There’s no better end to a long day exploring the city than sitting down for a cocktail in one of New York City’s many bars and lounges. From the rooftop to the basement and the most exclusive to the down-to-earth, this list of seven cocktail bars could never claim to encompass all of New York, but it will give you several great options.
The Bar at Baccarat Hotels
The ceiling is lined with chandeliers and the champagne served in lead crystal flutes. Located across the street from the Museum of Modern Art in Midtown, it is self-consciously fancy, in either a showy or elegant kind of way, depending on your mood. If you show up on a weekday, the bar will be teeming with executives going for their after-work cocktail. Think of it as a good place to impress your rich grandparents (as long as they pay). And tell them to come prepared; a regular martini starts at $30, but if you’re feeling fancy, the “Crystal Elite” will run you $5,000. If spending that kind of money on something that will disappear within twenty minutes doesn’t sound appealing, Bergdorf Goodman around the corner has some lovely designer handbags for about the same price.
Ophelia Lounge
Gatsby would not look out of place among the decorations of this decadent rooftop lounge. Original 1928 arched glass window panels frame a view of the Queensboro Bridge, while the rich red and blue color palette inside complements a checkered tile floor. Ophelia is a Goldilocks kind of place – neither too loud nor too quiet, too pretentious, or too crowded. The cocktails, which will run you about $20 apiece, feature unique ingredients like cedar smoke and shiso. And if day drinking is in the cards, you can elevate your Sunday with a brunch of cocktails and a three-tiered tower laden with breakfast-y finger sandwiches.
Hudson Bar and Books
636 Hudson Street
The walls are floor-to-ceiling bookcases. The vibe is dark academia meets James Bond. This bar calls itself the “most refreshingly civilized place to meet,’ and patrons should be prepared to fulfill that legacy in erudite conversations with an intergenerational crowd. The cigars are pricy, and you can (and must) order the Ian Fleming original, the Vesper: Gin, Belvedere Vodka and Lillet. Shaken not stirred, of course.
The Clover Club
210 Smith Street
Both a neighborhood institution and a destination for out-of-towners, the Clover Club takes itself seriously without being obnoxious about it; there’s no dress code or scramble for impossible reservations. The exposed brick wall and ornate wood bar may not suggest it’s an extraordinary watering hole, but the Clover Club’s drinks are some of the best you will have — ever. It got a 90/100 on New York Magazine’s ranking scale, making the trip to Brooklyn well worth it.
Pebble Bar
67 W 49th Street
Pete Davidson and Nicholas Braun invested in the Pebble Bar, which opened in 2022, in an attempt to add a certain trendiness to the Rockefeller Center area. So far, they are succeeding. The four-story townhouse turned cocktail lounge caters to the kind of person who makes a reservation a month or so in advance. The cocktails will run you about $20, and if you ask your server about current favorites, every cent will be worth it. For a splurge, put in an order for the oysters, shrimp, scallop and caviar platter.
The Bar Room at the Modern at MoMA
9 W 53rd Street
There is no better place to stop for a drink after an afternoon of Mondrian and Matisse. MoMA’s Bar Room is the informal counterpart of its Michelin-starred restaurant, The Modern. The Bar Room serves the same seasonal, contemporary cooking a la carte. Or you can snag a spot at the 20-seat marble counter anytime after 11 am, and choose from reasonably-priced classic or modern cocktails like the Miso Mango — whisky, mango, miso and ginger. They also offer a solid selection of zero-proof cocktails and a lengthy wine list.
The Nines
9 Great Jones Street
Replete with red velvet, romantic lighting, a curved wooden bar and grand piano in the corner, this classy supper club requires you to come dressed to the nines. The effort, however, will be worth it whether you pop over for a drink or a glamorous European hotel-style supper. If you want to venture into the dining room, be sure to make a reservation. But you can walk in and try to grab a spot in the front lounge for drinks.
Story by Mitra Nourbakhsh
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