{"id":109473,"date":"2026-01-23T07:15:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T07:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/109473\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T07:15:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T07:15:37","slug":"i-live-in-manhattan-these-are-its-sexiest-cocktail-bars-257","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/109473\/","title":{"rendered":"I live in Manhattan \u2013 these are its sexiest cocktail bars"},"content":{"rendered":"

I never liked cocktail bars. They always felt too dark, empty and expensive. The centre of gravity in London, where I lived and worked, was the mighty pub \u2014 people spilling onto the streets, pumped up by the thought of the night ahead. Cocktail bars, I\u2019m afraid, didn\u2019t feel very cool. <\/p>\n

Then I moved to Manhattan. \u201cYou might miss the pub,\u201d a friend who had made the move years before said, \u201cbut there\u2019s nothing quite like an American bar.\u201d He was right. Within weeks I had waved goodbye to the humble pint and said hello to the graceful coupe. I concentrated hard on liking martinis (successfully). <\/p>\n

New York is all about the cocktail bar \u2014 the high stools and low lights, the flouncing and the scene. They are about going out and being out, and I love it. These, for varying reasons, are my Manhattan favourites.<\/p>\n

\u2022 38 of the best hotels in New York City for 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Bemelmans Bar, Upper East Side <\/p>\n

Nowhere is more gloriously, glamorously uptown than this bar at the Carlyle hotel on 76th Street and Madison Avenue. With jazz pianists in full white tie, gold-painted ceilings and murals on the walls by the Madeline creator Ludwig Bemelmans, it is pure old-school magic \u2014 a favourite of JFK and Jackie O, Liza Minnelli and Paul McCartney. <\/p>\n

A limited number of tables are released for reservation online, with a $200 (\u00a3150) minimum spend, but it is mostly walk-in (no minimum spend; weekend evenings have the longest wait times). Inside, it is exquisite \u2014 a time capsule \u2014 and the service is like a classic Rolls-Royce. <\/p>\n

The Jackie O signature cocktail is particularly good (passion-fruit vodka, lime and a champagne float \u2014 tart and fresh; \u00a329), as is a classic dirty martini (\u00a328), of course. Otherwise, a glass of champagne, fresh off ice, feels right (rosewoodhotels.com).<\/p>\n

\u2022 13 of the best affordable hotels in New York<\/a><\/p>\n

Time Again, Chinatown\"Two<\/p>\n

For effortless European sensibility, Time Again in Chinatown is a perfect choice<\/p>\n

Another vibe entirely, Time Again is in the centre of the grungy-cool scene \u2014 on the corner of Canal and Forsyth streets with plastic stools pulled up around low tables and customers spilling over the pavement. In a city where every bar seems to have a million rules \u2014 complete parties only, no standing, no sitting, no smoking and so on \u2014 this one seems to have an effortless, European sensibility. <\/p>\n

It is a spot for those who want to watch the downtown art kids, models and fashionistas milling about and peacocking around among the neighbourhood\u2019s neon signs and dumpling shops (it is not the place for a smart pre-dinner cocktail but a casual walk-in).<\/p>\n

Go in summer and make the most of the outdoor street scene and the hole in the wall through which you order at the bar. Drinks are made quickly \u2014 I always go for a Campari spritz (\u00a311) or a glass of natural wine (\u00a37, instagram.com\/timeagainbar).<\/p>\n

Tigre, Lower East Side \"Interior<\/p>\n

The door is unmarked \u2013 but inside it\u2019s Seventies glam<\/p>\n

This is the sexiest bar in Manhattan, hands down. The interiors are dripping with Seventies vibes \u2014 all chrome, velvet, mirrors and golden light \u2014 and it is total swank. Book a table for an after-dinner drink and go wearing your fake furs and disco dress. The Lower East Side is super-hip and the door to Tigre is unmarked, so look out for the bouncer standing on the street. <\/p>\n

Once in you should only really drink the martinis, which can be ordered by gin-to-vermouth ratio, from a wet \u201c04 to 01\u201d to a dead dry \u201c01 to nothing\u201d (from \u00a319). There are also very well-thought-through takes on the classic. My go-to is the Cigarette Martini (\u00a321), made with a juniper spirit to add smokeyness. Sit on one of the high stools at the bar and flirt (tigrenyc.com).<\/p>\n

\u2022 12 of the best restaurants in New York<\/a><\/p>\n

Bar Pisellino, West Village \"Exterior<\/p>\n

Bar Pisellino has one of the best street views in the city<\/p>\n

IAN GITTLER<\/p>\n

Just around the corner from my home, this was the first place I was taken for a cocktail when I arrived in New York two years ago. If you were being a snob you might say it\u2019s a bit of a West Village clich\u00e9, but it\u2019s a clich\u00e9 for a reason and is still one of my favourite early-evening spots.<\/p>\n

Very much an aperitivo bar, it has one of the best street views in the city, over the neighbourhood\u2019s lovely historic buildings and vintage signage, and offers the chance to spot celebrities walking by. Sit outside, order a spritz (the Chinato is my favourite; \u00a314), a negroni (there are eight to choose from; about \u00a315) and a plate of cicchetti and watch the people swish past. There are no reservations so on a busy summer night there is often a queue, but it moves quickly, so it\u2019s worth sticking around (barpisellino.com).<\/p>\n

\u2022 Read our full travel guide to New York City<\/a><\/p>\n

The View, Midtown \"A<\/p>\n

The View is perched high above the New York\u2019s theatre district<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in the Times Square area, first, I\u2019m sorry \u2014 it\u2019s an assault. Second, get to this bar 47 and 48 floors above it all. On the higher floor of the View is the lounge, where you can order cocktails, and below is the restaurant. And they spin \u2014 what a hoot! The bar makes a complete rotation every hour, providing a tour past the neon flashing billboards of theatreland and the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, with views over the Hudson River. Waiters say that after a few drinks some customers have a tendency to walk backwards.<\/p>\n

I was sceptical at first, but the bar\u2019s kitschness easily outweighs its gimmickry. Completely revamped during the pandemic, it has gone from a stale hotel buffet restaurant to an ode to art deco. <\/p>\n

The Katz\u2019s martini \u2014 inspired by the famed deli sandwich of the same name and mixed with brisket-washed gin, pastrami spices and pickle \u2014 is strangely wonderful (\u00a320; theviewnewyorkcity.com).<\/p>\n

Sip & Guzzle, West Village \"The<\/p>\n

Sip & Guzzle is made up of two bars, each with its own distinct style<\/p>\n

Manhattan has a short attention span, with hip places considered hot only until the next new one comes along. <\/p>\n

I pass Sip & Guzzle most evenings on my way home from work. It\u2019s on Cornelia Street, known for the legendary caf\u00e9 and music venue that shares its name, which closed down in 2018 and is much missed by locals. More recently it gained notoriety as the street where Taylor Swift lived, fell in and out of love then wrote a song about. <\/p>\n

The bar is consistently busy, its popularity coming in waves, simply because it is very good. The New York City import of the Tokyo success story SG Club, this is a \u201chigh-concept\u201d cocktail joint for aficionados. It\u2019s split in two, with Guzzle \u2014 the more casual bar, with classic cocktails \u2014 on the ground floor (reserve a table online). Sip, a Japanese-inspired walk-in cocktail bar, is in the basement; there is often a queue outside at 4pm to sign up for a table that night. <\/p>\n

Try the Whisky Nigiri (Japanese whisky, sak\u00e9, sushi vinegar and wasabi; \u00a325) or a Drunken Grandma\u2019s Apple Pie (calvados, baked apple, brown butter and egg white; \u00a322). Leave space for bar snacks, fried chicken, tuna tartare and caviar among them (from \u00a37). It\u2019s open until 2am at weekends, so it\u2019s worth dropping in for a late-night adventure (sipandguzzlenyc.com).<\/p>\n

Where to stayThe Marlton Hotel, West 8th Street<\/p>\n

In a city of sky-high hotel prices, the Marlton is a wonderful exception. The rooms are dinky but perfectly formed, one block away from Washington Square Park and in the middle of the West Village, it\u2019s the perfect location. It has also just refurbished the bar (complete with roaring fire) and restaurant (complete with celebrity spotting). It\u2019s a fun vibe.
Details B&B doubles from \u00a3189 (marltonhotel.com)<\/p>\n

Nine Orchard, Orchard Street<\/p>\n

For something a little cooler, try Nine Orchard in Downtown Manhattan. Surrounded by the sceney bars of the Lower East Side and Chinatown on the other, it\u2019s action-packed. The rooms have wonderful high ceilings and spectacular city views. Make sure to have drinks in the Swan Room. And do book to go to the Tenement Museum nearby (from \u00a322; tenement.org).
Details Room-only doubles from \u00a3458 (nineorchard.com)<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your favourite cocktail spot in New York City? Let us know in the comments below<\/p>\n