RESTAURANT GUIDE
8 of Our Favorite Cocktail Bars in NYC
Guide By Cole Bubenik
Finding the best NYC cocktail bars can be an adventure. Whether you're meeting up with old friends, vacationing with new ones, or needing a happy hour spot to escape the work week–you'll want a place that feels transportive.
Traditional bars will already offer classic cocktails like an old-fashioned, a manhattan, or a martini. For this guide to our favorite (and some of the best NYC cocktail bars) in NYC, we focused on a few different criteria: spaces that feel great to be in, offer creative cocktail choices, and serve delicious food in addition to their drinks.
All of the spaces featured in this guide are available on the inKind app and with inKind Pass.
All of the spaces featured in this guide are available on the inKind app and with inKind Pass.
Places Featured in This Guide:
Visit the Best
NYC Cocktail Bars
Pebble Bar
283 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014
Nestled in a legendary townhouse at Rockefeller Center, this bar's name is inspired by novelist Jack Kerouac's writings on a former water hole, Hurley's. Their 2nd-floor cocktail bar is available for walk-in drinks, private cocktail parties, or simple after-work drinks. If you're feeling hungry, check out their 3rd-floor bar for lighter bites including oysters, lobster rolls, or Pebble Cup– a chocolate mousse with hazelnut praline and whipped cream.
An imaginative and delicious cocktail list rounds out this gorgeous space, making this one of the best cocktail bars in NYC.
An imaginative and delicious cocktail list rounds out this gorgeous space, making this one of the best cocktail bars in NYC.
Our Cocktail Recommendation
The Wallflower: Doble Diamante Tequila, St. Germain, Bianco Vermouth, Verjus & Grapefruit Bitters. Sometimes you just want to take in a space: marvel at its history and sense of place. A spot like Pebble Bar invites you to let your inner wallflower out a bit while you soak up the quintessential NYC ambiance surrounding you.
Daintree
170 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
Daintree is perched high up in the Manhattan skyline, this rooftop lounge offers some of the city's best skyline views, including the Empire State Building, and is home to one of the best cocktail bars in NYC. Visit for their array of signature martinis and cocktails and pair each with delicious snacks and small bites.
Daintree is a beautiful spot. You'll fall in love with its lush seating, outdoor patio, and fantastic city views. We give it our official seal of approval for cocktail enthusiasts everywhere.
Daintree is a beautiful spot. You'll fall in love with its lush seating, outdoor patio, and fantastic city views. We give it our official seal of approval for cocktail enthusiasts everywhere.
Hotel Chantelle
92 Ludlow St, New York, NY, 10002
Hotel Chantelle is a chic and vibrant venue known for its stylish rooftop bar and lively atmosphere. Located in the Lower East Side, it offers a blend of upscale comfort and a trendy social scene. The rooftop provides stunning views of the city skyline, making it a popular spot for cocktails and dining.
With a menu featuring a mix of American classics and internationally inspired dishes, along with a variety of creative drinks, Hotel Chantelle is a go-to destination for a memorable night out in NYC.
With a menu featuring a mix of American classics and internationally inspired dishes, along with a variety of creative drinks, Hotel Chantelle is a go-to destination for a memorable night out in NYC.
Our Cocktail Recommendation
Hotel Chantelle offers a variety of craft cocktails and drink packages for larger parties to enjoy. We recommend trying one of their pitchers such as the Pineapple Express or Passion Fruit Mojito.
Orchard Townhouse
25 11TH AVE NEW YORK, NY 10011
The first thing you'll notice about The Orchard Townhouse is how beautiful the space is. Nestled on 10th Avenue, this neighborhood space feels both cozy and effortlessly cool. With an extensive list of signature cocktails, including a delicious espresso martini, and great dinner, lunch, and brunch service this space can't be beaten.
Join them for their happy hour Tuesdays through Fridays from 3 - 6 PM to enjoy specials on frozen drinks, cocktails, and delicious small plates. These happy hour specials, plus their innovative and delicious menu, make this one of the best cocktail bars in NYC.
Join them for their happy hour Tuesdays through Fridays from 3 - 6 PM to enjoy specials on frozen drinks, cocktails, and delicious small plates. These happy hour specials, plus their innovative and delicious menu, make this one of the best cocktail bars in NYC.
Our Cocktail Recommendation
An espresso martini: vodka, cold brew liqueur, hazelnut, cold brew concentrate. Espresso martinis are all the rage: a sophisticated drink served for sophisticated night outs, much like the type you'll find at the Orchard Townhouse. While many tend to stray away from a strong drink like the espresso martini, at a strong place like The Orchard Townhouse it just seems right.
The Sentry
242 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001
The Sentry is a penthouse lounge making it the perfect spot to sip away the evening. You'll get gorgeous views coupled with premium bites and an extensive list of refreshing cocktails and whiskey drinks.
A perfect space for anyone looking for an elevated happy hour or night out. Try their truffle fries for a special treat or their Queens Park Swizzle, a rum-based drink featuring fresh mint, lime, and angostura.
A perfect space for anyone looking for an elevated happy hour or night out. Try their truffle fries for a special treat or their Queens Park Swizzle, a rum-based drink featuring fresh mint, lime, and angostura.
Our Cocktail Recommendation
The Charade: Cucumber-dill vodka, clarified lemon, aloe vera, seltzer, and a touch of elderflower. When you go to a place like The Sentry you want a drink that feels elevated and effortlessly cool. The Charade accomplishes that with a light drink made with hints of sophistication. It's a drink you'll love sipping as you discuss that latest column in The New Yorker or New York Times.
Ella Funt
78-80 E 4th St., New York, NY, 10003
Ella Funt, nestled in NYC’s East Village, is a trendy and eclectic restaurant that combines a casual vibe with a sophisticated menu. Known for their creative approach to French cuisine, Ella Funt offers a range of dishes that blend classic flavors with modern twists. The vibrant décor and exciting atmosphere make it a popular spot for any occasion.
With their inventive cocktails and dynamic menu, Ella Funt provides a distinctive dining experience in one of NYC’s most energetic neighborhoods.
Our Cocktail Recommendation
Some popular cocktails worth giving a try are the Apassionado Verde or Ella Banana Bobana for a sweeter treat!
Public Records
233 Butler St, Brooklyn, NY, 11217
Public Records is a music-driven restaurant, performance, and community space built within the historic former ASPCA Headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. The building itself includes a live room known as The Sound Room, bar & restaurant, cafe & record shop, and outdoor garden. It is entirely vegan, minimal waste, and champions diverse programming across various art practices.
Our Cocktail Recommendation
Negroni Bianco: Bombay sapphire fords gin, Ilegal mezcal, Cocchi americano, and Contratto bianco. Public Records is a unique, multi-faceted space much like this cocktail with its mixture of mezcal and herbed white wine.
Amor y Amargo
95 Avenue A, New York, NY, 10009
Opened by proprietor Ravi DeRossi and bartender Sother Teague in 2011, Amor y Amargo is America's first bitters tasting room. Nearly a decade later, they're still one-of-a-kind. They have helped usher in a resurgence of interest in bitters, as well as other manner of botanically-accented Italian amari and fortified wine. Over the years, the original Amor y Amargo has been nominated and awarded some of the industry's highest honors--including being ranked consistently among the world's best bars.
Our Cocktail Recommendation
The Old Fashioned: Old Overholt, Cane Syrup, and Angostura. You can't go wrong with a classic, and at a staple cocktail bar such as Amor y Amargo, we recommend starting with an iconic aperitif.
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