One of life's greatest pleasures is...a drink. A swanky evening cocktail, a glass of wine while watching the sunset, an ice-cold beer on a summer day. Here are our three favorite places to kick back...
The Rusty Knot (West Village). This hip nautical-themed bar feels like your grandfather's basement, with fish tanks, ship paintings, wooden walls and red armchairs. Choose songs on the (free!) jukebox, and order a pretzel dog with can of Tecate--the bartender will splash salt water and lime juice on the top, so you feel like you're at the beach! The vibe is suuuuuuper chill. (P.S. The bar's across the street from the Hudson River, so, afterward, take a beautiful, if wobbly, walk along the water and see the Statue of Liberty in the distance.)
Weather Up (Tribeca). This cocktail lounge nails it on all counts: the vibe is warm and welcoming, the cocktails are creative (and stiff!), and the room is swanky and elegant. Check out the gleaming subway tiles on the walls. New York Magazine calls it a "downtown-cool-kid hang-out," which sounds about right. (Tip: Weather Up would be a great place for a first date. Also, the yellow lighting makes everyone look smokin':)
Radegast Hall & Biergarten (Williamsburg). Picture: A gray, cold Saturday afternoon in November. Stepping into a Brooklyn beer hall, music playing, a bustling room that feels straight out of Germany. Grabbing a seat at a wooden picnic table, and ordering bratwursts with sauerkraut and a pitcher of beer. Yup, a perfect afternoon. (P.S. Babies are warmly welcome here, which I love. Head's up: They might want a sip, like Toby did:)What about you? What bars do you love in New York? Any favorite places to grab a drink?
(Top image layout by HipHipGinGin for Cup of Jo. Top photo by Jennifer Causey from the The Makers Project. Photos by Melissa Horn, Eater, Time Out, New York Magazine and the bars themselves.)
nice photos:)
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Ohh I love that last photo...It must feel so wonderful to spend an afternoon sitting at those picnic tables. Such a beautiful space. Happy Friday, Joanna:)
ReplyDeleteThougt you'd never post this one!!! eheheheheheheh :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the roof bar and beer garden at The Standard; the views of lower Manhattan are amazing. But my favorite bar of all in New York is Lillie's Victorian bar in Union Square. So romantic and old-timey! Plus they do a great $10 burger & beer lunch special. http://www.lilliesnyc.com/
ReplyDeleteThese little guides make me feel like an insider even though I live in Philly :)
ReplyDeletelove it - you're on a roll this week!
ReplyDeleteYour NYC guide is phenomenal. I cannot wait until I take my next trip there. You have so many awesome suggestions :)
ReplyDeleteI need to get myself back to NYC soon!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to get back to NYC and try some off your more 'off the beaten track' suggestions :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is the post I've been waiting for. Which of these are most like a British pub, Joanna? My requirements are old knotty wood tables, dark frothy beer, pipe smoke and good live music.
ReplyDeleteHmmm my favorite place to drink in NY, well at this point anywhere in NY because I haven't been to NY and I'm sure I'd be happy to drink anywhere in NY since I want to BE IN NY SO BAD! Sigh... can't wait someday =)
ReplyDelete- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/
all of those sound like cool watering holes. =) I'm really loving this series... I have a love affair with NYC.
ReplyDeleteI just tried Ginger Man for the first time last week and LOVED it! The atmosphere is nothing special but the beer selection is stellar and the sandwiches and hot dogs are nothing short of excellent. On weekdays, the place fills up with off-hour execs but come 9:30/10pm, it clears out a bit and only the serious drinkers remain.
ReplyDeleteOoo, I wish I could be at Weather Up for a happy hour date with my husband tonight! Can't wait to check out all your recommendations one day.
ReplyDeleteAll those places look awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's so awesome that you are posting these entries about NYC. My partner and I are going in a week to visit....Thank You for all the awesome ideas.
ReplyDeleteWe aren't going to be there on Saturday-so we miss the amazing brooklyn flea :(
i love love love spitzer's corner in the lower eastside... cool people, lots of international beer and a very relaxed atmosphere...
ReplyDeleteRadegast is one of my favourite places to take my out-of-town guests. They are always impressed by the giant beer mugs! Plus, how can you not have a good time when you ingest beers the size of your head?
ReplyDeleteOne of my girlfriends and I also love finding the hidden speakeasies around Manhattan. Our favourite so far was Raine's Law Room. Have you been to any?
I love this new series, Joanna. Love getting the off the beaten track, curated recommendations on food, accommodations and hip spots from a very hip friend who shares our interests & aesthetic! I also follow Hither and Tither (linked from you) and using their recommendations for a trip we are taking Monday to Napa/Sonoma! Thanks-and congrats on keeping your blog so fresh!
ReplyDeleteerica
loving the atmosphere and interiors of all these bars.. definitely going to reference all your lists next i'm in NY!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Jo, I write for a great food blog (I'm the "booze expert"). I post some great cocktail recipes, if you'd ever like to check it out, I'd be honored! http://fromscratchclub.wordpress.com/author/deannanfox/
ReplyDeleteLove this series, and the biergarten! I'll be bookmarking this guide for future use :)
ReplyDeleteHave you been to the Spritzenhaus just north of Williamsburg? They have a great open concept :) I can't wait to try out your favorite spots, they look awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove taking people to the Rusty Knot (and a walk along the water afterward.) -RS
ReplyDeletethese look great and definitely worth a visit! Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteYou're making me want to visit New York again and try all of these places out--they all sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog and love it!! I also like the Rusty Knot and will try Weather Up, looks gorgeous :) Lately, I've enjoyed Botanica in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Bit out of the way for some, but has a very nice atmosphere (esp during summer) and serves some delicious drinks!
Fabulous list. I live near Weather Up and go fairly often, love the Weather Up jr cocktail. Bonus: Gilt City has a special offer at Weather Up right now (just up today I think). An oyster & champagne thing. Fun!
ReplyDeleteThere's a Weather Up in Prospect Heights too. We used to go there. That's where we went the night I found out I was pregnant. I had one cocktail and was worried I'd ruined the baby but the doctor said it was no biggie! I think Henry's fine. It's a great place though. Good to know there's one in Manhattan too.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving these posts. Are you going to make a little folder on your blog with a compilation of all of them? I am planning a trip to NYC in the spring and will want to come back and re-read all these posts!
ReplyDeleteAlso, do you bring Toby out with you guys often? We just had a baby, and I was just trying to see what other families do with their young kids, take them out to dinner and a drink or leave them at home?
Thanks again for all your posts!
xo, Anna of :green gable:
Oh, NYC bars...I miss you and always will!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekened
Rusty Knot looks amazing!! I want it to be my house :)
ReplyDeleteI love the look of the last place, German pubs and bars are so exciting :)
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I so agree with you. A nice, smooth glass of Cabernet makes me soo happy :) -R (Distinct.Style.Innovation / Giveaway!)
ReplyDeleteWeather up looks like my kinda place. Will have to try it out!!
ReplyDeleteI like the Czech beer halls in Queens. Last time I visited we went to the Bohemian Hall and beer garden, ended up meeting some goofy ass czech guys who took us to Club 21. It was a blast!
ReplyDeleteanna, we typically leave him at home with a babysitter (or my brother) when we go out at night. but during the day, we'll take him with us to family-friendly places like the beergarden. he loves being around grown-ups and eating their soft pretzels :)
ReplyDeleteI must try rusty knot next time.
ReplyDeletemy favs, Pete's Candy Store (love the garden space) and Union Pool both in williamsbrg brklyn
oooh, erin h., let me think of a good place....
ReplyDeleteChristina, awesome!! i haven't heard of raine's but now i'm definitely going to look it up! i used to love milk & honey but i don't have the new phone number :) eater had a fun round-up of secret bars: http://ny.eater.com/archives/2011/07/secrets_6.php
ReplyDeletewhy am i not 21?! => the plight of all international students in the USA
ReplyDeleteA few more to add to the list:
ReplyDeleteBourgeois Pig (east vill)- French hole-in-the-wall has fondue and 1/2 price bottles of wine Mon & Tues
Bathtub Gin (Chelsea)- New speak easy. Have to enter though a running coffee shop on 9th Ave in order to get drink on. -Amazing gin cocktails!-
Rye House (Union Square NW)- Great bartenders and cocktails including homemade egg nog and hot toddys!
Cucina di Pesce (east village)- M-F at the bar until 8pm they have 2 for 1 apps, 2 for 1 drinks, and FREE mussels!
*Promise I'm not an Alchi! lol.
675 bar! Chelsea/West Village. Trendy, but not too loud and they have nifty little alcoves with different old school video games. Also a weird, huge horse with a lamp shade on its head smack in the middle of the bar.
ReplyDeleteI love The Rusty Knot. There's also a bar right by Prospect Park that we always go to when we visit a friend that lives near by, I can't remember their name, but I could(and have)sit in their cozy backyard area for hours.
ReplyDeleteI completely want to visit New York!
ReplyDeleteWe love PRAVDA in SoHo on Lafayette between Houston & Prince. It's a Russian caviar/vodka bar and I always feel a bit naughty walking down the stairs to this underground speakeasy. They have over 70 different vodka's, (10 of them infused), so they have a wonderful martini list! Can't wait to try the three you mentioned! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI fondly remember two from my time in the area: The Ear, and Peter McManus.
ReplyDeleteAlso for my bachelorette party/bridal shower, we went with an "Old New York" theme and had cocktails at the Algonquin Hotel, dinner at Fraunces Tavern, and drinks at The Cub Room, which used to the the private room at The Stork Club.
Love the suggestions!! Gotta check that first bar out ASAP! Looks just my speed :)
ReplyDeleteI go to la biblioteca,located in on third ave at 40th street. which is an actually tequila library, i have a card its so fun. its like 400 types of tequilas.
ReplyDeletemmm, yummy! i shared a pretzel and a pitcher with my cousin last year at that bar in williamsburg. great memory, ready to go back! xo!
ReplyDeleteWow, all of them look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteMaria xx
www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
I love that you included Radegast! It was where I meet my husband and will forever hold a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteradesgast is awesome but last time i went there were tons and tons of frat boys playing flip cup! it wasn't very williamsburg-esque :)
ReplyDeleteNice blog! I love this hostels very much. I will definitely visit and stay to that place.
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Check out The Grey Dog in Soho! Great food and amazing beers on draft. The atmosphere is so you, too!
ReplyDelete- Alexandra xx
The NYC's guide to the best and favorite three bars. Useful information
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