Guides · 51 guides
NYC Drinks.
My NYC Drinks guides, every place from my own visits, with my verdict on each.
Start with these
What I’d read first in NYC Drinks- Manhattan Bars Everyone Should Visit8 places, 8 worth it
- New York City Cafes15 places, 15 worth it
- Wait List-Worthy Cocktail Bars in New York City15 places, 15 worth it
- Speakeasies in New York City10 places, 10 worth it
- New York City Happy Hour Spots10 places, 10 worth it
- Buzz-Worthy Breweries in New York City15 places, 15 worth it
The Best of New York
Every list- The best bars in Manhattan
- The best coffee in New York
- The best cocktail bars in New York
- The best speakeasies in New York
- The best happy hours in New York
- The best breweries in New York
- The best martinis in New York
- The best cafes to work from in New York
- The best happy hours in the Financial District
- The best bars in the Financial District
- The best coffee shops in Chelsea
- The best happy hours in the West Village
What readers asked about NYC Drinks
Ask meStumptown in the Ace Hotel lobby is my go-to West Village coffee spot. Love the vibe in there especially on weekday mornings.
Stumptown made my list for a reason, that coffee never misses. Glad you've got a spot in the West Village you love, cheers!
West Village Coffee ShopsAmor y Amargo is one of those places that makes you feel like you actually know something about cocktails. Tiny but so worth it.
Wait List-Worthy Cocktail Bars in New YorkWent to Katana Kitten on a Wednesday night and got seats at the bar no problem. Amazing Japanese highballs. This list is legit.
Wednesday nights are the move at Katana Kitten, folks don't think about it enough. Their highballs are unreasonably good and honestly underrated compared to the flashier cocktails on the menu. Glad you got in easy, that…
Wait List-Worthy Cocktail Bars in New YorkEvery guide in NYC Drinks
51, by topicCoffee 13
- New York City CafesIncapable of playing second fiddle, New York City offers the best of everything and coffee is no exception.15 places, 15 worth it · Sep 2026
- Working Cafes in New York CityAs someone who’s called New York City home, I take my working cafes recommendations seriously. The places on this list aren’t just good, they’re the…15 places, 15 worth it · Sep 2026
- Coffee Shops in ChelseaI’m convinced the most important part of exploring a new neighborhood is starting with that choice cup of coffee and with a neighborhood as lively…13 places, 13 worth it · Sep 2026
- Here’s the Best Coffee on the Upper West Side9 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- Coffee Shops in the Financial DistrictI’ll be straight with you, not every coffee shop in Financial District lives up to the hype. I’ve had my share of letdowns. But the spots on this…9 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- Coffee Shops in The East VillageKnown for incredible restaurants and relaxing vibes, I find the East Village irresistible and visit every chance I get. Finding great coffee shops in…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Cafes on the Upper East SideIn search of the best coffee on the Upper East Side? As a local with a passion for all things caffeine, I’ve scoured this posh neighborhood to bring…8 places, 8 worth it · Sep 2026
- Coffee Shops in DUMBOAcross the East River from Manhattan, there’s an adorable Brooklyn neighborhood with a silly little name that New Yorkers can’t help but love. I can…7 places, 7 worth it · Sep 2026
- SoHo Coffee ShopsSoHo in New York City is known for its charming cast-iron buildings and cobblestone streets. It’s also home to some really cute coffee shops that are…14 places, 14 worth it · Sep 2026
- Lower East Side Coffee Shops Locals LoveYou might have 99 problems, but finding a good coffee shop in the Lower East Side (LES) isn’t one of them. As a New Yorker who takes Lower East Side…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Tribeca Coffee Shops That Locals LoveI’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit exploring every corner of Tribeca in search of the best Tribeca coffee shops. After years of living in…8 places, 7 worth it · Sep 2026
- Brooklyn Coffee Shops Locals LoveNew York City has long been admired for its creativity and innovation, and the great coffee shops in Brooklyn are a testament to that. Coffee in New…11 places, 11 worth it · Sep 2026
- Coffee Shops in WilliamsburgVisiting New York City? If you haven't decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best…15 places, 15 worth it · Sep 2026
Bars by neighborhood 10
- Manhattan Bars Everyone Should VisitKnown as the City that Never Sleeps, New York City’s nightlife is known the world over. You have to give credit where credit is due. NYC has some of…8 places, 8 worth it · Sep 2026
- Bars in the Financial District You Can’t MissSpeaking from first-hand experience, the bars in the Financial District are some of the best in New York. When it comes to bars in the Financial…11 places, 11 worth it · Sep 2026
- Bars on the Upper West SideAs a long time resident of the Upper West Side, I’m not immune from the constant criticism the neighborhood receives for being a food (and bar)…11 places, 11 worth it · Sep 2026
- East Village Bars for Every OccasionThe East Village has more bars per block than any neighborhood has a right to. I know because I’ve tested this theory extensively. Some of these…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Bars in DUMBONew Yorkers consider DUMBO to be Brooklyn’s most beautiful neighborhood, thanks to its stunning surroundings, charming cobblestone streets, and…6 places, 6 worth it · Feb 2024
- Bars in the Lower East SideThe sheer amount of unforgettable bars in the Lower East Side makes it clear, this is NYC’s nightlife epicenter. As a matter of fact, the #1 ranked…15 places, 15 worth it · Feb 2024
- Bustling Bars in WilliamsburgThe reason I could never live in Williamsburg is the same reason I visit so often; the nightlife knows no limits. It very might well be the liveliest…15 places, 15 worth it · Feb 2024
- Bars on the Upper East SideIf there’s one thing the Upper East Side Bar (UES) isn’t lacking, it’s first-rate bars. And if you’re not one of the trust fund babies this…15 places, 15 worth it · Jan 2024
- Chelsea BarsFamous for its art galleries and markets, the deceptively peaceful neighborhood conceals a lively secret – Chelsea has some extraordinary bars.…10 places, 10 worth it · Jan 2024
- Bustling Bars in SoHoSoHo, you beautiful thing. It’s hard not to romanticize life while strolling the neighborhood’s cobblestone streets, especially after a tipsy night…15 places, 15 worth it · Jan 2024
Happy hour 10
- New York City Happy Hour SpotsIn a city with stupefying prices, financial planning is practically a requirement for date night. If happy hour in New York. With average cocktail…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Financial District Happy Hour SpotsWhen it comes to happy hour, few neighborhoods deliver like the Financial District. From sleek rooftop lounges to historic establishments dating back…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- West Village Happy Hour DealsLiving in NYC has many perks, chief among them is having daily access to world-class cocktail bars. As a New Yorker who takes. But with average…9 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- Rewarding Happy Hours on the Upper West SideI’m probably not the first to tell you that living in New York City is expensive. So let’s talk about the one thing every New Yorker knows well, the…9 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- East Village Happy Hour SpotsThe East Village is the ideal neighborhood for endearing dive bars, swanky cocktails (some of the best in the city) and charming pubs. Most weekdays,…11 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- Refreshing Happy Hours in the Lower East Side To UnwindI still remember the first time I stumbled upon a truly great happy hour in Lower East Side. Since then, I’ve made it my personal mission to find…14 places, 14 worth it · Sep 2026
- Happy Hour Spots in SoHoIf you’re looking for happy hour spots in SoHo, you’ve got plenty of options, but not all of them are worth your time or money. I’ve done the legwork…9 places, 6 worth it · Sep 2026
- Happy Hour Spots on the Upper East SideOne of my lifelong best friends has lived in the Upper East Side (UES) for the past ten years, so I’ve made quite the dent in the best happy hours on…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Choice Chelsea Happy Hours Perfect for Every OccasionHaving lived in New York City for a while now, I think Chelsea happy hour restaurants fly under the radar. The neighborhood has a ton of great…11 places, 11 worth it · Sep 2026
- Happy Hours in Times SquareTimes Square sees an average of more than 350,000 pedestrians daily, and plenty of bars and restaurants are eager to host the crowds. However, many…9 places, 8 worth it · Sep 2026
Beer, pubs and breweries 5
- Buzz-Worthy Breweries in New York CityForget the corner bodega’s luke-warm six packs – New York City’s exciting craft beer scene brims with bold IPAs, funky sours, and memorable ales. NYC…15 places, 15 worth it · Sep 2026
- Beer Gardens in New York CityIf you’re wondering what exactly a beer garden is you wouldn’t be the first. In short, they’re outdoor seating areas attached to a bar or tavern.…14 places, 13 worth it · Sep 2026
- Irish Pubs in New York CityIrish pubs in New York City have found a way to intertwine themselves into the fabric of the city. If Irish pubs in New York. Even folks who aren’t…11 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- Thirst-Quenching Brooklyn BreweriesBrooklyn’s craft beer scene punches above its weight. Having spent a ton of time drinking beer in New York’s coolest borough, I’d like to highlight…11 places, 11 worth it · Sep 2026
- Sports Bars in New York CityIt should go without saying, New Yorkers are passionate. Passionate about their food, passionate about their neighborhoods, passionate about their…16 places, 15 worth it · Jan 2024
Cocktail bars and speakeasies 4
- Wait List-Worthy Cocktail Bars in New York CityMy husband I have a running list of cocktail bars we’ve tried in this city. It’s embarrassingly long. But the places on this list are the ones we…15 places, 15 worth it · Sep 2026
- Speakeasies in New York CityExclusive vibes, cozy interiors and the tantalizing thrill of stepping foot into a bygone era, visiting speakeasies in New York City is an experience.10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- New York City MartinisI didn’t used to be a martini person. Thought they were all performance and no substance. Then someone ordered me one at Dante and I had to rethink…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Margaritas in New York CityI’ve never been known to turn down a margarita, the Mexican cocktail is my guilty pleasure and thus I’ve pin-balled around the city in search of the…15 places, 15 worth it · Jan 2024
Rooftop bars 3
- Rooftop Bars in ManhattanIn New York City, space is precious, so New Yorkers are forced to build up, not out. This vertical growth means plenty of skyscrapers and (luckily…15 places, 15 worth it · Sep 2026
- Lower East Side Rooftop BarsVisiting a rooftop bar is a must-do in New York City. Whenever friends come to town, they always ask me for rooftop bar recommendations (yes, I’m the…5 places, 5 worth it · Feb 2024
- Rooftop Bars in BrooklynA city of iconic skyscrapers, there’s no shortage of incredible bars for a scenic drink in New York City. As any local will tell you, Brooklyn has…8 places, 8 worth it · Feb 2024
Wine and whisky 2
- Scotch Whisky Bars in New York CityMaybe it’s a sign of the times, but finding good scotch whisky bars in New York City (especially ones that don’t break the bank) is no easy task.…12 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- New York City Wine BarsBefore we dive into my list of the best wine bars in New York City, let’s address the elephant. In the room. By and large, wine bars have a tendency…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
Christmas 2
- Bars Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in NYCThanks to shoe-box-sized apartments and insane room-service prices, celebrating Christmas day in New York City can prove to be difficult. Not to…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Christmas Pop Up Bars in New York CityThe abundance of Christmas pop-up bars in New York City is proof that the holidays in the Big Apple are unmatched. The popular haunts use over the…12 places, 12 worth it · Feb 2024
