Food and drink, sips and bites, bevvies and nibbles—whatever you call it, the pairing of cocktails and food is a vital part of responsible drinking around New York City.
Try as one might to subsist on booze alone, fail they will. But drinking with food helps not only slow down alcohol absorption, it aids in hangover prevention and sickness. Our advice? Order that Manhattan, and a side of fries too.
Fortunately, there’s no greater city to bar hop and bite hop. NYC is chock-full of excellent establishments that take the food menus just as seriously as the cocktail programs. Here are eight of our top picks for first-rate drinks, bites, and vibes.
Sip & Guzzle
Employees Only alum Steve Schneider and former Angel’s Share bar director Shingo Gokan are the mega-talented bartending duo behind the West Village dual-concept bar and izakaya. But it’s the elevated bar snacks, led by two chefs with a handful of Michelin stars between them, that really makes Sip & Guzzle worth a visit.
Executive chef Mike Bagale (formerly of Alinea) with chef de cuisine Isaac Leidenfrost (formerly of Aska) serve their takes on American classic bar food and Japanese izakaya fare. For example, the Royale with Cheese is made with Japanese A5 wagyu beef, and the Tavern Burger is limited to just 12 per night, which has patrons lining up daily. 29 Cornelia St., West Village, sipandguzzlenyc.com
The Dead Rabbit
Founded in 2013, the years have been good to The Dead Rabbit, which accumulated a slew of Best Bar awards since opening. For a long time Belfast-native Jack McGarry had his sights set on the Financial District’s Water Street location, and the pub is a modern “third place” that celebrates Irish culture.
There’s a tap room and a parlour room, serving oysters, Irish breakfast all day, and an A-plus chicken pot pie along with the cocktails, beer, and wine. In 2024, The Dead Rabbit expanded to Austin, with locations in D.C. and Boston to follow. 30 Water St., Financial District, thedeadrabbit.com
Katana Kitten
Katana Kitten, the Japanese-American bar on the West Village’s Hudson Street, feels like it’s been there for ages, though it’s barely been eight years. The lived-in bar has a homey vibe which attracts Villagers, regulars, and tourists, but it’s the food that causes folks to settle in and stay awhile. Think nori fries, deviled eggs, and excellent sandos. Yes, the insanely indulgent cocktails and boilermakers are award-winning, but have we mentioned the teriyaki BLT served at happy hour? 531 Hudson St., West Village, katanakitten.com
Bar Tizio
When chef Jonathan Waxman saw the available open space a few doors down from his beloved West Village restaurant, Barbuto, he acted fast. Last summer, he opened Bar Tizio, the companion French-and-Italian wine and cocktail bar. The menu features Waxman’s signature California-Italian dishes, including tempura rockfish, a meatball burger, and pitzettes. Waxman is also an oenophile and it shows: Bar Tizio has nearly 30 wines by the glass on the menu, and many choices to pair with the JW Chicken Milanese. There’s plenty of non-alcoholic cocktails too. 107 Horatio St., West Village, bartizio.com
BAR GOTO
Kenta Gota, the incredible bartending force behind BAR GOTO, is many New Yorker’s introduction to Tokyo-style drinking and cocktails. His self-described “New York bar with a Japanese soul,” is tucked on Eldridge Street on the bustling Lower East Side, a stone’s throw from Russ and Daughters.
The sleek spot is the place to be. Try inventive takes on classic cocktails such as an Old Fashioned made with hojicha and a Highball made with Japanese whisky. Then dive into an equally original roster of non-alcoholic cocktails and the small menu of Japanese-infused snacks. Don’t miss the legendary wings, celery, or pickles, each is an elevated version like you’ve never had before. 245 Eldridge St., Lower East Side, bargoto.com
Bar Snack
In late 2024, bartender Iain Griffiths, an accomplished and awarded veteran of Lyan Group, opened their first New York venture called Bar Snack. It serves, in their words, “dressed-up classics for dressed-down people,” along with beer, wine, and of course, snacks.
The cocktails are crazy inventive, like the green tea shooter. The house daiquiri, which changes often, is available either as single serve, by the pitcher. Then there’s the aptly named Happy Meal, which comes with a martini and a side of fries or cheese curds, one of a handful of food and drink combos on offer. 92 2nd Ave., East Village, barsnacknyc.com
schmuck.
In early 2025, the pair behind acclaimed Barcelona dive bar Two Schmucks opened the doors to schmuck. in the East Village, a neighborhood already heavily populated with excellent bars. Nonetheless, bartenders, downtowners, and New Yorkers everywhere fell in love with the cozy-yet-modern offshoot and American debut from co-owners and bartenders Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy.
At schmuck. the culinary-inspired cocktails may be serious, but they’re very much playful, as is the food menu of small bites, which include crushed potatoes and puff pastry pizza. 97 1st Ave., East Village, schmucknyc.com
Corner Bistro
The only thing better than one Corner Bistro is two Corner Bistros. New Yorkers rejoiced when the casual West Village mainstay (running since 1961) expanded to the East Village and opened on Avenue A last fall. Like the original, the new location looks like a dive bar and is cash-only. Both locations serve the legendary Bistro Burger with bacon, tater tots, and house salad. Corner Bistro calls itself “one of the last bohemian bars” and sadly, it’s true. In addition to a full bar, brunch is served on the weekends. 331 W. 4th St., West Village, and 94 A Avenue A, East Village, no website
