Maclynn International Explores Seven of the Best Cocktail Bars in New York
The cutting-edge culture of cocktail mixology in New York City is second to none and, rightfully, world-renowned.
As a matchmaker at an elite international matchmaking consultancy in NYC, I am regularly called upon to recommend to clients the best date spots in the city. If a meal feels a little too formal but a walk in the park too casual, what better happy medium than cocktails served up by some of the world’s best bartenders?
Take a look at our 7 matchmaker-approved recommendations.
1) The Dead Rabbit | Financial District
This Irish pub expertly pulls together the best aspects of a cocktail lounge and a neighborhood watering hole into one truly superlative rough-and-tumble 19th-century tavern.
The Dead Rabbit has been named among the world’s best too many times to count and boasts an impressive cocktail and whiskey menu. Resurrecting long-forgotten quaffs isn’t exactly new in Gotham, but the sheer breadth of throwback libations in this bar eclipses any competition. The Dead Rabbit is a must for anyone seeking a truly authentic Irish bar in lower Manhattan.
The cocktail menu is indeed impressive, expertly crafted by the two helmsmen Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry and includes a mix of whiskey-based classics as well as some eclectic rum and gin infusions. I’d recommend trying one of their whiskey-based cocktails, being an Irish bar, it’d be rude not to!
Cocktail of Choice – On Off Switch – a stunning blend of Japanese whisky and Jamaican overproof rum mixed with orange liqueur, guava, yuzu, lime, ginger and habanero shrub.
Image Courtesy of The Dead Rabbit
2) Death and Co. | East Village
Lying behind a discreet wooden door on E 6th St lies perhaps the East Village’s worst-kept secret. This moody Gothic saloon is manned by barkeeps attired in suspenders and the chandeliers, black walls and cushy booths set a luxuriously somber mood.
Consistently cited as one of the world’s best bars, Death and Co. turn out drinks both inventive and classic. Have you really lived until you’ve sipped on a Sweet Hereafter, a Latin American martini riff of St.-Germain, Dolin Blanc vermouth, floral pisco, and Cocchi Americano?
Their cocktail menu covers the classics and introduces some stunning mixes. Cashmere Thoughts was a personal favorite, a royal blend of Gourry de Chadeville Overproof Cognac with an Absinthe spark certainly ignites the taste buds. If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, the exceptional bar staff can craft you anything.
However, Death and Co. is a place for exploring new tastes and mixes, so don’t be shy, dive into any of their phenomenal concoctions.
Cocktail of Choice – Water Moccasin – a lighter option with a fruity, coconut-infused kick, perfect for gin lovers.
Image courtesy of Death & Co
3) Bathtub Gin | Chelsea
Located in the Chelsea neighborhood, Bathtub Gin is a hidden gem, accessed through a discreet entrance in the back of a coffee shop.
Once inside, you’ll find a speakeasy-inspired space with plush seating, vintage décor, and an extensive cocktail menu featuring expertly crafted drinks—many of which highlight gin as the star ingredient.
The name “Bathtub Gin” refers to the homemade, often illicit gin that was produced during Prohibition, adding to the bar’s nostalgic, underground charm. It’s a perfect spot for those seeking a classic cocktail experience in a stylish, secretive setting.
Cocktail of Choice – Drop a Dime Collins – if you don’t opt for a gin cocktail, why not try this interesting take on a traditional Tom Collins with tequila and lemon myrtle?
4) Maison Premiere | Williamsburg
The trademark horseshoe bar nonchalantly anchors a dreamily appointed stage set with multi-tier oyster towers, tableside martini service and a bronzed Napoleon statue perched atop the green-marble absinthe drip. Maison Premiere has not only been a veritable breeding ground for talent but has also become the platonic ideal of what a Brooklyn drinks joint should be.
Maison Premiere has gained infamy for serving Absinthe in its purest form but also boasts an impressive collection of classics and some favorable rogue additions. Everything about Maison Premiere is stylish, including the bar staff. Certainly one of the top cocktail bars in NYC.
Cocktail of Choice – Old King Martini – there’s something elegantly simple about the OKM, maybe it’s the Castelvetrano olives, or how it’s stirred tableside. Either way, this is certainly worthy of the royalty status.
Image courtesy of Maison Premiere
5) Thyme Bar | Manhattan
Thyme Bar is a cocktail lounge in a pre-war cellar serving light fare & creative libations in an intimate space. Nestled just steps from Madison Square Park, Thyme Bar is a hidden gem that once served as a 1920s gambling hall and speakeasy.
Today, it offers an inviting atmosphere steeped in history, where guests can enjoy light bites and expertly crafted cocktails in a truly unique setting.
Cocktail of Choice – Agrabah – an inviting blend of dark rum, pistachio orgeat, Moroccan mint, and orange blossom.
6) Primo’s | Tribeca
At first glance, Primo’s is an oxymoron, an inexplicably sexy space modeled on… a 50s diner? On the one hand, there are glass-block partitions, chrome-edged tables and the sound of doo-wop. But swap the black-and-white checkerboard floor for soft-gray terrazzo triangles, a soda-fountain counter for a liquor-stocked bar and the squeaky plastic booths for jewel-tone velvet banquettes and you have the most downright sensual ‘diner’ we’ve ever seen.
Their cocktail menu features some of the classics you’d expect. All martinis are served as doubles and include the Dirty, Dirty Gibson and the classic Espresso Martini (infused with SKYY Vodka and Cold Brew).
You also have the Classics, including the Old Fashioned, Fancy Free and Sazerac and then more of the classics, such as the Negroni, Boulevardier, and Americanos. This 50s-inspired cocktail bar does well to separate itself from its contemporaries because there are none!
Definitely one of the cool cocktail bars in NYC, great for first dates and quirky romantic evenings.
Cocktail of Choice – Old Fashioned – a drink suited to the establishment, a blend of Wild Turkey Rye, demerara sugar, and bitters.
Image courtesy of Primo’s
7) The Back Room | Lower East Side
The Back Room is often praised for its speakeasy ambiance, featuring vintage decor, dim lighting, and a hidden room behind a secret bookcase. Together, these elements create a cozy, time-traveling atmosphere that transports guests to another era.
Cocktail of Choice – Espresso Martini – served in a prohibition-era style teacup, no less!
Why Not Take a Date to One (or more) of these Fancy Cocktail Bars in NYC?
Whether you’re on a first date or you’re several dates in, these tried-and-tested great cocktail bars in NYC will raise the temperature of your date quicker than you can say Cocchi Americano.
New York boasts a plethora of exceptional cocktail bars for you to take a date to. Whether you prefer quirky, speak-easy cocktail bars or more traditional and classic drinking experiences, New York’s cocktail scene certainly doesn’t disappoint. Take a date to one of these fine cocktail bars, or why not go the extra mile and explore any other of the most famous cocktail bars in NYC?
Here at Maclynn, not only do we help people find love but also help them get the ball rolling with our unrivaled knowledge of the city’s finest date spots.
Inquire with our NYC matchmakers today to find out more about our exclusive services.
