Bars of New York City

Knowing where to grab a drink in New York may seem like a simple quest, as there are approximately 10,000 NYC bars, but today’s New York is fast-evolving and that spot you loved last year may no longer be around. Some of the factors to consider would be location and atmosphere, of course, but also could be things like comfortable seating or whether they carry your favorite gin.

I’ll go through some of my current favorites around Manhattan and Brooklyn and tell you what I love about them. In general, my favorite bars tend to attract an interesting mix of people; men, women, gay, straight, young, and old. However, I lean towards classic historic-type spaces rather than sleek and modern.

Henry Public in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN:

First of all, I’ll throw out a disclaimer: I live in Brooklyn and I’m quite partial to the borough and therefore, it will come first on this list! Brooklyn, like the rest of NYC, is chock full of bars, but even with endless options, there are just a few places so good, I find myself going back again and again.

Henry Public: 329 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Before ordering at Henry Public, I am smitten taking in the atmosphere. This bar / restaurant is all about quality over options. This place serves up a few great local beers and has perfected a dozen cocktails on menu. Speaking of the menu, it is designed as a vintage “bill of fare” like a menu out of 1890: just a few food items and a burger called the “hamburger sandwich”. I drink and dine here regularly and it’s the kind of place you desperately wish was in your neighborhood.

Brooklyn Inn: 148 Hoyt St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Another Brooklyn bar heavy on historic atmosphere, Brooklyn Inn will charm you before you even step inside. It’s lit wonderfully with tall decorative windows and antique light fixtures. There is a back room for playing pool that is fantastically dark and the whole visit will make you feel like you’re experiencing the long-lost Brooklyn of yore.

The Gate: 321 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

This central Park Slope favorite attracts visitors from all over the borough. There’s a good-sized outdoor patio that is also dog-friendly. They carry a lot of quality beer on tap, even some of my Vermont favorites (hello, Heady Topper!), as well as a well-stocked bar. Walk around and find the unique Obama art piece!

The Double Windsor: 210 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215

I may have visited Double Windsor more than any other Brooklyn bar, and that’s because it kind of has it all! There’s a large ever-changing and unique draught beer list, as well as a kitchen serving up one of the best burgers and possibly THE best french fries. This place is wonderfully local, and also attracts all types from Brooklyn hipsters to sports teams, to gay boys on dates. It’s also conveniently located down the street from the Nitehawk Prospect Park for nights you need a good bite before a movie.

Black Rabbit: 91 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

I venture to Williamsburg and Greenpoint every few weeks, even if to just walk around and see what hipsters and artsy tourists are dressing like today. We all know about the boom in popularity of the area, but with so many new restaurants, bars, and cool hotels, I quickly tire of the “scene” and head straight to Black Rabbit for a few drinks. This bar is pretty big, with actual semi-private wooden booths, and an adorable back yard garden. They stock the front with dozens of board games, too. I can unwind in this bar like no other.

MANHATTAN:

Finding a good bar in Manhattan is a lot harder than it may first seem. Manhattan can offer practically any style and price point, but my list below contains the places where I can show up on any night of the week and know I will have a great time. I spent several years living in Manhattan before moving to Brooklyn, and many of the bars below have persisted and thrived because they’re doing something right (and many are so historic they were here long before I was born). Below are also mostly affordable options with casual or historic vibes, and you should feel comfortable ordering either beer or a mixed drink here, in other words, they aren’t too swanky and not full of frat dudes, either! You’ll want to write these down.

Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor: 26 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011

Come for the decorative wallpaper, stay for the spectacular beer list! This place is also really close to both NYU and Washington Square Park.

Caledonia Bar: 1609 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

Admit it, you wish you were in Scotland right now. Come to Caledonia Bar on the Upper East Side and experience the next best thing!

Cubbyhole: 281 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014

This gay bar has been a favorite since I discovered it in 2005 and I have celebrated 3 New Year’s Eves here. It’s not easy to find an affordable drinking hole in the West Village that also is full of interesting and friendly people of all genders and orientations. This place may overwhelm you at first with the outrageous decor (just look up!) but you will soon feel like you belong and the notoriously fabulous jukebox will entertain you for hours.

Dive 75: 101 W 75th St, New York, NY 10023

I have never lived on the Upper West Side, but I’ve found it hard to locate a good bar here in the past. Enter Dive 75! This place has a giant fish tank, free bowls of candy (the good kind!), and a solid menu of beer and other drinks. And don’t be discouraged, it’s not a filthy dive, it’s the kind of dive that fits in on the swanky residential 75th Street.

Johnny’s Bar: 90 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

OK I know I promised I wouldn’t post a bunch of dive bars, but this one is a must-see. It’s tiny, it’s grimy, and it’s a little uncomfortable. But the location on Greenwich Avenue is unbeatable and I always have a fun time stopping in here for a drink.

Manhattan Cricket Club: 226 W 79th St, New York, NY 10024

This place might be the swankiest spot on my list, but if that’s what you’re looking for, then we’re all good! Manhattan Cricket Club is a must-visit for cocktail lovers and the after-work drink crowd. It’s quality, it’s spiffy, it’s classic, and a little bit romantic!

Swift Hibernian Lounge: 34 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

I can’t get enough of the historic spots! Give me a hint of literary adornment and I’m hooked. Swift prides itself on quality Irish pours and conversation. Come here for a dark beer and you might even get caught up in a fascinating conversation at the bar.

The Grange: 1635 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10031

Harlem has so much to discover, for both locals and tourists alike, but fails to enter many must-see lists for those who don’t already live in upper Manhattan. This is a newcomer to the Harlem drinking scene that I was happy to see attracts a wonderful mix of local regulars.

The Penrose: 1590 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

The Upper East Side recently gained a new subway line, the Q. During the years of construction on the Q line, Second Avenue was in disarray and several businesses came and went. The Penrose came strong in 2012 and has proven itself to be a strong contender to best overall bar on the Upper East Side. It’s stylish with a hint of local history and modern sparkle. You will want to dress sharp to sit here at the bar, and it’s a great place to people watch the preppy scene that so defines the Upper East Side.

White Horse Tavern: 567 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

The last bar on my list belongs to a classic. The White Horse opened in 1880 and became a favorite of Dylan Thomas and other writers. Today, it’s a fun mix of tourists and locals. You can sit in the historic interior or soak up the fascinating street scene of the West Village out on the street tables. Come here as you wait for a table next door at The Spotted Pig, and you will have yourself a wonderful New York evening.