The best Upper West Side bars

What happens when an English teacher with an affinity for Irish pubs opens a bar in New York City? The answer is the ultimate destination for English majors or anyone looking for an authentic pint of Guinness this side of the pond: The Dead Poet.

The cocktails at The Dead Poet are so clever, you might feel the urge to stand on the table and call out "Oh captain, my captain!" Enjoy a Finnegan's Wake, made with Jameson cold brew coffee, or a Tennessee Williams made with sweet tea vodka. While you might have to decipher some metaphors to fully understand the cocktail menu, the food menu is as straightforward as you can get - hot dogs and microwave popcorn, each refreshingly priced at $2.75.

The Dead Poet is the perfect spot to grab a drink and read a book with the lovely ambiance of bar chatter. They even have an onsite library, where you can check out books and return them on your next visit. However, if you're looking for something a little livelier, you can also rent out the bar for private parties.

Whether you're a young socialite stirring up drama or just want to spend an evening at the top of an iconic hotel, the Empire Rooftop is a sleek Upper West Side bar where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city. Once the setting of the 2000s teen TV show Gossip Girl, the Empire Rooftop embraces its time on television with Gossip Girl-themed experiences for fans.

Even if you don't know who Blair Waldorf is, you'll enjoy the Empire Rooftop's sophisticated decor and refined menu. Treat yourself to one of their refreshing signature cocktails, like the Empire Sunset or the Rooftop Frose. When you get hungry, choose from their decadent appetizers like lobster roll tacos or poke tostadas.

For private events, the bar can accommodate up to 250 guests.

Inspired by the speakeasies of the 1920s, Prohibition is a lively Upper West Side bar. From the antique furniture to the nightly live bands, you'll be transported to the Jazz Age as soon as you walk in the door.

Get in the Roaring ‘20s spirit with one of their aptly titled cocktails, like the Old Sport or the Hemingway Daiquiri. Their indulgent food menu includes everything from fish and chips tacos to steak au poivre.

The bar can be sectioned off to accommodate parties ranging from 25 to 200 guests.

When the hustle and bustle of the city makes you wish you were relaxing poolside with a cocktail, head to Tiki Chick for a taste of paradise in the Upper West Side. From the retro lawn furniture to the floral leis covering the interiors, this bar is the adult version of the tropical-themed birthday party you had as a kid.

The perfect place for indecisive orders, the food menu is mostly fried chicken sandwiches with a variety of toppings. The drink menu includes whimsical cocktails like the Siren Song (served in a mermaid glass) or the neon pink Lava Girl.

Tiki Chick offers two separate event spaces as well as a full buyout option. The Bamboo Room can host up to 40 people and the Jungle Room can accommodate up to 75 guests.

Whether you're looking for somewhere to watch the big game or just want to casually check the score while enjoying a burger, The Gin Mill is a go-to spot for sports fans in the Upper West Side. This boisterous bar has TVs playing every sport imaginable, but also frequently hosts live local musicians - ensuring that even those who have no interest in understanding how football works can have an entertaining evening.

The menu is exactly what you want from a sports bar: chicken fingers, grilled cheese, Philly cheese steaks, and more – not to mention the singular dessert option of fried Oreos, in case you didn't make it to your hometown county fair this summer.

While the main dining room will be filled with the energy of ecstatic or devastated fans, the event space is a little more lowkey. Evoking 1920s-era New York, the Gin Mill's Speakeasy is a cozy private bar that can accommodate up to 100 guests.