6. Westlight
Hard to believe this one is across the water in Brooklyn but what an elegant entrance! Indoor bar serves good drinks (minus the wait) but it's the sprawling, outside 270% views with multiple tower viewers for you to take in the near and far of the Manhattan skyline that attracts the crowds.
7. NoMad Bar
Hats off to the World's 50 Best Bars on getting this one right and putting it at number 3 on the 2017 list. The best cocktails in New York City and among my top three internationally. The NoMad Bar has an extremely attentive staff, extensive list of inspiringly wonderful cocktails and a beautiful darkwood, pleasantly old-fashioned setup in all of its four rooms.
8.) Public
Where I imagine Jay-Z and Beyonce showing up. This clean, suave, chic rooftop boasts floor to ceiling windows, blue lit floors, beautiful people, well-crafted sweet cocktails- everything but bourbon. And for that reason, it's down here.
9.) Clover Club
Deep inside Brooklyn (Boerum Hill) is the only all-around old-school place in the city- with the trumpets, microphones and attire to match. Long story short- it's where Steve Rogers should have had that date with Agent Carter. Don't sleep on this old-timer, it's cocktails are 3rd in the city in my book.
10. Maison Premiere
NOLA meets NYC meets Paris at this transformational cocktail spot whose attention to detail and beauty are matched by few. Good news is it's only 1 stop into burgeoning Brooklyn (Williamsburg). Bad news, it's still not Manhattan.
11. Magic Hour
This...ummm...."creatively" naughty chic scene has a different vibe depending on where you sit. From the upscale elegant enclosed terrace to the left, the whimsical yet luxurious carousel in the middle to the naughty funky pink bunny mini golf course to the right- a little something for all crowds. Drinks are excellent- especially if you enjoy pineapple and whiskey. Food menu is continuously improving and its a great spot for the single as well as taken (sub 30s crowd however).
12. Mr. Purple
If you'd rather take a younger crowd over variety, well then Mr. Purple may steal your heart as the top spot in the city. This swanky, attractive mid twenties gathering features a lit bar with solid cocktails, a fair amount of lounge seating and a surprisingly expansive outdoor patio open beyond the summer who's centerpiece (figuratively) is a lit, heated pool. The one major caveat, arrive before 10 pm! This line from 930-1015 gets interesting. Good news is at least they don't have the PHD, Le Bain, Vandl attitude of charging guys a ridiculous arm and leg to get inside.
13. The Dead Rabbit
Ranked as the number one bar in the world in 2016, this tri-level establishment has a unique vibe on each floor. A tavern on one, a chic cocktail bar on two and a live music venue on three that plays its music on each floor. Expect a 1-2 hour wait to get upstairs and don't anticipate going out elsewhere given the location. UPDATE: A fire in June has this one temporarily closed :(.
14. The Flatiron Room
Walk back in time as you open the doors and are immersed in the bar shelves throughout jazz lounge that has the most extensive cocktail list I've seen in the US (7 pages of scotches!). A beautifully elegant scene with jazz to relax you, in case the whiskeys don't, but be cautious of the not-so-everyday-epicure-friendly menu.
15. Gansevoort Park
This bi-level beauty that sits atop the Gansevoort on 23rd and Park Avenue South has everything you could want; good beer list and above average cocktails, a see-through frosted glass outdoor walkway, lit private pool, dance floor and lounge. For a convenient pairing, try Asellina downstairs for their Italian tapas, date vibe and extremely reasonable tabs. UPDATE: Now called Royalton.
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