The Top 100 Places to Drink Near Not as Bitter

Updated July 18, 2026

Categories

  1. Rank 1. Schmuck

    European/Middle Eastern

    Awards
    Address
    97 1st Ave, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  2. Rank 2. Bar Snack

    Awards
    Address
    92 2nd Ave, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  3. Rank 3. Superbueno

    Mexican Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    13 1st Ave, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  4. Rank 4. Smithereens

    New England Seafood

    A New England seafood joint gone slightly rogue, tucked below street level in the East Village where the lighting is low and the menu is almost entirely ocean. The crowd runs young and food-curious, squeezed into every corner of a room that feels like someone's very cool basement. The wine list leans bright whites, and the celery root float for dessert sounds like a dare but absolutely delivers.

    Awards
    Address
    414 E 9th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Reserve
    Resy
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  5. Rank 5. Martiny’s

    Japanese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    121 E 17th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  6. Rank 6. Coffee Project New York

    Awards
    Address
    239 E 5th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  7. Rank 7. Abraço

    Coffee

    This East Village espresso bar has been around forever and earned its reputation the honest way, by roasting their own beans and making you feel like a regular even when you're not. It's small, lively, and packed on weekends with the kind of crowd that owns exactly one interesting jacket. No laptops means actual conversation happens. The olive oil cookie is genuinely worth the hype it carries.

    Awards
    Address
    81 E Seventh St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  8. Rank 8. Double Chicken Please

    Awards
    Address
    115 Allen St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  9. Rank 9. Amor Y Amargo

    Italian Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    443 E 6th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  10. Rank 10. Sip & Guzzle

    Innovative Japanese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    29 Cornelia St, #28, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  11. Rank 11. Paradise Lost

    Awards
    Address
    100 Second Avenue, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  12. Rank 12. La Cabra

    Danish Coffee

    A Danish coffee and bakery import that's earned its New York stripes, La Cabra is the kind of coffee shop where the croissants are genuinely worth the detour and the espresso is taken seriously without making you feel judged. The sleek bar draws a mix of design-minded regulars and people who wandered in from shopping and decided to stay a while. Go for the pastries and a well-made pour.

    Awards
    Address
    152 2nd Ave, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  13. Rank 13. Hi-Collar

    Japanese

    Awards
    Address
    231 E Ninth St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  14. Rank 14. Attaboy

    NY

    Awards
    Address
    134 Eldridge St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  15. Rank 15. Clemente Bar

    Vegan

    Awards
    Address
    11 Madison Ave, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  16. Rank 16. Not as Bitter

    Awards
    Address
    241 E 10th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  17. Rank 17. Arcane Estate Coffee

    Panamanian

    Awards
    Address
    37 Cornelia St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  18. Rank 18. Shinji’s

    Japanese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    37 W 20th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  19. Rank 19. Sophie's Bar N.Y.C.

    Awards
    Address
    507 E 5th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Instagram
    On the Way What's Around

  20. Rank 20. L’Americana

    Italian Coffee Shop

    Awards
    Address
    51 Irving Pl, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  21. Rank 21. Bar Goto

    Japanese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    245 Eldridge St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  22. Rank 22. Kabawa

    Caribbean

    Caribbean fine dining finally gets its flowers here, and Paul Carmichael makes sure they're worth it. Kabawa runs a prix-fixe tasting menu that takes the flavors of the diaspora seriously without making you feel like you're in a lecture, just a really good meal. The room is dark and elegant, the crowd is dressed up and leaning in, and the cooking carries real weight. Next door, Bar Kabawa keeps things loose if you just want a drink and a patty.

    Awards
    Address
    8 Extra Pl, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Reserve
    OpenTable
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  23. Rank 23. Tigre

    Seafood

    Awards
    Address
    105 Rivington St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  24. Rank 24. Bar Contra

    Awards
    Address
    138 Orchard St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  25. Rank 25. Midnight Blue

    Japanese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    106 E 19th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  26. Rank 26. Milady’s

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    160 Prince St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  27. Rank 27. Zou Zou's

    Mediterranean

    Awards
    Address
    385 Ninth Ave, Unit 85, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  28. Rank 28. Employees Only

    Awards
    Address
    510 Hudson St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  29. Rank 29. The Portrait Bar

    Awards
    Address
    1 W 28th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  30. Rank 30. Dante

    Italian Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    79-81 MacDougal St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  31. Rank 31. The Tusk Bar

    Awards
    Address
    7 E 27th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  32. Rank 32. Ninth Street Espresso

    Ninth Street Espresso has been around forever and still feels like ground zero for how NYC coffee is supposed to work: no fuss, no fifteen-modifier orders, just seriously good espresso from beans they roast themselves. The staff is warm enough to offset the bare-bones room, and the picture window looks out onto a community garden. Regulars nurse their cups on the benches out front like it's still 2004, which is honestly the vibe.

    Awards
    Address
    700 E 9th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  33. Rank 33. Angel’s Share

    Japanese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    45 Grove St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  34. Rank 34. Mister Paradise

    Awards
    Address
    105 First Ave, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  35. Rank 35. Lê Phin

    Vietnamese Coffee

    Awards
    Address
    259 E Tenth St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Instagram
    On the Way What's Around

  36. Rank 36. Bateman's

    Awards
    Address
    308 E 6th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    On the Way What's Around

  37. Rank 37. MUD aka Mudspot Restaurant

    Awards
    Address
    307 E Ninth St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  38. Rank 38. Seed Library

    Awards
    Address
    51 E 30th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    On the Way What's Around

  39. Rank 39. Bar Kabawa

    Awards
    Address
    12 Extra Pl, New York, NY · Manhattan
    On the Way What's Around

  40. Rank 40. Katana Kitten

    Japanese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    531 Hudson St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  41. Rank 41. Swan Room

    Awards
    Address
    54 Canal St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  42. Rank 42. Marie's Crisis Cafe

    Awards
    Address
    59 Grove St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  43. Rank 43. Maru

    Awards
    Address
    320 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  44. Rank 44. Death & Co

    Awards
    Address
    433 East 6th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  45. Rank 45. Lobby Bar at The Hotel Chelsea

    Awards
    Address
    226 W 23rd St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  46. Rank 46. Parcelle

    Awards
    Address
    135 Division St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  47. Rank 47. Ninth Street Espresso

    Awards
    Address
    341 E 10th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  48. Rank 48. Please Don't Tell

    Awards
    Address
    113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  49. Rank 49. COQODAQ

    Korean

    Getting a reservation here requires the kind of persistence usually reserved for concert tickets, but this sleek Korean fried chicken spot on 22nd Street is genuinely worth the hustle. The move is the bucket feast, a multi-course spread that somehow manages to feel indulgent and light at the same time. Champagne is practically a food group here, which tells you everything about the crowd filing in dressed like they have somewhere better to be after.

    Awards
    Address
    12 E 22nd St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Reserve
    Resy
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  50. Rank 50. Hello Hello Bar & Cafe

    Awards
    Address
    151 W 26th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    On the Way What's Around

  51. Rank 51. Oddball

    Awards
    Address
    188 Avenue B, New York, NY · Manhattan
    On the Way What's Around

  52. Rank 52. Dear Irving

    Awards
    Address
    55 Irving Pl, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  53. Rank 53. Much Obliged

    Awards
    Address
    42 Avenue B, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  54. Rank 54. Nubeluz

    Awards
    Address
    25 W 28th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  55. Rank 55. Birds

    Awards
    Address
    64 Downing St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    On the Way What's Around

  56. Rank 56. Jac’s on Bond

    Awards
    Address
    26 Bond St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  57. Rank 57. Cocktail Omakase

    Japanese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    217 Eldridge St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  58. Rank 58. Maison Premiere

    New Orleans-Style Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  59. Rank 59. Chin Up Bar

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    171 Chrystie St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  60. Rank 60. Hawksmoor

    British Steakhouse

    Awards
    Address
    109 E 22nd St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  61. Rank 61. Overstory

    Awards
    Address
    70 Pine St, FL 64, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  62. Rank 62. Bar Belly

    Awards
    Address
    14B Orchard St, New York NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  63. Rank 63. After Eden

    Vietnamese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    162 Orchard St, New York, NY · New York
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  64. Rank 64. Everyman Espresso

    Awards
    Address
    136 E 13th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  65. Rank 65. Keens Steakhouse

    Steakhouse

    Keens has been around forever, and the room alone, dark wood, white tablecloths, a ceiling covered in centuries of clay pipes, is worth the trip before a single bite lands. This is old-school New York steakhouse dining at its most unapologetic, full of regulars who never glance at the menu and first-timers quietly trying to act like they belong. The mutton chop is the move, though the prime porterhouse holds its own. Ranked among the world's best steak restaurants.

    Awards
    Address
    72 W 36th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  66. Rank 66. Coffee Project New York

    Awards
    Address
    450 Washington St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  67. Rank 67. The Raines Law Room

    Awards
    Address
    24 E 39th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  68. Rank 68. Kees

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    One Cornelia St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  69. Rank 69. Mace

    Awards
    Address
    35 W Eighth St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  70. Rank 70. Thyme

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    20 W 23rd St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  71. Rank 71. Stone & Soil

    Japanese

    Awards
    Address
    124 E 28th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  72. Rank 72. Dayglow

    Dayglow is a coffee boutique that clearly decided "just coffee" was for quitters. The Bushwick spot stocks an absurd range of imported beans and signature drinks with ingredients like blue algae and clarified matcha, plus a full hand-brew menu if you just want something excellent and weird. The back of the house hides Niteglow, an in-house distillery pouring craft beers on draft. The crowd looks like they read the ModBar Wikipedia page for fun.

    Awards
    Address
    8 Wilson Ave, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  73. Rank 73. Bar Madonna

    Italian Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    367 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  74. Rank 74. Dear Irving on Hudson

    Awards
    Address
    310 W 40th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  75. Rank 75. Bar Americano

    Spanish/Northern Italian Wine Bar

    Awards
    Address
    180 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  76. Rank 76. maman

    French

    Awards
    Address
    239 Centre St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  77. Rank 77. Black Cat LES

    Awards
    Address
    172 Rivington St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  78. Rank 78. Seirēn

    Spanish-Portuguese Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    94 7th Ave, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  79. Rank 79. Borgo

    Italian

    Borgo is the kind of neighborhood trattoria that makes you want to fake a local address. The menu changes daily, scrawled out like someone's ambitious dinner party, and the cooking leans into the funky, bitter, and gamy things that most places quietly avoid. It's polished enough to feel like a destination but loose enough that regulars treat it like their living room, which they basically do. Landed on the NYT's 100 Best list, and it earned it.

    Awards
    Address
    124 E 27th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  80. Rank 80. Driftaway Coffee

    Awards
    Address
    85 Debevoise Ave, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  81. Rank 81. Little Ned

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    10 W 28th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Instagram
    On the Way What's Around

  82. Rank 82. Dandelion

    Awards
    Address
    115 Christopher St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  83. Rank 83. Sunn’s

    Korean Wine Bar

    Sunny Lee has turned a wine bar so small you'll wonder if the fire marshal knows about it into one of the more quietly exciting spots in the city. The move here is banchan, elevated from obligatory side dishes to the whole point, with a rotating daily set that drifts between Korean, French, and Italian without asking permission. The crowd looks like it already has a natural wine dealer on speed dial.

    Awards
    Address
    139 Division St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  84. Rank 84. Bourke Street Bakery

    Australian

    Awards
    Address
    15 E 28th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  85. Rank 85. Felix Roasting Company

    Awards
    Address
    450 Park Ave S, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  86. Rank 86. Stumptown Coffee Roasters

    Awards
    Address
    212B Pacific St, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  87. Rank 87. Clover Club

    Awards
    Address
    210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  88. Rank 88. The Long Island Bar

    Awards
    Address
    110 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  89. Rank 89. Jimmy's Corner

    Awards
    Address
    140 W 44th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Instagram
    On the Way What's Around

  90. Rank 90. Café Integral

    Awards
    Address
    149 Elizabeth St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  91. Rank 91. Joe Coffee Company

    Awards
    Address
    141 Waverly Pl, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  92. Rank 92. Kiko

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    307 Spring St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  93. Rank 93. Cubbyhole

    Awards
    Address
    281 W 12th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  94. Rank 94. KABIN

    Awards
    Address
    300 Spring St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    On the Way What's Around

  95. Rank 95. El Quijote

    Spanish

    Awards
    Address
    226 W 23rd St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  96. Rank 96. Coffee Project New York

    Awards
    Address
    135 John St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  97. Rank 97. Stumptown Coffee Roasters

    Awards
    Address
    18 W 29th St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  98. Rank 98. Sauced

    Natural Wine Bar

    Awards
    Address
    331 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY · Brooklyn
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  99. Rank 99. Bar Chucho

    Mexican Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    37 Market St, New York, NY · Manhattan
    Online
    Instagram
    On the Way What's Around

  100. Rank 100. Coffee Project New York

    Awards
    Address
    21-10 51st Ave, Long Island City, NY · Queens
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

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