Diners' Choice: Cocktail Bar restaurants in New York City

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Cocktail Bar cuisine in New York City? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Ascent Lounge New York

4.7

4.7 (383)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Midtown West

About the restaurant

Located on the 4th floor of The Shops at Columbus Circle, Ascent Lounge offers an incomparable cocktail lounge experience. Presenting stunning views of iconic New York destinations, Central Park and Columbus Circle, Ascent Lounge presents exceptional product and service in a sophisticated, inviting atmosphere. This Premium Cocktail Lounge and Multi-Faceted NYC Event Venue is designed to provide a variety of elegant experiences, from early evening cocktail hours and late night VIP Reservations to Private NYC Corporate Events and Social Celebrations.

Top review

Khalil

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

As usual the service was professional and staff were very attentive.

Fernando's Hideaway

4.7

4.7 (17)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Midtown

About the restaurant

Fernando's Hideaway: A Disco Dreamland in the Heart of New York

Step into a world of shimmering disco balls, plush red booths, and a vibrant atmosphere that transports you straight to the heart of the 70's and 80's. Fernando's Hideaway, nestled above Bartley Dunnes, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Looking for a unique experience? Join us for our "Girl Dinner," where you can enjoy bottomless cocktails and bubbles for 90 minutes while sharing delicious tapas with your friends.

Whether you're looking for a lively atmosphere, delicious food, or expertly crafted cocktails, Fernando's Hideaway has something for everyone. Come experience the magic of this hidden disco haven and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Top review

Nadia

Dined 4 days ago

The staff was amazing! I would recommend, the vibes were great. Yes, it’s small but it’s nice and cozy. The drinks are phenomenal!

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Experience

Girl Dinner @ Fernando's Hideaway

Experience

Disco Brunch @ Fernando's Hideaway

Madame George

4.8

4.8 (132)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Rockefeller Center

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Manhattan, Madame George is a swanky New York cocktail bar, made for New Yorkers, by New Yorkers. Join us for live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and happy hour specials 5-7pm Tuesday - Saturday.

Madame George features an extensive cocktail program inspired by New York City through the ages using refreshed & modern techniques while referencing historic & prolific cocktail culture. The plush, eclectic cocktail den offers an intimate hideaway for cocktail lovers and city goers alike.

Step from the busy New York streets into a whimsical space, where luxe textures and bright accents form a striking canvas for creative cocktails. A place vaguely nostalgic, yet original; comforting, yet provocative – and like its namesake muse, a captivating mystery.

Find us in Midtown Manhattan just off 5th Avenue, with close proximity to Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center.

Top review

Teddy

Dined on Jul 2, 2025

The ambiance was great! Love the space. The drinks were phenomenal! Highly recommend!

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Experience

$1.50 OYSTERS EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Experience

Live Music

Lady Blue

4.5

4.5 (229)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Hell's Kitchen

About the restaurant

Inspired by the alluring nature of the late 1970’s New York, Lady Blue is an ode to a remarkable decade of transformation. An oft-forgotten character from the Broadway classic, Torch Song Trilogy by Harvey Fierstein, Lady Blue’s combination of seduction and grace narrates the main protagonist’s transitional phases, symbolically encapsulating both the wonders and challenges of life in that era. The ambiance and aesthetic of Lady Blue aim to invoke the nostalgia of a quintessential time period for the Broadway community and our darling city.

Top review

Scott

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Staff and food were amazing, and the place is beautiful!

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Experience

Good "Old Fashioned" Mondays

Experience

Spritz Thursday

Empire Rooftop @ Empire Hotel

4.4

4.4 (1023)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Lincoln Square

About the restaurant

The Empire Rooftop is located on the top floor of the iconic Empire Hotel and overlooks the Lincoln Center complex. With over 8000 square feet of interior and exterior space, The Empire Rooftop has a seasonal open-air East Terrace, a West Terrace with a retractable roof cover, an Interior Main Lounge, and a seasonal Sun Deck. Enjoy our Signature Empire Sunset Cocktail, a light bite from our appetizer menu, and take a photo in front of the iconic neon sign to complete your experience.

Guests of all ages (accompanied by a Parent) are welcome on the roof until 8PM, when those under 21 must vacate.

Visit our website at www.theempirerooftop.com for more information.

Top review

Nick

Dined 2 days ago

I took my daughter to the Empire for her 13th birthday 8 years ago as she was a huge Gossip Girl fan and yesterday we went back for her 21st birthday celebrations. The atmosphere was great and the staff were as attentive as they were on our first trip. Well done on all accounts.

Secrets

4.2

4.2 (13)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Flatiron District

About the restaurant

Limited Engagement, May 15-17th & 22-24th ONLY.

Welcome to Secrets: Serving Drama on the Rocks.

Secrets is an immersive, theatrical event set in a bar nestled in the heart of NYC’s Gramercy Park. Sip cocktails as you experience the stories of characters unfolding around you in real time.

At Secrets, eavesdropping isn’t only encouraged, it’s inevitable.

Top review

Cesar

Dined on May 25, 2025

Great experience, good show, delicious drinks that were very wet.

Nubeluz

4.6

4.6 (947)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

NoMad

About the restaurant

Elevated Cocktails, Stunning Views Nubeluz by José Andrés is a lightbox in the sky, bringing together the Spanish word for cloud ("nube") and for light ("luz"). Nubeluz offers modern interpretations of classic cocktails and small bites coupled with remarkable 270-degree views of the New York City skyline.

Top review

Kareen

Dined 2 days ago

I would definitely like to visit this breathtaking, magnificent restaurant.

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Experience

High Tea

Experience

Tour de José at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

The Carnegie Club Cocktail and Cigar Lounge

4.7

4.7 (262)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Midtown West

About the restaurant

Enjoy a fine cigar, single malt scotch, and live music at one of the most exclusive lounges in New York City.
Conveniently located steps from Carnegie Hall, Central Park, and Times Square, The Carnegie Club is a magnificent space that’s both grand and intimate. It provides a classic and sophisticated backdrop of hand-carved 18th century bookcases filled with a wide assortment of leather-bound titles, a stone fireplace, 20 foot ceilings, and several cigar humidors--all offset by plush furnishings.

The Carnegie Club is also home to New York City’s longest running Sinatra Show featuring Steven Maglio and the Stan Rubin 11-Piece Orchestra which have been dazzling audiences for over two decades.

All guests must be 21+ only.

Top review

Pat

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

Great environment and impeccable service. It was a great experience.

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Experience

Sinatra Saturdays General Seating

Silver Lining Lounge

4.2

4.2 (104)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

NoLita

About the restaurant

Located off the iconic Bowery in the Lower East Side, this Live Music Bar comes alive with nightly musical performances on stage. Experience local bands, Grammy award-winning musicians, and international special guests bringing the house down with all your favorite hits from the 60s, 70s, 90s, and 2000s. Silver Lining will have you on your feet, singing along as the music fills the room, with light bites and drinks flowing. Grab your friends and join the party every Thursday through Saturday. Curated by Creative Directors Dylan Hales and Ronnie Flynn, co-founders of Lower East Side hot spot The Flower Shop.

We’re getting the bands back together.

We are a 21+ venue. Live music will be from 9:30pm to 1:30am. Reservations are for a 2-hour experience. A $95 per person minimum spend on Thursdays-Saturdays, applicable to food and beverages, regardless of party size. A valid government-issued ID is required for entry. No copies or paper IDs accepted.

Top review

StephenVIP

Dined on May 23, 2025

Cadie is amazing. Band was lively and everyone in the group had a great time.

ART Midtown

4.4

4.4 (67)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Hell's Kitchen

About the restaurant

Renwick Hospitality Group and Arlo Hotels Present ART Midtown. Art Midtown offers sweeping views of Hudson Yards, the Empire State Building, World Trade Center, & more. Offerings include incredible seasonal cocktails, frozens, local beers, and wine. Along with fantastic food offerings from chef Carsten Johannsens such as pizzas, guacamole & chips, and other shareable bites.

Top review

DeAndra

Dined 6 days ago

ALTAIR MEANS STAR….HOW APPROPRIATE! FROM THE MINUTE THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPENED, THE STAR TREATMENT BEGAN! WE WERE GREETED BY MIGUEL, THE GM. HIS WELCOMING SMILE ASSURED US THAT WE WERE IN THE RIGHT PLACE. FAROUK, LOOKING RED CARPET READY, ESCORTED US TO OUR AMAZING ROOFTOP SEATS. AND THE PARTY WAS JUST GETTING STARTED. GABBY & DANIELLA, OUR AWESOME WAITRESSES, OFFERED SUGGESTIONS AND MADE SURE THAT OUR GLASSES WERE NEVER EMPTY AND OUR STOMACHS STAYED FULL! THE WATERMELON COCKTAIL WAS THE DRINK THAT NIGHT….I HAD 4! DELICIOUS! HAMACHI, SPICY SAUSAGE PIZZA, PULLED PORK SLIDERS, BRISKET, CHEESES THAT TASTED AS IF THEY WERE FLOWN IN THAT MORNING AND THE LIST GOES ON. EACH DISH SURPASSED THE NEXT…..THERE WERE FIREWORKS IN THE SKY AND IN OUR PALATES! FLAVORS THAT LEFT US WANTING MORE, WHILE NOT BEING ABLE TO SWALLOW ANOTHER BITE. BUT WE DID….LOL. BECAUSE IT WAS DESSERT TIME!!!! CHOCOLATE BROWNIE THAT MADE US SHIVER….A BERRY TART, TOPPED WITH WHIPPED CREAM AND A HONEY VINAIGRETTE, YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT, AND TIRAMISU……I’M SMILING FROM THE MEMORY. MERCET AND JOSUE STAYED NEARBY TO ASSURE THAT WE WERE ALWAYS GOOD. AND WE WERE!! IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE SUMMER, TAKE YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU LOVE TO THE ROOFTOP AT ALTAIR. YOU CAN THANK US LATER. AND TO THE STAFF…..AGAIN, WE SAY THANK YOU FOR A DINING EXPERIENCE THAT RANKS AMONG THE FINEST WE’VE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF ENJOYING. FROM DEANDRAS FAMILY

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