The 51 Best Bars in Lower Manhattan Right Now
Which bar in Lower Manhattan is the best?
Are you looking for the best bars in Lower Manhattan? Then you’ve come to the right place – because I’ll show you the hottest speakeasy bars, pubs, wine bars and small venues where New Yorkers hang out. The choice of bars in Lower Manhattan is huge – so there’s bound to be something for you!
To help you quickly and easily see which spot is near you, you can find all of Lower Manhattan’s bars on an interactive map. And if you love rooftop bars as much as I do, check out the best rooftops in Lower Manhattan.
By the way: you’ll find many more New York City spots in our Loving New York travel guides!
My Favorite Bars in Lower Manhattan
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01
cloudM New York Bowery
Rooftop Bar in Lower East SideOur Highlight
For me, the cloudM Rooftop Bar is one of the most beautiful rooftop bars not only in the Lower East Side, but in all of New York. It is located on the roof of the citizenM New York Bowery Hotel and offers everything that makes a good rooftop bar: a great view, beautiful design and relaxed atmosphere.
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02
Drift In
Sea Food Restaurant in West VillageOur Highlight
The Drift In is one of my latest new discoveries in New York: it’s located right on the Hudson River promenade in the West Village. They serve oysters and the best lobster roll in town – no wonder, the team behind the Drift In is the same as at my beloved PILOT Brooklyn and GRAND BANKs. Just great!
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03
Employees Only
Bar in Meatpacking DistrictOur Highlight
A bar where you can dive into the 20s and 30s of New York. The Speakeasy Bar was voted into the TOP 20 of the best bars in the world – the drinks are of the finest. Attention, the entrance is a bit hidden: you’ll find it next to the neon “Psychic” sign.
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04
Fools Gold NYC
Bar in Lower East SideOur Highlight
One of the best bars in New York, also known for good burgers. The bar is an absolute MUST-SEE! The burgers are really sensational and they offer really good local beers.
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05
Fraunces Tavern
Bar in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
You must visit Fraunces Tavern in NYC! Steeped in history, it’s been serving pints since 1762. This classic watering hole has hosted American patriots like George Washington and continues to charm with its colonial-era ambience. Perfect for history buffs or anyone seeking a unique, authentic NYC experience!
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06
Grand Banks
Sea Food Restaurant in TribecaOur Highlight
Water, a great view of Manhattan and a great atmosphere – the location is simply the best. You are sitting on a historic ship called F/V Sherman Zwicker on the Hudson River and can enjoy New York from the water when the weather is fine. The place also serves great drinks and seafood.
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07
Nancy Whiskey Pub
Bar in TribecaOur Highlight
Everything in “Nancy Whiskey Pub” seems to be from another time – the bar, the furniture, the glasses – just everything. In the small bar you can choose from a small selection of whiskeys in addition to the classic beers – and relax among locals while looking at the One World Trade Center.
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08
The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog
Bar in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
Have you ever thought about how to take the Irish Pub into the 21st century? Go check out the Dead Rabbit bar and find out. This modern Irish pub and restaurant, which opened in 2013, is one of our favorite bars of all times. As soon as you enter the bar, you are transported into another world. There is nothing ultra-modern here, but everything is stylishly trimmed to old. From the original cash register, old punch glasses for the drinks to the wooden floors covered with sawdust.
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09
The Irish American Pub
Bar in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
The The Irish American Pub in direct neighbourhood of the 9/11 Memorial is a MUST DO for us, that’s how good it is. It is not without reason that we have been a regular here for years. What sets it apart? A wonderful uncomplicatedness, good drinks (they are really something), great prices and last but not least: probably the best chicken wings ever.
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10
169 Bar
Bar in Chinatown
The bar is very popular with New Yorkers, the prices are sensational and the audience is mixed. Colourful is also the bar and for this reason alone worth a visit.
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11
Amity Hall
Bar in Greenwich Village
Especially when the Carolina Panthers play, the atmosphere in Amity Hall is boiling! The bar is huge and the game is broadcast here on a 6 meter flatscreen and many other screens. Besides the classic Chicken Wings you can also get great burgers here.
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12
Amor y Amargo
Bar in East Village
The Amor y Amargo is one of the bars we really love! From the outside it is totally inconspicuous, but when you go inside you will immediately feel the charm of the bar. Such spots are what makes New York for me (similar spots are the Proletariat and Fools Gold NYC in the Lower East Side for me). It is small, cozy and absolutely relaxed – just great!
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13
Analogue
Bar in Greenwich Village
In the bar in the heart of Greenwich Village you can enjoy your drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Live music is also played here from time to time.
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14
Black Tail NYC
Bar in The Battery
UPDATE 2021: Unfortunately the bar is closed now.
The Black Tail is the bar on the 2nd floor of Pier A Harbor House, which is one of our favorite spots with a view of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. It is always worth a visit: the location and the good drinks are just two reasons to definitely stop by!
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15
Copper & Oak
Bar in Lower East Side
Ui, this is where we as whiskey fans lost our hearts – the operators behind the bar are the same as from the Brandy Library in Tribeca. Like there, the bar is always well attended. No wonder, the bar is not very big and beautiful. Shelves filled with whiskeys, rum and co instead of books, an illuminated bar and super delicious bar food make it one of the bars that is one of the most beautiful for us!
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16
Corkbuzz
Bar in Greenwich Village
The Corkbuzz is a kind of modern interpretation of a wine bar: fresh, clean and super relaxed. It is in direct neighbourhood of Union Square and therefore easy to reach. The choice is huge and the crew really knows what they are doing and what they are serving.
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17
Crocodile Lounge
Bar in East Village
The Crocodile Lounge is the Manhattan version of the Alligator Lounge. Also here you get a free pizza with every drink. So enjoy it!
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18
Death & Company
Bar in East Village
Recognized as one of the 50 best bars in the world, Death & Company in the beautiful East Village is also one of our favorite spots to go out in NYC.
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19
Hudson Bar and Books
Bar in West Village
There are several Bar and Books locations in New York – but the one near the Hudson is the best whiskey bar of all. It has its very own charm and offers a huge selection of whiskey, scotch and co. If you’re looking for a whiskey bar where you can also relax and smoke a cigar, you’ve come to the right place.
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20
Joe & The Juice
Bar in SoHo
If you want to charge your batteries with fresh juices for a short time, we recommend “Joe & The Juice”. There are different areas to sit and the juices are really awesome!
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21
Joe & The Juice
Bar in SoHo
If you want to charge your batteries with fresh juices for a short time, we recommend “Joe & The Juice”. There are different areas to sit and the juices are really awesome!
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22
Kettle of Fish
Bar in Greenwich Village
The small bar is inconspicuous from the outside and cosy inside. What you will immediately notice is the love for the Green Bay Packers, the American football team from Wisconsin.
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23
Kingston Hall
Bar in East Village
Pay once – dust twice? With Kingston Hall’s 2-for-1 offer, this is no problem at all! Here you can drink twice every day until 8 p.m.
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24
La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
Bar in Little Italy
This French wine bar is one of the best in the city. Don’t judge a book by its cover. From the outside “La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels” doesn’t look as special and chic as it is from the inside.
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25
Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar
Rooftop Bar in Battery Park City
At The Conrad Hotel – one of our favorite hotels in New York – you can find the Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar. The bar is named after the art objects that are located in the lobby. What distinguishes the Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar? A great view over the Financial District in Lower Manhattan.
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26
O'Hara's
Bar in Financial District
O’Hara’s Restaurant & Pub is located near the 9/11 Memorial and is especially popular with the financial community – an honest shop with delicious draught beers. The “happy hour” has lasted until today: here you can buy Bud Light Drafts for $3, whereas “happy hour” here actually means ALWAYS. The bar food is also recommendable. The walls are full of Emergency Services badges, making for a very unique atmosphere. With excellent food and relatively cheap beers this is a highly recommended spot to take a break after walking through lower Manhattan.
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27
Oculus Beer Garden
Bar in Financial District
Photo: Westfield World Trade CenterThe Oculus Beer Garden offers you a sensational view of the futuristic looking Oculus and the One Work Trade Center. You can’t miss it as it is very stylishly designed.
Sitting here, eating the delicious Bavarian Pretzel ($12) or a Bratwurst ($12) or the Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($11) while drinking a delicious beer is really awesome. I guarantee there’s no other spot in New York City where you’ll have this backdrop.
Bild: Westfield World Trade Center
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28
Off the Wagon
Bar in Greenwich Village
For those who like variety, Off the Wagon is a great choice. Every day there is a different special on the calendar. Beer for $2, a pitcher for $10 or just pay half price? You pick the day!
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29
Pegu Club
Bar in SoHo
A recommendable bar in the heart of SoHo. The entrance is a bit hidden – you will find it at the level of the bus stop.
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30
Please Don't Tell (PDT)
Bar in East Village
The bar “Please Don’t Tell (PDT)” is an absolute insider tip. The brilliant thing about it: from the outside you can’t see it at all – you can find the entrance via a telephone booth in the hot dog shop. The Please Don’t Tell was opened in 2007 and is one of the Speakeasy Bars.
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31
Randolph Beer
Bar in Little Italy
Randolph Beer is considered by many New Yorkers to be one of the best beer bars in NY City. Of course, it’s not only the beer that makes it so. Rustic furniture, original Ford T-model headlights and a lot of old wood from a tobacco barn give the pub an atmosphere in which you simply feel good.
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32
SoHo Cigar Bar
Bar in SoHo
A great little bar with an excellent selection of drinks and cigars. The atmosphere is quiet and wonderfully relaxed.
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33
Soho Room
Bar in SoHo
In the Soho Room you can watch the New Yorkers cheering for the Super Bowl! Huge flatscreens give you a great view of the game and the $50 flat rate for beer and snacks means you’ll be well looked after.
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34
Speakeasy-Bar Attaboy
Bar in Lower East Side
One of the bar’s specialties is the bartenders: since there is no cocktail menu, you just say what you feel like and in which direction you want the cocktail to go and your personal cocktail will be mixed. The bar is not cheap, but worth every cent – otherwise it wouldn’t have made it into the TOP 20 of the best bars in the world.
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35
The Belfry
Bar in East Village
If you’re looking for a nice little bar in the East Village, keep your eyes open for “The Belfry”. It is stylishly decorated, even has a happy hour and the best: live music. The cocktails are great and there are really good local beers – freshly tapped.
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36
The Cauldron
Bar in Financial District
Want to visit an NYC Halloween bar with your fellow witches and wizards? At the Cauldron, you can stop by for an immersive cocktail class, potion making, wizard afternoon tea, and even a spell casting.
Great for adults 21-and-over (with a non-alcoholic version available for younger visitors), the Cauldron invites its guests for a workshop that includes drinks, the brewing of cocktails, and a nearly 2-hour interactive experience.
Cocktails include the Blob, the Serum of Loose Lips, the Bitter Glitter, and more for an enchantingly good time. For more about the bewitching art of potion making at the Cauldron, visit their official website.
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37
The Ship
Bar in Little Italy
Here you can enjoy your drinks in a very stylish cocktail lounge and order excellent small dishes. It is best to book in advance – but for max. 6 persons.
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38
The Stonewall Inn
Bar in West Village
The Stonewall Inn located in the West Village/Greenwich Village neighborhood in NYC is a gay bar and recreational tavern. But, it’s just not an ordinary bar. The place is a National Historic Landmark and was the site of the 1969 riots that focused on the relationship between the police and the LGBTQ community. This jump-started the gay rights movement that we see today and has made a lasting impact.
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39
The Tuck Room
Bar in Financial District
This stylish speakeasy integrated into the iPic cinema in the Fulton Market Building, is definitely worth a visit! With a great bar, huge cinema chairs, and an unique atmosphere, this is a cinema experience you wont be forgetting anytime soon.
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40
The Winslow Gin House and Eatery
Bar in East Village
This bar in the East Village is madness: it is completely dedicated to gin. It has its own gin club and its “Ginventory” contains over 40 types of gin.
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41
Tribeca Tavern
Bar in Tribeca
In the tavern you will find a good selection of beers, friendly bartenders and in summer you can sit outside on a small terrace.
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42
Whiskey Tavern
Bar in Chinatown
If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere and very good drinks, the Whiskey Tavern is your destination in Chinatown.
The Best Bars in Lower Manhattan on the map
A map with all Bars in Lower Manhattan can be found here – just click on “FULL MAP” if you want to see more. You can click on each restaurant on the map to find out everything you need to know
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