Maybe it’s a sign of the times, but finding good scotch whisky bars in New York City (especially ones that don’t break the bank) is no easy task. Sure, there’s enough solid bourbon bars around, but how about a proper dram?
As a self-professed whisky enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting nearly 100 whiskey distilleries, including some of the most prestigious and remote places like Highland Park, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Balvenie, Bruichladdich, Glenallachie, Springbank, and so many more.
All this to say, I love the thrill of the hunt! Years in the making, here’s my personal list the best New York City whisky bars for Scotch. If you know of any good NYC whisky bars that aren’t on this list, please let me know in the comments below!
I’ll pay them a visit. I’m keen to try new spots and believe these places should be supported.
For those asking, I’ve shared a photo of my personal whisky collection (and Scotland escapades) at the bottom of this list.
How I Chose NYC’s Best Whisky Bars
This list takes into account three things: selection, price, & vibe. The first two are the most important. If a place has an interesting dram to try at a reasonable price I’m willing to hop on the subway to get my grubby little hands on it. Great vibes is the cherry on top but not the most important factor for this list. Also, just a reminder, we’re talking scotch, not bourbon (no offense to bourbon).
Top 10 Best Scotch Bars in New York City
Click for a handy Table of Contents
Let’s talk! I’m hoping this article serves as a conversation starter for other scotch lovers living in NYC. Let me know if you agree with this list, places I should know about and what your favorite dram is in the comments below and I’ll respond within 24 hours.
1. Keens Steakhouse Pub Bar
Website: Keens Steakhouse Pub Bar
Neighborhood: Midtown
Location: 72 W 36th St., New York, NY
Good to Know: Incredible selection, fair prices, old world & local’s vibes
The Bar at Keens is everything you could hope for in a whisky bar – cozy wood paneling, knowledgeable bartenders, a dazzling selection of scotch, stalwart locals, and a menu fit for a king at prices every man can enjoy.
I’m sure my wife will love this next line but walking into the pub at Keen’s feels like coming home. Featuring over 250 single malt scotches alone (not to mention the hundreds of other malts), Keens is the best scotch whisky bar in New York City.
My most recent order was a Glen Scotia 15, Longrow CV, & an Arran Port Cask Finish. And while you might be thinking that’s a lot of drams for a single sitting, Keen’s is one of those rare NYC whisky bars that allows one ounce pours.
And as if the whisky wasn’t enough, Keen’s also has some of the finest “pub fare” if you can call it that, in the city – massive steaks, delicious burgers, and so much more.
2. Travel Bar
Website: Travel Bar | Whisky List
Neighborhood: Carroll Gardens
Good to Know: Great selection, neighborhood vibes, friendly staff, tastings
I must admit it took me way too long to visit the Travel Bar in Carroll Gardens. It’s not exactly on the way to anything and despite my regular visits to Brooklyn, it still felt like a trek.
I’ll go so far as to say those on the hunt for the best scotch bar in New York City may perhaps reach the end of their quest here.
Warm and inviting, the vibes at Travel Bar are perfect. The bartenders are friendly and down-to-earth, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular neighborhood haunt. All credit goes to the bar’s owner Mike Vacheresse, who’s regularly on hand to answer questions and make suggestions.
If I lived closer, this would definitely be my go-to bar.
Given the impressive selection of over 450 whiskies, the pours are surprisingly affordable. Of note, Travel Bar offers one ounce pours which gives ardent whiskey enthusiasts the opportunity to sample a variety of exciting scotches they’d normal skip due to price.
Hands down, Travel Bar is the best scotch whisky bar in Brooklyn and quite possibly the best in the city. I’ll have to visit a few more times to make that determination. But it there’s a more reasonably-priced whisky bar in NYC, I’ve yet to find it.
If bourbon and rum are more your speed, this Brooklyn whisky bar has you covered in that department as well.
3. The Brandy Library
Website: The Brandy Library
Neighborhood: Tribeca
Address: 25 N Moore St Frnt 1, New York, NY
Good to Know: Amazing selection, high prices, upscale vibes
Due to all the fanfare and hype, I was skeptical to visit the Brandy Library. Maybe I’m weary of establishments that bill themselves as the best whisky bars in NYC. Or maybe I was subconsciously bracing to justify the eye-watering tab I’d wrack up by the end of the night.
In any event, I finally mustered up the courage to go and was really glad I did. Without doubt, Brandy Library has the best scotch selection in New York City (that I’ve encountered). Home to more than 500 bottles of scotch alone, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
One bottle that caught my wife’s eye immediately was the glass-enclosed Yamazaki 55, which clocks in at a cool million dollars (assuming you can find a place to buy it).
The Brandy Library is everything you hope for in a serious whisky experience – extremely knowledgeable “librarians,” excellent drams, wall to wall brown, and fair(ish) prices. We were lucky to have Liam guide us through our tour of some of his favorite drams.
Next time I return I’ll opt for the stave tasting which includes nine half ounce pours selected by the on-duty librarian catered to your tastes (scotch, japanese, bourbon etc) for $95. If you’re looking for interesting guided whisky experiences in NYC, the Brandy Library gets my vote.
4. Fraunces Tavern
Website: Fraunces Tavern
Neighborhood: Financial District
Address: 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004
Good to Know: Great selection, fair prices, old world & local’s vibes
Sipping a dram at Fraunces Tavern one imagines the kinds of conversations General Washington once had with young Alexander Hamilton in perhaps the very same spot over some foul ale of the time.
The vibes are very old world which makes sense given that Fraunces is the oldest bar in New York City. How old you might wonder? Built in 1719, Fraunces Tavern is now over 300 years old, older than America itself by a solid 57 years (cheers to that).
But these ruminations can only be temporary at such an epic NYC whisky bar where the mind focuses mainly on the vast selection of single malt scotch whiskies available at one’s fingertips. My most recent order was an elusive Ardbeg Ardcore for $28.
While they don’t allow single ounce pours here, the bartenders are affable and there’s often live music to enjoy whilst you imbibe.
5. Manhatta
Website: Manahatta
Neighborhood: Financial District
Address: 28 Liberty St 60th floor, New York, NY 10005
Good to Know: Good Selection, fair prices, upscale vibes, amazing views
They say you can only have two: good views, good quality, or good prices, but at Manhatta you can have it all. Located on the 60th floor at 28 Liberty Street, the panoramic views are easily the most sensational of all whisky bars in New York City.
The selection, while not as extensive as many of the other bars on this list, is well curated. Worth noting, Manhatta is the only bar in the city where I have found my personal favorite dram on the menu – the stunning Longrow 18.
On top of that, the prices are surprisingly reasonable for such an upscale bar. There’s a wide range of 2oz pours available under $30 and a few under $20. And while they don’t offer 1oz pours, the service is great. Our bartender, Jordan, was both knowledgeable and good-humored.
An added bonus for those accompanied by a non-whisky lover is that Manhatta is one of the best cocktails bars in New York City.
6. The Bar at the Baccarat Hotel
Website: The Bar at the Baccarat Hotel
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 28 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Good to Know: Ritzy, upscale, expensive, fine and rare whiskies
Old school meets new school in this ritzy Midtown locale where the name of the game is opulence, and that extends to the whisky list.
Designed to impress, The Bar at the Baccarat Hotel is the spot to go when you close that big deal or get that long-awaited promotion. Full of stylish New Yorkers with healthy budgets, this is the kind of place that makes you feel important just by being there.
At any moment you’d expect to see some debonair suit-clad local walk up to the bar and order their signature shaken, not stirred.
And if you’re wondering what the price tag on this important feeling is, well, let’s just say high. Of all the whisky bars I’ve been to in New York City the Baccarat is easily the most expensive. Standard drams get a hefty luxury tax.
In all fairness though, The Bar isn’t the kind of place to order a standard dram. Here you’ll find some of the finest and rarest whiskies in New York City. Bottles like the Macallan M Black go for a cool $800/1oz – whoa.
But even if you don’t splurge for the M Black, you’ll feel like a million bucks because all libations are served in luxurious Baccarat crystal glasses.
7. The Copper Still
Website: The Copper Still
Neighborhood: West Village & East Village
Address: 206 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Good to Know: Great prices, interesting finds, casual vibes
The Copper Still might be the most surprising place I’ve found to drink scotch in NYC. From the outside, the bar is rather unassuming, resembling any number of eclectic bars in the East Village.
And while the vibes trend toward dive, the menu does not. Catch a glimpse of the whisky selection behind the bar and you know you’ve stumbled upon somewhat of a hidden gem.
I was thrilled to find both Red Spot & Blue Spot, my favorite Irish whiskies. Beyond the variety of Irish whiskies on offer, I caught sight of a dusty ancient-looking bottle of Cadenheads on the top shelf. Unpriced, the bartender gave the manager a quick call for a price check and within minutes, I was sipping 30 year gold for under $30.
8. The Lobby Bar at the Ludlow
Website: The Lobby Bar
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 180 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
Good to Know: Great tasting flight deals, good selection, upscale cozy vibes
If this was a ranking of the best whisky bar vibes in NYC then the Ludlow Lobby would be right up there at the top. Fireplaces should be a prerequisite to get your scotch whisky license.
Few things are better in life than sipping a fine single malt scotch while enjoying the warmth of a hearth with friends. The Ludlow Lobby Bar offers this in style.
Now I’ll admit, the whisky menu here is on the pricey side. But, the whisky flights are a fantastic deal. We’re talking a Yamazaki 12, Macallan 12 Sherry Cask, & Old Rip Van Winkle for… $30! Um, hello.
Needless to say if you’re looking for the best whisky flight deals in NYC, the Lobby Bar is you’re spot.
9. Caledonia
Website: Caledonia | UES Whisky List
Neighborhood: UES & UWS
Good to Know: Good selection, casual vibes, a bit pricy, UES location > UWS
As resident Upper West Sider, I was surprised that Caledonia did not come up on my radar for whisky bars sooner. Perhaps it fell into that too-close-to-home category of places that you say you’ll visit but never do. Well, I finally did – and, lucky me.
The bar is a great spot for local vibes. Nothing too fancy outside of the whisky scene. The bartender was friendly when we visited as we’re some of the local patrons which added to experience.
Overall the whisky selection here was a solid “good-not-great”. The Upper East Side location is the one you want to visit for the better whisky menu.
10. The Parlour Room
Website: The Parlour Room
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 70 W 36th St. #1A, New York, NY 10018
Good to Know: Trendy vibes, on the pricey side, nice selection
Whereas plenty of New York’s whisky bars go for old world charm, the Parlour Room is a new school cool with high ceilings, mid-century appeal, and over 450 whiskies – the perfect kind of place to impress someone on a first date.
The bar’s location, in the middle of what I dubbed NYC’s whisky alley, is right next to Keens and a block away from the Flatiron Room (another whisky bar).
The highlight at the Parlour Room are the whisky flights, and while not as inexpensive as those you’ll find at the Ludlow’s Lobby Bar, the selection here is more impressive.
11. The Dead Rabbit
Website: The Dead Rabbit
Neighborhood: Financial District
Good to Know: Great selection (especially Irish whisky), friendly dive vibes, a bit pricey
Most cocktail enthusiasts known to make pilgrimages to the Dead Rabbit, billed World’s Best Bar multiple years in a row. The cocktails are worth a detour, no doubt, but this is an article about whisky, and Dead Rabbit delivers in that department as well.
While it’s easily one of the best Irish pubs in NYC with an amazing Irish whisky selection, the Dead Rabbit also boasts an impressive selection of scotch. Based on what I’ve seen, I’d say they have at least 50 or so bottles of scotch on hand. While you’re in the hood, be sure to stop in at Fraunces Tavern & Manahatta, just blocks away.
12. Copper & Oak
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 157 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
Good to Know: Amazing selection, sky-high prices
Copper & Oak is the younger sibling to the Brandy Library. Here you’ll find a similarly spectacular selection in a far more intimate setting. There are roughly eight bar stools available as well as a standing counter to enjoy your drams.
The knowledge of head bartender Matsushita is legendary. Ask him anything – he knows. If they don’t have the exact dram you’re looking for, they’ll have something similar. The only drawback? Copper & Oak’s prices are steep.
FAQ – Best Scotch Whisky Bars in NYC
Keen’s is the best overall scotch whisky bar when factoring in the combination of bang for your buck, selection, and vibes. Manhatta is best for the views and curated selection. The Brandy Library has the best selection.
Map of the Best Scotch Whisky Bars in NYC
Summary of the Best Scotch Whiskey Bars in New York City
- Keens Steakhouse Pub Bar
- Travel Bar
- The Brandy Library
- Fraunces Tavern
- Manhatta
- The Bar at the Baccarat Hotel
- The Copper Still East Village
- The Lobby Bar at the Ludlow
- Caledonia UES
- The Parlour Room
- The Dead Rabbit
- Copper & Oak
- The Flatiron Room Murray Hill
- Library of Distilled Spirits
- Down & Out
- The Flatiron Room NoMad
- The Copper Still West Village
- Caledonia UWS
- On the Rocks
- Hudson Bar & Books*
*smoking is allowed indoors here
My Whisky Cabinet
As promised, here’s a photo my whisky collection (80+ bottles strong), most of the bottles were purchased in Scotland and the UK because the Scotch selection in the US leaves much to be desired. I’ve also tossed in a photo of me at Bruichladdich on Islay (Scotland), here’s a roundup of all the distilleries on Islay, ranked.
New York City Bar Guides
Best Irish Pubs NYC: 12 Incredible Irish Pubs to Visit in New York City
Best Cocktail Bars NYC: 10 Boozy Cocktail Bars You Need to Try in New York City
Best NYC Happy Hours: 20 Amazing New York City Happy Hours to Try
Sshhhh! Keens is my “hidden gem!” I’ve been coming here for years to sample the whiskey. Had not heard of Manhatta though. Will give that a go. Thanks for the list, Will!
@Jackson, I’m excited to give it a try as well! Would be great to get a group of whiskey lovers together at one of these spots. I’m finding it hard to come across other whiskey enthusiasts in the city!
Amber (from the Upper West Side)
Hey Jackson, I know… tough to let one out like Keens but the truth is the truth. Such a good spot – deserves the praise.
Enjoyed reading your take on the best whiskey bars in the city, stunning photography too. I’ve been to most of the places on this list (except for Manhatta, never heard of it) and agree that nothing tops the selection at Keens. Big fan of the old-school vibes and seeing locals get greeted by name, haven’t been in a while but think it’s about time to pay them another visit.
Amber
Thanks Amber! Really appreciate it. Any other spots you’re willing to share for the list?
@Will Pattiz, Actually I kind of enjoyed the Swift! But I see you put it in your avoid category, I didn’t realize the prices weren’t great (I went years ago when I was still early on in my whisky journey). I’d be curious to check them out again, bummed to hear about the prices but I love Irish whisky and getting into Swift is way easier than getting into the Dead Rabbit (that place is so popular, always a line).
These photos are incredible! Feels like I was there myself, thanks for taking me on a trip down memory lane (lived in NYC from 2008-2016 and miss it every day).
Thanks, Stanley! The whisky vibes are still here for sure.
Epic, epic list my man. I completely agree about the Whiskey Ward, so sad to hear the owners sold the business, their scotch selection was the best in NYC, it was my go to spot. Also damn, your whiskey cabinet is goals.
Cheers!
Archie
Yeah Whiskey Ward is a real tragedy. The old owners were top notch. Losing a spot like that hurts.
I really enjoyed reading your list (great Scotch cabinet BTW). Curious which of these places you’d recommend for a date night? My partner loves whisky and I’d like to take them out for a night on the town, something romantic but relaxed, suggestions appreciated!
Sanfords in Astoria, over 800 labels on the back bar!
Great recommendation! I haven’t been – will sample and report back with my findings.