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From candlelit speakeasies, to rooftop bars with skyline views, to energetic taverns, New York City knows how to do night life. Whether you’re looking for expertly crafted cocktails, to try unique craft brews, or just looking for a fun vibe, there are many bars in NYC that are well worth checking out, if you’re someone who prefers to explore after dark.
In this guide, we share our favorite sticky dive bars, upscale cocktail bars, Irish pubs crowded with suits and historical jazz bars, because there are so many options, and we know how hard it can be to find the best bars in New York City. Though if you’re up for the adventure, the ones that are a bit harder to find are usually the ones that are full of surprises when you do find them!
NYC at a glance 🔍
- Accommodation options: NYC has a lot of accommodation options, though it’s famously expensive, and rooms are small. The most budget-friendly hostels, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals go for a minimum of $100 USD per night, and luxurious hotels for a minimum of $300 USD per night.
- Getting around: NYC is well serviced by the metro. The Subway connects most attractions and neighborhoods.
- Unmissable sights: Bike around Central Park, watch a show on Broadway, and do a food tour of the Greenwich neighborhood.
- Money saving tip: You can save money on attractions in NYC by getting yourself a NYC Explorer Pass. This can give you discounts to many of NYC’s top attractions, restaurants, and entertainment options.
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1. 230 Fifth
230 Fifth is perhaps the most iconic of NYC rooftop bars, and holds the title as the city’s largest indoor and outdoor bar, with a fully enclosed garden (aka open all winter long) and an absolutely incredible view of the Empire State Building and the entire upper Manhattan skyline. You’re definitely paying for the view in the drink prices, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be tempted to become a local here – but it’s one of those places that makes it worth playing tourist, no matter where you live.
2. Mr. Purple
Mr. Purple is one of the trendiest rooftop bars in NYC on the Lower East Side! Prepare for it to take over Instagram feeds all summer. With a swimming pool, a killer view of the Empire State Building, and a creative cocktail menu, it’s not hard to see (or taste) why. Sit back and relax as the bartender serves you a refreshing cocktail from their rotating menu – think vodka, tequila, and martini-based cocktails! They also have a selection of regionally brewed craft beers and a small international wine list.
3. The Bar Room at Beekman
The Bar Room is a sleek and stylish lounge bar in downtown NYC, on the 9th floor living room of the Beekman Hotel. The bar has been designed with a 1920s Victorian aristocrat and city slicker vibe, with chandeliers and plush seating with warm lamps dotted throughout the place, and mahogany bookcases and Persian rugs. On top of the warming atmosphere, it also has an outdoor terrace with incredible views of the city below. Enjoy a crisp cocktail under the warm night sky.
4. Bar Hugo
Whenever I’m missing my home state of California, I head up to Bar Hugo, a rooftop bar located on Greenwich St opposite the Hudson River. The super laid-back bar overlooks the cruise port, and between the boats and the warm breeze and the cold beers on its outdoor deck, it feels like you’ve been magically transported to Southern California.
At nighttime, the bar is illuminated with hanging lights that reflect in its mirrors, adding an air of decadence to the overall aesthetic. And if you want to actually drink on the boat, head down to Grand Banks, the last original salt bank fishing vessel, which has been beautifully restored and is anchored off Pier 25. It’s famed for the oysters and the seasonal cocktails, as well as the perfect golden hour light that seems to infuse happy hours here.
5. The Campbell
Maybe the most famous of the hidden bars in NYC (is that an oxymoron?) is The Campbell Bar. It’s secreted away in Grand Central Terminal in the refurbished office, and now looks like a 1920s salon with mogul features and vintage cocktails – and a dress code. Make sure to dress the part. It’s also a famous filming location for the Gossip Girl TV show.
6. The Honorable William Wall
William Wall is not a bar you can stumble over: it’s located on a parked yacht in the middle of the Hudson. You have to take a ferry to a small boat out to the launch (and purchase tickets to do so), but once you arrive, you feel like you’re in another world – because you really have left Manhattan behind. You’re drinking! On a boat! In the middle of the Hudson! It’s especially fun to head out here with a group, although you’ll have to show up early to snag tables.
7. Dynaco
The first time I tried to find Dynaco, I walked by it three times without any luck. Now that I’ve found it, I never want to leave! This cozy and warm English-tavern-inspired pub has a real homey feel to it. It has a fantastic fireplace, and all the classic cocktails, and the only food they serve is cake. Seriously. It’s currently under renovation, but we hope the new decor will keep its very old-school vibe (no fancy-infused syrups here).
8. Ludwig Bemelmans Bar
One of the most artistic bars in NYC is Bemelmans Bar, which has been decorated with murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, the author behind classic children’s books. Located in the Upper East Side neighborhood, very close to Bryant Park, in the Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, it’s an elegant lounge in the bustling city center.
The bar attracts some of the biggest names in society, from socialites to politicians to movie stars and more. It has a $20-$25 cover charge and regular live entertainment. When it comes to drinks, it’s martini’s are legendary!
9. Ophelia Lounge
Ophelia’s is a classy lounge 26th floor rooftop lounge in Beekman Tower that’s famous for its plush banquettes and incredible views from its 360-degree greenhouse terrace. With its location overlooking the East River, it’s the perfect classy bar in NYC offering skyline views.
Ophelia’s is unique for its interior decoration. Built in 1928, its design was inspired by the iconic Art Deco tower that it resides in. It is even said that Frank Sinatra liked to drink here. It was originally a women’s-only club, but was opened to everyone in 1934 by Beekman Tower. Be sure to add it to your bucket list!
10. Zinc Bar
Zinc Bar is a popular jazz bar in NYC that has nightly entertainment. The club is known for its subterranean atmosphere, with African, Latin, and Brazilian roots. Nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village, this 1940s-inspired jazz bar is where jazz greats made history, with former players being Thelonious Monk, Billie Holiday, and even Frank Sinatra.
The atmosphere is electric, but the decor makes it feel like you’ve been transported in history. The bar has been decorated with vintage decanters and champagne chillers, and the seats are surrounded by small wooden tables with candles. It’s the best bar in NYC to visit if you want a vibe!
11. Martiny’s
Martiny’s is another 1920s-inspired bar in NYC and has a warm and cozy atmosphere. It was founded by Takuma Watanabe, the longtime head bartender of Angel’s Share, who is famous for his Japanese-style cocktails. They are quite possibly the most unique cocktail blends you will find in NYC!
The bar has been built in the art studio of Philip Martiny, a French-American sculptor, and the interior design is a respectful nod towards the history of the original 1800s carriage house that it once was.
12. The Sunken Harbor Club
The Sunken Harbor Club is a nautical-themed cocktail bar on the second floor of Gage & Tollner. It opened in October 2021 and offers innovative and refreshing new takes on classic tropical cocktails, prepared by Chief Cocktail Officer Garret Richard. The space is intimate but in a casual way, with bar stools and corner seating, and drinks served in modern glasses or antique tumblers. It’s quirky but in all the right ways!
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Which of these bars are you most excited to visit in NYC? Let us know in the comments below.
