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Best Bars & Nightlife in Upper East Side, Manhattan

83 bars & nightlife in Upper East Side (UES), ranked by rating and reviews, with vibes and insider tips.

Upper East Side in a line

Museum Mile, Madison Avenue, and brunch that requires a reservation

Insider tip

2nd Avenue is the real UES dining scene. Forget Madison — that's for shopping, not eating.

Top ranked Bars & Nightlife in Upper East Side

Moodap picksCurated from Eater, Infatuation, TimeOut, Michelin & our own research, February 2026.

  1. Rank 1Bemelmans Bar

    Cocktail bar
    4.3 out of 5Price level $$$$

    An iconic New York hideaway, renowned for nightly piano, late-night jazz and murals by Ludwig Bemelmans.

    Insider tip: Dress Code: As one of the best-dressed rooms on the Upper East Side, we kindly ask guests to dress for the occasion. Athletic and casual leisure wear are better suited for other settings. At our discretion, we may suggest guests modify their attire or join us at another time. Live Music: A cover charge applies starting at 5:30 pm with the pianists opening set, followed by the jazz trio from 9:00 pm onward. Tables: USD25* - USD35* per person. The Bar: USD20* - USD25* per person.

    • Upscale
    • Iconic
    • Live Music
  2. Rank 2The Mark Bar

    Lounge
    4.1 out of 5Price level $$$

    The Mark Bar is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as relaxed atmosphere, known for excellent service, upscale. Based on 10 reviews.

    Insider tip: Order the wine by the glass.

    • Trendy
    • Upscale
    • Lively
  3. Rank 3Reif's Bar

    Dive bar
    4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    Founded by John and Tess Reif, Reifs Bar has been a family operated establishment serving the Yorkville neighborhood since 1942. Rarely will you find in New York City a place that has the spirit of old New York that welcomes and embraces the ever changing neighborhood of the Upper East Side.

    Insider tip: Happy Hour: $1 off every drink between 4-7 on Monday thru Friday. Backroom equipped with a pool table and shuffleboard. Outdoor patio available for private parties. To reserve a private party, please call 212.426.0519 or contact Taryn at tarynreif13@gmail.com

    • Casual
    • Lively
    • Local
  4. Rank 4The Supply House

    American
    4.3 out of 5Price level $$

    The Supply House is a popular american in Upper East Side, Manhattan. A go-to spot for drinks and good times in the neighborhood.

    Insider tip: Come on a weekday, when it is less packed, so you can be seated right away.

    • Casual
    • Social
    • Classic

All Bars & Nightlife in Upper East Side

Ranked by rating and how many reviews back it. Open any venue for hours, photos, and reviews.

  • Cocktail bar

    Shaken Not Stirred

    4.9 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
  • Dive bar

    Avoca

    4.8 out of 5Price level $$

    Avoca is a popular dive bar in Upper East Side, Manhattan. A go-to spot for drinks and good times in the neighborhood.

    • Casual
    • Lively
    • Local
  • 4.8 out of 5

    City Swiggers is a popular beer bar in Upper East Side, Manhattan. A go-to spot for drinks and good times in the neighborhood.

    • Lively
    • Social
    • Craft
  • 4.8 out of 5Price level $$$

    Classic NY Piano Cocktail Bar in Manhattan, NY

    • Intimate
    • Sophisticated
    • Trendy
  • Wine bar

    Bar Vivant

    5.0 out of 5Price level $$$

    Bar Vivant is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as food-focused, cozy interior, known for excellent service. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Relaxed
    • Romantic
  • Wine bar

    Bar Florine

    4.9 out of 5Price level $$

    rare and natural wine

    • Intimate
    • Relaxed
    • Romantic
  • Cocktail bar

    Sojourn Social

    4.7 out of 5Price level $$

    Sojourn Social is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as drinks-focused, american and steakhouse, relaxed atmosphere. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Sophisticated
    • Trendy
  • Cocktail bar

    Zofia's Hideout

    4.9 out of 5Price level $$

    Zofia's Hideout is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as drinks-focused, cozy interior. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Sophisticated
    • Trendy
  • 4.7 out of 5Price level $$$$

    Italian food on Manhattan's East side

    • Intimate
    • Relaxed
    • Romantic
  • 4.7 out of 5Price level $$

    City Hops Craft Beer and Wine Bar is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as an activity venue. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Lively
    • Social
  • Sports bar

    Hendrickson's

    4.7 out of 5Price level $$$

    We are an Irish American sports bar on First Ave. We hope you come by and enjoy a perfect pint!

    • Lively
    • Casual
    • Social
  • 4.7 out of 5Price level $$

    The Alvin Public House is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as food-focused. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Casual
    • Social
    • Classic
  • 4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    406 E 73rd St, New York, NY 10021

    • Intimate
    • Relaxed
    • Romantic
  • 4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    The Jeffrey Craft Beer & Bites is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as drinks-focused, known for excellent service. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Lively
    • Social
  • Cocktail bar

    Bondurants

    4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    Bondurants is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as food-focused, american, cozy interior. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Sophisticated
    • Trendy
  • 4.6 out of 5Price level $

    Ryan's Daughter is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as an activity venue, relaxed atmosphere, known for excellent service. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Casual
    • Lively
    • Local
  • 4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    Caledonia Bar is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as drinks-focused. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Casual
    • Lively
    • Local
  • 4.9 out of 5, 36 reviews

    Ed’s Elbow Room is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as drinks-focused, cozy interior, relaxed atmosphere. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Relaxed
    • Romantic
  • 4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    Horn's Hook Tavern is a popular american in Upper East Side, Manhattan. A go-to spot for drinks and good times in the neighborhood.

    • Casual
    • Social
    • Classic
  • Dive bar

    Reif's Bar

    4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    Founded by John and Tess Reif, Reifs Bar has been a family operated establishment serving the Yorkville neighborhood since 1942. Rarely will you find in New York City a place that has the spirit of old New York that welcomes and embraces the ever changing neighborhood of the Upper East Side.

    • Casual
    • Lively
    • Local
  • Dive bar

    The Gaf

    4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    The Gaf is a popular dive bar in Upper East Side, Manhattan. A go-to spot for drinks and good times in the neighborhood.

    • Casual
    • Lively
    • Local
  • 4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    Vanguard Wine Bar (Upper East Side) is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as drinks-focused, cozy interior, relaxed atmosphere. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Relaxed
    • Romantic
  • 4.7 out of 5Price level $$

    Madame Bonté Wine Bar is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as food-focused, cozy interior, relaxed atmosphere. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Relaxed
    • Romantic
  • Cocktail bar

    The Hunterian

    4.6 out of 5Price level $$

    The Hunterian is a bar in Upper East Side described by visitors as an entertainment venue, cozy interior, relaxed atmosphere. Based on 10 reviews.

    • Intimate
    • Sophisticated
    • Trendy

Frequently asked questions

What are the best bars in Upper East Side?
Moodap's top-ranked bars in Upper East Side, curated from Eater, The Infatuation, Time Out, Michelin and our own research in February 2026, start with Bemelmans Bar (4.3 stars), The Mark Bar (4.1 stars) and Reif's Bar (4.6 stars). They're at the top of this page.
What kinds of bars are there in Upper East Side?
Moodap lists 83 bars in Upper East Side. The most common kinds are Dive bar (24), Cocktail bar (18), Wine bar (16), Beer bar (7) and Lounge (6).
Where can I find affordable bars in Upper East Side?
7 of the 83 bars listed in Upper East Side are budget-friendly ($). The best-ranked of them are Ryan's Daughter, The Five Lamps and Trinity Pub.
How is the full list of bars in Upper East Side ranked?
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? Find Your Vibe™ picks one for your mood in about 25 seconds.

Find your spot in Upper East Side

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