Upper West Side & Central Park
Plowshares got in the specialty coffee game way back in 2008, when this small-but-exquisite espresso haven opened in the Bloomingdale district of the UWS…
Must-see nightlife in New York
Midtown
For that 'Oh my God, I'm in New York' feeling, head to the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse (formerly the Strand) hotel's rooftop bar, order a martini (extra…
Midtown
This slice of old New York is revered for its rums and whiskeys. Savor them straight up or mixed in impeccable cocktails like 'The Escape,' a potent piña…
New York City
Walk through the barely-marked entrance into a dimly lit den of dark wood and tile, joining an elegant throng of cocktail aficionados. Sit at the bar to…
Financial District & Lower Manhattan
Though we love the 1940s-style 'gambling parlor' bar/restaurant, it's the downstairs 'opium den' (open Thursday to Saturday) that gets our hearts racing…
Midtown
Brainchild of the late cocktail deity Sasha Petraske, bilevel Middle Branch injects some much-needed drinking cred in beer-and-margarita-centric Murray…
New York City
The Gate is an amiable, locally loved pub that feels immediately comfortable. Facing the oasis of Washington Park, it offers two-dozen interesting craft…
New York City
This old-time bar with fascinating Prohibition-era history is just past the southern fringe of Park Slope. Tip one back at the vintage mahogany bar while…
Midtown
Set in an old brownstone, this unmarked bar is a favorite of Broadway actors, often seen here post-curtain debriefing and unwinding to sultry jazz. It's…
East Village & Lower East Side
Finding such a well-groomed and classy spot up a flight of stairs in Alphabet City is as refreshing as their drinks. Gimmicks and pretension are kept low;…
Midtown
A country-and-western gay bar in Midtown! Coyote Ugly meets Calamity Jane at this Hell's Kitchen hangout, complete with studly bar-dancing barmen in…
West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District
In the midst of Chelsea's famous gay nightlife scene, Gym Sportsbar offers a low-key vibe for LGBTIQ+ patrons. There are friendly bartenders, cheap drinks…
Upper West Side & Central Park
Tucked into a little ground-floor shop, the Upper West Side branch of this popular local coffee chain is bigger on the inside – beyond the coffee counter…
East Village & Lower East Side
A kitschy favorite since the mid-’90s, this homage to old-fashioned beauty parlors pulls in a cool local crowd with its retro soundtrack, nostalgic vibe…
Midtown
Culture peddles single-origin espresso that's nutty, complex and creamy, as well as Third Wave options like Chemex and cold-brew varieties (we're addicted…
Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint & Bushwick
We don't say 'best coffee in East Williamsburg' lightly, with so many talented bean-crafters hereabouts. But SEY's mad-scientist attention to detail…
Long Island
This perfect, salt-weathered coffeehouse is the sort of place where hardbody surfers wander in off the beach for their artisanal pour-over or exquisite…
Long Island
In true craft fashion, this hop-lovers' haven occupies a somewhat isolated warehouse space in Riverhead; 25 taps and few bells and whistles await true…
Upper East Side
This pioneering New York artisanal coffeehouse serves full-bodied espressos and single-origin pour-overs, along with a small yet tasty cafe menu. This is…
Western New York
Bring your quarters! Playhouse has a huge selection of beers on tap, but it's best known for the dozens of arcade machines around the two-story bar. There…
Buffalo
The rustic, Italian-style pizzas are good, but the creative (and, at $10, startlingly affordable) classic cocktails are what draw the crowds to this cozy…
New York City
In a few short years Hungry Ghost made a name for itself as one of the best places to grab coffee in north Brooklyn. The interior of each of its nine…
West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District
Afternoon tea and drinks morph into evening cocktails in this splendid perch atop the ever-so stylish Standard hotel. Small plates ($12 to $20), such as…
Financial District & Lower Manhattan
In an ocean of more serious bars and restaurants, Cowgirl SeaHorse is a party ship. Its ranch-meets-sea theme (wagon wheels and seahorses on the walls)…
West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District
Site of the 1969 Stonewall riots and birthplace of the gay-rights movement, Stonewall is a National Historic Monument and a de facto place of pilgrimage…
Queens
Anyone looking to grab a beer and watch the game will feel right at home at this large, Eastern European–inspired beer hall, which is perfect for big…
Queens
Looking for a place to curl up with a warm drink and a good book? Sweetleaf has a study-like atmosphere, with plush couches and chairs, making an enticing…
Financial District & Lower Manhattan
Built in 1886 as the New York City Board of Dock Commissioners' Headquarters, Pier A is a superspacious casual eating and drinking house right on New York…
New York City
Only in Brooklyn is a beer garden easily mistaken for an auto scrap yard…and all the better for it. Around the corner from Green-Wood Cemetery, this 13…
Upper East Side
Rustic brick walls, low-lit chandeliers and worn floorboards give this lively eating and drinking spot the feel of an old European tavern. There are…
Upper East Side
The Penrose, famous for its dirty pickle martinis and beer-battered pickles, brings a dose of style to the UES, with craft beers, exposed brick walls,…
East Village & Lower East Side
Combining wine bar and taproom within the intimate geometry of a 19th-century tenement building, this timber-floored little charmer has all the makings of…
New York City
Two German Brooklynites opened this hip take on a traditional beer hall, with dark ceiling timbers, exposed brick and waiters in red-checked shirts…
Queens
Few places do karaoke like Queens, and in Queens, few places do it like the Real KTV. The private rooms here are affordable, but don't skimp on the…
Upper West Side & Central Park
This is the kind of friendly, easygoing neighborhood bar you wish was your local. (We do, anyway.) Beverages focus mainly on craft brews (10 rotating…
West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District
Step down into this candlelit gastropub for strong, inventive libations with infused spirits and smoky mezcals and hearty late-night pub grub. A 20…
East Village & Lower East Side
This charmingly tucked-away tapas bar has a grotto-like design, with flickering candles, dark tin ceilings, brick walls and a U-shaped bar that's an ideal…
New York City
Named after the colorfully polluted Gowanus Canal, this popular local haunt is set in a former stable. Lavender Lake serves carefully selected craft beers…
West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District
In the western reaches of the Village, Aria is an inviting music-filled space, with a mix of brick and tile walls and rustic wood tables. There's a good…
West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District
This handsome Scottish-inspired drinkery is a fine place to while away an evening. Exposed brick, a fireplace and a mix of animal heads, pheasant…
