Bars are as bountiful as Starbucks in New York City, but there are a few that raise their drinks — and their dishes — to an art form. So don’t just settle for a slice (or two) of $1 pizza! Instead, hit these crowd-pleasing gastropubs, where the scene is chill and the food is four stars; we're for any place that encourages a burger, fries, and a cold beer on tap. Seriously, what else could you possibly want in a night out?
The Crooked Knife
Here’s a place everyone can agree on. There’s plenty of space, the happy hours specials are awesome, the locations are uber convenient, and the food is next-level bar food. There is the solid greasy stuff, as well as English stuff like shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. Maybe it could be your gang’s Cheers?
The Crooked Knife, 232 West 14th Street (between Eighth and Seventh Avenues); 212-929-4534, and 20 East 30th Street (between Madison and Park Avenues); 212-696-2593
Photo: Courtesy of The Crooked Knife.
Hartley’s
A lot of places call themselves Irish pubs, but this one is actually run by three lads from the Emerald Isle. They bake Irish soda bread daily and match it with homemade butter, in standards like a Guiness beef stew and fingerling potatoes. Aside from the big G, though, the beer list is surprisingly stocked with American brews.
Hartley’s, 14 Putnam Avenue (between Grand Avenue and Downing Street); 347-799-2877
Photo: Courtesy of Hartley's.
Sincerely Burger
The folks behind beloved local spot Dear Bushwick closed down and rebranded as Sincerely Burger. No surprise here, the focus is burgers (with fish and veggie patty options), but the accoutrements deserve special attention. The disco fries come with oxtail gravy, for example, and there are a handful of alcoholic milkshakes for only $6.
Sincerely Burger, 41 Wilson Avenue (at Melrose Street), Bushwick; 929-234-2344
Photo: Courtesy of Sincerely Burger.
Bar Bacon
Bacon trend won’t die, and it had better not. With a name like this, you can indeed expect pork to find its way into almost every dish, with fun ideas like a beer and bacon flight. There are even bacon-infused liquors in the cocktails. You could see it as kind of shticky, or just kind of delicious.
Bar Bacon, 836 Ninth Avenue (between 54th and 55th Streets); 646-362-0622.
Photo: via @burger.
Haymaker
A decent place to eat near Penn Station? Will wonders never cease. Haymaker has a gigantic beer list, with 20 ales on tap and another 10 waiting in the wings but still on your menu (a great way to get you to come back). The eats are like an even better version of bar food: wings in a sweet lime chili sauce, or “bacon wrapped bacon,” pork belly in a bourbon maple glaze.
Haymaker, 252 W. 29th Street (between Eighth and Seventh Avenues); 646-429-8237.
Photo: Courtesy of Haymaker.
Vekslers
This Brooklyn spot has all the makings of a typical gastropub — the ambience is rustic, inviting, and pub-like with wooden floors, booths, and a bar. But the menu itself is where the refreshing twist on the dining genre comes into play. In addition to the classic burgers and chips, Vekslers is also serving up some majorly delicious Asian-American fare. Its fusion fare (pork buns, scallion pancakes, kale Caesar with peanuts, and even some General Tso's chicken) is sure to delight.
Vekslers, 521 Hicks Street (at Degraw Street); 718-534-5498.
Photo: Courtesy of Vekslers.
Bar Sardine
Nestled within the cozy streets of NYC's West Village, Bar Sardine is much more than your average watering hole. The close quarters keep this space intimate with a retro-chic finish for hip vibes all around. Come for the cool craft cocktails and stay for the insanely delicious Fedora Burger (smoked cheddar, crispy potatoes, cucumbers and BBQ mayo)— oh, and the soy and black garlic deviled eggs!
Bar Sardine, 183 W. 10th Street (at the corner of W. 4th Street); 646-360-3705.
Photo: Courtesy of Bar Sardine.
Thistle Hill Tavern
There's almost always a crowd at Dale Talde's popular neighborhood spot — and it's easy to see why. The inventive menu elevates standard bar fare: munch on whipped ricotta toast, a falafel burger, or a side of buffalo cauliflower.
Thistle Hill Tavern, 441 Seventh Avenue, (at Fifteenth); 347-599-1262.
Photo: Courtesy Of Thistle Hill Tavern.
Black Tap
Can a place this cool actually deliver a good burger? It sure can. The all-black-everything decor and hip locations can’t detract from the eleven different burger offerings (a Middle Eastern option with feta and hummus!) and yummy shakes. The craft beers on tap feature local brews from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
Black Tap, 529 Broome Street (between Sullivan and Thompson Streets); (917) 639-3089, and 248 W. 14th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues); (212) 675-7236.
Photo: Courtesy of Black Tap.
The Malt House
Don’t overthink the venue for happy-hour drinks with coworkers. This neighborhood staple offers up several $4 beer options and $3 short rib sliders from 4-7pm, and the large space allows for even the most reticent, party-poopin’ colleagues to sit down. Blessedly, Malt House opened a second location in the Financial District, which is in perpetual need of new bars.
The Malt House, 206 Thompson Street (between Bleecker and 3rd Streets); (212) 228-7713, and 9 Maiden Lane (between Broadway and Nassau Streets); (646) 682-7577.
Photo: Courtesy of The Malt House.
Rose’s Bar & Grill
Anyone who’s ventured out to see a show or game at the Barclays Center knows that the surrounding food scene still hasn’t quite caught up to the needs of all those spectators. Rose’s aims to fill that gap. Opened up in Franny’s former space (and by the same owners), the menu boasts solid comfort foods, including what may be the best burger in the borough.
Rose’s Bar & Grill, 295 Flatbush Avenue (between St. Mark’s Avenue and Prospect Place); (718) 230-0427
Photo: via @rosesbklyn.
Royale
Royale is the kind of place you want to keep all for yourself. Hidden away on Avenue C, the divey exterior belies the delicious burgers that await within, as well as the beautiful back patio. The $4 beers during happy hour though? That’s one dive hold-out you can allow.
Royale, 157 Avenue C (at 10th Street); 212-254-6600.
Photo: Courtesy of Royale.
Boulton and Watt
This corner spot is named after the two Brits who produced steam engines during the Industrial Revolution, and the space does indeed feel like you’re grabbing a brew with factory coworkers at the turn of the last century. The menu isn’t only heavy Anglo fare, however. There’s veggie-centric options like a quinoa salad with baby kale, eggplant meatballs, and a side of artichoke hearts.
Boulton and Watt, 5 Avenue A (at 1st Street); 646-490-6004.
Photo: Courtesy of Boulton and Watt.
Beecher ’ s Cellar
Located beneath Beecher’s cheese shop, the Cellar is where they age the cheeses and delight patrons with dairy, dairy, and more dairy. There’s so much more than mac and cheese and cheese boards, though: try the interesting, flavorful dishes like a kale salad with rhubarb and pistachio, or the steak with avocado and radish.
Beecher’s Cellar, 900 Broadway (between 19th and 20th streets); 212- 466-3340.
Photo: Courtesy of Beecher's Cellar.
Resto
The place should be applauded just for surviving its bro-y Murray Hill environs with a delicious, veggie-centric menu intact. But the real all-star meal here is boozy brunch, with a vast menu and multiple flavors of Bloody Mary's. Why hasn’t anyone else thought of mid-morning appetizers?
Resto, 111 East 29th Street (between Park and Lexington avenues); 212-685-5585.
Photo: Courtesy of Resto.
The Jeffrey
If you happen to find yourself in the vicinity of the Queensboro Bridge (it happens), hightail it to The Jeffrey, a welcome escape from the fratty Irish bars of Midtown East. The menu offers around sixty different beers at any given time, so feel free to spend an afternoon experimenting, particularly at the picnic tables in the backyard.
The Jeffrey, 311 East 60th Street (at First Avenue); 212-355-2337.
Photo: Courtesy of The Jeffrey.
Jimmy's No. 43
Lots of beer places in New York assert some sort of German or Eastern European heritage, but Jimmy’s No. 43 actually feels like an old-world beer hall, with a curved-ceiling basement hideaway. The beer menu is long, and the food is hearty: think potato soup, bratwurst, and brussel sprouts. Go hard, or go home.
Jimmy’s No. 43, 43 East 7th Street (between Cooper Square and Second Avenue); 212-982-3006.
Photo: Courtesy of Jimmy's No. 43.
Post Office
Gastropub doesn ’ t have to be a synonym for “ hole in the wall, ” and Post Office proves this by being improbably gorgeous, with dark wood paneling and comfy club chairs by the windows. While the menu is incredibly straight-forward (grilled cheese, deviled eggs), the mostly whiskey-based cocktails are spicy and interesting. Hello, hellfire habanero bitters.
Post Office , 188 Havemeyer Street (between South 3rd and 4th streets); 718-963-2574.
Photo: Courtesy of Post Office.
The Ellington
New York night life tends to quiet way, way down on the Upper West Side, but there are pockets of fun between Lincoln Center and Harlem. One of them can be found at The Ellington, which has an airy, barn-like feeling and (delicious!) grilled cheese bites on the menu.
The Ellington, 936 Amsterdam Avenue (at 106th Street); 212-222-4050.
Photo: Courtesy of The Ellington.
Spitzer’s Corner
When arguing about which bar to hit next on the Lower East Side, the group can usually agree on Spitzer’s. This happy, lively place features wide communal tables and forty beers on tap, but don’t let the frivolity keep you from eating. There’s something for everyone: sliders, burgers, grilled cheese, and a fried chicken the menu calls “epic.” Believe it.
Spitzer’s Corner, 101 Rivington Street (at Ludlow Street); 212-228-0027.
Photo: Courtesy of Spitzer's Corner.
Pork Slope
Top Chef star Dale Talde’s most fun restaurant is the rowdy Pork Slope. And while there is obviously plenty of pig up for grabs, that’s hardly where the finger-licking ends; there's also spicy chicken nuggets, fried catfish, and some of the best nachos in New York City. You can swallow it down with the many beers available, or the seemingly endless list of bourbon, rye, and whiskey.
Pork Slope, 247 Fifth Avenue (between Garfield Place and Carroll Street); 718-768-7675.
Photo: Courtesy of Pork Slope.
Highlands
If you are seeking authenticity from your gastropub experience — not just burgers and beers — look no further than Highlands. The restaurant isn’t just Scottish in name and appearance, though the pheasant wallpaper is nice. You’ll find a U.K. take on several of the mains, including that blasted haggis, along with endless whiskey options.
Highlands, 150 West 10th Street (at Waverly Place); 212-229-2670.
Photo: Courtesy of Highlands.
The Wren
If the term "gastropub" still manages to conjure up a dude scarfing down a burger and swilling a pint, then consider the Wren the antidote. The clean, downright feminine space offers an eggplant sandwich and lemony roast chicken, and the cocktails contain pinkies-up add-ins like strawberry-lime cider and cherry liqueurs. For the ladies who drunch, if you will.
The Wren, 344 Bowery (at Great Jones Street), 212-388-0148.
Photo: Courtesy of The Wren.
The Spotted Pig
This popular eatery claimed to be the first gastropub when it opened in New York in 2004, and while that might be a bit of a stretch, how many bars with food earn a Michelin star? If you can handle the wait, the warm, rollicking atmosphere contrasts the surprisingly elegant British-Italian menu. And, hey, you might even spot a celebrity.
The Spotted Pig, 314 West 11th Street (at Greenwich Street), 212-620-0393.
Photo: Courtesy of The Spotted Pig.
Wilfie and Nell
Seeing as it is in the West Village, Wilfie and Nell is typically packed with pretty young things. The restaurant encourages patrons "not be shy in squeezing in wherever they find space," which people definitely do. The plates are, of course, hearty and meant to be shared, from seasonal fried pickles to a Murray’s cheese board.
Wilfie and Nell, 228 West Fourth Street (between Seventh Avenue and West 10th Street); 212-242-2990.
Photo: Courtesy of Wilfie and Nell.
The Breslin Bar & Dining Room
The Spotted Pig's chef and co-owner April Broomfield ran with a good thing when she opened the Breslin, which is even more British-looking than its predecessor. The tartan, dark wood, and oil paintings of animals prepare you for a menu heavy on meat and cheese. Wash it down with the their own cask-conditioned ale, the Spotted Pig Bitter.
The Breslin Bar & Dining Room, 16 West 29th Street (between Broadway and Fifth Avenue), 212-679-1939.
Photo: Courtesy of The Breslin Bar & Dining Room.
Allswell
Bedford Avenue gets a little more swanky with every passing week, but one place that still feels homey and relaxed is Allswell. Everything is comforting, from the calico, quilt-like wallpaper to the fried chicken sandwich and the well-researched domestic beer list.
Allswell, 124 Bedford Avenue (between 10th and 11th streets), Brooklyn; 347-799-2743.
Photo: Courtesy of Allswell.
The Penrose
Yes, the Upper East Side can be hip — in its own posh-old-lady kind of way. The Penrose's sprawling space resembles a bed and breakfast in Vermont, albeit it with one of the best whiskey lists in the city. The beer, wine, and cocktail menus are similarly surprising and fun, while the food is simple and delicious: think burgers, mac and cheese, and fried pickles.
The Penrose, 1590 Second Avenue (between 82nd and 83rd streets); 212-203-2751.
Photo: Courtesy of The Penrose.
Distilled
If your office is in Tribeca, you already know that there aren't a ton of chill bars to hang out after work with colleagues. Distilled aims to be that bar, and its massive capacity means you won’t be all smushed together, either. There are loads of beers, cocktails, and even "mead" options, and the grub is remarkably upscale. Consider it your new neighborhood spot.
Distilled, 211 West Broadway (between Franklin and White streets), 212-601-9514.
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