There are practically a million bars between Manhattan and Brooklyn, which makes it even harder to pick a place. Luckily, Lion + Lamb co-founders Rachel Harrison and Melanie Weitzner gave us the ultimate guide of spots to imbibe. Host your best birthday yet, impress your out-of-towners or liven up date night with this truly personalized list. From recent openings to old favorites, ranging from modern dive bars to the cocktail crowd’s elite, this is your definitive drinking map for Manhattan and Brooklyn.
In Manhattan:
Dante
Dante was just listed as the 16th best bar in the world by the coveted World’s Best Bar awards. We agree wholeheartedly and feel it could have inched up a bit further. Dante is drenched in history. Everyone from Anais Nin to Patty Smith to Bob Dylan hung out here. It still has it’s modern day celebrities that pop by to enjoy a negroni or vermouth service, but mostly it’s a lovely, casual place to enjoy a cocktail or three and meet many of the people there whom are doing the same thing. And it’s got a little sex appeal on top of all of that. It’s a go-to on any night of the week.
Dante
Attaboy
Attaboy has been my last stop of the night on more nights than I care to remember. There’s no sign, no way to know where it is. You just have to know. Ring the doorbell and a lovely gal or gent opens to door and lets you know if there’s room. Sometimes there is, sometimes there’s a bit of a wait. When you’re in, it’s a dimly lit, intimate cocktail lounge perfect for conversation with your company for the evening, or the great bartenders. There’s no menu. Tell the bartender what you’re in the mood for and he / she reads your mind. They’ve never been wrong - of course, they know my penchant for Dark & Stormys. Attaboy holds place four on World’s Best Bars as well. Of course, I was a fan before they achieved this accolade.
Ward III
I’m not sure I can can count how many of my friends have met their significant others at this bar. It’s comfortable and relaxing with a great bar program. They won’t snub you if you ask for a vodka soda, but their cocktail menu is top notch. I love it here on the weekends because it’s a bit quieter than during the week oddly. I don’t often go out on weekends because everyplace is packed. This place has a nice crowd on the weekends and I never have to wait for a table or bar stool. During the week, it’s a different story. Always packed. And Whiskey Mondays are uber popular. I’m not going to describe what they are. You just have to find out yourself.
Ward III
Slowly Shirley
Personally, I feel that Jim Kearns is one of the most talented bartenders of our time. He has the ability to turn the most esoteric ingredients into an approachable well balanced cocktail. The list is big and not for the faint of heart, but the staff is knowledgeable, so if the menu is overwhelming, just ask the team what you should drink. They’re happy to help. The location is dimly lit and brings one back to the time of Hollywood Glamour. It’s a sexy, subterranean den perfect for sneaking a few kisses from your date in a booth without anyone noticing, or caring. This is where you take your date on your second or third date.
Bar Goto
Seriously the BEST WINGS IN NYC. No joke. The Best. And the cocktails? Perfection. The design is simple, elegant and lovely, just like the owner Kenta Goto. It’s just the perfect place to enjoy a lovely cocktail, some wings and some celery (yes, the celery is to die for). Great for dates. Great for friends. You have to stop by and check it out.
Bar Goto
LoverBoy
TJ Lynch and Richard Knapp of Mother’s Ruin have just opened LoverBoy and it’s SO great. Some of the best new style pizza in NY coupled with cocktails, or just a delicious beer. Great for birthdays, large groups or just hanging out.
Nomad Bar
The Nomad Bar was listed as the second best bar in the world. It’s well deserved. Their bar manager, Leo Robichek, is not only incredibly talented, he’s just pure sunshine. And you can see it shine through in his cocktails. They have something called the Cocktail Explosion and it’s a large format cocktail that serves 4 - 6 people. It’s beautiful, but it’s also fun. This place does high-end yet casual and fun very well. I’m always in jeans, but the types of people span the spectrum from celebrities to tourists to media and PR gals to the spirit industry elite. It’s just a great place for a cocktail.
Ghost Donkey
Ghost Donkey (and Saxon + Parole – they’re connected) is one of my FAVORITES. Fantastic cocktails, but the bartenders are what make it pure sunshine. So. Much. Fun. Always. Go on Fridays when Masa and Nacho bartend together. The playlist is the best, there are light bulbs swinging, there mezcal being swilled and I’ve seen one too many conga lines at 3am.
Ghost Donkey
Oiji
Oiji serves incredibly unique cocktails that are very low ABV – with many being made with Soju. It’s simple and elegant and lovely. Oiji are doing some very special cocktails using Korean ingredients not seen anywhere else in New York City. And the food…. Oh my god, the food. I could honestly eat at Oiji every single night and never get sick of it.
Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog
Yup. They’ve won every award out there. Is it deserved? Yeah, it is. They’re great. And this year, they are expanding into the building next door to create even more awesomeness. The menu itself is a work of art, but this place is just good. The first floor is sawdust on the floor and Guinness and beer and great conversation flowing, the second floor is upscale cocktail den with a piano playing and just pure fun. Third floor can get a little crazy--in a good way. It’s mostly standing and three deep at the bar, but all the cocktails and drinks are top notch, so it’s worth the wait.
Ophelia
If you’re looking for a new swanky spot with the best views in the city, Ophelia is the place. The rooftop lounge located on the rooftop of the historic Beekman Tower just opened last month. There are restored elements from its original architecture. Cocktails are inspired by the glory of the lounge during its heyday in the 1920s and 30s and who doesn’t love signature caviar service? The real star, though, is Manhattan itself and some of the best views of the city from this location.
Ophelia
Bar Belly
Live music, excellent cocktails, late night dance parties and did we forget to mention that it’s the ultimate spot for oysters? They even have an oyster program going on for the rest of the year--half a dozen oysters and two 50/50 martinis paired for only $24. You can feel guiltless about getting your drink on since 10% of proceeds will be donated to Billion Oyster Project efforts to restore the city’s oyster beds. Patrons can even “Shuck It Forward” to a friend by pre-paying for a numbered oyster shell dangling from the bar that symbolize a pairing. Your friends can come back any time to claim their pairing at their leisure. Sounds like a good time to us!
In Brooklyn:
Leyenda and Clover Club
Clover Club is just historic. Owned and helmed by one of the leaders of the bar industry, Julie Reiner, it’s stood the test of time and continues to grace “Best of” lists in every category. I can’t even explain the casual elegance of this place. It’s just worth checking out. Great date spot. Across the street is Julie’s bar, Leyenda. Here she partnered with Ivy Mix, who won Best U.S. Bartender in 2014. Ivy is also known for being one part of the duo that created Speed Rack--the female bartender competition that raises money for breast cancer research. Leyenda is a Latin bar and restaurant that makes some of the best Oaxacan Old Fashioneds.
Clover Club
Long Island Bar
Toby Ceccini, one of my favorite people, opened this bar a few years back. Toby is the guy who invented the cosmopolitan cocktail. And while he’ll make you one here, it’s not what this bar is about. This bar is part local neighborhood bar and part destination bar. People in the hospitality industry mingle here with the food and beverage media elite. But sitting next to you might be a few neighbors that have lived in the ‘hood since they were kids. It’s just an all-around great bar that makes great cocktails and great food.
Jupiter Disco
Maks Pazuniak and Al Sotqk opened this bar about a year and a half ago. Maks is one of the understated bartenders that never claims credit for his genius, but his cocktails are creative, balanced and perfect. I’m constantly obsessed with his new menus. These creative cocktails are matched with some of the best DJs in New York, a little bit of debauchery and tons of fun. It’s a bit dark, a lot sexy and someplace where you can let your freak flag fly. It’s located in Bushwick, but this reminds me of Williamsburg 15 years ago. Makes me feel 25 again even if the age range in this joint spans from 21 - 60.
Jupiter Disco
Dirty PreciousA perfect gathering spot in Gowanus. Their cocktails on tap are an instant hit, and their menu of small bites and mocktails means there’s really something for everyone.
House of Yes
Just YES. You have to see it to believe it.
House of Yes
Baby's All Right
Baby's All Right is a restaurant/bar/club that on any given night can transport you back to your 80s prom or take you into the future with their varying musical acts. Always chock full of people dancing the night away, every night you can expect either a live band or a reputable NYC DJ. The two indoor bars serve up your favorite drinks, and if you come during the day you can enjoy their brunch offerings.
Kinfolk
An awesome place to go out with friends post-dinner in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn scene, good drinks, music and dance party makes for such a fun night out.
Westlight at The William Vale Hotel
The space is super chic and has the most gorgeous views of the NYC skyline, not to mention delicious cocktails and great nibbles. A sexy spot to go out with girlfriends or your significant other on a Saturday right around sunset.
Westlight
Lady Jay’s
This is the modern dive bar. I think they only have beer and whiskey and sometimes that’s all you need. There’s no fluff. There’s no cocktails. There’s no entertainment. Nothing. Just beer, whiskey and nice people. There’s also a really nice outside areas to smoke cigs (if you’re still smoking them) and enjoy a beer. We’ve seen some dogs running around and no one seems to mind. Owned by celeb chef Sam Mason, this kind of feels like you just invited all your friends over and they each brought five friends. Just a party.
Erv’s on Beekman
This is one of our colleague's favorite neighborhood spots in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Tucked away on a side street off of Flatbush Avenue, Erv’s offers craft cocktails and small plates by night and doubles as a coffeeshop during the day. With both indoor and outdoor seating, this is the perfect spot with low-key vibes to gather with friends and enjoy good drinks and good company all year long.
Freehold
Freehold tends to draw a very cool crowd and the decor is playful and fun. Great spot to go with a group of friends.
Freehold
Camp BarThe decor is playful and cozy, plus it has fun themed snacks, a laidback vibe and lots of games.
Berry Park
This oldie but goodie located in Williamsburg was one of the first bars to transfer the area near McCarren Park years ago. It’s got a combination of my favorite hipsters, college kids, adults that don’t want to grow up and great fast drinks.
Friends & Lovers
This is a few of our team members’ go-to spot for a night of dancing and drinks with friends. They host a variety of acts from comedy to DJs to live bands, and often have themed music nights with great happy hour specials.
Grand Republic
Industry veteran Johnny
Swet (behind the beverage programs of some of your favorite spots, Jimmy
at The James, Cafe Clover, etc), has opened his first bar - Grand
Republic. And it’s wonderful. Located on a quite dead end street
(hitting the water) in greenpoint - it’s someplace where you can have a
well balanced, creative cocktail, or a beer and a shot. It’s got a
nautical edge and the bar is named after a ship that cane through
greenpoint - but it’s not your Ralph Laurene nautical. It’s more Wes
Anderson’s take on nautical. Worth checking out! And for anyone
attending Brooklyn Bar Convent in June, it’s a four minute walk!
