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If you’re tuned into bar culture, you may already know Juliette Larrouy and Moe Aljaff. The two self-proclaimed schmucks made their name at Two Schmucks, the award-winning, five-starred dive bar in Barcelona. After citing professional differences, the team disbanded—but fate had other plans. These two schmucks came stateside with keys to a space in the East Village. Marked by teaser pop-ups and marred by construction delays, schmuck. became one of our most highly anticipated openings in 2024… and 2025. But it seems the build-up paid off: Almost a year after opening, lines continue to stretch down 1st Ave every night. Much less punk than its predecessor, schmuck.'s front room reads like your most artistic friend's gussied-up lounge, with handsome leather seating, a commanding steel bar and a blue-tiled corner room that somehow gives spa. Cool kids pull up a chair and chat over highballs bursting with tomato sweetness (Bread with Tomatoes) and peanutty tipples that hum with a chili-oil spiked heat (Larb Gai). But it’s a popular hang, and showing up without a reservation will almost certainly mean a wait. Luckily, the back room is ready for all. The walk-in back bar is designed to feel like the natural gathering hub of any house party: the kitchen. The cocktails are just as thoughtful, though the massive wooden table in the center tends to squeeze people into corners if they don’t snag one of the few seats. Still, no matter how laid-back the vibe, these schmucks will take...

Though not as easily accessible by public transit as most NYC museums, this Queens County treasure is well worth the bus trek or car ride. As the city’s longest continually farmed site in the city (it’s been in operation since 1697), the 47 acres feels like an entirely different world compared to Manhattan. Feed and pet the barnyard animals, including sheep, ponies and goats, hop aboard a hayride and come back during the fall harvest season when you can go pumpkin picking and attempt to find your way through the Amazing Maize Maze (yes, that’s a corn maze). Don’t forget to stop by the store on your way out for fresh fruits and veggies grown on the premises!

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

If you thought getting a table at Per Se was tough, try getting into Rao’s. On second thought, don’t. Rao’s (pronounced “RAY-ohs”) is really a private club without the dues. To eat here, you’ll need a personal invite from one of the heavy hitters who “owns” a table. These CEOs, actors, politicians, news personalities and neighborhood old-timers established a long-standing arrangement with the late, legendary owner Frankie “No” Pellegrino, and that's what ensures a seat at one of the ten tables at the Italian-American icon. In fact, reading this review is probably the closest you’ll get to Rao’s.

With a combined resume that includes Angel's Share, Employees Only and Alinea, Shingo Gokan's and Steve Schneider's bi-level bar was bound to be a hit. At the subterranean bar, Sip, Gokan provides a sleek, Japanese cocktail bar. Schneider's Guzzle is a saloon-style bar where classics are familiar with a little oomph (looking at your Sherry Colada Highball). Former executive chef of Chicago's Alinea, chef Mike Bagale balances both bars with high to low offerings, including "electric" chicken next to a $150 sandwich made with A5 wagyu. 

Midtown office workers can fill up on German suds and sausages at this sprawling beer garden, from Willy and Keith Reichenbach (Hop Devil Grill, David Copperfield's). The 5,000-square-foot hall—outfitted with communal tables, handcrafted stools and iron chandeliers—honors the beer-loving siblings’ German heritage. Nab a seat at the wood-paneled bar for a Deutsch-leaning selection of 14 drafts (Spaten Oktoberfest, Hofbrau Original and a house pale lager), along with a rotating selection of schnapps and European wines. Drawing from childhood meals at their grandparents’ house, the Queens-born duo put together a menu of traditional bierhaus bites, including cheese-stuffed sausages and a giant soft pretzel paired with chicken-liver mousse and obatzda (a cheese-and-beer dip). Make a reservation on OpenTable here.

On a random summer night, a bouncer perched outside Bar Snack called out to me and other passersby on the street, luring us with the promise of great drinks, great food and "the best bathroom in the East Village." Reader: I am here to tell you—he was right. But if a disco-fresh bathroom isn't enough to tempt you in, the convivial nature and solid list of tasty cocktails (and snacks!) found at Bar Snack certainly will.  The vibe: After surveying the East Village and its many, many (expensive) cocktail bars, bartender Iain Griffiths and Brooklyn-based bar owner Oliver Cleary decided they wanted to create something—and so they did, serving "dressed-up classics for dressed-down people." The inside gives off '70s lounge—think wood paneling and a dark, walnut-wood bar lined with glittery orange bar stools. Snagging a seat during the nighttime hours can prove difficult as this bar certainly attracts a crowd, making standing room your best bet. But even the daytime can bring a rowdy good time, as rock and throwback hits (hello Spice Girls!) blare through the speakers. The food: Snack is in the name, isn't it? And snacks, they do so well. Fried cheese curds are tossed in pickle dust and hot dogs get a little fancy with onion jam and a hot pickle. But the snack of all snacks is the Spice Bag ($18). Leaning on Griffith's Irish roots, the bag comes to the table in a white paper bag labeled "Spice Bag" fashioned in the style of the Spice Girls logo. As much as you'll want to save it,...

Montauk makes its way to Manhattan with Gilligan's, a nautically themed restaurant in SoHo. Gilligan's is the perfect summer venue for open-air dining and celebrations. With weathered wood planks, white bamboo and lush, tropical plants, this 4,000-square-foot oasis lends a tiki style for large groups or events. Open from May through to late September, this season's menu was designed by Chef Ken Addington (of Five Leaves and Casino), featuring fresh produce and seafood sourced from the best fishermen on Long Island. Check out the ingredient-driven dishes, alongside mixologist Jeremy Oertel's new frozen cocktail, the Limoncello Piña Colada, a follow-up of Gilligan's infamous Frozen Watermelon Margarita.

You may have become familiar with the tale of Takuma Watanabe while he tended bar at Angel Share. But at his three-story Japanese bar, Martiny's, he spins a yarn all his own. The Tokyo native's solo project is housed in a former carriage house, each floor dedicated to the art of the cocktail. Continually shooting for omotenashi, or the concept of hospitality in Japan, Watanabe and his dedicated staff take pride in curating an experience like no other, regardless of the floor you find yourself on.

We curated every last detail at the Time Out Market: the food, the cultural experiences, the drinks, the space—everything including the breathtaking view, which is the perfect backdrop for the “best in New York City” experience. At The Rooftop at Time Out Market you can discover impressive bites from culinary rockstars while relaxing on sea foam seats on the outdoor terrace. Post up for acts selected by our team, complementing the entertainment of the breathtaking, sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, perfectly framed by the grand windows. Signature Cocktails ($14) New York SourAmador Double Barrel Whiskey, Lemon, Simple, Aquafaba and Reserve Port Hibiscus ChillCasamigos Reposado, Combier Orange, Lime and Hibiscus Syrup Sangria SpritzBertoux Brandy, Mulling Spice, Red Wine Blend and Club Soda Smokin' Cherry MuleAgave De Cortes Mezcal, Black Cherry, Amaro, Lemon and Ginger Beer SouthsiderSpring 44 Vodka, Aloe, Mint and Cucumber My Kind of Old FashionedHigh West Double Rye, Bertoux Brandy, Maple and Bitters Coconut CarouselOwney's Rum, Dark Rum, Orange, Pineapple, Coconut and Nutmeg Strawberry BelliniGrey Goose Vodka, Strawberry, Basil and ProseccoBeer Selection ($8) Brooklyn Brewery, Bronx Brewery, Stella Artois ($9), Modelo Especial ($9), Asahi Brewery, Estrella Damm, Mikkeller Brewery ($12), Five Boroughs Brewery Wine List SparklingLambrusco, Otello Ceci, Emilia, Italy ($12, $54)Mumm Napa, Blanc De Blancs, Napa, CA ($13, $56)Bedell Sparkling...