The Flatiron Room has over 1,000 whiskies available by the pour, in flights, and cocktails like the Smoking Old Fashioned. FRANK FAN WU
There’s no shortage of great whisky bars in New York City. There are those that celebrate American whiskey, others that spotlight scotch, and some that feature Irish or Japanese whiskies. In today’s (hopefully) post-pandemic world, some of the city’s most-beloved whisky spots are sadly no longer with us: places like Noorman’s Kil, Coogan’s, Angel’s Share, Highlands, Ward III, and others did not survive the shutdowns. But whether you’re looking for a nightcap, a whisky-filled evening, or whisky on top of dinner and a show, we’ve got you covered. From up and down Manhattan and across the river into Brooklyn, these Big Apple whisky bars will leave you happily drammed.
Bar Moga
Sure, it’s fun to go to a bar that offers a little bit of everything, especially if you’re with companions who prefer different styles of whisky (or something else altogether). If it’s Japanese whisky you’re after, head straight to Bar Moga, where there’s whisky aplenty and superb food to go along with it. Behind the bar are Suntory whiskies, including Hibiki Harmony ($30/2 oz.) and 21 year old ($186/2 oz.), just about every Nikka whisky in the U.S. right now, and whiskies from Mars, Chichibu, Matsui, and more. For the more adventurous, there’s rice whisky too. barmoga.com
Brandy Library
Within the Brandy Library’s 13-page whisky menu there’s quite possibly every dram you could imagine. Hankering for a Highland single malt? There are three pages to flip through, spanning decades, brands, and all sorts of price points. Or perhaps you’re looking for something a bit more esoteric— stop by to try a rye from Sweden, or dip into the French single malt pool. Not to fear, the familiar favorites are here in spades too, tucked into the warm, bar-like “bookshelves.” If you have more time to spare and want to take a deeper dive into a particular whisky style, Brandy Library also offers two-hour classes on certain Saturday afternoons. The classes kick off with passed appetizers and a welcome drink, and include a tasting flight ($38-$1,200). brandylibrary.com
Caledonia Bar
In a similar vein to Bar Moga, Caledonia Bar serves a particular whisky connoisseur set: scotch lovers. Since the focus is primarily on scotch (there are a handful of whiskies from elsewhere in the world), Caledonia focuses not on regions but on flavor profiles—its menu is composed of sections like Smoky & Peaty, Fragrant & Floral, and Malty & Dry ($10- $150/2 oz.). There are also specialty scotch Gin & Tonics and a few whisky flights. Caledonia has two locations, one on the Upper West Side and the other on the Upper East Side; if you’re by Central Park, it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump to either. caledoniabar.com
The Campbell Bar
While The Campbell has plenty of whisky on its list, a great deal of its appeal comes from its location. It’s situated inside Grand Central Terminal, which makes it a great place to either start or end a trip, or spend time with friends. The bar was restored and opened in 2017, and it pays homage to its Jazz Age roots, not just in appearance but also in practice—live jazz plays on certain evenings (a schedule is available online) for three-hour sets. In terms of whisky, Pappy fans will be pleased to know that there are 10, 12, and 15 year old Van Winkle expressions offered ($62-$105/2 oz.), in addition to many other favorite bourbons. Rye, scotch, Irish, and Japanese whiskies round out the lengthy list. Come for the ambience, stay for the high-end whisky, finely crafted cocktails, and tasty light bites. thecampbellnyc.com
Copper & Oak
The Brandy Library’s more low-key yet no less elegant sister bar, this cozy Lower East Side establishment offers hundreds of whiskies by the 1 or 2 oz. pour. There’s something for everyone here, so no matter what style of whisky you seek, you’re sure to quench your thirst. Those looking for rarefied pours will be pleased, too; the list has an array of ultra-aged scotches like the 33 year old Laphroaig Ian Hunter Story Book 3L Source Protester ($199/1 oz.), limited or one-off releases like Knob Creek 2001 Limited Edition Batch #1 bottled in 2016 at $32/2 oz., and much more. It’s a whisky playground that easily encourages settling in and staying awhile. copperandoak.com
The Dead Rabbit
The Dead Rabbit is another bar with a more singular focus, this time homing in on Irish whiskey. There’s a more upscale parlor upstairs, where cocktails shine (and there are plenty of delicious options to explore), and a classic taproom downstairs, where the full bar is flowing. Regardless of the ambience you choose—and be forewarned that in both areas, it’s best to make a reservation—there is a vast selection of Irish whiskey, outlined by style: blended, single grain, single malt, and pot still ($14-$158/2 oz.). All told, there are just under 100 Irish labels to try, some of which can be sampled in pre-arranged flights as well. thedeadrabbit.com
The Flatiron Room
For dinner before a show, there’s no better place than The Flatiron Room, a Manhattan mainstay that advertises itself as a destination for whisky enthusiasts. Though the restaurant was shuttered for months in the worst days of COVID-19, it came back swinging with its prolific whisky list and vibrant energy. There are over 1,000 whiskies to try here, many of them hard to find or limited, and owner Tommie Tardie prides himself on keeping up with new releases too, meaning that even if you can’t find it at your local liquor store, you might be able to get a sip over at The Flatiron Room. A range of whisky flights is available, ranging from $35-$120. Live music permeates the room on most nights, making the ambience all the sweeter. theflatironroom.com
Hudson Bar and Books
This one is for the book lovers and cigar smokers among us. Started as a cigar bar in 1990, this West Village hideaway feels luxe, with leather and dark wood all around (yes, there’s an “Anchorman” joke in there somewhere). The whisky selection spotlights Scotland ($14-$375/2 oz.), but there are options from around the world to satisfy any palate. For those who desire a cigar alongside their whisky, there are selections from Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, as well as hand-rolled offerings made in New York by Martinez Cigars. barandbooks.cz
The Moonlight Mile
Situated in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood, The Moonlight Mile’s focus is exclusively on American whiskey, as owner Garry Embry hails from Louisville and developed a love for the genre there. While the list is in constant flux, there are around 100 different whiskeys at all times, encompassing bourbon, rye, blended, wheat, oat, and single malt ($9-$35/2 oz.). There are also 14 specialty whiskey-based cocktails that change with the seasons ($15). For a dash of rock and roll (the bar is named after a Rolling Stones song, after all) and a good neighborhood feel, look no further. themoonlightmilegpt.com
On the Rocks
If you happen to find yourself in or around the Theatre District, On the Rocks is an excellent place for a dram. Here, there are hundreds of whiskies on offer, and while many are upscale, the dimly lit pub-like setting keeps it casual. Bartenders are more than happy to suggest specific sips or cocktails upon learning your flavor preferences. It’s a great place to go for something more esoteric, so come with an open mind and expect to be steered toward new favorites.
Whiskey Tavern
For those looking for a more casual watering hole, Whiskey Tavern does the trick. Its whisky list leans toward American, though there are pours from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, and Canada as well. There are seasonal whisky cocktails to enjoy ($12-$13), and, for pickle lovers, regular or spicy Picklebacks (a shot of whisky accompanied by a shot of pickle juice) are also available ($8). While the flagship Whiskey Tavern is in Chinatown, it has two sister bars—Little Whiskey and Whiskey on Grand—in Brooklyn. whiskeytavernnyc.com
