Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$west-village
Employees Only on Hudson Street has poured classic cocktails in the West Village, New York City since 2004. White-jacketed bartenders, late kitchen.
Signature drink: Ginger Smash
Food: Bar bites and full kitchen
Tip: The back dining room runs walk-ins; the front bar fills by 21:00. Order the Ginger Smash and the chicken liver mousse.
Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$long-island-citySun-Thu 17:00-02:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-03:00
Dutch Kills in Long Island City Queens runs Milk & Honey's tradition of bespoke cocktail-making in New York City. Order the dutch kills old fashioned.
Signature drink: Dutch Kills Old Fashioned
Food: None
Tip: Ring the bell; the door is unmarked. Tell the bartender what you have been drinking lately and let them choose.
Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$lower-east-side
Double Chicken Please on Allen Street has run the city's most ambitious flavour-led cocktail program in New York City since 2020. Located in Lower East Side.
Signature drink: Cold Pizza
Food: Fried chicken sandwiches
Tip: Front Room walk-in; Coop in the back takes reservations on Resy. The Cold Pizza is the showpiece, the Pina Colada the runner-up.
Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$nohoMon-Wed 17:00-01:00, Thu-Sat 17:00-02:00, Sun closed
Temple Bar on Lafayette Street has reopened the 1989 NoHo cocktail room in New York City. The espresso martini revival in 2022 happened largely in this room.
Signature drink: Espresso Martini
Food: Cheese, charcuterie, snacks
Tip: The bar runs walk-ins from 17:00. Order the espresso martini at the bar, not the tables; the bartender pulls the shot.
Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$williamsburgDaily 17:30-22:00
Kings County Imperial on Skillman Avenue in Williamsburg runs Chinese American food alongside tea-infused cocktails in New York City. At 20 Skillman Avenue.
Signature drink: Genmaicha Mai Tai
Food: Chinese American kitchen
Tip: The garden out back is open April to October. The egg roll and the Mai Tai pairing is the editor pick.
Cocktail barDive bar$$$union-squareMon-Thu 11:30-00:30, Fri 11:30-01:00, Sat 11:30-00:30, Sun 12:00-22:30
Old Town Bar near Union Square has poured Bass Ale from a 55-foot mahogany bar in New York City since 1892. Order the bass ale draught. Booking recommended.
Signature drink: Bass Ale draught
Food: Burgers and pub food
Tip: Sit in the upstairs dining room for the burger; the bar is for the draught and the bar food. Cash preferred.