Meet the finalists of Time Out New York’s 2018 Bar Awards

There’s been a ton of buzz around town for New York City’s bars this past year. Not only have the city’s long-time stalwarts cemented their sodden status, but we gained a host of exceptional newcomers—from beer bars to cocktail bars—slinging some heady contenders for Time Out New York’s 2018 Bar Awards. Naturally, we asked the industry’s top professionals to vote for who they think came out swinging this year. While the winners will be featured in our May 23 issue, take a sneak peek now of the top five finalists from each of the 12 categories below.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Time Out New York’s Bar Awards

Best New Bar
Diamond Reef
Loverboy
The Aviary NYC
George Washington Bar
Banzarbar

Best Dive Bar
Johnny’s Bar
Lucy’s
Clem’s
7B
Doc Holliday’s

Best Bar-Restaurant Program
The Pool
Tetsu
Olmsted
Cecconi’s Dumbo
Eleven Madison Park

Best Wine Bar sponsored by Seguara Viudas 
The Four Horsemen
Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
Air’s Champagne Parlor
Vini e Fritti
Terroir

Best Crew
Mother’s Ruin
The Lost Lady
Ghost Donkey
Attaboy
Leyenda

Most Stylish
The Bar at the Grill
Loosie Rouge
Ophelia
Oscar Wilde
Pilot

Best Specialty Bar
Yours Sincerely
Amor y Amargo
McSorley’s Old Ale House
Tørst
Hi-Collar

Best Cocktail
Maison Absinthe Colada at Maison Premiere
Irish Coffee at Dead Rabbit
Steakhouse Martini at Diamond Reef
Garibaldi at Dante
Recortador at Death & Co.

Sexiest Cocktail
Cucumber at The Pool Lounge
Bloody Mary at The Aviary NYC
Cocktail Explosion at The NoMad Bar
Purple Tuxedo at Ophelia
Coconut at ZZ’s Clam Bar

Most Creative Drinks
Pouring Ribbons
The Aviary NYC
ZZ’s Clam Bar
ROKC
Mace

Best Legacy Bar sponsored by Hudson Whiskey
B Flat
Angel’s Share
Flatiron Lounge
Death & Co.
Pegu Club

Bar of Year sponsored by Hendrick’s Gin
Dante
Mace
The NoMad Bar
The Aviary NYC
Ghost Donkey

And a huge thank you to this year’s lineup of incredible industry panelists!

Panelists
Meaghan Dorman, Bar director of Raines Law Room, Dear Irving and The Bennett
Charlotte Voisey, Director of advocacy for William Grant & Sons
Jillian Vose, Bar manager and beverage director of The Dead Rabbit
Richard Knapp, Owner of Mother’s Ruin
Kenta Goto, Owner of Bar Goto
Greg Boehm, Founder of Cocktail Kingdom and owner of Mace
Ravi DeRossi, Founder of DeRossi Global (Death & Co, Mayahuel)
Will Talbott, Bar manager of The Standard Highline
Al Sotack, Partner at Jupiter Disco
Micah Melton, Beverage Director at Alinea Group (The Aviary & The Office NYC)