The Top 15 Essential New Bars to Visit in NYC

 

The nightlife scene can be difficult to keep up with in any city, and with New York being a bustling playground all hours of the night, it can be especially tough to know which spots deserve a visit. The ever-changing landscape has plenty of new bars to visit in NYC that will have you toasting your drinks in style within the variety of innovative settings.

Beneath the NoMad’s Life Hotel sits a former speakeasy that now houses a contemporary hideaway lounge. Choose a record from the expansive library of vinyl while you lounge on modern banquette seating in this sleek venue.

Tiki culture makes its way to the Big Apple with this ode to the tropical 1940s style. Located within the Pod Hotel in Times Square, the expansive cocktail menu offers up Polynesian flavors as guests get a view of Midtown from the third-floor venue.

Head to Chinatown to try out this cocktail bar in the downstairs room of popular eatery Chinese Tuxedo. With Gucci wallpaper and lush floral accents lining the space, you’ll stay cozy while you sip from the drink menu stocked with superfood ingredients.

A trendy spot in the Meatpacking District, this spacious bar attracts patrons who live for the tasty pizzas and eye-catching Salvador Dali originals hanging on its walls. The welcoming locale has a relaxed, ‘70s-inspired vibe where you won’t have a problem stopping in for a casual cocktail.

This former library has a dark, vintage style with a fireplace and wooden accents to round out the feel. The cozy drinkery, a part of the Freehand Hotel, serves up sophisticated sips in the presidential-worthy space.

One of Bushwick’s newest spots to dance the night away, Rose Gold will have you descending into the basement of a seafood spot for a late night escape. The neon accents and artsy feel draw in a crowd of lively guests who come ready to take in sounds from live DJ performers.

The people behind Bathtub Gin have ushered 18th Room onto the scene, hiding this time behind the façade of a coffee supply shop. Art deco elements are brought into the 1920s-style venue where bartenders create customized drinks for each guest who walks through the door.

Take a trip across the seas at this intimate speakeasy bar above Freemans restaurant. The theme of Antarctic exploration gives the reservation-only space a niche atmosphere where they’re free to let the sophisticated menu change with the journey.

The rooftop of the SIXTY LES is transformed into an artistic and glamorous escape where your imagination is the key to a good time. The pops of color in the velvet seating, tropical foliage, and neon lighting transport guests to another place and time.

You’ll get the best of both worlds at this part-theater-part-speakeasy experience. The mix of modern furnishings and industrial décor create a unique lounge space with a theatrical touch. Japanese flavors enhance the food and drink menu and will please your palate as you take in a live show.

This rooftop cocktail bar sits at the top of the new Freehand Hotel, and has successful predecessors in Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles to vouch for its buzz. The beachy style pairs nicely with the tropical-inspired drinks and Mediterranean and Caribbean bites.

This modern, underground lounge lives beneath the James NoMad Hotel and boasts a chic style perfect for a night of partying. The live DJs draw in a celeb-studded patronage with guests dancing the night away inside the luxurious design.

Slip into this hidden locale that acts as a coffeehouse during daylight hours and transforms into a cozy speakeasy after dark. With a menu inspired by Nikolas Tesla, who used to live in the building, you’ll be able to feel the energy in this tucked away space.

At the top of Beekman Tower sits this glamorous, feminine cocktail bar with an art deco-inspired setting to complement its history. Formerly a women’s social club in the early 20th Century, guests can lounge with drinks while witnessing the breathtaking view.

The 10th floor of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is reserved for this sophisticated spot filled with greenery. Craft cocktails and waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline create a contemporary space fit for a lavish night out, complete with live DJs bringing vibrance to the evening.