As a long time resident of the Upper West Side, I’m not immune from the constant criticism the neighborhood receives for being a food (and bar) desert. While I’m inclined to agree (I don’t think our neighborhood’s food scene is worth a detour), I do believe we have some local gems that keep neighborhoods happily boozy and fed for years on end.
For example, the variety of bars on the Upper West Side span the gamut. From cozy dive bars to chic cocktail lounges, there’s something on offer for every occasion. With that said, allow me to share my quick roundup of the best bars on the Upper West Side.
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Best Bars on the Upper West Side
Table of Contents: Upper West Side Bars
Upper West Side Cocktail Bars (Table of Contents)
Nobody Told Me
Website: Nobody Told Me
Location: 951 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
A fairly new addition to the neighborhood, Nobody Told Me opened in 2019. The brainchild of mixologist Nick Pfannerstill and Chef Alberto Miranda, this Upper West Side bar quickly gained a reputation for laid-back vibes and sophisticated libations.
The creative seasonal concoctions at this popular cocktail bar on the Upper West Side are always inspired, it’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. But, the Copy of a Copy (mezcal, hibiscus, almond, lime) is one of the most memorable cocktails I’ve had to date. Happy hour runs daily from 3-6pm, highly recommend!
The Owl’s Tail
Website: The Owl’s Tail
Address: 215 W 75th St, New York, NY 10023
The Owl’s Tail is a swanky cocktail parlor serving delectable small bites (deviled eggs make an appearance at every table) alongside inspired craft cocktails. Plush velvet seats and a dimly-lit bar give this popular neighborhood haunt a sophisticated feel without any air of pretension.
The outdoor seating area adjusts to accommodate the seasons, but one thing remains constant: this Upper West Side cocktail bar is filled with locals regardless of the elements. From sweltering summer heat to freezing mid-winter nights, this seems to be the bar of choice for most locals looking for proper cocktails in the neighborhood.
Tiki Chick
Website: Tiki Chick
Address: 517 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Tiki Chick is one of my favorite bars on the Upper West Side. A sister restaurant to Jacob’s Pickles and Maison Pickle, this tiki-themed bar couldn’t be more endearing.
At first, I was a bit deterred by the outlandish decor and assumed the drinks would be sub-par. But all of that changed when we met up with a group of friends for brunch and the hour-long wait at Jacob’s Pickles (two doors down) encouraged us to pop in for a round — what a happy coincidence that turned out to be.
Piña coladas seem to the the drink of choice, and at $15 a pop, it’s hard to stop at one. My favorite thing about this tiki-themed Upper West Side bar? The $5 fried chicken sandwiches (delivered from Jacob’s Pickles), they’re delicious!
At this point, my husband and I have a habit of visiting Tiki Chick whenever we’re in the mood to get out of the house without breaking the bank. Also worth note: the rum selection is pretty impressive, if that’s more your speed.
The Dead Poet
Website: The Dead Poet
Address: 450 Amsterdam Ave #2, New York, NY 10024
Opened by a former high school English teacher, The Dead Poet is inspired by cozy Irish pubs, making it one of the most laid-back bars on the Upper West Side. Literature-themed decor, including portraits of famous authors, adds to the charm.
While snack options are limited to popcorn and hot dogs, you can bring your own food from nearby restaurants. However, it’s the impressive selection of draft and canned beers, along with cleverly-themed cocktails inspired by classic books, that make The Dead Poet stand one of the best bars in the Upper West Side.
The Milling Room
Located directly across from the American Museum of Natural History, the Milling Room is easy to miss if you don’t know to look for it. Focusing on seasonally-sourced upscale American fare, the restaurant was welcomed into the neighborhood with open arms when it opened in 2014.
Rather unassuming from the outside, the interior is where this local gem truly shines. The tavern-inspired bar is one of the liveliest locales in the neighborhood come the weekend, but not without reason. The innovative cocktails on offer are excellent, especially so during happy hour (Monday-Sunday 4:30-7pm) when select cocktails go for $9.
In a neighborhood without many swanky joints, I consider the Milling Room one of the best cocktail bars in the Upper West Side to take a date. Highly recommend!
e’s Bar
Website: e’s Bar
Address: 511 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
e’s Bar is on constant rotation in my arsenal of neighborhood haunts. Oozing endearing ’90s rock vibes, it’s the perfect place for large groups. The venue spans 2,000 square feet (plus a front patio), making it possible to score a table during the great happy hour ($7 burgers).
The lineup of live entertainment is half the draw at popular Upper West Said bar. Stand up comedy on Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays and open mic Wednesdays keep the good vibes going. Entertainment aside, there’s more than 200 board games available too.
I’ve had a few cocktails at this joint and would suggest sticking to the beer and good vibes. My husband is a scotch enthusiast (here’s his roundup of the best scotch bars in NYC) and says the selection at e’s Bar exceeds expectations, for what it’s worth.
Bodega 88
Website: Bodega 88
Address: 573 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Bodega-turned-bar, Bodega 88 is the byproduct of rising rent prices in the neighborhood. When David Arias couldn’t keep up with constant rent spikes, he decided to upgrade his bodega into a casual sports bar on the Upper West Side.
Admittedly, Bodega 88 feels a bit more elevated than your traditional sports bar, largely thanks to the great Latin-inspired dishes churning out of the kitchen (the empanadas deserve a shout-out).
With a variety of options to suit everyone, the bar serves delicious cocktails and ice cold beer. Don’t miss out on the bar’s weekday happy hour from 3-7pm, when select beers go for $5 (hard to beat that!).
Vin Sur Vingt
Website: Vin sur Vingt
Address: 66 W 84th St, New York, NY 10024
Vin sur Vingt translates to “wine in twenty” and everything about this authentic Parisian wine bar oozes French charm. It’s one of my favorite wine bars on the Upper West Side, perfect for an afternoon with a girlfriend.
The impressive menu features tons of exciting wines by the glass, you’re sure to find something that suits your Francophile fancy. Time your visit during happy hour (daily until 6pm) for $10 glasses of wine (sommelier’s choice).
Pair the wine with French-inspired appetizers and you’ll be reminiscing about Europe in no time. Make sure to have a good friend in tow because the hours slip by when the rosé hits the table. The easygoing vibes make this one of the best bars on the Upper West Side for a girl’s night out.
The Bar at Maison Pickle
Website: Maison Pickle
Address: 732 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
Maison Pickle is known for serving some of the best brunch on the Upper West Side, but the bar is not to be trifled with either. Featuring more than 200 spirits, the expert bartenders churn out time-tested cocktails and exciting libations unique to this neighborhood gem, like the pickle-brined Maison Martini.
Tessa
Website: Tessa
Address: 349 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Offering a romantic ambiance with string lights, dimly-lit brick walls and cozy leather booths, Tessa is one of the most romantic bars on the Upper West Side. The friendly bartenders make it a great spot for casual date nights in the neighborhood.
The restaurant seems to hit peak mass around happy hour (Tuesday-Friday from 11am-6pm) when signature cocktails are half priced. I’m partial to the French Blonde (Lillet, Ford’s Gin, elderflower, grapefruit, lemon), but whatever you do – don’t sleep on the truffle fries.
Amsterdam Ale House
Website: Amsterdam Ale House
Address: 340 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
The Amsterdam Ale House is a no-frills neighborhood staple, we’ve caught many games here over the years. Cheap beers (for NYC) and traditional pub fare, makes it an easy choice for casual bars in the Upper West Side whenever we want to catch a game outside the house.
I don’t want to mislead you and say this spot is worth a detour, it’s just a casual neighborhood bar that’s close to the apartment. The beers are cold and sometimes that’s all you’re after, you know?
Best Bars in the Upper West Side (Post Summary)
- Nobody Told Me
- E’s Bar
- The Owl’s Tail
- Vin Sur Vingt
- The Milling Room
- Maison Pickle
- The Dead Poet
- Tiki Chick
- Tessa
- Bodega 88
- Amsterdam Ale House
Further Reading for the Upper West Side
Things to Do: 20 Fun Things to Do in the Upper West Side (Local’s Guide)
Best Brunch: 10+ Toothsome Upper West Side Brunch Spots (Worth the Wait)
Best Restaurants: 12 Tasty Restaurants on the Upper West Side (Worth the Trek)
Where to Get Coffee: 10 Charming Upper West Side Cafes (Local’s Guide)
More Great NYC Restaurants
Restaurants in Greenwich Village: 12 Charming Restaurants in Greenwich Village
Affordable Michelin Star Restaurants: 10 Amazingly (Affordable) Michelin Star Restaurants in NYC (Worth The Price!)
Iconic Restaurants in NYC: 10 Iconic New York City Restaurants Every Local Needs to Try
Restaurants Near Central Park: The 20 Best Restaurants Near Central Park
Best Weather Appropriate Restaurants: 15 Cozy Restaurants with Heated Dining
Best Upper West Side Bars (Map)
And there you have it my friends, hope you enjoyed the article.
Cheers!
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