Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry's three-floor Financial District bar in New York City sits high in the World's 50 Best list. Irish coffee and historical cocktails downstairs.
Food program: Pub food and oysters
Tip: The downstairs Taproom takes walk-ins; the Parlor upstairs needs a booking. Order Irish Coffee at the Taproom counter.
Address: 30 Water Street, New York, NY 10004, New York City
Employees Only on Hudson Street has poured classic cocktails in the West Village, New York City since 2004. White-jacketed bartenders, late kitchen, deep wine and Champagne list.
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.
Dutch Kills in Long Island City Queens runs Milk & Honey's tradition of bespoke cocktail-making in New York City. No menu, low light, classic cocktails, large clear ice cubes.
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.
Double Chicken Please on Allen Street has run the city's most ambitious flavour-led cocktail program in New York City since 2020. Top of the World's 50 Best Bars in 2023.
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.
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.
Kings County Imperial on Skillman Avenue in Williamsburg runs Chinese American food alongside tea-infused cocktails in New York City. Genmaicha Mai Tai is the house drink.
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.
Old Town Bar near Union Square has poured Bass Ale from a 55-foot mahogany bar in New York City since 1892. Tin ceiling, tile floor, the room Mad Men shot the pilot scene around.
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.
