271 Best Bars in New York City, New York

This intimate tri-level music venue in a former mayonnaise factory has excellent acoustics, drawing in die-hard fans of rock and indie music with its quality lineups. There's balcony seating and an additional bar upstairs.

Inside one of the city's most recognizable hotels from the big screen (the famous tango scene with Al Pacino from Scent of a Woman was filmed in The Pierre's Cotillion Ballroom) is Two E Bar & Lounge, a former gentleman's library turned chic lounge and intimate performance space that is meant to feel like an Upper East Side residence. Thursday through Saturday evening features live music---which can be jazz, American songbook standards, soul, or even pop---with new guests performing every week. There's no cover charge but it might be best to reserve a table. Be sure to grab a signature cocktails, mocktail, one of the many spirits, and try the truffle French fries or the simple-but-delicious meze platter. 

Located mid-block on the pedestrian corridor that is 6½ Avenue, this sophisticated lounge pours more than 40 by-the-glass and 200 by-the-bottle wines. Aldo Sohm, considered one of the world's top sommeliers, also oversees the wine program at legendary Le Bernardin around the corner. Enjoy a delicious small-bite lunch and dinner selection that, in this case, pairs with the wine menu (not the other way around). Better still, sip varietals while gazing at this bar's original works by Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and other New York artists.

Famed for its enormous and iconic whimsical angel mural on the wall, this popular and beloved subterranean cocktail bar is also well-known for its rules: only parties of four or fewer people are allowed to enter, no split parties, no reservations, and there is no standing and drinking allowed—just seated revelry, please. That said, once you obey the rules of this 65-seat Japanese cocktail bar, you're likely to stay awhile, sipping on one, two, three of the 27 signature cocktails on the menu, many of which have been mixed with Japanese ingredients.

In the space that was once home to the legendary cocktail bar Milk & Honey, Attaboy continues the tradition of serving exemplary cocktails to an ultratrendy crowd. The "Penicillin" cocktail, a spicy-smoky mix of Scotch, honey, and ginger, is a must here—it was invented by Sam Ross, one of the current owners. Hint: there's no sign but look for the door marked with "AB." 

The Victorian-style lounge brings a touch of downtown chic to the sometimes suburban-feeling UES with candlelit tables, high tin ceilings, a mahogany bar, red velvet drapes, and a marble fireplace. This setting makes for a great date night spot. However, keep in mind that wearing real fur or baseball caps are not allowed. If you find yourself downtown on the Lower East Side, check out its sister bar, a speakeasy called The Back Room, once frequented by gangsters like Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky.

Don't be surprised if you see some snickering Italian tourists taking a selfie in front of this bar-café's sign on the facade. The name means "small penis" in Italian. The interior is nothing to laugh at. Imagine if, by some divine miracle, a prettied-up antique bar in Milan or Rome suddenly materialized in the West Village. That's the vibe at Pisellino. The high-ceilinged, wood-and-marble-clad space is stunning. During the day, sip espresso; in the evening, stop by for a perfectly made Aperol spritz or a Negroni.

Outstanding regular performers, such as Mamady Kouyate's Mandingo Ambassadors and the Django Reinhardt--channeling Stephane Wrembe, spin threads of folk and global into 21st-century music. There's also Slavic Soul Party!, a Baltic brass band, weekly. Shows take place in the back room, while up front the divey bar has a laid-back vibe and a full cocktail menu.

Not just the local Irish pub for the college kids attending nearby Manhattan College, this Riverdale institution of over three decades is a hybrid of an Irish bar, restaurant, gallery, and performance space for local and Irish poets, musicians, and thespians. Named after the satire by Flann O'Brien, which translates to "the poor mouth," this congenial pub adorned with old-timey Irish paraphernalia and portraits of great Irish writers is where you can wash down bangers and mash with a pint of Guinness, all while watching a theatrical stage reading or an Irish jig being performed.

From the sultry red interior with jewel-toned furnishings and quirky chandeliers to the Asian-fusion menu, every detail within this cocktail bar on Restaurant Row was designed by James Beard award--winning executive chef Serena Bass (the woman behind the Chelsea Hotel's once-star-studded Serena lounge). The sexy setting serves as a playful backdrop for the well-curated drink selection, including the fan-favorite Lychee martini, and tasty bar food, like the roast duck spring rolls and Japanese yam tempura with an addictive ginger dipping sauce. Cozy up with a date on the plush, custom-made aquamarine couches and terra-cotta chairs or peep the adorable heated patio in the back. If you happen to be around on a Thursday, swing by for their weekly live music events featuring local artists. On Saturday, DJs can often be found playing into the wee hours.

Considered by many (not least its current owners) to be "the jazz capital of the world," the Blue Note was once the stomping ground for such legends as Dizzy Gillespie and still hosts a variety of acts, from Chris Botti to jazz to Latin orchestras to Maceo Parker. Expect a steep cover charge except for late shows on weekends, when the music goes from less jazzy to more funky.

This legendary theater with Art Deco accents is probably the city's top midsize concert venue. Packing in the crowds here is a rite of passage for musicians (some already big; some on the cusp of stardom). Grab one of the tables on the balcony (if you can), stand (and get sandwiched) on the main floor, or retreat to the comfortable bar in the basement, which fills up after each show.

A sensation when it opened in 2007, Simon Hammerstein's Roaring '20s–style cabaret–cum–burlesque show–cum–performance art emporium remains one of the biggest players in any nightlife category. The triumvirate of gorgeousness—design, customers, and performers—explains why the experience doesn't come cheap. Check the website to make reservations and prepare for a late night.

You wouldn't think a premiere live music venue would be in such a secluded, industrial district, but perhaps that is Brooklyn Steel's appeal. Formerly a steel factory, this venue from the Bowery Presents group hosts many rock and indie acts in a large space that holds 1,800 guests across its main floor, balcony, and three bars.

Amid music-theme murals by Marcel Vertès, the hotel's discreetly sophisticated supper club, Café Carlyle, hosts such top cabaret and jazz performers as Alan Cumming, Christine Ebersole, Judy Collins, Jon Batiste, John Pizzarelli, Steve Tyrell, and comedians Mario Cantone and Tony Danza. The less fancy-schmancy (though still pricey) Bemelmans Bar features performances by a rotating cast of pianists and singers.

Bemelmans also is known for its wall murals and lampshades. They were painted by the author of the Madeline books, who is said to have traded the artwork for lodging. Bemelmans features solo performers every Tuesday to Saturday and a jazz trio from Thursday to Sunday; cover charges range from $10 to $35. Both nightspots feature old-fashioned cocktails and trendy, new-fashioned ones, as well as luxurious food options such as roasted pumpkin risotto and caviar. Chic attire only (no active sportswear permitted in either one).

Classy tipplers and well-dressed commuters pack into this hidden away Grand Central Terminal bar (especially during the evening rush), but you can still have a romantic time in one of Manhattan's most elegant rooms. The restored space dates from the 1920s, when it was the private office and reception hall of a financier named John W. Campbell, who entertained friends and colleagues here. Sample the good life as you sip cocktails from club chairs and banquettes amid a 100-year-old leaded glass window or come to hear live jazz on weekend nights. The proprietor also offers the smaller Campbell Palm Court and enclosed, outdoor Campbell Terrace; the latter is just outside in the former taxi driveway.

An outpost of the original hipster haunt in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, this Avenue C spot has all the diversions to make you stay here for longer than you had planned: classic cocktails, with an emphasis on the tropical variety; retro tunes on the hi-fi; plush comfy booths; and a menu of excellent feel-good fare, including the legendary mountain of nachos, gooey mac and cheese, and some of the best fried chicken this side of the Mason-Dixon line. 

Known for their addictively refreshing frozen piña coladas, Connolly's is a favorite for locals and travelers alike for good reason. They host plenty of specialty nights, like trivia night, which usually is on Monday, with a variety of topics. Wacky Wednesday is always a good time with drink specials and a DJ. If piña coladas aren't your thing, try their frozen pink lemonade or frozen mudslide. Frozen drinks run $11 a pop, with the option for a boozy floater for an additional dollar. Note that Connolly's closes to the public from January to the Friday of Memorial Day, but they're open year-round for private party bookings.

For exquisite cocktails in a quintessentially old–New York locale, venture to the tip of Manhattan for a night of Irish hospitality in a 19th-century-inspired saloon. The ground-floor taproom serves craft beers and whiskeys of the world, while a warren of upstairs parlor spaces shakes and stirs craft cocktails, many putting Irish whiskey to excellent use. If the drink menu isn't doing the trick, challenge one of the ace bartenders to mix up something special for your palate. The Dead Rabbit is always lively and unpretentious, and isn't hung up on dress codes or door policies typical of some New York cocktail dens—though it's still a good idea to reserve a table. There's also a solid food menu built on Irish faves, guest chefs, and occasional live music.

Inventive cocktails, decadent bar bites, and a sultry, upscale atmosphere attract those with a thirst for finely crafted drinks at not completely outrageous prices. You can order classic cocktails, but this is the kind of place where you can try something new and inventive and know that the flavor profiles are spot on. All patrons are seated, so there can be a wait to get in, but the host outside will log your name and text when something opens up.

Greenpointers flock to this favorite neighborhood bar, named after a play by Mae West, with speakeasy vibes, creative concoctions, and oysters served daily. Its dimly lit, art deco aesthetic sets the mood, whether you settle into a booth or cozy up to the bar, for seasonal cocktails categorized as either "shaken" or "stirred." In the warmer months, the pleasant backyard is open for outdoor enjoyment.

The dark bartop with cozy wooden booths at Dutch Kills—a cocktail den with a nod to the neighborhood's historic roots—serves finely crafted drinks for $18 each. Try Tokyo Tea, made with red oolong tea gin, creme de cassis, and lemon juice, or Tommy's Margarita, with your choice of tequila or mezcal. Expect precisely chiseled chunks of ice and skilled bartenders who, with a few queries into your preferences and curiosities, can create a concoction just to your taste. Not just drinks, but entertainment, too, the Queens cocktail bar recently opened Debbie's, a live music venue just upstairs.