The Best New NYC Bars of 2013

Neighborhood: Greenpoint, Brooklyn Address and phone: 615 Manhattan Ave (718-389-6034) Website: torstnyc.com Years from now, historians beer geeks will look back on the opening of Tørst as a bellwether moment in the evolution of New York beer culture. The sleek Scandinavian brew hall, kitted out with a state-of-the-art draft system and custom glassware, was the most buzzed-about beer bar to open not only this year, but maybe ever, in the city—and it didn't have to dress up like a sports bar or Irish pub to pull it off. The nerds have officially taken over, and they're ready to go deep on a mind-boggling stash of creative ales from Evil Twin's Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, who is a partner, as well as an ever-changing selection of obscurities that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in town. Oh, and that's even to mention that one of the city's best new restaurant is hiding out in the back. As they say on these here Internets, Tørst FTW!—Chris Schonberger

Neighborhood: South Williamsburg, Brooklyn Address and phone: 141 Broadway (347-763-1481) Website: otbbk.com The second bar from the team behind Post Office, OTB strikes the perfect high-low balance for film noir-styled boozing in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge. The staging is spot-on: Oversized black-and-white celebrity scenes (think legendary burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee in a crowd of admirers) adorn the walls, there's a bank of pay phones by the door, and the menu comes in a binder labeled "Alcohol Incident Log." About that menu: Drinks are strong and spirit-forward, with an emphasis on whiskey and a surprisingly deep mezcal selection for straight sipping; try the Turkey Jerky, a stirred blend of rye, brandy, cinnamon sugar and two kinds of bitters. A trim list of bar food—highlights include an excellently executed foie gras-topped cheeseburger, frogs' legs, and wings–from a former Ssäm Bar chef seems straightforward, but check the specials to see the kitchen really let loose with that Momofuku style.—Regan Hofmann

Neighborhood: East Village Address and phone: 13 First Ave (212-995-5151) Website: goldencadillacnyc.com Just like those garish polyester shirts favored by gold chain-donning men, cocktails served during the 1970s were of the flamboyant variety. Quality may have taken a backseat to bravado during the disco days, but Greg Boehm—historian and owner of the bar-geek shop Cocktail Kingdom—was determined to resuscitate the era’s kitschy tipples at his bumping East Village bar, Golden Cadillac. Three-deep at a bar complete with a dangling mini disco ball, drinkers sip upgraded versions of classics like a boozy daiquiri (overproof rum, lime, sugar); the Harvey Wallbanger (vodka, Galliano, clarified orange juice); and the brightly swirled Tequila Sunrise (reposado Tequila, orange juice, passion fruit, pomegranate). So the drinks don’t go to your head, chef Miguel Trinidad (of Maharlika and Jeepney) has reimagined circa-1977 Gourmet recipes—including one for a hearty pea-studded tuna casserole. Inevitable visits to the loo are rewarded with vintage Playboy-covered walls. Try not to stay in there too long...—Alia Akkam

Neighborhood: Midtown East Address and phone: 218 E 53rd St (212-355-6607) Website: hudsonmalone.com Patrons were outraged when legendary barman Doug Quinn was ousted from P.J. Clarke’s in 2012 after a disagreement with management. But a year later he’s back in Midtown with a vengeance, just two blocks away, with an old-timey tavern flaunting a burger that may just have the edge on his old employer's much-adored patty. Pair it with any of Quinn’s precise classic cocktails, from a refreshing Papa Doble to a balanced Blood and Sand. The vintage New York-style barroom is not exclusively a playground for drink snobs, however. Old regulars of Quinn's have followed him to his new digs, which means you can comfortably sip a pint of Schlafly, eyes peeled on the big screen, or choose from one of the wine bottles standing sentinel. As Quinn’s Laws—delineated on a giant chalkboard—explain, “Mediocrity Sucks.” In this lackluster bar 'hood, Hudson Malone proves quality is indeed worth holding out for.—Alia Akkam

Neighborhood: Financial District Address and phone: 30 Water St (646-422-7906) Website: deadrabbitnyc.com Bars don't have to be complicated—good music, stiff drinks, and friendly staff can turn any hovel into a fun hangout. But the Dead Rabbit is a reminder that there's an art to creating a bar that's more than just a place to get drunk. From its location along a historically corridor of the Financial District, to its 1850s gang namesake and encyclopedic cocktail menu (seriously, you could spend several visits just reading through it), the bar feels like its own fully formed world. The sawdust scattered over the first floor sets the scene for a raucous tavern vibe, while the antique fixtures in the parlor upstairs are matched by one of the city's most intriguing cocktail menus, which ditches the usual "Prohibition-era" tropes in favor of categories like flips, cobblers, and bishops. It's no wonder that co-owners and bar managers Jack McGarry and Sean Muldoon took home "world’s best new cocktail bar" honors at this year's Tales of the Cocktail.—Elyse Inamine

Neighborhood: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Address and phone: 110 Atlantic Ave (718-625-8908) Website: -- It was a sad day when Toby Cecchini—the barman who created the modern version of the pink, Sex and the City-approved Cosmopolitan at the Odeon in the late '80s—had to shutter Chelsea watering hole Passerby in 2008. But at least it set the scene for a glorious comeback. What was once the historic diner Long Island Bar & Restaurant has now been reimagined as Cecchini and partner Joel Tompkins’ Long Island Bar. The original red-and-green neon marquee still burns bright, and inside it remains a mid-century marvel—albeit a gussied-up one—with a terrazzo floor, vinyl booths, and a glowing backbar. In keeping with the space, bartenders turn out finely wrought classics like the Sazerac. Newfangled creations, such as the Tailhook (Cherry Heering, sweet vermouth, fresh lemon juice, Point Belgian White witbier), feel as if they could have been on the menu in the 1950s, too.—Alia Akkam

Neighborhood: Columbia Street Waterfront District, Brooklyn Address and phone: 115 Columbia St. (718-797-4120) Website: whiskeysodalounge-ny.com Andy Ricker's Pok Pok NY has become such a destination for eaters that it spawned its own bar/waiting room this year—the Whiskey Soda Lounge, where you can quell the hunger pangs of a long wait at Pok Pok with deep-fried anchovies plunked in Shark sriracha sauce. But with Christmas lights twinkling and bubble gum Thai pop playing, this charming barroom shouldn’t be mere flyover country. The cocktails here are clever Asian-inspired creations; gin rickeys are amplified with apple drinking vinegar, whiskey sours are shot through with tamarind, and bourbon hot toddies are slicked with Korean yuzu honey. Another boon: a more low-key dinner can easily be cobbled together from the likes of spicy Vietnamese fish sauce wings and Thai coriander seed-flecked pork.—Alia Akkam

Neighborhood: Greenpoint, Brooklyn Address and phone: 195 Franklin St (347-227-7296) Website: alamedabk.com These days, Greenpoint’s Franklin Avenue is morphing faster than you can say "yupster." But when Alameda opened this past spring, the main drag still lacked for a sufficiently stylish watering hole. The void was filled by the ultimate Brooklyn brain trust: Two Brooklyn Star vets—chef Nick Padilla and barman Waine Longwell—co-own the spot along with Evan and Oliver Haslegrave, whose design firm hOmE New York pioneered the warm, woodsy, pared-down aesthetic seen at local hotspots like Paulie Gee’s, the Manhattan Inn, and new Scandinavian beer bar Tørst. Alameda achieves that perfect sense of hipness—reclaimed-wood-paneled walls, tiled floor, circular marble bar—without veering into Brooklandia parody. Padilla’s American fare is solid if a bit expected, but the real draw here are Longwell’s straightforward and cleverly named cocktails. The effervescent Phil Collins blends Gilbeys dry gin with Aperol, Lillet Blanc, lemon, and a splash of prosecco; the Stinker’s mix of Buffalo Trace bourbon, Massenez Crème de Cassis, grapefruit, and Captain Lawrence IPA is equal parts dark and fruity, brooding and happy-making. But beyond the drinks, it’s really the Halsegraves’ flair for ambiance that makes Alameda destination-worthy. The lighting is so sultry and the wooden banquettes so smooth, we’d happily drink well whiskey just to have an excuse to loiter a little longer.—Tory Hoen

Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn Address and phone: 64 Frost St Website: batteryharris.com Not far off the BQE you’ll find Battery Harris, which takes its name from the bygone gun batteries found at Fort Tilden in the Rockaways. Naturally, a beach-town feel saturates this sun-dappled, indoor-outdoor compound. Inside, you’ll find a breezy, colorful space anointed with concrete flooring, a wood ceiling, and cozy booths, while communal tables fill the spacious, shady backyard. To fuel the island vibes, pair jerk burgers and a Jamaican-style meat patties with 20-odd taps dispensing beers from Peak Organic, Ommegang, and Sly Fox, as well as local breweries such as KelSo, Sixpoint, and Captain Lawrence. But if you really like to pretend you’re at the beach, opt for a frozen dark ’n’ stormy.—Josh Bernstein

Neighborhood: Alphabet City Address and phone: 116 Ave C (212-598-1040) Website: thethirdmannyc.com Eduard Frauneder and Wolfgang Ban, of the popular Austrian restaurant Edi & The Wolf, are behind this charming, dimly lit cocktail bar. The Third Man’s interior is enough to make us want to be regulars—the vibe is fairy tale woods-meets-Brooklyn industrial, with hand-blown glass light fixtures and dripping candles. But it's the intriguing yet accessible cocktails, built with seasonal produce and fresh herbs, that make this one of Manhattan's best new date spots. Standouts include the Tennessee Waltz, featuring Maker’s Mark stirred with complex Cocchi di Torino vermouth and peach liqueur, and the refreshing Harry Lime with herbaceous Green Chartreuse, Maraschino, mezcal, and citrus. If you get peckish, order the smoked mozzarella grilled cheese served with homemade chips and pickled vegetables. Whenever you need respite from the fratty bars that continue to colonize Alphabet City, make this your haven.—Erin Mosbaugh

Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn Address and phone: 152 Metropolitan Ave (no phone) Website: Facebook A dead country-music bassist serves as the namesake for this '70s-inspired honky-tonk saloon. Vintage signs for Schaefer, Pabst, and Budweiser share wall space with a painting of Willie Nelson and taxidermy aplenty, while the jukebox blares country and rock when live musicians aren't around to pluck and twang. But despite these nostalgic sensibilities, the beer list is thoroughly modern, with 18 American-focused taps listed on an illuminated 7-Up sign rescued from a drive-in movie theater in Missouri. You’ll find Allagash, Oskar Blues, Thomas Hooker, Green Flash, and oodles of other top-flight breweries, with drafts starting at $5 a pint. Penny-pinchers can opt for a longneck of Miller High Life paired with a shot of bourbon, as well as a bowl of free peanuts. What's not to like about that?—Josh Bernstein

Neighborhood: Greenpoint, Brooklyn Address and phone: 180 West St (347-987-3666) Website: achillesheelnyc.com It’s a schlep from the G train, but Achilles Heel rewards any hearty boozehound willing to make the trek. The latest insta-hit from restaurateur Andrew Tarlow (Diner, Marlow & Sons, Reynard), the laid-back bar is a revamp of an old dockworker saloon. As a result, those ubiquitous rustic-elegant trappings of weathered wood floors and tin ceilings somehow feel more welcomingly old-fashioned than contrived here. Whether you’re kicking back with a pilsner or a simple but intriguing cocktail—the Juniper Mare is a cold-weather favorite, with Rittenhouse rye, Génépy des Alpes liqueur, and Regan’s bitters—it hardly makes a difference. As long as you've got a full glass, a slab of tortilla espanola is on your plate, and the blazing fireplace keeping you warm, you’re not leaving anytime soon.—Alia Akkam

Neighborhood: Upper East Side Address and phone: 311 E 60th St (212-355-2337) Website: thejeffreynyc.com Few people would have guessed that one of best new bars of 2013 would spring up in the shadows of the Queensboro Bridge and the Roosevelt Island Tramway—previously a leading candidate for least exciting block in Manhattan. But that's exactly what happened with the opening of the Jeffrey. Not out of place amongst the trendier, dark-wooded and Edison-bulbed drinking dens of the East Village or Williamsburg, the long main bar has quickly become an essential stop on the beer-nerd circuit, with a custom draft system dispensing more than 25 rotating beers from both local stars (Barrier, Bronx Brewery) and obscure international breweries. But what's most impressive is that the Jeffrey is not just a beer bar—walk through a tight, dimly lit hallway and you'll find a small cocktail counter headed up by Jacob Tschetter, an enthusiastic and mad scientist-esque bartender. The more intimate bar offers creative riffs on classics (definitely order Tschetter's version of a Negroni), but it’s best to chat him up to figure out a custom-made drink built with various house-made syrups (you’ll want to steal his warm chili honey syrup), infused liquors (like a stunning beet St. Germain), and funky spirits. While The Jeffrey may not have the pedigree of the city's leading cocktail bars, it does offer a huge step up in a vodka tonic-fueled part of town—not to mention a great place for cocktail drinkers and beer geeks to find common ground.—Khushbu Shah

Neighborhood: Lower East Side Address and phone: 134 Eldridge St (212-539-1900) Website: No website When bartenders Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy  took over the Milk & Honey space from their drink-slinging sensei Sasha Petraske, everyone knew they'd keep making good drinks—the question was, what type of joint would they run? Attaboy is essentially M&H without the pomp, pretense, and mandatory reservation system. Whatever you're drinking will be spot on, as it’s all bartender’s choice and Attaboy’s bartenders are undeniably some of the city’s best. The Imperial Buck—a riff on the Dark and Stormy with spicy Cruzan Blackstrap Rum, lime, pineapple juice, ginger syrup, and soda—is both complex and refreshing, with a deep molasses flavor. The Tattle Tail cocktail, made with Highland and Islay scotch, honey, and Angostura, is equally memorable. Attaboy more than succeeds at preserving 134 Eldridge Street's rep as an essential cocktail destination.—Erin Mosbaugh

Neighborhood: Lower East Side Address and phone: 131 Orchard St (212-256-0343) Website: blacktreenyc.com It’s not unlikely that you’ll see Sandy Dee Hall, co-owner of Black Tree, bust into the bar with a whole suckling pig slung over his shoulder, carry it back to the miniscule kitchen, pour you a beer, make you a sandwich, then start chatting up some regulars at the opposite end of the room. Hall, alongside his partner Macnair Sillick, opened Black Tree Sandwich Shop on the LES with a winning concept in mind: sandwiches and booze make great bedfellows. As a result, this hallway-sized hangout is easy to love—the beer, liquor, and ingredients are locally sourced and expertly curated, the vibe is relaxed, and the sandwiches are killer. Get cozy at the bar, order the hearty braised-lamb sandwich with mint, cucumber, yogurt, and feta, then wash it all down with a pint of Peekskill Brewery Simple Sour. Did we mention beers are $4 during happy hour (4pm-8pm)? Yeah, you wish you lived above this place.—Erin Mosbaugh