and you’re paying through the nose to catch a buzz, knock yourself out. But if you’re smart, you’ll jump on an opportunity when you see it. To that end, below you’ll find some of the best happy hours across the city and the deals therein. Cocktailing, food, wine and beer, there’s a little something for everyone. Just keep in mind: once the word is out, no deal lasts (especially a great one) so don’t delay.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

Forget Boston—New York City’s got its own long-standing, deep connection with Ireland, its people and its culture and this necessarily includes public houses. But calling a bar an “Irish Pub” means different things to different people and all depends on what kind of experience you’ve got in mind. Maybe you’re on the lookout for an emerald-green kitsch fest, maybe you’re trying to get a touch of home in some peace and quiet. Whatever you’re after, we’ve got you covered. Am I Irish? Nope. Does my red coloring get me mistaken for Irish? Almost daily. Have I been drinking in New York City’s Irish bars for over 15 years? Indeed. Still, qualified though I may be, in my effort to bring you the very best, I felt it was important to recruit help from Irish expat friends and in-laws—the type of people who know how to have a good bit o’ fun but roll their eyes at the very mention of a shamrock. The result is what you’ll find below: an assemblage of places from cocktail meccas to dives, at almost every single one of which, you can get yourself a perfectly-pulled Guinness. RECOMMENDED: See the full St. Patrick's Day in NYC guide February 2025: We've updated this list ahead of St. Patrick's Day so that you've got the best pubs to plan your partying at. We added spots like The Dead Rabbit, Hartley's and Cronin & Phelan’s.

It’s that time of year again, New York City sports fans! That’s right: the game of games, the last NFL matchup until kickoff next September: Super Bowl Sunday is nigh.  This year’s contest will be fought in New Orleans, and, with a little planning, you can party like a pro in NYC, too, with wings, beer and nachos. If you're not into hosting or staying in, below, you’ll find recommendations for where to watch the Super Bowl at 6:30pm EST on February 9, with selections that suit every taste, in whichever borough you call home.  RECOMMENDED: Find more on the Super Bowl in NYC

Queens truly has everything. World-class museums, incredible food, beaches, parks, and major sports and concert venues just for starters. But while you’re visiting any of the above, it truly would behoove you to pop in for a drink at one of Queens’ many wonderful watering holes. We’re talking bars, and below you’ll find one for prettymuch every taste, from freaks to geeks and everything in between. Some are old, a lot are new, but all of them are proud to serve one of the most ethnically diverse locales in the world. RECOMMENDED: Best bars in NYC

Brooklyn’s culinary landscape is one of the finest in the world, hosting many of the best restaurants and bars in New York City and beyond. The borough has so many excellent pizza places, BBQ and brunch options, one could spend a lifetime trying them all. Our favorite 41 are a terrific place to start, including new additions Clover Hill, Koko's, Santo Parque and Diem Eatery.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

There are a lot of cool places to hang out on the streets of New York City’s perennial cool-kids-table, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. But once the sun goes down, what figuratively and quite literally elevates the cool factor is taking things above street level. Three words: Williamsburg rooftop bars. Yes, friends, if you know where to go and play your cards right, you and your squad can win summer by dancing, drinking, and/or vibing out amid rooftop breezes and vistas. And while New York City has seemingly no shortage of truly world-class rooftop establishments across its five boroughs, what you’ll find below are the coolest sky-facing bars within Williamsburg’s densely-packed 2 square miles. If you’re looking for breezy fun with ready-made photo ops of NYC’s iconic skyline, we’ve got you covered. So double-check the weather forecast and the L train’s status, without further ado, here are our top picks for Williamsburg’s rooftop bars RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

NYC's Japanese restaurant landscape is rich with ever-growing, ramen, izakaya and Michelin-starred sushi destinations, among many other offerings. The best include casual affairs, grand experiences and some that split the difference. Whatever your preference, these are the finest options for all of that and more right now.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Botanica is the bar equivalent of the cool older sibling: doesn’t care about your persona but won’t judge you for caring, been around long enough to have seen it all but not so old that you worry about your own bonafides, unquestionably down to go the distance time and again but just as happy for you to pop in for a quick ‘hello.’  Strictly speaking, Botanica isn’t a bar but a lounge. The designation is now little more than a holdover from the bad/good ol’ days of the mid-90s when newcomers to downtown Manhattan’s nightlife landscape sought to distinguish themselves from anything in the pub mold. These days all the appellation means, in effect, is that while Botanica has bar at which to sit, capable bar staff with a je ne sais quoi, and weekend DJs–most of its seating consists of thrift-store finds tucked into dusky corners. Located on the ‘Ho’ of SoHo and famous for its happy hour, Botanica is the perfect place to duck in for a quick one on your way to or from. But it’s also easy to while an evening away. Take a group or a date. Sprawl out in the back room or tuck into a nook. Earnestly divey, indy-sleazy, chic bohemian-y vibes. Botanica makes you feel hand-in-glove. Like whatever you’re doing, you’re doing it exactly right. 

Anyone who’s ever gone in for Japanese cocktailing knows the promise of the premise: finely-tuned atmosphere, attention to detail, and pride in high standards of execution. But there is no ‘correct’ version of the experience, only the proprietor’s vision and the realization thereof. Katana Kitten—a split-level Japanese American cocktail bar in Greenwich Village—feels like cocktail master Masahiro Urushido is channeling the Japanese cocktail ethos through a single concept: fun.  It’s clear that KK’s designers kept both American dive bars and Japanese Izakayas on their mood board. The upper floor is like a dress-shirt undone just enough to reveal a wild chest-rocker tattoo: a highly deliberate choice between chaos and decorum. Guests who belly up to the main bar get a front-row seat to the show that produces their drinks, but it’s easy to find a seat apart. Downstairs’ vibes are a tad looser overall and, like all subterranean bars, more vibey. Down there, it’s all about the company you keep with table seating only. The cocktails here are, in a word, expert. While they aren’t the showiest or most soigné, they aren’t trying to be and are all eminently drinkable. The same ethos that guides the bar’s design extends to the mixology, which is to say accessible yet imaginative, evincing both a sense of humor and commitment to precision. The Mikan Swizzle, for example–sochu, sake, mango, citrus, soda, and cherry–felt like a sipper, that is, until I realized that my glass was empty.  If

The Honey Well is a heartbreakingly cool, proudly Black-owned, super-inclusive cocktail bar tucked just beneath the West Harlem streets. From the team behind neighborhood favorites At the Wallace and Harlem Public, this spot harnesses old-school styling to produce savvy mixology. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret you want to share—but only with people who’ll make you look good. The space is retro-inspired: lava lamps, shag carpet, and wood-paneled walls bathed in golden light. It channels a ‘70s basement party in the best possible way. There’s a backyard, too—a rare treat for an underground spot—making it easy to settle in and stay awhile. The warm, welcoming, and effortlessly stylish atmosphere also extends to the tone-setting playlists. Cocktails here are pure pleasure. Every drink is highly photogenic, but more importantly, they’re all genuinely delicious. And the menu is sizeable, so cocktail dabblers don’t need to feel put on the spot. The Dave’s Lookin’ Ass, for example, is a citrusy rum stunner that’s as fun to order as it is to sip. If you’re overwhelmed, don’t worry: the excellent bartenders are happy to help; just tell them what kind of drink you’re feeling and they’ll take care of the rest. The food is no afterthought: tasty, satisfying, and perfect for soaking up the booze without slowing the vibe. There are options for pescatarians, vegans, and anyone with a sweet tooth. Not one, but two posted happy hours sweeten the Honey Well: daily from 4–6pm an

Behind an unassuming door on an unassuming West Village corner is Little Branch–a pioneer in the speakeasy-style revival. Much more than a subterranean bar with a theme, Little Branch is as much a trendsetter as it is a shrine to the origins of modern American bar and cocktail cultures. Stepping down into Little Branch feels like being let in on a well-kept secret, though, as you might surmise from the crowd, that secret is out. Nevertheless, the space itself is comfy with standing room and cozy booths and a small stage that hosts live jazz. The vibe is sultry and, in that anemoiac way, timeless. Subtle lighting and understated touches evoke the 1920s without veering into kitsch or parody.  The cocktails here are, in a word, masterful. In keeping with its decor, the menu is populated by classics, so order one and you’ll receive what is likely the best version one could possibly have of that thing, anywhere. If you’re not into what’s on offer, give the expert bartenders some prompts and they’ll happily whip something up bespoke. Strict house rules are posted to keep riffraffery to a minimum, so observe them. No men in hats, so don’t bring your dudebro who can’t part his head from his Stetson or backward white baseball cap. No name-dropping, so check your star-fucker friend who doesn’t realize that name-dropping is insufferable. And any persuasion of a woo-girl unwilling/unable to regulate their volume is welcome to drink elsewhere. Little Branch neatly bridges a century of Ame

Gallaghers is famous for a few things: their prime rib, visible dry-aging meat locker and history. But maybe most of all, Gallaghers is famous for being Gallaghers.  Picture the “classic New York City steakhouse.” Burgundy booths, white tablecloths, the smell of rendering beef fat; the sound of murmured voices, clinking glasses, Frank crooning. You’re at Gallaghers. The only blanks to fill in are the gorgeous horseshoe bar, visible dry-aging locker, and the kinetic energy emanating from the open kitchen. Once you’re actually there, it’ll become clear that the room isn’t frozen in time—the place has seen a few remodels and updates. Still, that old school essence wafts like so much grill smoke. You can get any cocktail you want as long as it’s a classic, which is what we’re looking for in a place like this anyway. Seasoned bartenders all but guarantee that your martini arrives finely-tuned, ice cold, and, providing you’ve made your vision clear, precisely the way you like it. The wine list is long and well-deserving of a study, but you can also trust your savvy server to make a suggestion. Gallaghers is one of the only steakhouses in the city that charcoal grills its meat, imparting a beautiful hint of smoke and char you can’t easily find elsewhere. Rumors of an out-of-sight sous vide circulator are a testament to the excellent cookery going on. If they’re not sold out for the day, order the prime rib. Trust us. Fatty, unctuous, it melts in the mouth. Even if you’re SOL on that

A fixture of the Meatpacking District since back when that neighborhood’s moniker was merely an unimaginative descriptor, Old Homestead is precisely what you think it is. As such, there’s a comfort in knowing—from the name alone—what it offers before setting foot inside.  According to the restaurant’s site, Old Homestead’s co-owners, “…will be the first to admit that not much has changed…since their family took it over 70 years ago.” Indeed, the palette of auburn, bronze, and chestnut dates the triple-decker establishment’s last refresh circa 1950. If this carpet could talk, it would wheeze. But the room is tidy and comfy and there are pretty stamped-tin ceiling recesses.  The servers are pros. Highly capable, quick, and friendly while forgoing any syrupy ingratiation. Reluctance to let much time pass without offering service is a type of efficiency that, considering the restaurant’s location in a tourism nexus, is wholly unsurprising.  The menu features a handful of cocktail classics with little to no mixological faffery. Who needs it when the old school Moscow Mule and Old Fashioned were both precisely as expected? There is a wine list and a few beers on offer as well, but those remain unexplored.  The meal started with a crab cake the size of a mason jar lid–delicious with discernible hunks of crab meat. It arrived in period costume: encircled by halved cherry tomatoes, atop squiggles of balsamic and some kind of tartar sauce. An order of “tempura” shrimp was actually just

Any restaurant contending with legacy must reckon with change; how to respect the past while articulating a vision for the future. Overzealous revision can exorcise a place’s spirit. Reluctance to adapt can precipitate a slump into complacency. In the case of Downtown Brooklyn’s nearly 150-year-old steakhouse, Gage & Tollner, a new generation of owners–Sohui Kim, Ben Schneider, and St. John Frizell–have navigated the dilemma with finesse. That it’s virtually impossible to discern which elements were added from whatever was uncovered or restored is a testament to the design’s overall effectiveness. Touches recall the restaurant’s Gilded Age founding, but overall, the handsome decor feels timeless.  The cocktail menu is sharp as a straight razor, each of the menu’s classics executed with clarity, sincerity, and precision. Beer-wise, there are some local craft brews on tap and a nice selection of bottles. The wine list is extensive, so put your would-be sommelier friend to work. The Caesar salad inaugurating our meal was, in a word, terrific. And chef Sohui Kim’s most overt menu nod to her Korean identity, Clams Kimisino, was a favorite of the night: the little jewels topped with golden breadcrumbs tossed in bacon/kimchi butter. Perfectly temped to a honeysuckle pink, the NY strip was finished with an herb and garlic butter-baste whose perfume lingered between bites. Far from an afterthought, the sides—creamed spinach and butter-roasted hashbrowns—rivaled the steak for my affect

If buzzy nouveau old-school chophouse Gage & Tollner is downtown Brooklyn’s flagship, tiki bar Sunken Harbor Club aims to be its captain’s quarters. Through G&T’s entrance, an unmarked door and up one flight, SHC is not only a major shift in tone from its sister restaurant, but in sensibility–less Don Draper thoughtfully sipping an Old Fashioned than Captain Jack Sparrow bellowing about rum. Sunken Harbor Club commits to the tiki-bar-in-a-sunken-ship bit bow to stern; fog machine fore and sultry mermaid painting aft. The themey light fixtures phosphoresce just enough for guests to appreciate the nautical ephemera and Hawaiian shirts worn by every member of the welcoming staff, not to mention the pretty drinks. In what may be the single conceptual link between the Sunken Harbor Club and Gage & Tollner, restrained innovation is buoyed by skillful execution. SHC put their spin on almost every tiki favorite, plus a selection of more novel but not bananas concoctions (unless you’re literally into bananas, in which case they’ve got a house-made liquor for you), all of which are tasty. The menu is arranged in ascending alcoholic potency, so it’s easy to chart your course. And by limiting most items to three or four key elements, pretension is thrown overboard in favor of fun. Prices float in the $20 range but that number ebbs and flows. There are also a few options for wine and beer, and yes, SHC has its very own short list of tasty finger food (e.g., sliders, shrimp toast, oysters)

Grand Army is a neighborhood cocktail and oyster bar. Whether the evening in question calls for casual drinks or serious cocktailing, light raw bar fare amid steamy summer vespers or a cozy crackling fireplace amid a winter chill, a night out with friends or with a date, Grand Army fits nearly any bill with aplomb.  Airy and inviting, the room isn’t huge, but pockets of privacy are easy to find. There’s ample seating with tables scattered throughout and plenty of spots at the pretty wraparound bar, plus outdoor tables when weather allows. The vibe is neighborhoody–with local art and photographs on every wall, including the bathroom, one might even say ‘Brooklyn-y.’ But, to be clear, that’s in the best possible way. While it doesn’t rely on schtick, Grand Army’s cocktail program plays with theme. In the past, clever, inventive menus have referenced the MTA, honky tonk, game shows, Mean Girls, and Nicolas Cage (just to name a few)—each with their own suite of entirely new concoctions to suit the motif. In this way, return visits promise both fidelity to what makes the bar inviting in the first place and the kind of novelty that gently encourages exploration. Also available are a healthy selection of craft beers on tap (approximately $12), a variety of easy-drinking bottles and cans ($4–$12), and a curated collection of wines by the glass ($16) or bottle ($64).  With emphasis on the excellent raw bar, Grand Army’s food is mostly cold and mostly seafood, with a privileged place r

This boxing-themed dive bar is certainly more colorful than its Times Square brethren. Adam Glenn enshrines his father's legacy, late owner and renowned boxing coach Jimmy Glenn, as mirrors are still plastered with photos of his right-hook big shots. These days, it’s magazine honchos, not KO kings, who slum it here. The joint ain’t fancy—the full bar is standard, four beers are on tap and there’s soul on the juke—but it covers the basics just fine. The vibe: Divey, with boxing ephemera all over. This is old-school New York–it evokes classic 70s films. The drink: Simple, straightforward. Beers, glasses of wine, mixed drinks from the well. If you want something more involved, the bartender can handle it but this isn’t really the place for that.  Time Out tip: As your coach, we’d advise you to stay nimble; rather than throw haymakers all night, stick and move with a beer and shot, vodka-soda, cider on ice–one-two combos that may not be fancy but get the job done.

  Located on the 18th floor of the hotel, the "jewel box" space by Med Abrous and Marc Rose, who are food and beverage partners of the hotel and co-founders of the hospitality group Call Mom, opens up to incredible views of the boroughs, the bridges and the East River, which shine like stars at night. Designed by James Beard Award-winning design firm Parts and Labor Design, Panorama Room is visually dramatic. Its palatial vibes are set by luxurious velvet vintage-inspired tubular lounge sofas, chrome and marble touches, mosaic tile columns and its giant, tubular acrylic chandeliers that hover above the massively long bar. It's not only luxe but it's somehow simultaneously futuristic and retro. The space is filled with art from artists like Julia Chiang, Spencer Lewis, Alake Shilling, JPW3, Chris Martin, Brian Belott and Ida Eklbad, selected by Venus Over Manhattan partner Anna Furney and designer/creative director Darren Romanelli (aka Dr. Romanelli or DRx). Artist Sophie Parker and her botanical studio, Wife NYC, will also make custom arrangements and sculptural artwork for the lounge. There's even a custom-designed DJ booth made in Normandy by Hervet Manufacturier and Cédric Hervet, the long-time creative director for Daft Punk. The vibe: This is a swank place with a lot of cultivated ambiance, so there’s a cocktail attire dress code for entry i.e. no sweatpants, cargo shorts, or slides. The food: Mostly raw preparations of seafood, so it’s not the kind of place you should

Keys & Heels digs into the biz-within-a-biz motif many speakeasy concepts have employed over the years. This time, the bar’s behind the facade of an old fashioned key-cutting shoe repair shop. But before you let the cocktails go to your head, decide to split the rent with your date and scuff your stiletto in a dash out the door to start your new life of romance, remember that the entrance is but a decoy. Only the drinks and snacks in the back are the real deal.  The vibe: Classy, atmospheric, well-appointed with retro decor and dreamy lighting. They keep the gag outside, where it belongs. The food: Basic bar bites-nothing crazy e.g. mixed nuts, pigs in a blanket, sliders, etc. The drink: There’s a nice selection of inventive takes on crowd-pleasers like a Paper Plane or a Sidecar or a Daiquiri by any other name. Their version of a mint julep is called a Moroccan Hourglass, mixing bourbon, gin, Moroccan mint tea, rose water, and mint. Very tasty. Time Out tip: An excellent date spot. Not only do you look cool going in, the room is romantic and fun with dancing beneath disco ball lights. There’s also a popular, monthly ticketed close-up magic show. If you want to attend, sign up for the email list.

Dear New York City Bar Patrons, It’s me, your trusty bartender. We need to talk about our relationship since COVID. For a few of us, bartending is a career; maybe even a calling. For the rest, it’s a job. Regardless of the motivation, there’s no denying that the way we turn a buck occupies a unique space in American culture. “We work in a very interesting industry where, yeah, it’s all about fun. But, y’know, in that fun, there’s a lot of risk,” says Dan, 37, who is a 20-year service industry veteran and manager/owner/cocktail wizard at West Village spot, Bandits. “You have to look out for people as a bartender.” But COVID flipped the world upside down. That includes us. “One of the first rules [bartenders] always hear is, ’no politics, no, religion in a bar,’” Dan says. “That went out the window because we were forced to kind of be the liaisons of the rules.”   Photograph: Julien Levy | George bartending at Double Windsor Almost overnight, we were effectively deputized COVID compliance officers, shoved onto the front lines. “That created definitely a weird balance where we were forced–or asked to–police our customers a little extra in order to keep the liquor license,” Dan says. Caught between a deadly virus, the government’s inchoate mandates (some of them arbitrary and punitive), our bosses, and you, norms of affability and commiseration had to take a back seat. “We’re here to serve, but we’re nobody’s servant. Don’t agree? There’s the door.” “We used to call it lifegua