Exploring NYC's Best Cocktail Bars

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Exploring NYC's Best Cocktail Bars

Planning to relocate in NYC and have a passion for cocktails? This blog post will guide you through the best Cocktail bars in the Big Apple. From top-level keywords to a comprehensive header outline, we'll cover it all to make your exploration of NYC's cocktail scene unforgettable.

 

Introduction to NYC's Vibrant Cocktail Culture

In the heart of the city that defines diversity, discover the Top Cocktail Bars that stand out for their unique offerings, ambiance, and mixology expertise. From classic to contemporary, these bars have it all.

 

Top 5 Must-Visit Cocktail Bars in NYC

In the heart of the city that defines diversity, discover the top 5 cocktail bars that stand out for their unique offerings, ambiance, and mixology expertise. From classic to contemporary, these bars have it all.

 

1. Martiny’s

Location: 121 E 17th Street, Gramercy Park, New York 

Takuma Watanabe has cultivated a dedicated following through his remarkable leadership of the bar program at Angel’s Share, an iconic establishment in New York City. When the beloved speakeasy eventually closed its doors, Watanabe decided to pay homage to both his Tokyo roots and his Manhattan home by opening Martiny’s. Housed in a historic Gramercy carriage house once owned by artist Philip Martiny, this three-story lounge exudes an air of opulence and is revered as one of the best new cocktail bars NYC has seen in a long time. 

 

2. Overstory

One of the best cocktail bars in Manhattan’s Financial District, Overstory offers stunning 360-degree views of the New York City skyline from a wraparound terrace and a cocktail menu filled with creative and innovative drinks made with high-quality ingredients.  

 

3. Mace

Location: 35 West 8th Street, New York 

A list of the best cocktail bars in NYC would not be complete without mention of Mace. One of the World’s 50 Best Bars for six years and counting, Mace is dedicated to incorporating unique spices handpicked from around the world. The bar is known for its creative cocktails, which are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The cocktail menu is divided into four sections: Spiced, Herbal, Floral, and Fruity. Each section features a variety of cocktails that showcase the unique flavors of the ingredients used. 

 

4. Sugar Monk

Location: 2292 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York 

If you’re in the mood for a New York cocktail lounge with a chill ambiance presenting creative concoctions in an art-filled atmosphere, make your way to Sugar Monk. Located in the heart of Harlem, around the corner from the legendary Apollo Theatre, this spot is an homage to the delightful uptown speakeasies of yesteryear. Think velvet furniture, tropical wallpaper, and some very good (and complex) drinks.  

 

5. Bar Americano

Location: 180 Franklin St, Brooklyn, New York 

Inspired by the famed aperitif bars of Spain and Northern Italy, Bar Americano is a beloved neighborhood cocktail destination in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Fortified wines complimented with small, shared plates are a big hit, and there is a wide range of French, Italian, and Spanish vermouth and aromatized wines to choose from.  

 

 

Craft Cocktail Lounges: A Connoisseur's Delight

For those who appreciate the art of mixology, explore NYC's craft cocktail lounges. Immerse yourself in artisanal concoctions, carefully crafted to tantalize your taste buds. These lounges redefine the cocktail experience.

 

 

1. Bespoke

An upscale cocktail program sets the foundation along with an array of global beer & wine offerings, and exceptional bar fare.

 

2. Valhalla Bar NYC

815 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Valhalla Bar NYC is a low-key, urban-rustic tavern offering a robust menu of microbrews on tap & by the bottle. We feature 48 craft beers on tap, over 40 varieties of foreign and domestic beer and a full-service bar. We offer a simple and delicious dining menu prepared fresh daily.

 

3. LITTLE SISTER LOUNGE

112 East 11th St. New York, NY 10003

Slip into the underground and dive into unknown pleasures. Dimly lit and velvet-laced, our intimate cocktail lounge is a sultry and seductive trip back to the heyday of the clandestine, cavern-like settings of East Village’s 1990s lounge scene. But the historical references go back even further to the 19th century, with a custom wallcovering depicting the neighborhood’s pastoral past. Wood-clad, barrel-vaulted ceilings are reminiscent of a hidden underground chamber where whiskey might have been stored in the bootlegger era. Cush banquettes, locally crafted vintage chandeliers, jewel-toned velvet sofas, a glowing copper DJ stand, and a mirrored-copper bar illuminated by an overhead bank of backlit whiskey bottles bring the seductive space to life.  Under psychedelic lighting and in the midst of our scantily clad servers, a night at Little Sister is one you won’t soon forget.

 

 

Discover Hidden Speakeasies Across New York

Step back in time as we unveil the secret world of speakeasies in NYC. From hidden entrances to exclusive atmospheres, discover the charm and allure of these clandestine gems scattered across the city.

 

1. Dutch Kills

 
If you're tired of burning a hole into your pocket every weekend on inflated elixirs and pretentious bartenders usually found in any Manhattan bar, let Dutch Kills restore your faith in cocktail bars. It's very easy to miss it. You have to look carefully for the flickering "BAR" sign in the middle of nowhere. Inside you're welcomed by dim lighting, old school decor, and intimate booths. The menu is seasonal but it hasn't disappointed anyone yet.
 
 

2. The Garret 

2nd Floor, 296 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014 

This place might be the classiest place you can enter through a fast food joint (no seriously!). To enter you walk into Five Guys, walk past the counter, and turn left up the stairs. You'll mostly run into lanky-haired rockers and red-Lipped broads in leather-daddy hats. This isn't your average burger bar!

 

3. Le Boudoir 

135 Atlantic Ave, New York, 11201 

Entering this bar you'll feel like Bruce Wayne entering his bat cave. It is hidden behind a Bookshelf-painted door inside Brooklyn Heights restaurant-Chez Moi which will take you down the stairs to a lavish velvet decorated & dark leather banquet, coupled with a lot of antiques. There's a hidden room or "the grotto" which is a part of an underground tunnel, enjoy!

 

 

Elevate Your Experience: Rooftop Bars with a View

Elevate your cocktail experience both figuratively and literally. Join us as we explore rooftop bars that not only serve exceptional cocktails but also provide breathtaking views of the iconic New York City skyline.

 

1. Panorama Room

One of 2021's best new rooftops, Panorarama Room has truly stunning views from the 18th floor of Roosevelt Island's Graduate hotel. It also has space inside and out, plenty to drink, seafood-forward snacks and somewhat larger plates. 

 

2.  Nubeluz

New to the 50th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Nomad, chef José Andrés’, Nubeluz has sweeping views of Manhattan. Classic and signature cocktails are joined by notable non-alcoholic options, and snacks include caviar, oysters and a smattering of sandwiches.

 

3. Daintree

A dedicated martini menu, plush upholstered seats inside and a lovely terrace beyond make Daintree a premier midtown perch. The colorful 29th-floor spot has some terrific style notes for those so-not-candid, ‘How’d the Empire State Building get there?’ snapshots. 

 

Your Cocktail Adventure Begins

Your journey through NYC's cocktail scene, the city becomes your playground. With a wealth of options at your fingertips, your cocktail adventure in the Big Apple is just beginning. Cheers to a vibrant nightlife!

 

 

 

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