Best Bars & Nightlife in Midtown, Manhattan

Midtown drinking spans a wide range, from Irish pubs with wall-to-wall TVs to grand hotel bars and high-floor rooftops with skyline views. The picks run from pints at an Irish pub to a hotel bar lit with crystal and a grand room under hand-painted ceilings, with speakeasies, wine bars and jazz rooms in between.

1. 

   Rank 1BONSAII Tapas & Wine Bar

   Wine bar

   4.8 out of 54.8Price level $$$

   International tapas and wine in a cozy room; reviewers single out the garlic shrimp, the bonsai meatballs and a lychee martini.

2. 

   Rank 2Cafe Luce - Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

   Wine bar

   4.7 out of 54.7Price level $$$

   Wine-based spritzes and curated wines pair with handmade pasta here, and the limoncello spritz earns particular praise.

3. 

   Rank 3Other Half Brewing - Rockefeller Center Taproom

   Beer bar

   4.7 out of 54.7Price level $$

   Right on Rockefeller Plaza, this taproom pours beer fresh from its own brewery, plus cocktails on draft and cans to take home.

4. 

   Rank 4Gibneys NYC

   Dive bar

   4.7 out of 54.7Price level $$

   Modeled on a family pub in Malahide, this Irish bar earns praise for a perfect pour, quick and genuine staff, and an all-day Irish breakfast.

5. 

   Rank 5Backstage

   Cocktail bar

   4.7 out of 54.7Price level $$

   Enter through a theatrical backstage door into a speakeasy setting with fun drinks and snacks suited to a post-theater stop.

6. 

   Rank 6The Carnegie Club

   Lounge

   4.6 out of 54.6

   Cigars and single malt scotch under hand-carved bookcases and 20-foot ceilings, with a stone fireplace and a long-running Sinatra show.

7. 

   Rank 7Winnie's Jazz Club

   Lounge

   4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$$

   For cocktails with live music, this jazz club presents nightly sets in an intimate space, with a full menu to match.

8. 

   Rank 8LOLITA

   Cocktail bar

   4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$$

   Tropical cocktails and a deep agave list draw drinkers here; one reviewer loved a strong frozen daiquiri-piña colada mix.

9. 

   Rank 9Sofia Wine Bar

   Wine bar

   4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$

   An intimate Midtown East wine bar pouring bottles from around the world alongside made-from-scratch Italian home cooking.

10. 

    Rank 10Seed Library NYC

    Cocktail bar

    4.9 out of 54.9Price level $$$

    The first Mr Lyan bar in the city mixes naturally led, ingredient-driven cocktails, including takes on Lyan classics.

11. 

    Rank 11Madam Mikette's

    Cocktail bar

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$$

    Renovated to evoke 1920s glamour, with a long classic cocktail menu, strong drinks and lamb skewers regulars insist on.

12. 

    Rank 12The Greats of Craft

    Beer bar

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$

    Coffee shop by day and craft beer bar by night, with a rotating tap list, blueberry cider and trivia nights.

13. 

    Rank 13Bar Orai

    Cocktail bar

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$$

    Reached by elevator, this Japanese-style listening bar smells of incense; fans name the matcha drink, whisky cocktails and mac and cheese.

14. 

    Rank 14Vin Sur Vingt Bistro

    Wine bar

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $

    Street-side French bistro with Paris charm, a good wine list and plates like escargots and beef bourguignon.

15. 

    Rank 15Baretto New York

    Cocktail bar

    4.7 out of 54.7Price level $$$

    Upstairs at Fasano, this bar devoted to jazz and bossa nova hosts live weekend performances with an à la carte menu.

16. 

    Rank 16Murphys Irish Pub

    Dive bar

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$

    Traditional Irish pub with an upstairs party room, where reviewers praise the Guinness and friendly bartenders.

17. 

    Rank 17Vida Verde - Tequila Bar

    Cocktail bar

    4.5 out of 54.5Price level $$

    Tequila is the focus at this rooftop spot with a tiki terrace, Mexican food and classic NYC cocktails.

18. 

    Rank 18Pig 'N' Whistle Public House

    Dive bar

    4.5 out of 54.5Price level $$

    Two floors of Irish pub near Rockefeller Center, with large bars, wall-to-wall TVs and fish and chips.