Content Produced in Partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

With more than 2,000 bars spread across the five boroughs of New York City, visiting every single one would be a challenge for a local, and downright impossible for a visitor. Whether you're in the mood for a swanky speakeasy or craft cocktails, we've outlined our favorite drinking spots for any occasion. From Chinatown dive bars to trendsetters raking in top honors, here are the best spots to get boozy in the Big Apple. Cheers!


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Best Late-Night Spot: 169 Bar

169 East Broadway, Chinatown

Every neighborhood has a local dive bar and 169 Bar may just be the best of the best. A neighborhood spot with tons of character, 169 has been open since 1916 (although back then it was called the Bloody Bucket). Despite undergoing some changes and owners over the years, it continues to give the patrons exactly what they may not know they want, including leopard-print pool tables and dumplings until 4 am.


Best Rooftop: Gallow Green

542 West 27th Street

When the weather's at its prime, rooftops are all the rage in New York City. Most offer panoramic views of the skyline, however, Gallow Green takes it up a notch with a relaxing garden setting instead. This rooftop bar is located at the McKittrick Hotel, home to the uniquely interactive show Sleep No More. The fairy lights and lush greenery draw the crowds, but the drinks and small plates keep them coming back time and time again.


For the Finer Things: The Champagne Bar at The Plaza

Fifth Avenue, Central Park South

Back in 1907 visitors to the The Plaza sipped on fine champagne and sampled caviar on the Champagne Porch. More than 100 years later, Fairmont continues the tradition at The Champagne Bar. The luxurious lounge overlooking Fifth Avenue is one of the most sought after spots in New York City for a date or business deal, especially in the evening hours when the city lights twinkle extra brightly.


Best Speakeasy: PDT

113 St. Marks Place, East Village

PDT may stand for “Please Don’t Tell,” but this speakeasy’s top-secret location has been well publicized for a long, long time. All the same, it is still pretty thrilling to find the East Village phone booth and enter the password (which is “1" if you were wondering). Once inside, you’ll have access to top-shelf liquors and creative cocktails along with the menu to Crif Dogs, the hot dog joint next door. While it may sound odd to pair a chili dog with bourbon neat, we promise it’ll hit the spot every time.


The Trendsetter: The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog

30 Water Street, Manhattan

From the outside the Dead Rabbit looks like any other Irish pub in Manhattan, but there's something special brewing inside. Chalk it up to the incredible cocktails, knowledgeable staff, and good eats, but folks behind its fame are no strangers to accolades. What’s truly amazing is how the haunt only gets better with time. Recently voted the World’s Best Bar in 2016, without a doubt, you don’t want to miss this place.


A photo posted by Agave NYC (@agavenyc) on

Hair of the Dog: Agave

140 Seventh Avenue South, West Village

For most restaurants weekend brunch lasts until 2 pm, but Mexican hotspot Agave believes in bottomless brunch until 4 pm. For $33 you can score an egg dish and your choice of margaritas, wine, or mimosas as long as you want to waste away the day. As expected, this place fills up quickly, so be sure to make a reservation.