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NYC category guide

Best Drinks & Nightlife in NYC

Bars, cocktails, lounges, clubs, rooftops, and late-night hangs across NYC.

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Highly rated

Highly rated Drinks & Nightlife

A few of the best-rated drinks & nightlife places in Manhattan right now, by rating.

  • Empire Steak House Times Square

    Times Square4.9 out of 5Price level $$$$

    Empire Steak House Times Square is a popular steakhouse in Times Square, Manhattan. A go-to spot for drinks and good times in the neighborhood.

    • Upscale
    • Classic
    • Refined

  • Paint 'N Pour

    Lower East Side4.9 out of 5Price level $$

    Paint 'N Pour is a bar in Lower East Side described by visitors as known for excellent service. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Lively
    • Social

  • Blake's Tavern

    Times Square5.0 out of 5Price level $$

    Upscale Irish pub in the Theater District near Times Square with elevated pub classics, craft cocktails, and beer on tap. Private party room available for up to 75 guests.

    • Lively
    • Casual
    • Neighborhood Spot

  • Hoops Cabaret

    Koreatown4.9 out of 5Price level $$

    48 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001

    • Lively
    • Casual
    • Social

  • San Antonios

    Lower East Side4.9 out of 5Price level $$$

    San Antonios is a bar in Nolita described by visitors as an entertainment venue, relaxed atmosphere, known for excellent service. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Trendy
    • Upscale
    • Lively

  • Shaken Not Stirred

    Upper East Side4.9 out of 5Price level $$$

    Shaken Not Stirred is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as drinks-focused, relaxed atmosphere, known for excellent service. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Sophisticated
    • Trendy

Why NYC Has the Best Nightlife in the World

From $4 dive bar shots to $28 rooftop cocktails — and everything in between.

New York City nightlife is a category unto itself. Manhattan alone has thousands of bars, cocktail lounges, rooftop terraces, speakeasies, wine bars, and late-night spots spread across every neighborhood. Whether you want a quiet glass of wine on a West Village side street or a packed dance floor in the Meatpacking District, the city delivers every single night of the week. Happy hours start at 4pm. Last call is 4am. And the best spots? They don't advertise.

Best for

Bar-hopping, happy hours, cocktail tastings, rooftop sunset drinks, late-night dives, and the kind of nights you tell stories about for years.

Insider tip

Skip Friday nights in Midtown. The real nightlife is Tuesday through Thursday in neighborhoods like the East Village, Lower East Side, and West Village — less crowded, better drinks, and bartenders who actually have time to make something good.

Types of Drinks & Nightlife in NYC

Pick what you're in the mood for and search it.

Best neighborhoods for Drinks & Nightlife

Where to go first, depending on what you're looking for.

  1. 1East VillageThe epicenter of NYC nightlife. Dive bars, cocktail bars, sake bars, and everything in between — all within walking distance.
  2. 2Lower East SideLate-night energy, speakeasies, rooftop bars, and the kind of bar crawl that starts at 10pm and ends at sunrise.
  3. 3West VillageNYC's best cocktail bars and wine bars on charming side streets. Perfect for a more refined night out.
  4. 4Hell's KitchenPre-theater drinks, dive bars, rooftop spots, and one of the best happy hour corridors in Manhattan.
  5. 5Meatpacking DistrictClub culture meets rooftop bars meets high-energy nightlife. The flashiest scene in the city.

Drinks & Nightlife by neighborhood

Browse all 45 Manhattan neighborhoods.

Frequently asked questions

What visitors and locals ask about drinks & nightlife in NYC.

What are the best bars in Manhattan?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top bars on Moodap are Empire Steak House Times Square in Times Square (4.9 stars), Paint 'N Pour in Lower East Side (4.9 stars) and Blake's Tavern in Times Square (5.0 stars).
Which Manhattan neighborhood has the most bars?
Midtown has the most, with 183, followed by Lower East Side (118) and Hell's Kitchen (109).
What kinds of bars does Moodap list?
The most common are cocktail bar (452), dive bar (303), lounge (250), wine bar (216) and sports bar (102), plus 18 other kinds.
How many bars are there on Moodap?
1,730 rated bars across 42 Manhattan neighborhoods, each with hours, photos and what reviewers say.
Are there budget-friendly bars in Manhattan?
Yes: 333 of the 1,730 bars with a known price level are budget-friendly ($).
How does Moodap rank bars?
By star rating, weighted by how many reviews back it: a place with hundreds of strong reviews ranks above a perfect score from a handful. Places with few or no reviews come after well-reviewed ones. Not sure which fits your plans? The Mood Match quiz picks one for your mood in about 25 seconds.
What time do bars close in NYC?
Most bars in Manhattan close at 4am. Some dive bars and late-night spots stay open until 4am every night, while cocktail bars and wine bars may close earlier on weekdays. Happy hours typically run 4-7pm.
What are the best cocktail bars in NYC?
Manhattan is home to some of the best cocktail bars in the world. Neighborhoods like the West Village, Lower East Side, East Village, and Flatiron have the highest concentration of craft cocktail spots. Use Moodap to find the best ones by neighborhood and vibe.
Where are the best rooftop bars in Manhattan?
The best rooftop bars are spread across Manhattan — Midtown and Meatpacking have the most iconic skyline views, but hidden rooftops in the Lower East Side, East Village, and Hell's Kitchen are less crowded and often just as good.
What is a speakeasy bar in NYC?
A speakeasy is a cocktail bar with a hidden or unmarked entrance — often behind a bookshelf, phone booth, or unmarked door. NYC has dozens of them, and they're known for high-quality cocktails and intimate atmospheres. They're not actually secret, but finding them is half the fun.
Where is the best happy hour in Manhattan?
Happy hours run Monday through Friday, typically 4-7pm. The best deals are in the East Village, Hell's Kitchen, Murray Hill, and the Upper West Side where you can find $5-7 cocktails and $1 oyster deals. Midtown tourist areas generally have the worst happy hour value.
What should I wear to bars in NYC?
Most Manhattan bars are casual — jeans and sneakers are fine everywhere except upscale hotel bars and a few Meatpacking clubs. When in doubt, dark jeans, clean shoes, and a decent top will get you in anywhere. Dive bars genuinely don't care.
Are there dive bars in Manhattan?
Absolutely. Manhattan's dive bar scene is legendary. Alphabet City, East Village, Lower East Side, Hell's Kitchen, and the Upper East Side all have classic dives with cheap drinks, jukeboxes, and character that money can't buy.
What neighborhood has the best nightlife in NYC?
It depends on what you're looking for. The East Village and Lower East Side are the nightlife epicenters for variety and late-night energy. West Village is best for cocktails and wine. Meatpacking for clubs. Hell's Kitchen for pre-show drinks and sports bars.
How much do drinks cost in NYC?
It ranges wildly. Dive bar beers: $5-7. Cocktails at a mid-range bar: $14-18. Hotel rooftop cocktails: $22-28. Happy hour can cut those prices in half. Beer at a bodega: $3. Budget accordingly.
Can I bar-hop in Manhattan?
Absolutely — it's one of the best bar-hopping cities in the world. Neighborhoods like the East Village, West Village, LES, and Hell's Kitchen have bars packed close enough that you can hit 4-5 spots in a single night on foot.

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