Discover the best bars in New York City, from rooftops and speakeasies to dives and historic LGBTQ+ landmarks, with a tequila expert’s tips on what to order.
New York City is one of the few places on earth where you can step from a polished rooftop lounge into a gritty Hell’s Kitchen dive, then finish the night in a historic bar that helped change the course of civil rights—all in a single evening. The challenge isn’t finding a bar; it’s choosing the right one.
I see NYC’s nightlife as a vast backbar; every neighborhood a different bottle, every venue a distinct expression of the city’s personality. Some bars are built for skyline views, some for serious cocktails, some for cheap beers and unforgettable stories. And yes, more of them than ever are taking tequila seriously.
This guide highlights 10 of the best bars in New York City, each representing a different style of night out. You’ll find rooftops, speakeasies, dives, music clubs, sports bars, wine dens, and historic LGBTQ+ institutions—plus a tequila expert’s recommendation for what to drink at each stop.
1. Rooftop Bar – Westlight at The William Vale (Williamsburg)
On the 22nd floor of The William Vale in Williamsburg, Westlight feels like someone built a tasting room in the sky. Floor-to-ceiling glass and an open-air terrace frame a sweeping panorama of Manhattan across the East River. By day, the city stretches out in sharp detail. By night, it becomes a glittering field of light.
The culinary program elevates rooftop snacking into something more thoughtful: crisp calamari, refined flatbreads, and global small plates built for sharing. The bar leans into inventive cocktails and a curated list of wines and beers, but Westlight is also a strong place to order a precise agave drink.
Tequila pro tip: Ask for a Tommy’s-style Margarita with an additive-free Blanco (fresh lime + agave syrup, no mixer) or a spirit-forward Añejo Old Fashioned if you’re lingering over the view. Schedule your arrival just before sunset—enough time to claim a good spot, settle in, and watch the skyline shift from blue hour to neon.
2. Cocktail Bar – Employees Only (West Village)
If you’re serious about cocktails, Employees Only is a rite of passage. Hidden behind a modest façade on Hudson Street, this West Village institution helped define the modern craft cocktail movement when it opened in 2004. Inside, you’ll find an Art Deco-inspired room, a sweeping curved bar, candlelight, and bartenders in white jackets who treat their craft with both discipline and flair.
The menu is a mix of revived classics and house signatures—drinks like the Amelia and the Provencal—with impeccable balance and texture. The staff can build just about anything, but what impresses most is their consistency; round after round, the drinks remain sharp and precise.
Tequila pro tip: Order a tequila-forward sour or go off-menu and let them build a custom drink around your preferred style: bright and citrusy with Blanco, or rich and aromatic with Añejo. If you’re comfortable letting go of control, simply say, “Bartender’s choice with tequila,” and enjoy where that takes you.
3. Speakeasy – Please Don’t Tell (PDT) (East Village)
Few bars embody the speakeasy fantasy better than Please Don’t Tell. You enter through a vintage phone booth hidden inside Crif Dogs, an unassuming hot dog shop in the East Village. Step into the booth, dial, and—if there’s room—the back wall swings open, revealing a dim, intimate cocktail den that feels like a secret whispered into the city’s ear.
Inside, PDT keeps seating limited and lighting low. Cocktail builds are meticulous, often featuring house infusions, unusual bitters, and ingredients you don’t see on standard menus. The collaboration with Crif Dogs adds a playful twist: you can pair your elevated cocktail with a creatively topped hot dog, merging high-end drinks and unapologetic comfort food.
Tequila pro tip: PDT is an excellent place to order a refined tequila or mezcal cocktail that leans into spice, seasonal fruit, or savory elements. Ask for something stirred and agave-based if you want to linger over the complexity; or try a high-acid, citrus-driven tequila drink to cut through the richness of those hot dogs.
4. Dive Bar – Rudy’s Bar & Grill (Hell’s Kitchen)
In a city that constantly reinvents itself, Rudy’s Bar & Grill is stubbornly, gloriously old New York. Operating since 1933, this Hell’s Kitchen dive is recognizable by its neon sign and red pig mascot out front. Inside, you’ll find cheap beers, worn booths, and a crowd that might include Broadway stagehands, neighborhood regulars, and curious visitors all sharing the same cramped space.
Rudy’s is famously known for one thing: free hot dogs with every drink. Order a beer, get a dog. The drinks themselves are simple—think pitchers of Bud and basic mixed drinks—but you’re not here for modern mixology. You’re here for a budget-friendly night with a heavy dose of nostalgia.
Tequila pro tip: This is “tequila-and-soda” territory at best. Keep it simple, keep it respectful, and lean into the atmosphere: Rudy’s is less about what’s in your glass and more about the fact that you’re drinking in one of the city’s classic, no-frills institutions.
5. Live Music Bar – The Bitter End (Greenwich Village)
If you want to drink where the city’s musical history still vibrates in the walls, head to The Bitter End in Greenwich Village. Open since 1961, it’s the oldest rock club in New York and has hosted an astonishing lineup: Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and Lady Gaga are just a few names on a long list of legends who’ve played here.
The space is intimate—red brick walls, a small stage, and low lighting that draws the crowd’s focus entirely onto the performers. The sound is close and unpolished in the best way, whether you’re there for an emerging singer-songwriter, a full band, or a late-night jam.
The bar itself keeps things simple: straightforward beers, wine, and classic mixed drinks. The star is the stage, not the garnish.
Tequila pro tip: Order a no-nonsense tequila highball; Blanco tequila topped with soda and a lime wedge. It’s refreshing, easy to sip between songs, and won’t dominate your attention while the music is doing the real work.
6. Tiki Bar – Otto’s Shrunken Head (East Village)
For a sharp left turn into kitsch and island escapism, Otto’s Shrunken Head in the East Village delivers a full-on tiki fever dream. Bamboo, totems, neon, and surf-rock aesthetics collide in a space that feels more like an alternate universe than a Manhattan bar.
The drinks embrace classic tiki tropes: rum-heavy concoctions, fruity flavors, crushed ice, and playful mugs. But Otto’s isn’t just about cocktails; it’s also a hub for underground music and quirky themed nights. The back room frequently hosts live bands and comedy, creating a mash-up of tiki escapism and DIY performance culture.
Tequila pro tip: If you’re an agave fan in a rum house, ask for a tequila-based tiki riff—something like a tequila Mai Tai or a tropical highball that swaps rum for Blanco or Reposado. It’s a fun way to bring agave into a setting where you’d normally default to rum.
7. Brewery – Brooklyn Brewery (Williamsburg)
While tequila is my specialty, I deeply respect a brewery that helped shape modern craft culture. Brooklyn Brewery is exactly that. Founded in 1988, it paved the way for New York’s craft beer wave and still serves as a pilgrimage site for beer lovers.
The Williamsburg taproom is open and communal: picnic tables, exposed brick, and murals that nod to the brand’s history. The draft list ranges from flagship beers like Brooklyn Lager to rotating seasonal and experimental releases. Tours (check their current schedule) offer a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and the stories that built the brand.
Tequila pro tip: Think of this as a palate-reset stop on a multi-venue night. Enjoy a lager or a seasonal sour, hydrate, take a breather—and then, if you’re building an all-agave evening, move on to a cocktail bar that treats tequila with equal care.
8. Wine Bar – Amelie (Greenwich Village)
If your ideal night mixes conversation, wine, and small plates, Amelie on West 8th Street feels like a small slice of Paris tucked into Greenwich Village. Soft lighting, exposed brick, and a narrow, cozy layout give it an intimate, European feel.
The wine list leans French but explores a wide range of styles, and the bar’s signature flights make it easy to explore different regions or grapes without overcommitting. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable, guiding you toward pairings with cheeses, charcuterie, tartines, and other French-inspired bites.
Tequila pro tip: This is your “cheat night” in an otherwise agave-focused trip. Enjoy the wine. But if someone at your table is firmly a spirits person, a simple Añejo served neat can stand in for a digestif in the same way a small pour of cognac might.
9. Sports Bar – The Ainsworth (Multiple Locations)
If you want the game, but you also want plush seating and polished surroundings, The Ainsworth is your move. With multiple Manhattan locations, it offers the big screens, loud crowds, and game-day menu you expect from a sports bar, but with a design that leans more lounge than basement.
Think leather banquettes, marble accents, and design details that make it feel like a hybrid between a cocktail bar and a viewing party. The menu ranges widely, but certain dishes—like their over-the-top Mac & Cheese Burger—have become social-media darlings. Wings, burgers, beers, and spiked lemonades fuel the energy through big games and weekend brunches alike.
Tequila pro tip: A classic tequila-based Paloma or tequila-soda is perfect here—simple, refreshing, and easy to enjoy through an entire match without overwhelming your palate.
10. LGBTQ+ Bar – The Stonewall Inn (Greenwich Village)
No list of the best bars in New York City is complete without The Stonewall Inn, and its importance goes far beyond nightlife. This Greenwich Village bar was the site of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a turning point that catalyzed the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement worldwide. Today, it’s both a National Historic Landmark and a living, breathing community space.
Inside, you’ll find two levels of music, conversation, drag shows, karaoke, and events that mix celebration with activism. The drinks menu is straightforward—beers, simple cocktails, and shots—but the atmosphere is unique: inclusive, high-energy, and grounded in a sense of shared history.
Photos, memorabilia, and rainbow flags throughout the space serve as a constant reminder that this isn’t just another bar; it’s a site of resistance, resilience, and ongoing advocacy.
Tequila pro tip: Order something simple—a tequila highball, a Margarita, or even just a neat pour—and let the focus rest on the experience: the crowd, the performances, the history you’re standing inside.
FAQs (Expert Answers)
- What’s the best area in NYC for bar-hopping?
Greenwich Village and the East Village are ideal—they pack speakeasies, music bars, dives, and cocktail spots into walkable, bar-hop-friendly blocks.
- Do I need reservations for NYC’s top bars?
Often, yes. Rooftops and speakeasies like Westlight and PDT can book up, especially on weekends. Walk-ins are possible, but reservations are smart.
- Is New York City good for tequila and agave spirits?
Absolutely. Many of NYC’s top cocktail bars have serious tequila and mezcal programs and can build excellent agave-driven drinks if you ask.
- What time do NYC bars usually get busy?
Most spots start filling up around 8–9 p.m., with peak energy from roughly 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.—later on weekends and in nightlife-heavy neighborhoods.
- How should I plan a safe night out in NYC?
Pace your drinks, hydrate, eat early, and use rideshare, taxis, or the subway. Many of the bars here are close enough to walk between—build your route around that.
