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Photograph: Emilie Baltz
Photograph: Emilie Baltz

The best bars to go to alone in NYC

These are the best bars to go to alone in NYC, when you need to unplug, unwind and have a drink or two, solo-style

Dan Q Dao
Written by Marion Bernstein & Dan Q Dao
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Yes, you should visit the best bars to go to alone in NYC. Whether you’re working on your novel or just trying to carve out a little me time, there are a plethora of great bars that cater to solo goers all over the city (and there’s no shame in heading out alone). From the killer cocktail bars slinging the best negronis to the best dive bars offering Sunday happy hours, these spots are sure to offer any solo drinker a little peace of mind.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best bars in NYC

Best bars to go to alone in NYC

1. The Double Windsor

  • Beer bars
  • South Slope
  • price 2 of 4
The Double Windsor
The Double Windsor
It’s like Cheers, but in Park Slope and better. Don’t let the uppity name fool you—Double Windsor’s laid-back vibe and friendly (but not overly friendly) staff paints the perfect scene for a solo diner. Saddle up to the horseshoe bar for a hearty helping of gooey, bacon-laden mac and cheese, then pair your plate of liquid gold with one of 14 craft beers on tap. Come between 3pm and 7pm and shave a buck off during happy hours on weekdays.
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2. The Lobby Bar at the Ace Hotel New York

  • Hotel bars
  • Civic Center
  • price 2 of 4
The Lobby Bar at the Ace Hotel New York
The Lobby Bar at the Ace Hotel New York
Whether you’re in the mood to plug in and zone out or sit back and people watch, the Ace Hotel’s expansive Lobby Bar delivers on both fronts. The Breslin runs the bar, so craft beers, local spirits and house-made pickle juices are to be expected. Come early and snag a couch.
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3. Ode to Babel

  • Cocktail bars
  • Prospect Heights
  • price 2 of 4
Ode to Babel
Ode to Babel

From local distillery-based craft cocktails to froth-topped coffee and Havarti-Swiss-stuffed grilled cheese, Ode to Babel’s 34-seat lifestyle bar offers something for every mood. Digital nomads can come early, caffeinate and catch up on emails, while solo socialites can imbibe some vibes during Babel’s Ode to Vinyl nights.

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4. DTUT

  • Coffee shops
  • Upper East Side
  • price 1 of 4
DTUT
DTUT
Photograph: Courtesy Yelp/Russel K.
This one's for you, Upper East Siders. A longtime neighborhood establishment, this homey, 70-seat spot peddles coffee by day and cocktails and craft beers by night. Whether you snag a seat at a high-top communal table or settle into one of the comfy couches with your laptop, a menu of simple fare (sandwiches, s'mores) makes working on your novel that much more enjoyable.
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5. Attaboy

  • Cocktail bars
  • Lower East Side
  • price 2 of 4
Attaboy
Attaboy
It would be remiss to not include one of New York's finest cocktail destinations on the list, especially one that places such an emphasis on bartender’s choice. Ascend your barstool for a bespoke cocktail tailor-made to your tastes and feel like a special snowflake even when you're all by your lonesome.
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6. Sycamore

  • Beer bars
  • Flatbush
  • price 1 of 4
Sycamore
Sycamore
This rare gem of a bar slings flowers by day and booze by night. Sip on one of two dozen bourbons as you scroll through the (free) jukebox. Or, take a brew to-go and head on back to the cozy backyard for some fresh air and food—local food vendors hawking tacos, tamales and falafel rotate on a daily basis.
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7. Library Bar at the NoMad Hotel

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Flatiron
  • price 3 of 4
Library Bar at the NoMad Hotel
Library Bar at the NoMad Hotel
Photograph: Daniel Krieger
Solo travelers are typically solo drinkers, so visiting a hotel bar is a surefire way to make sure you won't be the odd one out. Of the Nomad's excellent bar programs, this aptly book-filled space tends to be on the quieter side, perfect for catching up on some reading or relaxing in peace.
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8. The Bennett

  • Cocktail bars
  • Tribeca
  • price 2 of 4
The Bennett
The Bennett
Ironically, Meaghan Dorman's date-night hot spot also makes for a solid me-time getaway. While couples line the two-tops along the wall, lone rangers can post up at the luxurious marble bar to pamper themselves with stellar cocktails-for-one. Plus, if you're alone, no one will judge you as you inhale their delicious cocktail-inspired cookies, which are served with a mini-glass of warm milk.
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9. Hanson Dry

  • Cocktail bars
  • Clinton Hill
  • price 1 of 4
Hanson Dry
Hanson Dry
This cocktail bar, from the folks behind Southpaw and Franklin Park, evokes a midcentury lounge with its walnut bar, mirrored light fixtures and vintage cash register. Serious booze enthusiasts will be heartened by the drinks list, which includes twists on classics, like the Hanson Dry (gin, vanilla liqueur, Angostura bitters) and the Tux (rye whiskey, maraschino liqueur, a Pernod rinse). There's also wine and eight local beers on tap, including two from Kelso Brewery, which is located just down the street.
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10. Sweetwater Social

  • Cocktail bars
  • Greenwich Village
  • price 2 of 4
Sweetwater Social
Sweetwater Social

This subterranean spot is fitted with loads of bar games ranging from foosball to board games. Amidst all the fun, there's a high chance a group of revelers will need an extra person to make their game an even match. Wouldn't it be great if someone was there alone and wanted to join in? 

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