Thursday, October 2, 2025

Whiskey Bars in New York City

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It’s no closely guarded secret that New York City is a big drinking town—there are more than 2,500 bars scattered across the five boroughs. If you’re an aficionado of fancy whiskey, however, you won’t want to walk into just any of them. Indeed, watering holes specializing in splendid forms of aged grain spirit are surprisingly few and far between.

Top Whiskey Bars in New York

1. Flatiron Room

37 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010

There are, of course, myriad different styles of whiskey to enjoy, ranging from Kentucky Bourbon to Tasmanian Single Malt. Most of the selections on this list specialize in one subcategory above all the rest. The Flatiron Room, however, is a jack of all trades. The refined space holds hundreds of scotches and hundreds of American whiskey to go along with dozens of other bottles grouped together under the “International” section of the menu.

A Tasting Flight

Perusing the lengthy list can be rather overwhelming, even to seasoned sippers. Thankfully, there’s an assortment of tasting flights, mining concise cross sections from across the excess. An $85 “World Tour,” for example, will showcase spirits from every major whiskey producing region of the globe. Or, try four pours of fancy Macallans for $120.

2. Nakaji

48 Bowery, New York, NY 10013

If Japanese whisky is your weapon of choice, Nakaji is the ultimate armory for you. A nondescript doorway in a Lower East Side alley opens up to reveal an antechamber of epic magnitude: the backbar is lined with bottles you will not find anywhere else in the city.

A Rarity

In fact, many of these expressions would be virtually unseen even in Tokyo. Unicorns from Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Card Series and Karuizawa, precious stock from distilleries that have long ago shuttered—the bar even got its hands on a bottle of Yamazaki 55, which is currently worth over $800,000.

3. Berg’n

520 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Even if you live in another borough, this hidden gem in Carroll Gardens is, indeed, a bar worth traveling for. The shelves are lined with over 400 bottles of the brown spirit; an enviable assembly of whiskeys plucked with purpose.

A Curated Selection

“It’s not just a museum of the overpriced and allocated—Pappy, Macallan, et cetera—like so many supposed ‘good’ whiskey bars,” Goldfarb, a regular at this Brooklyn spot, explained. “Owner Mike Vacheresse has curated a selection of the esoteric, interesting and delicious, always at a fair price.”

4. Brandy Library

25 N Moore St Frnt 1, New York, NY 10013

Don’t be misled by the name, as this legendary lounge in Tribeca is every bit as devoted to grain spirit as it is to grape. The drinks list here is more like a book—26 pages in length, to be exact.

A Spirit School

You can’t come here in large groups, and you can’t enter if you’re under 25 years of age. It even hosts a semi-regular spirit school that includes private tastings of hard-to-find spirits. You might as well learn while you lubricate, right?

5. Dead Rabbit

30 Water St, New York, NY 10004

Fans of Irish whiskey know there’s no other destination in the city quite like Dead Rabbit. The multi-story bar in the Financial District boasts hundreds of bottles from the Emerald Isle, ranging from the most pedestrian pours of Jameson to 33-year-old single malts fetching over $800 per dram.

A Celebration of Irish Whiskey

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023, this spot has grown into a veritable institution. To wit, there’s now even a dedicated Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey, and a take-home cocktail kit so you can re-create your own version of their illustrious Irish Coffee—the best in the city.

Conclusion

If you’re an aficionado of fancy whiskey, New York City has plenty of options to satisfy your palate. From the refined atmosphere of the Flatiron Room to the exclusive selection at Nakaji, each of these top whiskey bars in New York offers a unique experience that’s sure to delight.

FAQs

Q: What is the best way to order at a whiskey bar?

A: Start with a tasting flight to get a sense of the bar’s selection and then ask the bartender for recommendations based on your preferences.

Q: How do I know if a whiskey is rare or valuable?

A: Research the distillery and age of the whiskey, as well as its availability, to determine its rarity and value.

Q: Can I take my whiskey home with me?

A: Some whiskey bars may allow you to purchase bottles to take home, but check with the bar beforehand to confirm their policy.

Q: What if I’m not sure what type of whiskey I like?

A: Don’t be afraid to ask the bartender for recommendations or try a few different types to find your favorite.

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