New York City's Best Cocktail Bars

Holywater is a Tribeca-based restaurant that skillfully merges the culinary worlds of New York and New Orleans. Specializing in seafood and oysters, the establishment also offers a variety of cocktails inspired by both cities. Run by the Pincus brothers, Holywater is not just a restaurant, but a landlocked tribute to their history of rejuvenating old boats into bars, providing a cozy, art-filled ambiance for its patrons.

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Joshua David Stein

Writer – Brooklyn, United States

Subterranean seafaring bar with a New York-New Orleans spirit The Pincus brothers -- Miles and Alex -- have made a career of bringing old boats back to life as bars. This Tribeca restaurant and cocktail lounge is their first landlocked effort. In cozy art-filled subterranean quarters, the brothers Pincus proffer New Orleans-styled cocktails, a few New York classics, trays of oysters, lobster frites and more.

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Empellon Al Pastor is a laid-back bar located in the East Village, offering a mixed menu of bar snacks and tacos. Customers recommend trying out their mezcal margarita and the weekly special, as well as their staple taco al pastor and hamburger taco. The bar also offers a variety of drinks, including margaritas, 18 different beers on tap, and a selection of cocktails.

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Ashley Rath

Culinary director – New York, NY, USA

Empellón Al Pastor is a bar located in the East Village. The menu consists of mash up bar snacks and tacos. This is one of my favorite places in NYC! The tacos are great but the playful take on traditional bar snacks are out of this world. Highly recommend sitting at the bar with a mezcal margarita and ordering the weekly special. Other good staples are the taco al pastor or hamburger taco (trust me it hits) or the pork fried rice! And when they have their deviled eggs those are a must as well!

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SAGA is a fine dining restaurant located on the 63rd floor of an Art Deco building, offering panoramic views and an outdoor terrace. The venue is known for its seasonal multi-course tasting menu, crafted by renowned chef James Kent. Drawing inspiration from global flavors and European techniques, the food at SAGA is as spectacular as its setting.

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Junghyun Park

Chef – New York, USA

Chef James Kent’s spectacular fine dining restaurant on the 63rd floor of an Art deco building.This is chef James Kent’s fine dining restaurant, that he opened after his first place, Crown Shy. Saga is located on the 63rd floor of the Art Deco building at 70 Pine Street, with Crown Shy at the street level. The view from the restaurant is for sure one of the best in NYC and there’s a beautiful cocktail bar and an outdoor terrace. James Kent’s menu is a spectacular multi course seasonal tasting menu that they change quite often.

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Sunday In Brooklyn / Williamsburg is a go-to spot for brunch enthusiasts, well-known for its legendary pancakes and a wide variety of egg dishes like omelettes and shakshuka. This restaurant also offers a selection of cocktails, complementing their brunch menu. Providing a comfortable atmosphere, Sunday In Brooklyn / Williamsburg is open seven days a week, with extended hours for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Wylie Dufresne

Chef – New York City, USA

Brunch, eggs, and legendary pancakes!Sunday in Brooklyn on Wythe Avenue serves pancakes that are legendary, with good reason. Plenty of brunch egg dishes, like omelettes and shakshuka. Cocktails, too.

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Double Chicken Please is a hotspot that redefines traditional cocktails and dishes, transforming them into something entirely new. The creative minds of GN Chan and Faye Chen offer an extraordinary cocktail experience, paired perfectly with their Taiwanese-inspired fried chicken sandwiches. Ranked 6th on the World's 50 Best Bars list, this restaurant is a must-visit for those seeking a new take on classic drinks and food.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

This hotspot is all about hacking traditional cocktails and dishes, and transforming them into something new.Looking for a cocktail experience that's out of the ordinary? Look no further than the Back Room at Double Chicken Please by the creative minds of GN Chan and Faye Chen. This Lower East Side hotspot is all about hacking traditional drinks and dishes, and transforming them into something entirely new. Whether you're in the mood for a classic or adventurous drink, their Taiwanese-inspired fried chicken sandwiches are the perfect pairing. With a current ranking of 6th on the World's 50 Best Bars list, this spot is not to be missed.

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Dante West Village, rooted deeply in the Greenwich Village since 1915, offers an ambiance reminiscent of an Italian caf, celebrated for its iconic Negroni and Garibaldi. While its walls are adorned with pictures reflecting its storied past, from bohemian writers like Ernest Hemingway to celebrities like Bob Dylan, its modern menu highlights a mix of antipasti and rustic entrees, expertly prepared on a wood-fire grill. Over the years, Dante has evolved, now boasting an award-winning bar program and modern Italian cuisine, yet retaining its original charm and sense of community.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

The wonderful scent of negronis and spritzes fills the air, where every sip is a celebration.Dante is one of my favorite bars in New York, and the perfect spot for an aperitivo. This bar in West Village has an ambiance of an Italian café, where you can enjoy their renowned Negroni and Garibaldi, or take a deep-dive into their extensive collection of amari and other aperitivos. The wonderful scent of negronis and spritzes fills the air, where every sip is a celebration. Food-wise you’ll find an array of antipasti. For those seeking more hearty options, the menu also offers rustic entrees cooked on their wood-fire grill and charcoal oven. I can highly recommend sitting in the bar!

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JG Melon, established in 1972, is a favorite spot for late-night burgers on the Upper East Side. The menu features a range of dishes including hearty burgers, chili, sandwiches, and fries, all complemented by a selection of cocktails. Please note, only cash payments are accepted at this establishment.

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Gaggan Anand

Chef – Bangkok, Thailand

JG Melon on Upper East Side is great for very drunk midnight burgers. It’s been around since 1972 serving burgers, chili, sandwiches, fries and cocktails. Payment by cash only. When you’re drunk this is the best burger place!

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Bonnie's is a Cantonese American restaurant that breaks the mold with its daring yet comforting menu. Not your typical Chinese American fare, it offers unique dishes like BLT fried rice, Cha Shu McRib, and Wonton with Parmesan broth. The restaurant also boasts a great natural wine selection and cocktail program, making it a perfect choice for dinner from Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00pm - 10:00pm.

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Peter Meng Sapper

Charcutier/Restauranteur – Guatemala City, Guatemala

Great Chinese American fare! BLT fried rice, Cha Shu McRib and Wonton with parmesan broth don't sound like run of the mill options for Chinese American restaurants yet for Bonnie’s the “American” part of their description isn’t just geographical. With a daring yet conforting menu, their flavor and techniques combinations work effortlessly. A great natural wine selection and cocktail program complement their offer.

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Laser Wolf Brooklyn, situated atop The Hoxton Hotel, offers an authentic Israeli culinary experience with its menu centered around charcoal grill cooking. This rooftop restaurant is well-known for its award-winning Israeli cuisine, including incredible hummus, pita, and fresh-off-the-grill meats. With uninterrupted views of the Manhattan skyline, guests can enjoy top-notch cocktails while savoring delicious food prepared by Executive Chef Andrew Henshaw.

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Will Guidara

Restaurateur – New York City, USA

I love the original Laser Wolf by Michael Solomonov in Philly, but the one in New York, on top of The Hoxton Hotel has beautiful views of the New York Skyline and the most amazing Israeli food. Incredible hummus, amazing pita and all the meats fresh off the grill. I I think laser Wolf is one of the coolest restaurants in New York right now. The food is freaking delicious.

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Koloman is a contemporary French-Viennese eatery where renowned Chef Markus Glocker skillfully combines Parisian creativity with Viennese tradition. The menu offers indulgent dishes such as cheese soufflé with cheddar and mushrooms, an incredible Schnitzel, and roasted duck. The restaurant's atmosphere is reminiscent of the lively buzz of Secessionist-era European cafes, making it a special addition to the dining scene.

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Will Guidara

Restaurateur – New York City, USA

The French Viennese restaurant Koloman is incredible. The chef is Markus Glocker, who was the chef at Batard, and it’s in the space that was formerly the Breslin by chef April Bloomfield. It is so freaking good, there's this cheese soufflé with cheddar and mushrooms, which is one of the most indulgent and delicious foods ever. And their Schnitzel is incredible, also the roasted duck. Among the top restaurants opened lately in NYC, this is definitely one of the more special. Photo: Nick Johnson

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Le Bernardin is a renowned French seafood restaurant, established in 1986, with Chef Eric Ripert at its helm. This three-star Michelin establishment offers a menu that combines French techniques with global influences, primarily focusing on seafood. Known for its superb dishes, extraordinary sauces, and excellent wine pairings, Le Bernardin provides a calm and lovely dining space that contrasts with the bustling streets outside.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

One of the most celebrated fine-dining restaurants in NYC.This three-star Michelin restaurant offers a French and globally influenced menu with a focus on seafood. With Chef Eric Ripert at the helm for over two decades, the restaurant has become world-renowned for its exceptional hospitality and expertly executed dishes. If you're looking for an outstanding classic fine-dining experience in New York, Le Bernardin should be high up on your list.

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Sofreh is a restaurant that offers authentic Persian cuisine, focusing on the use of fresh ingredients and crafting everything in-house, from the bread to the yogurt. The philosophy of Sofreh revolves around the authenticity and deliciousness of the food, with the name itself representing a gathering and sharing place for family and friends. The restaurant's atmosphere mirrors the welcoming and cozy ambiance of traditional Persian homes, blending it with a bright and minimalist modern design.

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Mitchell Davis

Voracious Eater – New York, USA

Haute Persian Cuisine.Some of the freshest, most inspired Persian cuisine I’ve ever had. Everything made in house, from the bread to the yogurt. Also wonderful cocktails.

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