Quirky And Cool Bars In New York City

• Location: 113 St Marks Place, East Village, NY 10009
• Price: $$$
• Why we recommend: this is one of the coolest speakeasies in the city, and we love the unique entrance through a phone booth. Plus, the gourmet hotdogs are truly delicious

An iconic speakeasy bar in the East Village, Please Don't Tell is hidden behind a vintage phone booth inside hot dog shop Crif Dogs. You enter by dialing a number, before you're welcomed into an intimate spot filled with cozy leather booths, taxidermy decor and low lighting - seating only a small number of people at a time.

It was founded in 2007 by Jim Meehan, Brian Shebairo, and Chris Antista, and has quickly become a favorite in the speakeasy scene. Its many accolades include the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program in 2012, thanks to their expertly crafted cocktail menu. They also serve gourmet bar snacks, with a focus on hotdogs.

• Location: 505 E 6th Street, East Village, NY 10009
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: this celebrity hotspot makes for one of the most exciting nights out in the city, with live entertainment and music throughout the week

For a more lively night out, Club Cumming is a buzzing nightlife destination in the East Village - co-owned by actor Alan Cumming and nightlife promoter Daniel Nardicio. This was originally a pop-up in Cumming's Broadway dressing room while he was in Cabaret, and it became permanent in 2017. The eclectic interiors feature dark velvet drapes and murals painted by Cumming's husband, giving it a cozy, lived-in feeling.

This theatrical space is tucked away by an unmarked black entrance, hiding a vibrant dancefloor and stage where all sorts of entertainment takes place. Think burlesque, drag shows, stand-up comedy and even impromptu Broadway performances, where the line between performer and spectator is often blurred.

• Location: 96 2nd Avenue, East Village, NY 10003
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: this place is truly a treat for the eyes, and we definitely recommend picking one of their more whimsical cocktails if you want to get a great Instagram picture

Full of whimsy, Wonderland Bar is a designed-focused gastrobar that offers its customers a multisensory experience. Feast your eyes on their bold neon signs, pretty foliage and fairytale-themed decor, from mushroom-shaped vessels to surreal glassware, evoking a dreamlike feeling when you step inside.

They serve all the classic cocktails, as well as more theatrical pours, like the Bubble Trouble served in a cauldron. Michelin-starred Executive Chef Peter He runs the kitchen, whipping up small plates like chicken skewers with red pepper drizzle and peppercorn squid.

• Location: 115 Allen Street, Lower East Side, NY 10002
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: we can see why this bar has won so many awards; it's the perfect balance of playful and moody, with a truly unique cocktail menu that's always coming up with exciting new twists

Constantly pushing the boundaries of mixology, Double Chicken Please is a unique cocktail bar that has been split into two distinct spaces. The Coop is a mid-century-inspired cocktail lounge that's dimly lit and perfect for a sultry date night, while Free Range is a more casual bar at the front. This place began as a mobile pop-up in a vintage VW minibus, before its founders GN Chan and Faye Chen set up a permanent outpost in 2020.

They've earned plenty of recognition since opening, having ranked second on The World's 50 Best Bars list in 2023 and won the Disaronno Highest New Entry award in 2022. It's easy to see why - their weird and wonderful drinks list includes a Space Dog, made with grapefruit coffee and taro clarified milk, alongside the pineapple and peanut butter-based P.U.T.S. Their food menu is equally inventive, featuring small plates like salted egg yolk with dried shrimp or a Bolognese grilled cheese.

• Location: 79-81 MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village, NY 10012
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: this award-winning bar is considered one of the best in the world, and their negronis are not to be missed

Named World's Best Bar by The World's 50 Best Bars in 2019, Greenwich Village venue Dante has been around since 1915. Blending traditional charm with modern elegance, this is a historic cafe and cocktail bar with an Italian theme, featuring white marble countertops, vintage photographs and wooden furniture, with warm lighting throughout.

Their cocktail menu reimagines the classics, with a selection of award-winning negronis on offer. Their all-day food offering is well worth a try too, featuring the likes of burrata with slow-roasted tomatoes, steamed mussels in white wine or pappardelle with wild boar ragu.

• Location: 191 Chrystie Street, Nolita, NY 10002
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: ideal for music lovers, this place has one of the best sound systems in the city, with regular DJ sets to enjoy with a premium spirit in hand

A high-end cocktail lounge and microclub on the Lower East Side, Outer Heaven is a chic destination designed by nightlife developer Jack Mulqueen. This is a collaboration with Montreal's Philip Hazan Design, blending Scandinavian functionality with Japanese minimalism in an intimate space. Expect dark colours and anime-inspired decor, with booths running along the back wall.

The real selling point is its sound and lighting setup, brought to life by Phonic Technologies. It's known for having the best sound system per square foot in NYC, promising house, disco, techno and indie beats, with the occasional vinyl set from bartenders in between DJs. As for the drinks menu, they focus on mezcal, sake and orange wine.

• Location: 13 1st Avenue, East Village, NY 10003
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: if you're into Mexican food and quirky cocktails, there's nowhere better than Superbueno for a night out - and be sure to try some small plates while you're here

Rated second on North America's 50 Best Bars in both 2024 and 2025, it's no secret that Superbueno is one of the very best bars in NYC. It's pretty quirky too, showcasing the best of Mexican culture through neon lights, Lucha Libre murals and unique ornaments in a minimal white space.

This spot was created by Ignacio 'Nacho' Jimenez (in partnership with bar entrepreneur Greg Boehm), who is known for his inventive drinks, and his menu features tipples like the Roasted Corn Sour or a Mole Negroni. There are scrumptious small plates on offer too, from tempura fish tacos to birria grilled cheese or guacamole and chips.

• Location: 100 2nd Avenue, East Village, NY 10003
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: if it's unusual decor you're after, you can't go wrong with a trip to Paradise Lost. The huge cocktail menu is full of unique sips, and we always leave with a collection of Instagram-worthy photos

Looking for cool bars in East Village, NYC? Paradise Lost may just be your answer. This whacky destination is often described as a 'tropical hellscape', flaunting snakeskin banquettes, taxidermized bats, white fur-coated doors and even an eight-foot altar. This is a maximalist's dream, complete with interactive lighting and giant LED canvas that screens animated visuals.

They have earned a spot on the World's 50 Best Discovery list for their one-of-a-kind tiki-gothic vibe, curated by owners Kavé Pourzanjani, Phillip Kirschen-Clark and Raymond Sakover - who are all hospitality veterans in New York. Drinks include the Tropical Itch or a three-rum Pearl Diver, while their food offering ranges from chicken gyoza to devilled eggs with smoked trout roe.

• Location: 30 Water Street, Financial District, NY 10004
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: the service here is always friendly, and you can soak up the warm vibes of an Irish pub while still sipping sophisticated cocktails

Combining the warm hospitality of a traditional Irish pub with the sleek sophistication of a cocktail lounge, The Dead Rabbit is a three-storey venue in the Financial District. There's a cool first-floor taproom offering hearty plates and beer, as well as a Victorian-inspired parlor in the middle that focuses on award-winning craft cocktails, with a private events space upstairs.

This place has got many accolades to its name, from being named World's Best Bar by The World's 50 Best Bars to winning Best American Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail. Enjoy a frozen Irish coffee or the Pub Tropicana, paired with tasty plates like dry-aged beef burgers or steamed fresh mussels.

• Location: 331 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211
• Price: $$
• Why we recommend: this is the ultimate bar for wine lovers, with so many bottles to choose from, and we love the relaxed but sophisticated feel of the intimate destination

A stylish wine bar in Williamsburg, with a second venue in the East Village, Sauced creates the feel of a sleek European members bar without the exclusivity. This is a great shout for cool bars in Brooklyn, featuring a combination of vintage and contemporary interiors, with vinyl records playing to add to the laid-back atmosphere.

Their unique approach to serving drinks is what they're known for: this is a menu-free location that serves a wide variety of premium wines. They're committed to sustainability too, with a zero-waste food program of seasonal dishes, led by Executive Chef Quentin Peron. 

• Location: 281 W 12th Street, West Village, NY 10014
• Price: $
• Why we recommend: this is one of the last remaining lesbian bars in the entire city, and it's an important part of New York's LGBTQ+ scene that's well worth a visit

Situated in Manhattan's West Village, Cubbyhole is an LGBTQ+ institution. It's one of New York's last remaining lesbian bars, known for its bold, colourful interiors, cosy atmosphere and decorated ceiling - which features hanging ornaments like paper lanterns and different cartoon animals.

This spot originally opened up in 1987 by Tanya Saunders and Debbie Fierro, originally known as DT's Fat Cat. It was renamed in 1994, and has been a hotspot for community events over the years. On the drinks front, expect cocktails from as little as $12, and during their happy hour you can even get your hands on $3 beers.