Julien Levy

Not ready for the 6-train schlep, but not prepared to call the evening quits? If you're wondering where you should you go for that all-important, post-cultural-experience debrief or where to grab a sophisticated sipper or what your best option is for getting weird and spending a night out on the Upper East Side, we can help. I’m a lifelong New Yorker with roots on the UES—my dad grew up in a Yorkville tenement when it the area was still populated almost entirely by diasporic Europeans—and I’ve been a bartender in the city for well over a decade. So rather than abandon all hope ye who enter the UES, think of me as Virgil to your Dante. If you’re looking for the best bars on the Upper East Side and what to drink once you’re there, follow me and I’ll see you through. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants on the Upper East Side

What are you doing in midtown? Seeing a show? Going to a meeting? Did you get lost? This is New York City, so people do actually live in midtown, which means it's an honest to goodness neighborhood. No every single bar therein is a tourist trap or pit of besuitted finance bros—some are just actually great bars proud to serve their (comparatively) little community.  The last time I went to midtown, I met a friend at Nothing Really Matters. I won’t spoil why the place is so special (read below!) but it was fun to watch my normally-jaded, native New Yorker buddy light up with excitement at how actually great that bar is—no qualifications. As a native myself, I got a real kick out of playing host in such an odd, scarcely-visited section of Manhattan isle. Below, you’ll find hotel bars, dives, cocktail meccas—a little something for everyone. It turns out midtown, like every neighborhood in this city, contains multitudes. Remember this: In a city as dynamic and disparate as New York, defying expectations set by neighborhood prejudice is a precious kind of currency. And on the other side of that coin is familiarity with the institutions that define a neighborhood’s identity. So pay attention to the places I’ve named below and next time you’re in the area (no matter the reason) you’ll be flush.   RECOMMENDED: See all of the best bars in NYC March 2025: We removed Five Acres and King Cole Bar and added As Is.

Every day across the five boroughs, food & bev establishments make their play to attract you—yes, you—with a few scant hours of cheap deals. We’re talking happy hour and, if you ask me, a native New Yorker with over a decade of bartending under my belt, there’s no reason to play hard-to-get. Maybe these bars and restaurants are trying to woo you with a few bucks off the top, a lagniappe on your order, an oh-so-special menu—a lot of places shoot their shot, but only a few really hit.  Look, if you’re content to hold off enjoying yourself until weekend evenings when nearly all of the best spots pack to the rafters and you’re paying through the nose to catch a buzz, knock yourself out. But if you’re smart, you’ll jump on an opportunity when you see it. To that end, below you’ll find some of the best happy hours across the city and the deals therein. Cocktailing, food, wine and beer, there’s a little something for everyone. Just keep in mind: once the word is out, no deal lasts (especially a great one) so don’t delay.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

Forget Boston—New York City’s got its own long-standing, deep connection with Ireland, its people and its culture and this necessarily includes public houses. But calling a bar an “Irish Pub” means different things to different people and all depends on what kind of experience you’ve got in mind. Maybe you’re on the lookout for an emerald-green kitsch fest, maybe you’re trying to get a touch of home in some peace and quiet. Whatever you’re after, we’ve got you covered. Am I Irish? Nope. Does my red coloring get me mistaken for Irish? Almost daily. Have I been drinking in New York City’s Irish bars for over 15 years? Indeed. Still, qualified though I may be, in my effort to bring you the very best, I felt it was important to recruit help from Irish expat friends and in-laws—the type of people who know how to have a good bit o’ fun but roll their eyes at the very mention of a shamrock. The result is what you’ll find below: an assemblage of places from cocktail meccas to dives, at almost every single one of which, you can get yourself a perfectly-pulled Guinness. RECOMMENDED: See the full St. Patrick's Day in NYC guide February 2025: We've updated this list ahead of St. Patrick's Day so that you've got the best pubs to plan your partying at. We added spots like The Dead Rabbit, Hartley's and Cronin & Phelan’s.

It’s that time of year again, New York City sports fans! That’s right: the game of games, the last NFL matchup until kickoff next September: Super Bowl Sunday is nigh.  This year’s contest will be fought in New Orleans, and, with a little planning, you can party like a pro in NYC, too, with wings, beer and nachos. If you're not into hosting or staying in, below, you’ll find recommendations for where to watch the Super Bowl at 6:30pm EST on February 9, with selections that suit every taste, in whichever borough you call home.  RECOMMENDED: Find more on the Super Bowl in NYC

Queens truly has everything. World-class museums, incredible food, beaches, parks, and major sports and concert venues just for starters. But while you’re visiting any of the above, it truly would behoove you to pop in for a drink at one of Queens’ many wonderful watering holes. We’re talking bars, and below you’ll find one for prettymuch every taste, from freaks to geeks and everything in between. Some are old, a lot are new, but all of them are proud to serve one of the most ethnically diverse locales in the world. RECOMMENDED: Best bars in NYC

Brooklyn’s culinary landscape is one of the finest in the world, hosting many of the best restaurants and bars in New York City and beyond. The borough has so many excellent pizza places, BBQ and brunch options, one could spend a lifetime trying them all. Our favorite 41 are a terrific place to start, including new additions Clover Hill, Koko's, Santo Parque and Diem Eatery.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

When good weather breaks through the clouds, NYC has an abundance of things to do outside. In addition to parks and other outdoor attractions, we have a slew of rooftop bars and outdoor dining options to choose from. And some of the best bars in NYC fit into the beer garden and hall categories, ideal for those brief and beautiful moments when it’s neither too hot nor too cold, and only a brew will do. These NYC beer gardens have everything you’d expect—outdoor tables, games, music, and of course delicious suds, many brewed on-site. Throw in some tasty snacks and you’ve got yourself the perfect afternoon. Whatever style of beer you prefer, NYC has an alfresco option for sipping a cold one on a gorgeous day. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC

Sure–celebrating Cinco de Mayo satisfies any South-of-the-Border craving, but why reserve the city’s best margaritas in NYC for just one day? It's always time for tequila, especially when shaken up with a hit of spice or swirled with sweet watermelon. Hit NYC’s best Mexican restaurants for some serious agave spirits, or down them alongside some of Gotham's best tacos. Fair warning, though: You're gonna want a pitcher.   RECOMMENDED: Full guide to cocktails in NYC

There are a lot of cool places to hang out on the streets of New York City’s perennial cool-kids-table, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. But once the sun goes down, what figuratively and quite literally elevates the cool factor is taking things above street level. Three words: Williamsburg rooftop bars. Yes, friends, if you know where to go and play your cards right, you and your squad can win summer by dancing, drinking, and/or vibing out amid rooftop breezes and vistas. And while New York City has seemingly no shortage of truly world-class rooftop establishments across its five boroughs, what you’ll find below are the coolest sky-facing bars within Williamsburg’s densely-packed 2 square miles. If you’re looking for breezy fun with ready-made photo ops of NYC’s iconic skyline, we’ve got you covered. So double-check the weather forecast and the L train’s status, without further ado, here are our top picks for Williamsburg’s rooftop bars RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

NYC's Japanese restaurant landscape is rich with ever-growing, ramen, izakaya and Michelin-starred sushi destinations, among many other offerings. The best include casual affairs, grand experiences and some that split the difference. Whatever your preference, these are the finest options for all of that and more right now.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Of all the amazing restaurants in New York City, Korean barbecue destinations are particularly fun. Typically DIY, and always at least a little interactive, they're even more exciting with a group. Whatever your level of skill on the grill, the top KBBQ spots in town always come in hot with fresh, firey meats with tingly seasonings and sauces that you can cook exactly to your liking.  In Koreatown, Flushing and beyond, you’ll find swanky experiences and lower-key options, each with all the standards, hot pots and family-style dishes that Korean BBQ is known for. These are the very best in NYC right now.  RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best restaurants in NYC 

If a beer-soaked watering hole doesn’t relax you after a long week at the office, this UES piano bar just might. The exuberant musician on the creaky upright bangs out favorites ranging from Bette Midler to Les Miz, while the weathered cocktail waitress darts between the bar and cramped tables. Boozers may be tempted to sing along; boost your courage with a powerful martini, a dollar off during happy hour (4–8:30pm). The vibe: The room and bar both are utilitarian. It’s all about the piano and whoever’s got the mic. The thing is, when you’re here, you may just witness a Broadway performer belting out a ballad or tickling the ivories–they not only come here to hang out, some of the staff are performers in their own right. The drink: No specials, no cocktail list. Just a few beers, a full bar, and a game bartender who can whip up just about anything you throw at them. Time Out tip: There’s a two drink minimum. If they solicit requests, try one. The piano players are world class and, if they know/like the song, they may just give it a shot. Also, tip the performers.

This old-school Jewish establishment adds a bar upstairs, serving creative cocktails and noshes of its classic deli grub in a warm, worn-in space with a tin ceiling and old Yiddish posters. The vibe: Beautifully appointed with dusky, handsome vintage styling. It eschews pretension but still keeps things feeling upper-crusty New York. The food: Boards piled high with pastrami, pickles, and beef tongue; pumpernickel, smoked fish, and spicy mustard. You want to arrive hungry for the full effect. The drink: An inventive cocktail program with seasonal specials. A nice selection of both wine and beer are available, but this place wants to cultivate an experience so let the bartenders ply their trade and mix you something fun.  Time Out tip: Go at happy hour any day between 5pm and 7pm when $29 (plus tip!) buys you half of a rib-sticking deli sandwich from downstairs plus any house cocktail. My favorite permutation is Pastrami on rye alongside a Badlands: a spicy spin on a Manhattan.

  Located on the 18th floor of the hotel, the "jewel box" space by Med Abrous and Marc Rose, who are food and beverage partners of the hotel and co-founders of the hospitality group Call Mom, opens up to incredible views of the boroughs, the bridges and the East River, which shine like stars at night. Designed by James Beard Award-winning design firm Parts and Labor Design, Panorama Room is visually dramatic. Its palatial vibes are set by luxurious velvet vintage-inspired tubular lounge sofas, chrome and marble touches, mosaic tile columns and its giant, tubular acrylic chandeliers that hover above the massively long bar. It's not only luxe but it's somehow simultaneously futuristic and retro. The space is filled with art from artists like Julia Chiang, Spencer Lewis, Alake Shilling, JPW3, Chris Martin, Brian Belott and Ida Eklbad, selected by Venus Over Manhattan partner Anna Furney and designer/creative director Darren Romanelli (aka Dr. Romanelli or DRx). Artist Sophie Parker and her botanical studio, Wife NYC, will also make custom arrangements and sculptural artwork for the lounge. There's even a custom-designed DJ booth made in Normandy by Hervet Manufacturier and Cédric Hervet, the long-time creative director for Daft Punk. The vibe: This is a swank place with a lot of cultivated ambiance, so there’s a cocktail attire dress code for entry i.e. no sweatpants, cargo shorts, or slides. The food: Mostly raw preparations of seafood, so it’s not the kind of place you should

Keys & Heels digs into the biz-within-a-biz motif many speakeasy concepts have employed over the years. This time, the bar’s behind the facade of an old fashioned key-cutting shoe repair shop. But before you let the cocktails go to your head, decide to split the rent with your date and scuff your stiletto in a dash out the door to start your new life of romance, remember that the entrance is but a decoy. Only the drinks and snacks in the back are the real deal.  The vibe: Classy, atmospheric, well-appointed with retro decor and dreamy lighting. They keep the gag outside, where it belongs. The food: Basic bar bites-nothing crazy e.g. mixed nuts, pigs in a blanket, sliders, etc. The drink: There’s a nice selection of inventive takes on crowd-pleasers like a Paper Plane or a Sidecar or a Daiquiri by any other name. Their version of a mint julep is called a Moroccan Hourglass, mixing bourbon, gin, Moroccan mint tea, rose water, and mint. Very tasty. Time Out tip: An excellent date spot. Not only do you look cool going in, the room is romantic and fun with dancing beneath disco ball lights. There’s also a popular, monthly ticketed close-up magic show. If you want to attend, sign up for the email list.

There's much more that meets the eye at this ice cream shop on the Upper East Side (get it?). Head to the back of the pint-sized store, ask to see the "storage room," and enter a secret cocktail bar with uptown-inspired drinks, like "Gossip Girl on the East" and "Absolutely Bradshaw."  The vibe: Gloaming atmosphere. Roaring '20s-inspired ephemera a la Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Kitschy but fun. The food: Light bites i.e. dino nuggets and a full-compliment of scoop shop favorites. The drink: Fun, tasty, expertly made cocktails with NYC-centric names. Ice cream features heavily. The 2nd Avenue Subway was a citrusy wakeup call of Luxardo, blood orange, and sparkling wine.  Time Out tip: Ask to see the storage room. Cocktail attire is required for entry–doesn’t matter how trendy you are. No t-shirts, no Doc Martens, no ripped jeans.

Find across-the-pond classics like short-rib cottage pie, hearty Brit brews and Scotch-splashed cocktails at this English-style gastropub. The vibe: it’s bright and friendly, with exposed brick and ceiling beams and leather banquettes. The food: Unimposing but nicely-tuned Irish pub fare including ample options for guests with dietary restrictions.  The drink: There’s a nice selection of bottles and cans, and the draft beer list won’t send you down a google rabbit hole. There’s some wine to choose from and a couple of spritzes. The cocktailing is low-pressure–fun but not zany. The Miltonian is a type of gin fizz: gin, St. Germain, cucumber, lemongrass, lime with an eggwhite topper–tasty and refreshing. Time Out tip: This is a super-low pressure place to catch up with friends over a few drinks and a meal. Maybe you just went to a museum–this is a cute place to debrief. The happy hour is as happy hours should be: until 7pm, any of their $10 or under beers, a selection of wines, and all house liquors can be had for $7. 

A New York food fixture for four decades, restaurateur Eli Zabar now partners with son Oliver for the first time to expand the Zabar’s empire with this drinks den moonlighting in the Upper East Side grocery-café Eli’s Essentials. After unveiling a similar wine concept at the 91st Street location of Essentials earlier in 2015, Zabar switches gears to beer, with 10 rotating brews—many from homegrown operations like Queens’ Big Alice Brewing and the Bronx’s Gun Hill Brewery—on tap, poured through nozzles protruding from a menu-scrawled chalkboard. The vibe: It almost feels like an old school diner or deli that serves beer and cocktails because it virtually is that. Stool seating only. The food: This menu eschews Jewish appetizing and goes full gastropub i.e. burgers, tacos, dips, and pizzas. The drink: The P, B(ourbon) & J cocktail is a peanut-infused bourbon and berry syrup affair that was novel and surprisingly well-balanced.Cocktails are definitely fun but this place is all about celebrating hyperlocal beer. There’s also wine.  Time Out tip: Great as it is, this isn’t a place you would take a first date–it’s maybe a little too casual if not off-beat. That said, it’s definitely a fun place for a more casual date with somebody who appreciates a neighborhood insider’s acumen. 

The team behind craft beer destination Alewife opened this Eastside beer hall originally combining two storefronts in one—coffee shop meets bar. The Jeffrey now is a lively beer hall and outdoor patio featuring about 20 brews on tap and in cans. The vibe: The narrow barroom is long and opens way up at the back, so you can find a spot prettymuch any night of the week. There’s something very utilitarian about the decor, which isn’t unappealing, but it’s clear to me that the focus here is on consumables. The food: Gastropub fare, tacos, some truly excellent sandwichery, brunch on the weekends.  The drink: 20 pristine taps of craft goodness plus a staggering number of cans and bottles. Cocktails are inventive and fun without venturing too far afield. Time Out tip: This is a destination for beer nerds, yes. But it’s also the kind of place that, on a sunny weekend afternoon, you can bring the whole team and have a great time. It’s right under the Queensboro Bridge, so if you’re going at night and wanna sit outside, bring a jacket.

The more refined side of British booze culture is reflected at this UES gastropub, helmed by veterans of Orsay and Raines Law Room. Retire to the main dining room—featuring a wraparound button-tufted banquette, caged Edison lightbulbs and dozens of volumes of Shakespeare—for a full menu of soups, savory pies (steak and kidney, rosemary lamb) and mains, including Lancashire hot pot and bangers and mash. Come spring, the dressed-up tavern will offer afternoon tea service—complete with scones, seasonal jam and clotted cream—in the building's garden atrium. The vibe: Comfy/cozy like an old cable-knit sweater or pair of slippers. The food: Delicious, well-realized Brit-centric favorites.  The drink: No liquor, but a huge tap selection and a rotation of hand-pumped cask ales. Time Out tip: If you’re a footie fan, this is an excellent spot to get in the spirit. It’s a pub, yes, but it’s really more about the food and this is a really charming place for casual lunch or dinner. Daily specials are fun and include England’s national dish–Chicken Tikka Masala–on Mondays, but as far as I’m concerned, Saturday/Sunday Roast is the move.

The Upper East Side has its share of low-key gems (Torishin) and crown-jewel restaurants (Daniel), but verifiable hot spots? There are few. The idea of a hobnobbing scene in Manhattan’s stuffiest zip code seemed laughable a few years ago—as likely as an electrodisco party in Greenwich, Connecticut. But the Penrose—named for a neighborhood in Cork, Ireland, where two of the owners grew up—is finally bringing a bit of the indie-chic East Village to Gossip Girl territory. Operated by the gastropub specialists behind the Wren and Wilfie & Nell, the joint would be run-of-the-mill farther downtown, where the trifecta of reclaimed wood, craft pours and pedigreed pub grub long ago joined the ranks of food-world clichés. But it’s a welcome change up here, where the only other option in a ten-block radius is Jones Wood Foundry, and locals have responded in droves. Step inside and it’s easy to see why the handsome joint was an insta-hit—antique lights cast a golden glow over a long, curving bar in the front room, while elegant patterned wallpaper and aristocratic framed portraits decorate nooks in the back.   The vibe: A place for millennials who’ve grown up and made good, and don’t feel like riding the subway for a whiff of the Brooklyn vibes that defined their 20s.  The food: There’s plenty of your gastropub favorites but the Chorizo Crunch Wrap Supreme is exactly what you think it is and available until 2am. The drink: 11 tap beers, an extensive NA cocktail selection, and signature c

Twenty taps dispense craft brews (Barrier, Empire) at this 50-seat beer bar, which is decorated with a white-pine-topped tables, exposed brick and lamps made from growlers. The vibe: A confident, Americana analog of the europubs that proliferate in this part of town. Comfy for both beer nerds and the unpretentious who just want to watch the game. Lots of wood. The food: Bar Americana: Wings, burgers, fried stuff in baskets.  The drink: 20 lovingly-curated taps of exclusively American craft brews plus cans and a nice selection of NA. There’s a full bar, so cocktails are no sweat. But they’ve also got alcoholic slushies and draught cocktails. Ever had a Porn Star Martini on draught? You should. Time Out tip: The wings are crispy-crunchy, very good. If you’re persnickety about your beer, check their website for an assiduously-updated tap list.

Josh Levin (Babbo) and Suzaan Hauptfleisch (La Grenouille) trade European-style fine dining for a South African–inspired vino spot on the fringes of the Upper East Side. The bar's name means "home" in Zulu and it's reflected in the rustic 50-seat spot, which features cheery touches like canning jars filled with flowers. While the 50-bottle wine list highlights a variety of new-world vinos, the food offerings focus solely on South Africa with small plates. The vibe: Inviting, classy without stuffiness or ostentation–a place for adults who want to savor a night out.  The food: They’ve got the wine bar’s requisite meat/cheese offerings, yes, but you should really try their South African fare, like a take on shrimp and grits, elk carpaccio, rooibos and cranberry marinated baby back ribs. The Gatsby sandwich is a highlight: garam masala chicken, pickled peppers, and fries on a Portuguese bun. The drink: An extensive selection of wines includes a highlight on South African wineries. The pours are also generous. They’ve also got some lovely cocktailing, which isn’t super mixology faffery but is nonetheless tasty and well-realized. There’s also some tap beer and a selection of cans/bottles. Time Out tip: Even if you’re not into wine, this is a great place to go for dinner. The friendly staff are happy to play guide through the extensive wine list and menu of South African fare.

Dear New York City Bar Patrons, It’s me, your trusty bartender. We need to talk about our relationship since COVID. For a few of us, bartending is a career; maybe even a calling. For the rest, it’s a job. Regardless of the motivation, there’s no denying that the way we turn a buck occupies a unique space in American culture. “We work in a very interesting industry where, yeah, it’s all about fun. But, y’know, in that fun, there’s a lot of risk,” says Dan, 37, who is a 20-year service industry veteran and manager/owner/cocktail wizard at West Village spot, Bandits. “You have to look out for people as a bartender.” But COVID flipped the world upside down. That includes us. “One of the first rules [bartenders] always hear is, ’no politics, no, religion in a bar,’” Dan says. “That went out the window because we were forced to kind of be the liaisons of the rules.”   Photograph: Julien Levy | George bartending at Double Windsor Almost overnight, we were effectively deputized COVID compliance officers, shoved onto the front lines. “That created definitely a weird balance where we were forced–or asked to–police our customers a little extra in order to keep the liquor license,” Dan says. Caught between a deadly virus, the government’s inchoate mandates (some of them arbitrary and punitive), our bosses, and you, norms of affability and commiseration had to take a back seat. “We’re here to serve, but we’re nobody’s servant. Don’t agree? There’s the door.” “We used to call it lifegua