NYC cocktail bars

At the core of Employees Only are founders Dushan, Henry, Jay, Igor, and Billy. Each having unique connections to the bar scene, the five men created a New York cocktail bar behind a fortune teller's lair.

Ready Fire Aim, Billionaire Cocktail, and West Side are just a few of the witty EO classics. The menu also offers modern hits, seasonal favorites, and fancy cocktails. But that's not all. You can also choose from white, red, sparkling, port, and dessert wines while snacking on bone marrow poppers or truffle grilled cheese.

Home to a world-class bar program, the pioneering drink list at Employees Only is known for creating industry classics, like its infamous Manhattan with a twist.

You may daydream about what you will eat for lunch, what you want your future to be like, or your celebrity crush. Usually, these silly thoughts come and go and are nothing of substance. This was not the case for Murat Uyaroglu, who daydreamed Sweet Polly into existence.

Royal blues, browns, and vegetation create a light but cozy atmosphere as day turns into night. Drinks vary by category: spirited aromatic, bright and refreshing, tropical and adventurous, hot cocktails, and nonalcoholic.

There is space for private events, and it offers namesake cocktails on tap, where you can create a customized drink for your party. There is also an option of taking a cocktail class so you and your guests can master a drink in one sitting. Parties of 25 or more are classified as private events, and parties under 25 need to predetermine the minimum spend with access to food and drink menus.

Death & Co NYC's flagship location is in the East Village. This New York cocktail bar opened on New Year's Eve 2006/07, and while the outer facade looks like the building is boarded up, that is far from reality. The space is dark and small, with lit candles on the tables and walls, and it's full of walk-ins.

Its menu offers canned cocktails, zero-proof cocktails, and signature cocktails. If you want to be boozy and honest, try a Quantum Leap. If you are feeling bright and confident, go with the Cyborg.

Private cocktail classes accommodate up to 12 guests, and a full bar buyout accommodates up to 50 guests.

Sleek materials of brass, marble, and tile incorporated with images of burlesque dancers, red and blue booths, and smoked mirrors make up this New York cocktail bar, paying homage to the golden age of Manhattan.

Over 70 gins and 35 signature libations are in its drink library. Valerie challenges itself to create new cocktails every season, such as Boujee Bee and Stock Exchange. With a catalog of over 200 creations, Valerie will occasionally share favorites from the vault. You can pair your drink of choice with handhelds, sharables, flatbreads, and more.

This New York cocktail bar has multiple spaces for events: The Blushing Bar (max. 30-75), The Gatsby Lounge (max. 26), The Gatsby Den (max. 30-50), The Front Parlor (max. 30 standing), and the option to rent the dining hall, the ground floor, or a full buyout.

The Sunken Harbor Club, located above Gage & Tollner in Brooklyn, takes you into the depths of the sea. As you step below deck, nautical decor, a mermaid floating in the window, and meticulously themed cocktails create the illusion of being fully underwater. This New York cocktail bar curates an immersive experience and hosts a monthly series of guest speakers discussing cocktails, art and design, and more.

The menu is broken into categories to ensure you know what you are getting into. The Multiverse and Ship of Fools in the "In the Shallows" section are "easy drinking cocktails for a pleasant moonlight swim.” Clairin Drop and Nelson's Blood are a part of "The Twilight Zone," as it says, "As we go deeper, sunlight fades, and the drinks go stronger." Taking yet another step into the murky waters is "The Abyss" section, where the "strongest drinks come from the point of no return." But no worries if you'd prefer to stay "On Dry Land" with the nonalcoholic selection.

With no specified closing time, you're guaranteed to be out late, and if you never want to jump ship, you can complete 12 out of 36 challenges to become a member and receive benefits.

Even though this is a pleasingly SEO-friendly list, I’m doing you a special favour by combining my first recommendation of two bars into one. Hear me out though - these venues share a building at 70 Pine in the Financial District, and can be enjoyed together as a mini bar crawl.

Starting in Crown Shy on the ground floor, you can enjoy a range of cocktails, including some creative happy hour options to keep the budget reasonable after work. Strictly speaking, the space is more of a restaurant (and a Michelin starred one at that) so it’s a great place to eat before heading upstairs to Overstory (Tip: join the virtual queue on arrival to Crown Shy). A lesser known fact is that their cocktail menu is as creative as their food menu, with a range of classics-with-a-twist that utilise the kind of creative ingredients found more commonly in restaurants.

Heading upstairs (all the way upstairs - to the 64th floor), Overstory is the main attraction. The bar itself is small and intimate, and there are options for private events for around 20 seated guests or 60 people reception-style. Overstory's cocktails are meticulously crafted, blending innovative ingredients with classic techniques. Served with custom-engraved ice cubes, each drink offers something unique.

It doesn’t hurt that Overstory has an incredible 360-degree balcony with breathtaking views of New York. It’s really a feast for the eyes and a treat for the tastebuds - if not for the liver.

Based In Brooklyn, Fresh Kills Bar is a minimalist experience, focusing its aesthetic on a blend of deep reds, blacks, and wooden veneers to create an intimate atmosphere great for date nights, after-dark, or anything else. This popular spot often has a line, but it’s well worth a wait that rarely exceeds 15 minutes - even in the cold: I write this in early March having recently experienced it myself.

Fresh Kills Bar is a no-menu cocktail experience, meaning that everything is Bartender’s Choice, or “based on vibes” as I was informed. What that means in practice is that you can have something that is pretty unique, based on core flavors or drinks that you like, or are curious about. Pineapple and whiskey? You’re covered. Just explain whatever twisted fantasy you can think of to the bartender, and they’ll work with you to come up with something memorable.

Nestled in Midtown Manhattan, Daintree Rooftop & Lounge is a mega laid-back space that feels like a welcome escape amongst its hectic surroundings. Split into two areas, I’d recommend the south-facing lounge which is without any view of the bar area. Allow me to clarify – I have no problem with the bar - especially when the skillful work of the mixologists is so mesmerizing - but it’s really quite unusual to have no sight of it, and it does lend this part of the space a relaxed, luxurious atmosphere alongside its decadent chaise-lounge sofas and opulent skyline views. If you do prefer to sit at the bar, the North-facing lounge provides that, and there’s also a secluded outdoor Treetop Terrace, ideal for summer months and private parties. Head there around sunset if you can for a golden view over the skyscrapers of Midtown.

The cocktail menu is extensive and punchy - I’d particularly recommend the Blood Orange Mule or the Aussie Spritz. Whether you’re in the mood for something smooth or something strong, they’ve got you covered - just don’t try all of them at once, unless you have a good head for heights.

Daintree has extensive private hire options, with any combination of its three areas available for events of up to 120 guests. With a dedicated events team and a customizable suite of options, this space can cater to pretty much anything you need. You can get in touch with them via their website.

George Bang Bang offers a sleek, speakeasy-style vibe perfect for a quiet drink. The dimly lit space, with its plush seating and minimalist design, is ideal for date nights or a chill evening with friends. If you’re looking to make a night of it (and are looking for a switch-up from the subway), the bar is within walking distance of East 34 St pier, from which you can cruise down to the Financial District, Brooklyn or Long Island. I digress - George Bang Bang is well worth a visit on its own terms. But seriously, take the ferry.

Their cocktail menu is a blend of classic favorites with creative twists. The Rum Diary and Hocus Pocus are must-tries, showcasing the bar's knack for combining bold flavors with unexpected ingredients. The bar is situated behind popular Korean restaurant OKDONGSIK, and vows in its mission statement to maintain its Koreatown roots by employing ingredients such as ginger and Korean pear shrub.

George Bang Bang offers reservations for up to six guests.

Tucked away behind a modest Smith Street storefront, Barely Disfigured opens into a unique, surrealist-inspired space. The venue boasts a winding marble bar, a red-lit bedroom (with an actual bed), and a chic outdoor area reminiscent of a summer in Mexico, complete with an outdoor drink and raw bar. With its intimate and stylish spaces, Barely Disfigured offers plenty of spots (and hidden corners) for guests to relax and unwind.

Residing on the site of what their website describes as a “former house-of-ill-dispute” and what I call a former brothel, Barely Disfigured is a little bit edgy. However, whilst its aesthetic may occasionally hint at the sensual, the only thing being tantalized really is the taste, with its ambitious cocktail menu. I did enjoy the names of their cocktails, from “Prelude to a Broken Arm” to “Harlot’s Progress” to “The Persistence of Memory” - all passable band names with an air of poetic bitterness. Indeed, the bar’s unusual name comes from a poem of the same name by French Surrealist Paul Eluard.

Somewhat to my surprise, Barely Disfigured does offer private event hire options, advertising the aforementioned features alongside a 122-person capacity and a raw Oyster bar.