New York's bar scene is in constant flux as its players continually strive to outdo each other. Consequently new bars must offer something special to survive and the visitor looking to experience the best of the new offerings needs the inside track from somebody in the know.
On my fleeting visit to New York last week with the gorgeous Belvedere vodka girls to film content for diffordsguide.com I was lucky enough to be sent the following list by Nick Van Tiel, the New York-based roving ambassador for Beefeater and Plymouth gins. If you're heading to New York in the near future this is an excellent listing of the best new bars the city has to offer.
154 East 33rd Street, Murray Hill, New York, NY 10016
Nick says, "Same owners as Little Branch and Silver Lining, it's their midtown spot. If you haven't been to Silver Lining that's worth checking out too.
READ our Little Branch review
30 Water Street (near Broad St), Financial District, New York, 10004
Nick says, "Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry's long awaited spot (The Merchant Hotel guys), its not officially open at the moment but they are doing press stuff atm.
diffordsguide rating: 5+/5
READ my full review of The Dead Rabbit
225 Avenue B, Second Floor (btwn 13th & 14th Street), East Village
diffordsguide rating: 5+/5
READ my full review of Pouring Ribbons
162 Avenue A (btwn 10th & 11th Sts), Alphabet City
diffordsguide rating: 5+/5
Nick says, "Been around for a bit but they have revamped it recently, I love this spot".
READ Sam Meyer's full review
18 Spring Street, (btwn Mott & Elizabeth Sts), Nolita
Nick says, "Been there for a while, TJ Lynch and Richard Knapp's place. Giuseppe Gonzales and Aisha Sharp work there. Notorious industry hangout."
diffordsguide rating: 4.5/5
READ my full review of Mother's Ruin
210 Elizabeth Street (btwn Prince and Spring Sts), NoLita
Nick says, "Naren Young & Linden Pride (AvroKo dudes), great little cocktail place just inside Public. Menu changes every day."
diffordsguide rating: 5/5READ my full review of The Daily
The NoMad Hotel, 1170 Broadway (@ 28th St), Flatiron, New York, NY 10001
Nick says, "Same guys as 11 Madison Park. Great beverage program by Leo Robistcek."
diffordsguide rating: 4.5/5
READ Sam Meyer's full review of The NoMad
90 Broad Street (entrance on Stone St), Financial District
diffordsguide rating: 4/5
READ Sam Meyer's full review of Demi Monde
19 Greenwich Avenue, (@ West 10th St), West Village
diffordsguide rating: 4.5/5
Nick says, "English themed restaurant and gin bar in the West Village, same people as Highlands/Mary Queen of Scots (R.I.P.)"
READ Sam Meyer's full review of Whitehall
191 Chrystie Street, (btwn Stanton & Rivington Sts), Lower East Side
Nick says, "Lower East Side: Same as London and Paris. Cool though.
diffordsguide rating: 4/5
READ Sam Meyer's full review of Experimental Cocktail Club
9 Great Jones Street (@ Lafayette St), Noho
Nick says, "The Lounge under the restaurant. Not really a proper cocktail bar but probably the hottest spot in NYC atm. Ben Hehir runs it."
diffordsguide rating: 4.5/5
READ my full review of Acme
207 Second Avenue, (entrance on 13th St) East Village
Nick says, "Experimental Molecular cocktail bar attached to Momofuku Ssäm Bar, overseen by Dave Arnold"
diffordsguide rating: 4.5/5
READ Sam Meyer's full review of Booker and Dax
71 Avenue C (btwn East 11th & East 10th Sts), Alphabet City
The McKittrick Hotel, 530 West 27th Street (Nr. Eleventh Ave)
Nick says, "Beautiful rooftop spot on top of Sleep No More / The McKittrick Hotel."
80 Wythe Avenue, (@ North 11th), Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Nick says, "Cool bar onto of the Wythe in Williamsburg - amazing view and hipster central."
302 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Nick says, "Cool Williamsburg spot from one of the EO guys."
298 Bedford Avenue (btwn Grand & South 1st Sts), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, 11211
Nick says, "One of my favorite Williamsburg spots."
diffordsguide rating: 5/5
READ my full review of Maison Premiere
27 Broadway (@ Dunham Pl), Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Nick says, "Also in Williamsburg and really cool."
30 East 23rd Street, Midtown
Sasha Petraske's iconic bar has closed at its original Eldridge Street location and reopened here. A full interview with Sasha is coming soon on diffordsguide.com
