Best Cocktails in New York

Best Cocktail Bars in New York

New York remains the city that defined modern cocktail culture. The craft cocktail revival that began in the early 2000s has matured into a diverse scene spanning 21 reviewed venues across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond. The Dead Rabbit, perennially ranked among the world's best, sets the standard with its exhaustive Irish-American drinks programme, while Maison Premiere brings the elegance of a Belle Époque oyster bar to Williamsburg. From the tiki escapism of Paradise Lost to the speakeasy tradition of Employees Only — still going strong after two decades — New York offers range that few cities can match. The rooftop bars deliver Manhattan skyline views with serious cocktails rather than afterthought pours, and neighbourhood spots in the East Village and Lower East Side continue to push the creative boundaries of what a cocktail bar can be. In a city with this many options, the bars we've rated have earned their place through consistency, craft, and the ability to make every visit feel like an event.