The best cocktail bars in the Upper West Side

If you’re looking for a vibrant, tropical escape on the Upper West Side, look no further than Tiki Chick. Sitting on a corner, Tiki Chick invites you in with its bright salmon exterior and pink neon lights (seriously, you can’t miss it). Sip on tiki classics like a frozen margarita or indulge in a Mai Tai, but either way, you’ll be transported to island time. Order light bites like pigs in a blanket and the $5 crispy chicken sandwich. Or, if you want to devour a footlong spam and pineapple chili dog (with a frozen piña colada to wash it down), this is the place for you.

There are two distinctive spaces: the Bamboo Room, accommodating up to 40 guests, and the Jungle Room, with space for 75. A full buyout is available for up to 125 guests.

Attention writers and poets! The Dead Poets, a literary-themed bar on the Upper West Side, is an iconic spot for those who appreciate both classic literature and a well-crafted cocktail. Inspired by the owner’s passion for literature and Irish pubs, this bar features mahogany-paneled walls decorated with poetic passages. The menu pays homage to literary legends and classic works with cocktails like “Walt Whitman and The Scarlet Letter, and you can’t miss the signature house cocktail with a secret recipe served in a glass you can take home.

While the menu offers simple bites like hot dogs and popcorn, you're welcome to bring in outside food. Whether you're hosting a casual gathering or a full event, the space is available for private parties—simply reach out to arrange it.

A stone’s throw from the Beacon Theater is The Owl’s Tail, a cocktail bar well-loved by Upper West Siders. This husband-and-wife-run spot is sophisticated without being pretentious, with plush velvet seating and cozy, dim lighting, perfect for a date or a casual night with friends. Their cocktails are fun, fresh, and specialty crafted, like the Owltumnal Daiquiri and the Espresso Guinness Martini, and delectable bites to taste; the bar’s infamous devilled eggs are a must-try.

The venue offers indoor buyouts for up to 50 people, and during the warmer seasons, buyouts for up to 75 people outdoors.

Just a few blocks from the American Museum of Natural History is Da Capo, an espresso bar by day and a chic cocktail lounge by night, blending sophistication with the Upper West Side's signature laid-back charm. Step through the velvet curtains into the dimly lit Prima Lounge, where gold accents and plush suede ottomans set the stage for a refined yet inviting ambiance. The cocktail menu is meticulously crafted, featuring uniquely named creations like the Hauntingly Beautiful and the Yellowjacket, and the delicious pasta and flatbreads complement any drink.

The intimate Prima Lounge can host up to 40 guests, while a full buyout allows for a grand celebration with up to 100 people.

Just one avenue from Central Park, Prohibition is a sophisticated cocktail bar that transports guests back to the Roaring ‘20s with its jazz-inspired ambiance and prohibition-era charm. There are a variety of stylish spaces perfect for private gatherings: the Speakeasy Room accommodates up to 65 guests, the Roaring ‘20s Room holds 35, and the Front Room Stage hosts up to 100, complete with live music performances every night. (Fun Fact: this spot is where Gavin DeGraw’s career took off!) The cocktail menu is playful and inventive, featuring drinks like the Button Man Martini, made with vodka and spicy pickle brine, garnished with crispy pickle chips. Pair your delicious cocktail with one of their signature dishes, like the hot cheesesteak egg rolls or the wild mushroom gnocchi.