Bars in New York City: By Type and Atmosphere

The word "bar" usually refers to places which primarily serve alcoholic drinks. New York is home to over a thousand bars from small corner "drinking holes" with old juke box and pool tables, clubs that showcase live music, pubs with dart leagues, breweries that make their own beer on-site, nightclubs that play techno and house music until dawn, and posh cigar/martini bars with jazz combos. It's all here. You just have to know what you're looking for and where to find it.

Other places for a drink.
There are many places that serve drinks besides bars. For example music clubs, nightclubs, restaurants and most hotels also have bars or serve drinks. Here we have only listed those establishments which are considered "bars".

Information about bars
Hours: Most bars in New York close when the crowd leaves or by 4 a.m. Some will stay open even later.
Drinking Age: To the surprise of many foreign visitors, it is against the law to service alcohol to persons under the age of 21. Many bars and restaurants will request a valid photo ID (passport, drivers license) if there is any doubt about your age. This is called "carding".
Dress: For the most part, bars in New York are casual. Dress codes usually don't apply unless you visit an up-scale cigar and martini bar such as Harry's or a posh dance club.
Tipping: Bartenders are always given a tip between 15 & 20% of the bill, often called the "tab".

Finding a bar
Check the newspaper, The Village Voice or Time-Out New York for an extensive list of diverse types of bars from sports bars to gay bars. Both publications are available at most newsstands.
While many bars with live music are in Greenwich Village, you'll find most types of bars all over the city.

You can also visit New York's home page and click on "City Life" then click on "Food and Drink." Also, see the listings under Info on Nightlife Scene in New York

Some famous NYC bars
It is impossible for us to list all the bars in New York City. The following are some famous and/or popular ones around the city.

McSorley's, see BARS.
Rainbow & Stars, see MUSIC, ROCK AND JAZZ CLUBS.
Veruka, see BARS.
Webster Hall, see DANCE CLUBS.
The White Horse Tavern, see BARS.