20 Best Bars in New York City (Where to Drink Right Now)

list of best bars in nyc

Are you currently in New York City and got no fun place to go? Why not go to a bar and drink with some New Yorkers? NYC is considered the city that never sleeps, so make the most out of your NYC experience by visiting these recommended bars in the city!

20 Best New York City Bars

Harlem Nights Bar

View of bitters and infusion on a bar counter

πŸ“ Address: 2361 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (646) 820-4603
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 2 am Sun-Tue, 5 pm – 4 am Wed-Sat

Harlem Nights Bar in NYC is among the best bars NYC has to offer. A lot of New Yorkers would go here to have some fun. Aside from the alcoholic drinks and booze, the bar is most popular because of its world-class comedy shows.

Thus, if you are looking for a good laugh after a stressful week of work, you can always distress at Harlem Nights Bar. They have the best show hosts that you will surely enjoy. The bar also offers outdoor seating, DJ live and music, happy hour specials, and fast WiFi access.

If you are new to NYC, you will never feel left out because their menu items are something a classic American would love. Among their most popular things, their strawberry creme booze and delicious meat pies. Harlem Nights Bar truly offers good food, music, laughs, and a company you will never forget.

You won’t also get to worry about partying even during a pandemic like this because Harlem Nights Bar has COVID-19 protocols that they follow to keep everyone safe. Thus, even when you’re in the bar having a great time, your mind will still be at peace from getting the virus.

Attaboy

πŸ“ Address: 134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002 (Google Maps)
πŸ• Hours: 6 pm – 4 am daily

Attaboy is among the best and trendy bars NYC has to offer. The bar is known for its delicious cocktails and happy hour offers. The bar has been around for quite some time now, and customers say that they still live up to people’s expectations.

Some of the amenities that customers can experience in this bar are the place’s classy and intimate vibe. The bar is perfect for gatherings and small events. However, if you wish to get some casual drinks, Attaboy is also the best place to go to.

You don’t also have to worry about bring cash in your wallet because the bar accepts cashless transactions, such as payment via credit card. Also, according to many customers and visitors, Attaboy is not a noisy place. It is not that crowded because the bar is spacious, and the noise is not irritable, even if there are plenty of customers.

Attaboy is genuinely a bar to visit when you are in New York City. It also ranks as the seventh on the Top 50 Best Bars in the country. Most people love the bar because of its outdoor seating, which is perfect for anyone who prefers to drink outside.

Rooftop 93

View of cocktails on a rooftop bar

πŸ“ Address: 93 Bowery, New York, NY 10002 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 966-9033
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 12 am Wed & Thurs, 5 pm – 1 am Fri & Sat, Closed on Sun-Tue

This bar, located in one of the busiest streets in New York City, has served the best cocktail and alcoholic drink since 2015. Being at the heart of NYC, the bar owners wanted to provide New Yorkers and visitors a chance to appreciate the city’s beauty while enjoying their favorite drinks. Thus, it is considered to be one of the best bars in Manhattan.

Rooftop 93 also displays class and elegance because the bar is located at the top two floors of New York’s famous hotel, the Wyndham Garden. When you go to this bar, you will be overlooking a remarkable and breathtaking view of New York City. You can also have a great spot leveling the Empire State Building.

The panoramic scene that you can witness when you are at Rooftop 93 is truly mesmerizing, and it is a view you should never miss out on when you are in New York. Aside from the perspective, the bar also offers other amenities such as early reservations, outdoor seating, and they also accept credit cards for smoother payment transactions.

Customers also love going back to this bar because the staff and bartenders are quick and efficient in doing their jobs. You can order smoothly, and they can tend to your needs right away. Thus, customer service and satisfaction are always five stars.

The Upstairs at 66

View of a bartender and cocktails on the bar counter

πŸ“ Address: 46 Stone St, New York, NY 10004 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 943-1602
πŸ• Hours: 12 pm – 11 pm daily

If you are looking for a place to play games with your friends who also serve drinks, The Upstairs 66 is the place to go to NYC. This bar is among the best new bars NYC has to offer its residents and visitors, and it is a must-visit place.  The Upstairs at 66 first started as a place for events since it also has a function hall allocated for dining.

The place was first called Route 66 Smokehouse because the bar served as a second-floor event space for anyone who dines at the Smokehouse. Eventually, the owner decided to turn the second floor into a place filled with fun and drinks. Thus, they turned the area into a game room and lounge.

Aside from the alcoholic and other fun drinks that customers can order, the bar also serves the best food on their menu.  So, while you play games with your family and friends, you can go on food trips on the side. Their menu has tons of food items that you will surely love.

The Upstairs at 66 also takes reservations for anyone who wants to take a spot earlier. They also have outdoor seating, accepts cashless transactions such as credit cards, and they have bike parking allocated at their parking area. Guards who again watch and standby at the entrance ensure all customers are of legal age and have a valid ID before entering the establishment.

The Up & Up

A bartender decorating a cocktail

πŸ“ Address: 116 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 260-3000
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 1 am Mon-Wed, 5 pm – 2 am Thurs & Fri, 4 pm – 2 am Sat, 4 pm – 1 am Sun

Coming at number six in the best bars in New York is The Up & Up bar. For this year, Up & Up has established some COVID-19 precautionary measures in their establishment. Among these measures are contactless and cashless payments, wearing of face masks for customers, wearing gloves and masks for staff, limited bar capacity, social distancing, and proper sanitation and temperature check for everyone.

Before the pandemic started, the bar offers outdoor seating. However, due to the alarming cases in the city and to avoid the spread of the virus, they took down the outdoor seating option. All customers are allowed to dine in the establishment, but everyone is seated inside the bar.

The Up & Up is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 11:30 PM. They also take reservations for anyone who wants to save a spot for the night. The establishment is very classy and intimate, making it a perfect place for any events, gatherings, or special occasions.

Unlike other bars in NYC with an entrance fee, The Up & Up bar does not have any admission charges. You can freely enter the establishment as long as you are of legal age, and you have a valid ID to verify your age. So, if you want to distress, treat yourself to some drinks and good food at The Up & Up.

Keybar

πŸ“ Address: 432 E 13th St, New York, NY 10009 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 478-3021
πŸ• Hours: 4 pm – 4 am daily

One of the coolest bars in NYC to visit is located on 13th street, and it is called the Keybar. This bar has been in business for about 18 years now since it was first established in 2002.  The Keybar was started by two Hungarian citizens who have migrated to New York.

Since then, the owners were loved by New Yorkers, and the bar was a total hit to everyone in the city. Before the pandemic happened, the bar’s DJ lounge is always packed with customers who drink and dine. Keybar was the perfect party place to go to during weekends, and the crowd is still carefree and fun.

The bar does not offer reservations, but they do cashless transactions such as credit card payments, especially now that COVID-19 is still real. They also provide outdoor seating for their customers and guests, and the bar shows off a classy and casual vibe that any person would love. Keybar is open all week from 4 PM to 12 MN.

Now that we are still in the middle of the pandemic, Keybar also follows strict health and safety protocols to keep their staff and customers safe from the virus. They have safety measures such as limited establishment capacity, social distancing measures, sanitizing hands, temperature checks, and wearing face masks for customers and different staff gloves. They still offer outdoor seating and sit-down dining.

The Press Lounge

View of people in The Press Lounge
(photo: Gregorio Koji / Shutterstock)

πŸ“ Address: 653 11th Ave 16th Floor, New York, NY 10036 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 757-2224
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 1 am Mon & Tue, 5 pm – 2 am Wed-Sat, 5 pm – 12 am Sun

The Press Lounge is not only a classy bar located in the highest buildings in New York City, but it is also one of the best venues and event spaces there is in the city. A lot of people rent this space for unique and significant events because of its fantastic location. You will also love the view when you are in the establishment because it overlooks the concrete jungle.

This bar is the top bar in NYC because of its high-rated reviews and customer experience from New Yorkers and visitors worldwide. Just like other bars in NYC nowadays, The Press Lounge is open, but they follow strict COVID-19 health protocols. They have contactless transactions, wearing of masks is required, limited customer capacity, social distancing measures, and proper sanitation and temperature checks upon entry.

The Press Lounge is also a rooftop bar, and it offers one of the best views you can get in the city. It is a 270-angle view, where you can see Times Square, Jersey, and the Hudson River. The bar is closed every Monday and Tuesday, but they are open during other days of the week from 5 PM to 12 MN.

If you are looking for a bar where you can drink and relax while having a fantastic panoramic Manhattan view, The Press Lounge is the best place to go. They take early reservations, accept Android Pay and credit card payments, and have a Health Score A. Their drinks are also deliciously crafted.

Leaf Bar & Lounge

πŸ“ Address: Roof of Hyatt Place Hotel, 13342 39th Ave 10th Floor, Queens, NY 11354 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (718) 865-8158
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 12 am Sun-Thurs, 5 pm – 2 am Fri & Sat

One of the best places to drink in NYC is a bar located at the heart of Queens, Leaf Bar & Lounge. This bar also has a rooftop setting that customers love to visit. The establishment is most popular because of their mixed drinks and cocktails, and they have the best bartenders in the city.

Leaf Bar & Lounge was established way back in 2015, and up till now, the bar is still open and serving good times to their customers. Despite the pandemic, the bar is always a great place to visit if you want to have casual cocktails to destress. The establishment also follows strict COVID-19 safety and health measures, so everyone is guaranteed safe when they see the place.

Among their updated services is that they allow outdoor seating, sit-down dining, and in-person visitations. However, they do not offer curbside pickup. Leaf Bar & Lounge is also a perfect place to go out on a date because the site is genuinely romantic. The establishment also has a Health Score A, accepts reservations, and offers cashless transactions via credit card or Apple Pay.

Verlaine

View of a cocktail and candle on a dim light

πŸ“ Address: 110 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 614-2494
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 12 am Tue & Wed, 5 pm – 1 am Thurs, 5 pm – 2 am Fri & Sat, Closed on Sun & Mon

Are you looking for a fun and colorful cocktail place in New York City? You should check out Verlaine! This cocktail bar is truly the ultimate NYC best bar. The establishment focuses on serving Southeast Asian cocktails, as well as world-class tapas that customers would love.

Verlaine is also among those bars in New York City that offers a wide drinking area for guests and customers. The name of the establishment originated from the famous poet in the 19th century Paul Verlaine. The bar is also known for its fun, happy hour specials and treats, which is still being served since 2001.

If you plan to visit Verlaine, you should see the place on Sunday. They have a small event during Sundays called Cuban Salsa Sunday. The event starts at 8:30 PM, and lots of customers go to this event.

🍺 Read More Bar Guides:

Abe’s Pagoda Bar

πŸ“ Address: 108 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (718) 366-6913
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 2 am Sun-Thurs, 5 pm – 4 am Fri & Sat

Another Asian-inspired bar, Abe’s Pagoda Bar, is popular because of their fancy cocktails and regular frozen menu. All dishes and foods on their menu are Asian cuisines, and each is crafted with talent and passion for food.

Since we are in the middle of a pandemic, Abe’s Pagoda Bar has added some services to their establishment. They offer outdoor seating, takeout, delivery, sit-down dining, and curbside pickup. Customers will surely not miss Abe’s Pagoda’s taste because they have all the options available for everyone in the city.

When you dine in the place, the establishment performs health and safety measures to their customers and staff, such as wearing masks, gloves, proper sanitation, temperature checks, and social distancing measures. They also encourage cashless transactions, such as paying via credit card.

Botanica Bar

A group of friends having a toast with their cocktails

πŸ“ Address: 47 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 343-7251
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 12 am Mon-Wed, 5 pm – 1 am Thurs, 5 pm – 2 am Fri & Sat

If you are looking for fun bars in NYC, you should visit Botanica Bar at Houston Street, NYC. This establishment shows off the best vibe, especially when it is packed with customers and guests. Botanica Bar is the place to be when you want to celebrate something special with friends and family.

The best thing about Botanica Bar is they offer cheap and affordable drinks. Although it’s cheap, all beverages are laboriously crafted with the most excellent mixes and booze. The establishment is a great place to chill and have a casual meet up with a friend. 

The place is also hip and cozy, making it the best bar to relax and chill after a stressful day or week. It is also safe to visit Botanica Bar despite the pandemic because the establishment has an A Health Score. Although they do not offer reservations at the moment, they accept dine-ins with cashless payment transactions.

A+ Roof Bar

πŸ“ Address: Level R of The Parc Hotel, 3916 College Point Blvd, Queens, NY 11354 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (929) 204-7875
πŸ• Hours: 6 pm – 1 am Fri-Sun, Closed on Mon-Thurs

This fantastic rooftop bar called A+ Roof Bar is located at the top of the Parc Hotel. The establishment shows off a modern vibe paired with a modern design. They serve a wide variety of drinks, such as whisky, beers, spirits, and mixed drinks.

You will never have a dull moment at A+ Roof Bar because you can also ask their bartenders to mix a drink to your liking. You will also love the view when you enjoy your drinks in the bar because you will see the concrete jungle’s e hustle and bustle. Enjoy a few drinks with a friend at A+ Roof Bar.

On Now Lounge

View of a red cocktail in a bar

πŸ“ Address: 431 7th Ave FL 3, New York, NY 10001 (Google Maps)

The On Now Lounge is genuinely one of the hottest bars in NYC to visit. Whether you are a New Yorker or a foreigner, you indeed love the hype that this place offers. So, if you are looking for a trendy hotspot in the city to spend your weekend nights, you need to visit On Now Lounge.

Aside from the great booze and cocktail mixes the bar offers, the establishment also allows reservations for anyone who wants to reserve a spot. The place also has moderate noise, and it is an excellent place for groups. The On Now Lounge also has free WiFi access, so even when you are partying, you can update how your night is going through your social media accounts.

The establishment does not allow smoking, but they do have a comprehensive menu of food and drinks to choose from. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are the best days to visit the bar. They also have happy hour specials daily.

Sandbar Rooftop

πŸ“ Address: 152 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 434-0445

If you are looking for a place to have dinner and drinks all in one, the SandBar Rooftop is the place to go in NYC. Before, the establishment was open for walk-ins. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the bar only caters to customers who have reservations.

Each reservation would cost $25 per head. The establishment also values the importance of staying safe; thus, they have implemented COVID-19 health and safety measures. Customers and staff must wear masks, sanitize before entering, and each person’s temperature should be checked.

The Sandbar is highly popular because of its delicious food items. You will also love dining in the bar because the place’s ambiance is very chill and relaxing. It somehow looks more like a rooftop apartment, but can accommodate a lot of people in it.

Castell Rooftop Lounge

A group of friends enjoying their drink on a rooftop

πŸ“ Address: AC Hotel, 260 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (929) 284-3761
πŸ• Hours: 4 pm – 11 pm Mon-Thurs, 4 pm – 12 am Fri, 12 pm – 12 am Sat, 11 am – 10 pm Sun

Located at the busy streets of Garment District, Castell Rooftop Lounge is genuinely a bar to visit when you are in NYC. The establishment has the best cocktail drinks and menu that you can try all night. The ambiance of the place is also very classic, with a contemporary design and high-quality service.

The Castell Rooftop Lounge was established in 2018, and it became one of the best rooftop bars in the city. The bar also follows health and safety measures that apply to the staff and customers. They offer outdoor seating and sit-down dining, while takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup are currently unavailable.

Vineapple Cafe

View of a cocktail on a table

πŸ“ Address: 71 Pineapple St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (347) 799-1035
πŸ• Hours: 7 am – 9 pm Mon-Thurs, 7 am – 10 pm Fri, 8 am – 10 pm Sat, 8 am – 9 pm Sun

Not all clubs and bars in NYC are specific in catering to people who follow health-sensitive diets. If you are conscious about your food and drink intake, but you love going out, then you should head out to Vineapple Cafe. They have drinks and food items on the menu that are gluten-free and vegan options.

Vineapple Cafe has happy hour specials for their customers daily. They have a full bar, and you can also sit outside while enjoying your drink since they offer outside seating. The bar is also locally owned by a New Yorker, and all staff members also lived in the city.

Anotheroom

πŸ“ Address: 249 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (917) 388-3720
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 12 am Mon, 5 pm – 2 am Tue-Thurs, 5 pm – 4 am Fri & Sat, Closed on Sun

Another fascinating cocktail lounge that can be found at the heart of the city is Anotheroom. This bar is open daily from 5 PM to 2 AM the following day. The place is quite dim because the hallways and tables are only candles lit.

However, the candles give out an aesthetic, moody vibe, and it complements cleanly with the brick walls. This is a great place to spend dinner and drinks with your co-workers after shift. They also offer different beverages such as beer, wine, cocktails, and a sake bar.

Moreover, Anotheroom is safe to visit because they have a Health Score A, and they follow COVID-19 safety and health protocols. They accept contactless payment transactions and follow social distancing measures. So, if you are looking for a classy and chill night out, Anotheroom is the place to go.

Peachy’s

πŸ“ Address: 5 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (646) 895-9301
πŸ• Hours: 6 pm – 1 am Tue-Sat, Closed on Mon & Sun

Chic and classic, that is how many New Yorkers mostly describe peachy’s. This bar located at Doyers Street brings so much talk because of the bar’s ambiance and vibe. Although they are closed on Mondays, they are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 6 PM to 1 AM.

This cocktail bar is trendy because it is trendy and classy at the same time. The place is also best for groups, so you can always bring your friends and family to have some fun. It’s best to visit Peachy’s every Friday, and they offer different specials and treats during that time.

One unique thing about Peachy’s is that it is an underground cocktail bar. It is one of the most secure bars in the city, and security guards are everywhere. During weekends, they open from noon up to 3 PM for brunch at their upstairs restaurant.

The Stonewall Inn

The Stonewall Inn from the outside in New York City
(photo: littlenySTOCK / Shutterstock)

πŸ“ Address: 53 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (212) 488-2705
πŸ• Hours: 2 pm – 4 am Mon-Fri, 1 pm – 4 am Sat & Sun

The Stonewall Inn is a gay bar located in Manhattan, New York City. It is believed to be the birthplace of the modern LGBT rights movement.

The Stonewall Inn is located at 53 Christopher Street, New York City. It was built in 1843 and it has been operating as a gay bar since 1967. The Stonewall Inn is the site of one of the most important events in LGBT rights history – the 1969 Stonewall Riots that led to the formation of Gay Liberation Front and other organizations that fight for LGBT rights today.

The Stonewall Inn was opened on June 28th, 1967. It was the country’s first gay bar to be owned by gays and lesbians. The Stonewall Inn is also seen as a symbol of equality for all people.

McSorley’s

View of the McSorley's from the outside
(photo: littlenySTOCK / Shutterstock)

πŸ“ Address: 15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003 (Google Maps)
πŸ• Hours: 11 am – 1 am Mon-Sat, 12 pm – 1 am Sun

McSorley’s is a bar in New York City that has been open since 1854. The history of this bar is one of the most well-known in New York City, and it has been featured in many books and movies.

McSorley’s was opened by John McSorley on 15th Street in Manhattan. Today, the bar still stands on the same spot and is considered to be a landmark of New York City. It was originally a small Irish pub, but today it has turned into a local institution with a lot of character. The original building still stands today, but there are many additions to it as well as extensions outside which make up the whole complex.

🍺 Read More Bar Guides: