Bar hopping is never boring in New York City. Whether you’re in the mood to taste a trendy drink at the best cocktail bars, sip a well-curated glass at the best wine bars, or hang with a paperback in the corner of a moody dive, the best bars in NYC serve top-notch drinks for every mood and occasion.
In the East Village, a century-old hangout is a go-to for umbrella-topped daiquiris. Share a bottle of natural wine and French plates at a Lower East Side gem. Head to Midtown for playful cocktails and unobstructed Empire State Building views from the best NYC rooftop bars.
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Read on for a guide to the 12 best bars in NYC right now.
For whimsical cocktails and bar snacks with a view: Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge (Midtown West)
Every hour feels magical atop this lofty lounge that’s one of the NYC’s best rooftop bars. With unobstructed Empire State Building views, the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge is a rarity this close to Times Square. Retro-inspired decor, string lights, and rotating, carousel-like seating make this indoor-outdoor space an influencer hotspot. Expect extra playful drinks like an 18-ounce pomegranate vodka party punch, plus carnival-inspired fare like caramel popcorn and a jumbo NYC-style pretzel.
For stellar seafood and martinis at one of the best historic bars in NYC: Grand Central Oyster Bar (Midtown East)
Open since 1913, this landmark, basement-level oyster bar still serves up some of the city’s best seafood. It’s also one of New York City’s most beautiful restaurants, with Beaux Arts-style details like vaulted ceilings and terracotta tiles. Sit at a checker cloth-dressed table or grab a stool at the bar counter for raw oysters, chowders, and massive seafood platters, plus ice-cold dirty martinis served with a sidecar of olive juice that make Grand Central one of NYC’s best bars.
For bar bites and exceptional cocktails at an old-school destination: Holiday Cocktail Lounge (East Village)
Revitalized in the 2010s by hospitality vet Barbara Sibley, this century-old East Village haunt and one of the best bars in NYC is as popular as ever. Holiday’s extensive cocktail list includes paper umbrella-topped daiquiris, an ever-popular espresso martini, and plenty of beer and wine by the glass. The U-shaped bar at the center of the kitschy but classy space is especially well-suited for catching up with friends—or making brand-new ones—over elevated bar snacks like wagyu corn dog bites.
For creative cocktails and contemporary American fare at one of NYC’s best rooftop bars: Ophelia (Midtown East)
For stunning East River views, head to Ophelia, an Art Deco-inspired cocktail lounge on the 26th floor of the historic Beekman Tower. Arched glass panels and jewel tones add to the bar’s nostalgic vibe, but the menu leans luxe New American. Try innovative cocktails like a martini smoked with palo santo wood and a Caribbean take on an old fashioned paired with an elegant snack menu of crispy prawn tacos, duck confit spring rolls, and steak tartare bites.
For globally inspired small plates and whimsical cocktails at one of the best hotel bars in NYC: As You Are (Boerum Hill)
Part bar, part cafe, part restaurant, the Ace Hotel Brooklyn’s As You Are is always an all-around good time and one of the best bars in NYC. You can’t go wrong with any of the bar’s cocktails, but the refreshing, tequila-based Este Lado and the non-alcoholic negroni are both standouts. Grab a seat at one of the comfy green banquettes and stretch your evening with a dish from chef Camille Becerra’s globally inspired food menu, with drink-friendly fare like classic steak frites and a noodle bowl with teriyaki mackerel.
For comfort food and group-friendly drinks: Harlem Tavern (Harlem)
A central Harlem location makes this easygoing beer garden and sports bar an ideal spot to hang with friends, catch a game, or simply drink in the sun. Gather over playful cocktails like a frozen Hennessy colada, crowd-pleasing punches, and more than a dozen beers on tap—many from local favorites like Bronx Brewery. Linger a little longer with the tavern’s solid comfort food lineup, which includes wings, sliders, and customizable mac and cheese.
For innovative drinks and luxe small plates at one of NYC’s best hotel bars: Nubeluz (NoMad)
Take in Empire State Building views at chef José Andrés’s Nubeluz, a swanky cocktail bar on the 50th floor of The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. Expect creative drinks like the Salt Air Margarita topped with a cloud of sea-salted foam plus perfectly executed classics and sophisticated spirit-free cocktails. Add in plush jewel-toned seating, mirrored tables, and fancy small plates like a labneh cone with caviar, and the sultry setting is ideal for a special night out.
For acclaimed cocktails and seafood small plates at one of NYC’s best hotel bars: The Tusk Bar (NoMad)
The Roaring Twenties come alive at The Tusk Bar, Evelyn Hotel’s glam salon recently named one of Esquire’s best bars in America. Barman Tristan Brunel leads the stellar beverage program, which includes whimsical takes on the classics—think a twist on the bloody mary with soy and fermented chili and mini martinis served with oyster sidecars. With a raw bar and menu of seafood-forward snacks like scallop crudo, fresh oysters, and shrimp cocktail, this is one of NYC’s best bars for top-notch food.
For pub fare and whiskey at one the best historic bars in NYC: Fraunces Tavern (Financial District)
Fraunces Tavern is the city’s oldest bar, and celebrities and locals still flock to the sprawling, 18th-century cocktail den with five separate seating areas. Head to the cozy whiskey bar to sip pours and flights from nearly 300 domestic and international labels. If whiskey isn’t your thing, choose from an impressive selection of limited-edition and craft beers, including several non-alcoholic brews. Either way, you’ll want to dig into pub favorites like oysters, wings, and the Tavern’s famed burger.
For European-inspired small plates and natural wine: Demo (West Village)
This buzzy West Village wine bar has a modern feel and a welcoming vibe. Settle behind the glossy red chef’s counter or in an espresso-hued booth in the softly-lit dining room with a glass of wine from Jacob Nass’s clever and eclectic list, with an emphasis on small and natural producers. The shareable, European-leaning menu is equally impressive, with standout dishes like crab casino with Ritz crackers and beef tartare topped with soy-cured egg yolk.
For French-inspired fare at one of the best wine bars in NYC: Jadis (Lower East Side)
This low-lit, intimate bar is a Parisian-inspired charmer in the heart of the Lower East Side. The brick-walled setting and votive lighting make Jadis an ideal spot to get cozy over European craft beers, pitch-perfect sustainable and natural wines, or one of the restaurant’s signature aperitifs. Classic plates like escargot, beef bourguignon, and tarte flambée complete the French-inspired escape.
For craft beer and bar snacks in an energetic space: TALEA Beer Co (Williamsburg)
Woman-owned TALEA Beer Co. is where you go for some of the city’s best brews, served in a cheery taproom decked with plants and colorful tiles. Choose from rotating draft beers that could include fruit-forward sours, zesty light beers, hazy IPAs, and non-alcoholic lagers. The restaurant’s menu of beer-friendly snacks stars Bavarian-style pretzels and cheese and charcuterie boards—perfect for a night (or day) out.
From historic taverns to intimate neighborhood gems and lively rooftop stunners, there are hundreds of drinking spots to choose from all over NYC. Whether you’re into natural wines and European-inspired small plates or classic martinis paired with stellar seafood, the best bars in NYC are sure to fill up quickly.
Snag your seat at one of New York City’s best bars by booking with OpenTable now.
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Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer based in Brooklyn, where she lives with her wife and rescue dog. You can follow her on Instagram @melissabethk and Twitter @melissabethk.
Known for her pioneering food blog, The Strong Buzz, Andrea covers restaurants, chefs, trends, and big picture stories about the intersection of food, business, policy and the law for publications such as The New York Times, Fast Company, Food & Wine, New York Magazine, Eater, and more. She lives, eats, and loads and unloads the dishwasher in Brooklyn. Follow her on Instagram, @strongbuzz_.
