We love New York City for its bar scene: from small, low key bars to perfectly designed, modern locations, there are so many different bars to choose from. Check out the 25 most beautiful bars, this city has to offer. From Manhattan to Queens and Brooklyn, we found them all.
Where can I go out in NYC?
It’s the weekend, you just had a wonderful dinner and now you’re wondering where you could go out in New York City. Let us share our favorite bars, which also happen to be the most beautiful ones in town. It’s nice to surround yourself with the locals, sip fancy cocktails or enjoy a really good glass of wine. We narrowed down the 25 best places to go to.
The 25 most beautiful bars in town
1. The Back Room
The Back Room Bar is a really special bar and one of a kind. If you think about speakeasy bars in the 1920s, that’s what the Back Room has to offer. They are open daily from 6:30 pm and you’ll need a password to get in (check their Facebook Page to find out). There’s live jazz and lot’s of good vibes that reflect the good old days in the city.
Address: 102 Norfolk St | Neighborhood: Lower East Side
2. Westlight NYC in Brooklyn
Westlight in Williamsburg caught our eye just recently and is a great place to go out in New York City. Westlight is a very modern and beautiful execution of a rooftop bar. The atmosphere is low key and exactly what you would expect when you go to a bar in Williamsburg.
Address: 111 N 12th St 22nd Floor, Brooklyn | Read more | Neighborhood: Williamsburg
3. Barely Disfigured
The Barely Disfigured Cocktail-Bar is one of these spots, where you would just walk by if you didn’t know about it. It’s a real insider and local bar. Once you’re inside you will understand why this bar made it on our list of the most beautiful bars in NYC. The interior design is stunning, the vibe is great and the drinks are awesome too. If you want to take your date to a special place, this is where you should go. On their website, they call themselves “luxurious and seductive”. Go find out, if you agree.
Address: 257 Smith St, Brooklyn | Neighborhood: Cobble Hills Brooklyn
4. Oscar Wilde NYC
Even though we like it clean and neat when it comes to interior design, Oscar Wilde is a must and had to make its appearance on our list of the most beautiful bars in NYC. Steffen spent 2 hours at this bar last time he came to visit us and got a little overwhelmed because there’s so much going on here. In case you are wondering, yes this glamorous bar was inspired by the iconic playwright and author Oscar Wilde.
Address: 45 W 27th St |Neighborhood: Flatiron District
5. Dear Irving on Hudson
Dear Irving on Hudson is an absolute secret in the city located on the 40th & 41st floor inside the Aliz Hotel. In the middle of Times Square, this bar pairs the glimpse of the city lights and skyline views with the best cocktails in town. Your favorite drink isn’t on the menu? Just ask the bartender and he will make it for you.
Address: 310 W 40th St. in Aliz Hotel on Times Square | Neighborhood: Midtown
6. McSorley’s Old Ale House
McSorley’s Old Ale House is a true legend. The bar has been open since 1854 and nothing has changed inside ever since. Cheese plates like your parents used to make (onion, cheese, mustard, and crackers) and a huge variety of delicious dark beer are offered here. Also, nothing can beat the pricing here: 2 good beers for 5$! Not only the historical relevance of this place makes it worth coming here.
Address: 15 E 7th St | Neighborhood: East Village
7. The Press Lounge
When it comes to the best rooftop bars in NYC, The Press Lounge is a place you have to visit to enjoy a drink. On top of the Ink48 Hotel, this gorgeous bar offers stunning views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. It also gets consistently recognized as one of the best rooftop bars in the world. No wonder this spot is on our list of the best and most beautiful bars in NYC.
Address: 653 11th Ave | Read more | Neighborhood: Chelsea
8. Apotheke in Chinatown
If you know, you know. Apotheke in Chinatown is one of those speakeasy types of bars that are still super trendy to go to. It still maintains the classic look and almost speakeasy vibe from back in the days. The menu is called the “prescription list” and they call their bar not just a bar, but a “stage”, “A lab” or “a theatre”. Sounds dramatic, right? Make sure to check this special place out, when you’re in town.
Address: 9 Doyers St between Bowery & Pell St | Neighborhood: Chinatown
9. The Proletariat East Village
The proletariat is one of our favorite bars in the city and for sure one of the best bars in NYC. It’s a low key, tiny bar in the village with a relaxed and laid back atmosphere that offers a fine local variety of beers. The bar food is pretty good as well. We are always getting the beer-braised brat sandwich and a lamb burger. If you want to feel and go out like a local, this is the place to do so. The most tourist doesn’t come here since it’s still an insider tip.
Address: 102 St Marks Pl. | Neighborhood: East Village
10. The Campbell Apartment![]()
This small bar inside Grand Central Station just got newly renovated and is one of the hidden secrets of the Grand Central Station. Did you even know this place was there? Back in the ’20s, this bar used to be the office of jazz musician John W. Campbell where this beautiful bar got his name from also. Make sure to order the Old Fashioned Cocktail, it’s one of the best on the menu.
Address: 15 Vanderbilt Ave | Neighborhood: Midtown
11. Brandy Library in Tribeca
Do you like Whiskey? If you do, you will love the Brandy Library in Tribeca. It has the library aesthetic that you would expect from its name. Instead of books, you’ll find thousands of different types of whiskeys, cognacs, and rums.
It is very close to the One World Trade Center, so when you’re visiting this attraction, make your way over to the Brandy Library for a drink.
Address: 25 N Moore St | Neighborhood: Tribeca
12. Winebar Upholstery West Village
The city is full of wine bars. One of our favorites and also one of the best bars in NYC is the winebar Upholstery in the West Village. The tiny place is cozy and with a clean, simple design. There’s a lot of blue throughout the bar which is located on a very quiet block in the neighborhood. The wine selection is impressive at this hidden treasure. It’s great for a romantic night out, or just because.
Address: 713 Washington St | Neighborhood: West Village
13. Bemelman’s Bar on the Upper East Side
After a stroll in Central Park, this bar will be the perfect spot to relax, enjoy a drink and eat a delicious burger. Bemelman’s Bar is our go-to spot and high on our list of the most beautiful bar in NYC. The interior is cozy, simple and just about right to enjoy a glass of wine, or beer after a long day of sightseeing.
Address: 35 E 76th St. at the Carlyle Restaurant | Neighborhood: Upper East Side
14. (Rooftop-)Bar at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
This bar is a special one. Not only because celebs like Beyoncé and Jay-Z celebrated their birthday here, but also because this view is hard to beat. The bar on top of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers views of the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. Drinks are okay and a little expensive (you really come here for the priceless views).
Address: 60 Furman St, Brooklyn | Show me more | Neighborhood: Brooklyn Heights
15. Black Tail NYC at Pier A Harbor House
Sure, Pier A Harbor House is an amazing place to go, but have you heard about Black Tail? The first floor of the restaurant (which is, by the way, one of our favorite places to eat by the water) invites you to enjoy some really good drink with a view of the Statue of Liberty. On top of that, there will be Cuban cuisine a lot of Carribean atmosphere. We love this place!
Address: Pier A Harbor House, 22 Battery Place | Neighborhood: Lower Manhattan
16. Refinery Rooftop Bar
Do you want to get a close-up from the Empire State Building? We’ve got you covered. Very close to Bryant Park you can find a beautiful bar in NYC on top of the Refinery Hotel. This two-level rooftop bar offers stunning views of the Empire State Building, great cocktails (by Alex Ott) and a nice atmosphere.
Address: 63 W 38th St. | Neighborhood: Midtown
17. NoMad Bar
To get into the NoMad Bar you have to sneak behind a curtain as you cross through the restaurant dining room. So it’s almost a speakeasy bar that made it on our list of the most beautiful bars in NYC. You can expect top-notch service in an amazing ambiance which makes this place great for a date night. The drink list is extensive and creative. This is one of the best bars in NYC for sure.
Adresse: 10 W 28th St | Neighborhood: Midtown
18. Dead Rabbit Bar & Grocery
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. It’s like exploring a whole new world once you’re inside the location. We enjoy the ambiance, the hospitality, and of course the drinks.
Address: 30 Water St. | Neighborhood: Lower Manhattan
19. Ophelia Lounge NYC Midtown East
Ophelia is one of the newest additions to the local bar scene in Midtown East. The beautiful bar in NYC comes with 360-degree views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Inspired by the 1920s and 30s, this place feels like a setback to the good old days where there were record players, stylish antique silverware and lots of tarot cards.
They did a great job transforming this space into a cocktail lounge but still showing the historic features that were once witnessed by artists like Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, and Frank Zappa.
Address: 3 Mitchell Pl. (26th floor) | Neighborhood: Midtown
20. Copper & Oak
We lost our hearts to this bar a few years ago. First of all, Copper and Oaks and the Brandy Library in Tribeca are owned by the same people, so it’s pretty obvious what Copper and Oaks is all about. That’s right: Whiskey! The vibe is similar, the drinks just as good. The area of the Lower East Side does give a certain extra touch to it though which is why Copper and Oaks also made it on our list of the beautiful bars in NYC.
Address: 157 Allen St. | Neighborhood: Lower East Side
21. Death & Company 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. The cozy, tiny spot is a real insider tip, offers amazing cocktails. Pricing is a bit high with $17 for a drink, but it’s worth going.
Address: 433 E 6th St. | Neighborhood: East Village
22. La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels 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. This beautiful bar in New York has an incredible selection of wine and excellent French food.
Address: 249 Centre St. | Neighborhood: Little Italy
23. Le Boudoir
Le Boudoir has two separate areas: One is decorated in Victorian style with velvet walls and old-timey decorations and the other is a brick basement. Locals come here for the excellent drinks at very reasonable prices by NYC standards and the 30s live Jazz on Mondays.
Address: 135 Atlantic Ave | Neighborhood: Brooklyn Heights
24. One of our favorite pubs: Connolly’s
At Connolly’s, you will feel like you’re in Ireland. With three locations in the city, this family-owned business is the place to go for good, local food, beers, and an amazing ambiance. What we love the most is the comfortable and laid back atmosphere. It’s a true Irish host that offers the best Shepherd’s Pie you can find in the city.
Address: 43 W 54th St between 5th Ave & 6th Ave | Neighborhood: Midtown
25. Cibar
Last but not least on our list of the most beautiful bars in New York City, I would like to recommend the Cibar near Union Square. It’s also one of these hidden places, where you have to walk into to evaluate their specialty. Try the “Hedo Rick” drink and enjoy the atmosphere. Overall their drinks have great twists on modern classics elevating them beyond a typical paletted drink. The interior is a bit old school which makes this place even more perfect.!
Address: 56 Irving Pl. | Neighborhood: Midtown
