6 NYC Bars That Are an Absolute Vibe
1. Nubeluz
Luxurious skyline views that impress
About: On the 50th floor of the Ritz-Carlton, Nubeluz is a stylish new rooftop bar from Jose Andres serving up innovative cocktails and some of the best views in the city.
How to do it right: Nubeluz is reservation-only, so plan ahead. The drinks are surprisingly good for a place that could coast on the ambiance alone. Even the air “cloud” cocktails are worth the splurge (especially if you’re looking to impress a date), but skip the caviar bumps and oysters. Nubeluz’s layout is spacious with plush banquets, private alcove seating and well-spaced tables for two – a rarity in NYC.
2. Press Lounge
Stunning rooftop views, but in a laid-back setting
About: Located on the rooftop floor of the Ink48 Hotel, Press Lounge has epic city and Hudson river views with a swanky interior lounge and a massive outdoor space.
How to do it right: The bar is low-ego for NYC rooftop standards – their only rule is no flip flops or shorts. Cocktail quality is not the reason to come to Press Lounge, so keep your order basic and skip on food. Instead, find a spot with a view and let the sky-high selfies fly.
3. Chez Zou
Lush cocktail bar above Hudson Yards
About: Located above Zou Zou’s in Hudson Yards, Chez Zou is a great spot to enjoy inventive cocktails with a wide audience. It’s classy enough to take your parents, but lush plants and velveted alcove seating make it playful and intimate enough for a date.
How to do it right: Walk-ins are welcome, but you may be put at a standing table for a while. The outdoor views are nothing special – instead, opt for a spot indoors to enjoy the sexy, jungle vibes. The cocktail program is solid, as is the bar food, given the sister restaurant Zou Zou’s downstairs. Ask to see a secret menu for off-menu food options
4. Undercote
Futuristic greenhouse vibes for a quick drink
About: Undercote is affiliated with Cote, a fine-dining Korean BBQ restaurant in Flatiron. The subterranean speakeasy features glass terrariums for windows, neon light fixtures, and a view of Cote’s red-lit meat locker, giving the bar an intergalactic, greenhouse vibe.
How to do it right: This is a great place to grab a drink before dinner, or end a night. The cocktails are pricey but creative – the menu is plant-themed and there’s even a cocktail made with catnip. Tables have light inserts to illuminate your drink for next-level pics. Altogether, the ambiance puts Undercote at risk of becoming an over-hyped experience, but quality drinks make it a perfect component of a night out.
5. Attaboy
Candle-lit speakeasy with bespoke drinks
About: Hidden behind an unnamed door, Attaboy is one of the few genuine speakeasies in NYC. Suited for small parties, a night at Attaboy is an impressive date or a hazy, boozy get-together with your crew.
How to do it right: Attaboy is an experience worth planning your evening around. Put your name down at the unmarked door, and be prepared to wait a few hours. This is a menu-free bar, and while you could ask for a specific drink, the real magic comes from going off-piste. The bartenders can feel out your cravings to create a custom experience. With its narrow bar, dim-lighting and lack of menu, Attaboy is a transportive experience that makes you feel as though you’ve discovered something new each time.
6. Katana Kitten
World-class bar, where everyone knows your name
About: Owner, and self-proclaimed “director of deliciousness”, Masa, has created a Japanese-inspired American dive bar that perfectly balances a grungy, no-ego attitude with meticulous attention to detail. The result is an experience that truly anyone can enjoy, from cocktail nerds to people just looking for a good time.
How to do it right: Like all world-ranked bars, expect to wait, so put your name down early. The vibe is gritty, with walls plastered in Japanese movie posters, colored string lights, and scribbled inside jokes. The food is not as good as the drinks, but if you need to munch, the seaweed fries and deviled eggs are solid. Bartenders are welcoming and eager to chat - Masa himself can be found mixing and serving cocktails. With great drinks and even better vibes, Katana Kitten is sure to be a fun time any day of the week.
