5 Best Bars to Grab a Cocktail at in New York City
Photo Credit: Newsweek.com
By: Adrienne Smith
In the matter of one city block, you can pass a grungy dive, casual neighborhood staple, and trendy new cocktail bar in New York City. The limit does not exist when it comes to different ambiances and vibes in bars, which is why we've put together this list to help you navigate the city that never sleeps (or stops drinking) just in time for Dry January to come to a close.
NYC’s Newest Hidden Gem: Undercote
This chic, subterranean bar and lounge sits under Michelin Starred Cote in the Flatiron District. Once you make your way down the stairs, you’ll find yourself in a literal urban jungle. The aesthetic is so specific, and we can’t get enough. The cocktail list is curated to perfection so you can’t go wrong. Let the bartenders show off… they have chops! Our recommendation: forget that it is below freezing outside and escape over a pineapple daiquiri.
Undercote: 16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010, below Cote
Take a Trip Back in Time: Bemelmans Bar
A visit to Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel will whisk you back to old New York when cocktailing was a way of life. Order a gin martini and take in the gorgeous gold leafed ceiling and whimsical murals done by Ludwig Bemelmans, the bar’s namesake and creator of the precious children’s character Madeline. Bemelmans Bar is one of New York’s most iconic bars and worthy of a visit for locals and visitors alike!
Bemelmans Bar: 35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021 in The Carlyle Hotel
Party like its 1782, 1922, or 1962: Dear Irving
Where would Don Draper, Jay Gatsby and Marie Antoinette all drink in present-day Gotham? This timeless Gramercy lounge is divided into period-piece rooms: a decadent Victorian parlor with chandeliers and gilded sofas, a glittering Jazz Age salon dripping in crystal curtains, and a stylish sixty’s den. Cocktails are second to none, and the hand-carved ice is a fantastic touch. No need to wave down your server, you can just ring the buzzer at your table for service—every table has one connected to the bar.
Dear Irving: 55 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
Channel your inner Hollywood Starlet: Slowly Shirley
Slip into your trusty LBD, swipe on a sassy red lip and make your way to the Art Deco surreptitious haven that is Slowly Shirley. Located beneath West Village bar the Happiest Hour, Slowly Shirley is the perfect place for a date night or indulging in the glamorous Old Hollywood scene, present-day New York. Trust me, the service is far from out of style. Tip: order the Tahitian Coffee if you’re out with someone special.
Slowly Shirley: 121 W 10th St, New York, NY 10011, below The Happiest Hour.
Booze with a View- The Aviary
A spinoff of the Chicago original, this East Coast counterpart undoubtedly has the superior location. This magical boozy bar sits 35 stories above Columbus Circle with endless views of Central Park. The cocktail game at The Aviary is next level. You can expect billowing clouds of frozen liquid smoke, table-side science, and your cocktails to be served in glassware like you’ve never seen before, produced by mixologists and ice experts.
The Aviary: 80 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10023, 35th floor of The Mandarin Hotel
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