The Best Historical Bars in New York City

Step through a hidden gate into NYC’s authentic 1920s speakeasy: cocktails in teacups, plush velvet interiors, secret tunnels, and a legendary Lower East Side legacy that feels like stepping back in time.

A gilded‑age masterpiece hidden in plain sight—step into The Campbell, where soaring Florentine ceilings, plush mohair seats, a historic safe‑fireplace, and live piano jazz blend into timeless elegance.

Dive into Tokyo Record Bar—a hidden NYC gem where vinyl, sake, and izakaya-style bites collide in an intimate basement listening room. Choose the tunes, taste the omakase, and cap off your night with a slice of pizza.

Step into artful elegance at Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel—where Madeline’s creator’s murals gleam under gold-leaf ceilings, live piano sets the mood, and signature “very dirty” martinis define timeless Gotham sophistication.

Historic Greenwich Village icon serving crafted Italian-style cocktails and shareable plates in an inviting café‑bar setting. World‑renowned for its Negroni and spritz varieties, Dante blends legacy and contemporary flair.

Hidden beneath a NoMad coffee shop, Patent Pending is a Tesla‑themed speakeasy with electric cocktails categorized by Energy, Frequency, Vibration and Descent. Expect moody brick arches, teal booths, and bold mixology.

Step into Maison Première, a dreamy Paris‑meets‑New Orleans oyster & absinthe bar in Williamsburg. Featuring a grand marble horseshoe bar, 30+ oyster varieties, and New York’s largest absinthe collection, it’s cocktails with timeless charm.

Timeless and intimate, King Cole Bar at The St. Regis NYC serves legendary libations under a mesmerizing Maxfield Parrish mural—the birthplace of the “Red Snapper” (Bloody Mary)—in plush, artful surroundings.

The Dead Rabbit in NYC's Financial District combines the charm of a traditional Irish pub with modern cocktail excellence, offering award-winning drinks and a warm atmosphere.

Sawdust floors, light-or-dark ale served two at a time, and 170 years of lore—McSorley’s is NYC’s oldest saloon and a time-warp worth the cash-only trek.

Brooklyn’s cocktail crown jewel: vintage charm meets expert craftsmanship in a mahogany‑lined salon, where every sip feels like stepping into a timeless, jazzy sanctuary—welcoming, refined, unforgettable.

A refined Japanese‑style cocktail lounge nestled in an 1800s carriage house in Gramercy—Martiny’s blends Tokyo hospitality and artistry with theatrical drinks, Kimura glassware, warm oshibori towels, and luxurious omakase‑style service.

Sip cocktails aboard a fully restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation at Connie Cocktail Lounge—the iconic plane-bar at JFK’s TWA Hotel. Vintage glam, sky-high views, and creative drinks await.

Step back into the Jet Age at The Sunken Lounge — mid-century glam, retro cocktails, poolside runway views & swizzle sticks that once flew at 30,000 ft.