Top 20 Bars in New York City

Top 20 Bars in New York City

As explained at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com, New York City’s night scene is legendary the world over. The city has some of the best bars in the world, offering variety to those looking to irrigate their throats and dance the night away. If you are looking for such an establishment to visit in the city, we have curated for you a list of the top 20 bars in New York City.

1. Mace

Since moving to West 8^th Street, Mace has acquired a little more room for outdoor dining, in addition to a comfortable interior and 27-foot zinc bar as articulated at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Its record of excellence, combined with a fresh new location, is what has made Mace so iconic as far as New York City bars go.

2. Ophelia Lounge

Ophelia Lounge is an Art Deco cocktail lounge nestled on the top floor of the Beekman Tower, a historic building at the edge of the East River. There is a wraparound terrace that offers 360-degree views of the city, and the bar inside is topped with glass.

3. Caffe Dante

As per RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com, Caffe Dante dates back to 1915. The menu here is well curated with small fare, but the drinks are where this popular NYC bar truly shines. The hardest part about Caffe Dante is getting reservations as it is one of the busiest spots in the city.

4. Attaboy

Attaboy opened in the famed Milk and Honey space in 2012. This LES cocktail leader was one of a few bars in its genre to demonstrate greatness even absent all the cloak and dagger themes. You can still play prohibition at the steel-brushed bar inside, although it is no longer necessary with the addition of a patio.

5. Overstory

Located on the 64^th floor of a skyscraper in New York City’s Financial District, Overstory is ideal for a special night out with shimmering skyline views. It is probably best practice to book a reservation in advance as spots here fill up fast.

6. Bemelmans Bar

Found in the classy Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side, this NYC bar is best known for the alluring murals that adorn the walls according to RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. In a lot of ways, Bemelmans Bar is exactly what a New York City bar should be. The staff is dressed to impress, the bar is dimly lit, and the aged leather banquettes offer an air of sophistication and class.

7. The Long Island Bar

Occupying a corner spot that operated under the same name for five decades, Long Island Bar comes by its retro-lite ambiance honestly. It has a way of filling up fast, and the addition of outdoor seating hasn’t actually eased the crowds that much. However, it is worth the wait for best-in-class gimlets and martinis, plus beer, wine, and a full menu.

8. PDT

An iconic speakeasy credited with modernizing the trend and bringing it to the mainstream, PDT is famously hidden behind a telephone booth inside the hot dog joint Crif Dogs as captured at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. The bar master, Jeff Bell, has won all sorts of awards.

9. The Campbell

If you are looking to impress out-of-town guests, then you need not look further than The Campbell, located in Grand Central Terminal. Arriving at the bar is an experience in itself. A grand marble staircase drops you off at what appears to be an office fit for an oligarch.

10. Sunny’s

A canonical NYC destination, Sunny’s still feels serendipitous when you luck into it on a random, meandering afternoon. It has nautical nods, a long bar, booths up front, tables, and enough room for twangy live music in the back and a side yard for alternating breaths of fresh air and the opposite of fresh air.

11. Talea Beer Co.

While the beer industry may be dominated by men, the women behind Talea are hoping to change that as covered at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. The two joined forces in 2018 to make approachable, accessible, and inclusive beer, and opened this cheerful taproom and brewery in Greenpoint in 2021, with a second location in Cobble Hill that just opened in June of 2022.

12. The Dead Rabbit

Named after an Irish gang that ran rampant in lower Manhattan, The Dead Rabbit was opened in 2013. The phenomenal cocktails being crafted at this New York City bar have earned it several awards, but it is the hot toddy that steals the show.

13. Clover Club

One of Smith Street’s finest since 2008, Clover Club has endured while other beloved restaurants and bars have come and gone as described at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. This all-rounder is comfortable while still feeling special, whether you are a regular or coming by for the first time.

14. Katana Kitchen

This beloved West Village Japanese bar has a fun atmosphere along with top-quality drinks like the Hinoki Martini and Meguroni. Pair your drinks with well-crafted bar food like sticky soy garlic wings, deviled eggs with Japanese mustard and white miso, and the downright addictive nori fries with Japanese curry sauce.

15. Apotheke

The appeal of this Manhattan bar is the overall vibe, mixologists in lab coats create inspired cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere that doesn’t lack imagination or romance. Regardless of the drinks you choose to order at this classy cocktail bar in Manhattan, one thing is certain, you can’t be disappointed.

16. Sunken Harbor Club

Sohui Kim, Ben Schneider, and St. John Frizell’s glittering Gage & Tollner revival was one of NYC’s best new restaurants in 2021, and the team follows that smashing success with Sunken Harbor Club upstairs as discussed at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com.

17. Pebble Bar

Located inside a three-story historic townhouse, this chic new bar is credited with bringing life back to Rockefeller Center and Midtown, which emptied out during the pandemic lockdown. Get the Oysters Rockefeller while you sip delicious cocktails like Hurley’s Old Fashioned.

18. McSorley’s Old Ale House

Opened sometime between 1854 and 1862, McSorley’s Old Ale House is one of the most historic bars in New York City as outlined at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. It is the oldest Irish Saloon in New York City and has hosted notable patrons throughout the years.

19. Good Judy

Good Judy has been “a home for queers + allies to join together in unity and solidarity” since it opened in July of 2020. Enter through the narrow façade and you will find a half-dozen seats at the glossy bar on the main level, a piano lounge upstairs, and a patio in the back.

20. Panorama Room

While going to Roosevelt Island, a small island between Manhattan and Queens accessible by tram or subway, may not be on your NYC to-do list, the Panorama Room will make you think twice about that. The drinks and the A+ raw bar menu will not disappoint.

These are some of the best bars in New York City, with more on this topic, and much more, to be found over at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com.