Best Cocktail Bars In NYC

• Location: 30 Water Street, NY 10004
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: we love The Dead Rabbit because you can cozy up in the taproom with a frozen Irish coffee or perch upstairs sipping a Garden Grove under the warm glow of the chandeliers - it's always a good time 

Nestled in Manhattan's Financial District, The Dead Rabbit is part Irish pub and part cocktail bar. The ground-floor taproom is a nod to traditional Irish hospitality, serving up pints, hearty fare, and a lively atmosphere, while the second-floor parlor is where the magic happens: an elegant, Victorian-inspired space where award-winning cocktails are crafted with meticulous care. The entire venue is steeped in 19th-century New York history, with rich wood paneling, vintage décor, and a menu that doubles as a graphic novel, bringing the bar's storytelling ethos to life.

Since opening in 2013, founders Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry have turned The Dead Rabbit into a global name, racking up accolades like World's Best Bar and Best American Cocktail Bar. The drinks program continues to push boundaries, from its signature Irish Coffee - a silky blend of Teeling Small Batch whiskey, Andytown coffee, and freshly whipped cream - to inventive creations like the gin-based Irish Rose and the smoky, tropical Against the Grain.

• Location: 11 Madison Avenue, NY 10010
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: we feel like a night here feels like stepping into a beautifully curated world - the decor is a personal favourite as it's the perfect combination of sleek yet homely

Above Eleven Madison Park sits Clemente Bar, a cocktail hideaway where art and mixology collide. Designed by Brad Cloepfil, the space is a visual dream, featuring walnut paneling, vintage furniture, and a breathtaking ceiling fresco by Francesco Clemente himself.

Sebastian Tollius leads the drinks program, balancing technical mastery with playful creativity. Standouts include the saffron-laced Clemente Martini, the tropical Negroni Colada, and the umami-rich Against the Grain. For a deeper dive, book the omakase-style experience at The Studio, where plant-based bites are paired with bespoke cocktails.

• Location: 79-81 MacDougal Street, NY 10012
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: we suggest starting your night with a negroni on tap here, or wrapping up a Sunday with an espresso and a Fireside Old Fashioned

On the hunt for a fabulous cocktail bar? NYC's Dante's got you covered. Simply venture over to the West Village, where you'll find the bar that's been keeping New Yorkers well-fed and well-watered since 1915. This historic Italian café and cocktail bar is the epitome of la dolce vita, with white marble counters, vintage photographs, and warm wood accents.

Owned by Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson, Dante has earned global acclaim thanks to its world-class drinks program and signature warmth. The cocktail menu is a love letter to Italian classics, with a modern twist. Their award-winning Negroni Sessions are a must (try the Chocolate Negroni or the smoky Mezcalito), but the fun doesn't stop there, as there's the Fluffy Margarita Royale topped with prosecco. We'll have one of those, please. 

• Location: 13 1st Avenue, NY 10003
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: we think Superbueno has some infectious energy, inventive drinks, and we love the way it transforms a night out into a celebration of Mexican culture 

When it comes to cocktail bars, NYC knows what it's doing with this gem. In Manhattan's East Village, Superbueno bursts with colour, energy, and creativity, offering a playful Mexican-American cocktail experience. Neon lights, Lucha Libre murals, and glowing primary colours set the stage for a space designed to spark joy, spontaneous dancing, and communal vibes, all underscored by a soundtrack of cumbia and Mexican indie-pop.

Founded by Ignacio 'Nacho' Jimenez in partnership with bar entrepreneur Greg Boehm, Superbueno has rapidly become one of the country's most acclaimed cocktail bars. Its drinks menu is a bold exploration of Mexican-inspired flavours and high-level mixology: try the Roasted Corn Sour, where corn whiskey and reposado tequila mingle with roasted corn and guajillo, or our favourite, the velvety Mole Negroni, infused with mole fat-washed mezcal and xocolati bitters. 

• Location: 298 Bedford Avenue, NY 11249
• Price: $$$
• Why we recommend: we love the menu here, particularly its absinthe collection, which is not for the faint-hearted. It's a great place to visit for a martini and a couple of oysters 

Great cocktail bars in NYC? We've got you sorted. Tucked into Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Maison Premiere is where Old-World charm meets Brooklyn edge. Since 2011, founders Joshua Boissy and Krystof Zizka have been channeling the spirit of Parisian absinthe cafés and New Orleans oyster bars into a space that feels suspended in time. Inside, you'll find green-patina walls, vintage glassware, and a marble horseshoe bar crowned with a replica of Bourbon Street's famed absinthe fountain. When the garden opens, it transforms into a dreamy French Quarter-style courtyard, perfect for long, lingering afternoons over martinis.

The star here? Absinthe - the largest selection in the country - alongside a raw bar offering over 30 varieties of oysters, each sourced directly from farmers. What's more, Maison Premiere has a James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program and a regular spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list.

• Location: 45 Grove Street, NY 10014
• Price: $$$
• Why we recommend: we know that Angel's Share is an NYC icon for a reason - it's where we go when we want a cocktail moment that feels special, serene, and just a little bit secret

Angel's Share can be found in the West Village, enchanting passers by with its delicious cocktails. Tucked away on Grove Street, this revived speakeasy pairs antique chandeliers with hand-painted cherubs and a cozy, salon-like waiting room.

Inside, you'll find that there's no standing or no big groups, just perfectly executed cocktails served with quiet precision. Expect a mix of inventive new creations alongside a few of the bar's most beloved classics, each presented in delicate glassware and balanced with Japanese-style finesse.

• Location: 325 West 11th Street, NY 10014
• Price: $$$
• Why we recommend: between the transportive décor and expertly mixed cocktails, Orient Express feels like a journey back in time, which is why we love it 

If you're after a cocktail spot with real atmosphere, Orient Express in the West Village is one for the list. Inspired by the legendary train, this bar is all polished beechwood panels, bronzed luggage racks, and bartenders who look like they've stepped straight out of the 1930s. The space is intimate and transportive, perfect for a quiet date night.

The drinks menu is a first-class ride all its own, featuring clever twists on classics and original creations that nod to the golden age of travel. Sip on a smoky Campfire (Rittenhouse Rye, Laphroaig, Allspice Dram, Creme de Cacao) or the bright, citrusy Pink Luggage, and you'll see why this place has such a loyal following. And if you're in the mood for the familiar, they serve perfect renditions of standards like the Vieux Carré, Boulevardier, and negroni.

• Location: 510 Hudson Street, NY 10014
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: we think that Employees Only is New York cocktail culture at its finest: it's lively, polished, and just a little mischievous. It's where we go when we want expertly made drinks and a night that feels like it could go anywhere

On the lookout for some cool cocktail bars in NYC? Check out Employees Only. Step through a fortune teller's lair in the West Village and you'll find yourself inside one of New York's most iconic cocktail institutions. Since 2004, it's been serving speakeasy glamour with Art Deco interiors, a sweeping curving bar, and bartenders in crisp white jackets who free-pour with theatrical flair. 

The drinks menu is a mix of house signatures and modern classics. Try the Manhattan Cocktail (Wild Turkey 101, Italian vermouth, Grand Marnier), the smoky-sweet Ready Fire Aim (mezcal, lime, honey-pineapple syrup), or the ever-popular Amelia, a Grey Goose and St-Germain creation with blackberry and lemon that's become a global bar staple. And if you're there late, don't be surprised if you're handed a steaming cup of the bar's legendary 'Sober Up Soup'.

• Location: 115 Allen Street, NY 10002
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: Double Chicken Please is where cocktail culture meets avant-garde design, as it's surprising, immersive, and ridiculously fun. We go here whenever we want to wow someone with something out of the ordinary, challenging what a cocktail bar can truly be

If you want to try some seriously quirky drinks (yes, there really is a 'cold pizza' cocktail here), then make your way over to Double Chicken Please on the Lower East Side. Split between two spaces - The Coop, a dark, moody cocktail lounge with mid-century style, and Free Range, a lively front bar perfect for casual sipping - this spot is all about 'design hacking'.

Founders GN Chan and Faye Chen take culinary classics and reimagine them as cocktails. The menu is like an edible art exhibit, with cocktails that reinterpret dishes such as Waldorf Salad (featuring Dewar's 12-year whisky and apple) and Key Lime Pie (a gin-based delight) - each a playful, precise, and wildly creative sip. We suggest pairing them with Chef Mark Chou's Taiwanese fried chicken sandwiches or small plates that are just as bold as the drinks.

• Location: 70 Pine Street, 64th Floor, NY 10005
• Price: $$$
• Why we recommend: we think that Overstory is the kind of place that reminds you why you fell in love with New York. Whether you're sipping a Terroir Old Fashioned under the stars or watching the city lights sparkle with an Easy Money in hand, you're bound to have a luxurious time 

Housed in the historic 70 Pine Street building,  Overstory is an intimate, 28-seat lounge is wrapped by a terrace with jaw-dropping 360-degree views of Manhattan. Inside, Art Deco elegance reigns supreme: warm woods, plush textures, and a palette of earthy neutrals conjure the glamour of 1940s ocean liners.

The drinks, crafted by Beverage Director Harrison Ginsberg (of The Dead Rabbit and BlackTail fame), are as inspired as the setting. Expect a rotating menu of cocktails that blend creativity with precision, like the floral and delicate Pink Tuxedo (vodka, cherry blossom, strawberry, absinthe), the vegetal Cold Snap (gin, snap pea, plum), and the decadent In The Clouds, a whiskey-based number smoothed with Earl Grey, vanilla, and champagne. Pair your drink with a luxe bite - the black truffle grilled cheese with aged Comté is a must.

• Location: 121 East 17th Street, NY 10003
• Price: $$$
• Why we recommend: we suggest booking a drink at Martiny's for its seamless blend of artistry, precision, and welcoming intimacy; it's a place where every sip feels curated and every visit feels special

Tucked inside a restored 1800s carriage house in Gramercy, Martiny's is a three-level cocktail sanctuary where Old New York charm meets Japanese elegance. Exposed brick walls, warm wood accents, and soft jazz create an intimate, refined atmosphere across each floor, each offering its own subtle variation on the theme. Behind the bar, founder and Beverage Director Takuma Watanabe - formerly of Angel's Share - channels the Japanese philosophy of shokunin, a meticulous dedication to craft, into every detail, from the featherlight Kimura glassware to the omotenashi-style hospitality.

Martiny's drinks menu blends Tokyo-inspired precision with Western classics. Standouts include the crisp yet delicate Suntory Old Fashioned, the ethereal Yuzu Martini, and the inventive Smoky Sakura, each showcasing Watanabe's flair for balance, depth, and presentation.