Cheers! Six Famous Bars In NYC To Lift Your Spirits In 2026

Cheers! We’re going on a bar crawl through some of the most famous bars in NYC! Lavishly decorated, steeped in history, splashed all over the pages of the guide books, these are some of the most famous NYC watering holes to wet your whistle at. Pull up a barstool and explore the most famous bars in NYC with us!

Oscar Wilde / 45 W 27th St, NoMad

It’s only fitting that his namesake bar should be one of the most opulently decorated establishments in NYC - after all, Oscar Wilde’s purported last words were “either that wallpaper goes, or I do!” At least once in your lifetime, you should visit The Oscar Wilde, which boasts NYC’s longest bar. The Victorian-themed establishment is lavishly adorned in art and antiques, with every detail as thoughtfully chosen as the witty words of a clever playwright. Leafing through the cocktail menu offers a history lesson on Oscar Wilde and on the building’s history: drinks are crafted to evoke moments in Wilde’s life and career as well as New York City’s complicated history with prohibition and temperance. The Oscar Wilde is the must-visit among famous bars in NYC, turning the straightlaced Victorian vibe on its head with cleverness and panache!

McSorley’s Old Ale House / 15 E 7th St, East Village

When your establishment’s most famous patrons include both John Lennon and Abraham Lincoln, you know you’ve made it amongst the most famous bars in NYC. McSorley’s Old Ale House boasts “they’ve been here since before you were born,” as NYC’s oldest continuously-operating bar. They don’t let the fame go to their head, though: the bar is cash only, the menu is restricted to burgers and sandwiches, and the drinks on offer are listed as simply “light ale” and “dark ale,” but the laid-back, no-frills atmosphere is a refreshingly grounding experience for patrons who’ve been returning since 1854. According to Golden Girls lore, Sophia Petrillo claimed to have given birth to Bea Arthur’s character Dorothy on the pool table at McSorley’s - HOWEVER! This is a historical anachronism, as McSorley’s didn’t permit women entry into the bar until a landmark Supreme Court case in 1970! When women were allowed in, there was no dedicated restroom for them to use, therefore, McSolery’s was one of the first NYC bars to have an all-gender restroom by default. That’s some history!

The Stonewall Inn / 53 Christopher Street, Greenwich Village

The National Historic Landmark Stonewall Inn simply must be counted among the most famous bars in NYC. The birthplace of Pride, a history born out of strife, has turned into the headquarters of LGBTQ+ joy in Greenwich Village. In addition to the historic bar (which saved my life during a random hailstorm one August by offering shelter and brandy to warm up), the venue boasts an upstairs piano bar with singing waitstaff, a lounge with a pool table and karaoke, weekly bingo nights and drag performances on a rotating schedule. It’s definitely the entertainment that draws patrons to The Stonewall Inn, spilling out into Christopher Street during summer Open Streets weekends. The Stonewall Inn radiates the energy of Greenwich Village far beyond its walls, cementing their legacy as one of the most vibrant, historic, and famous bars in NYC.

The Algonquin Hotel Blue Bar / 59 W 44th Street, Midtown

Home to the famous Round Table, the Algonquin was one of the most famous bars in NYC about 100 years ago, and I think it’s overdue for a revival! Their newly reimagined Blue Bar brings a modern aesthetic to this space steeped in history. Dorothy Parker drank here. No, really. The artwork of Al Hirschfeld, another regular at the Algonquin, adorns the space to bring its legacy into the modern era. The well-rounded menu features wines, some beers, and signature and classic cocktails - I once had the most flawlessly executed Old-Fashioned here that definitely made me feel as glamorously witty as Dorothy Parker, and you can’t tell me otherwise. As she once famously mused: “Three be the things I shall never attain: envy, content, & sufficient Champagne.” If you’re in Midtown, you can certainly find sufficient champagne at the Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel!

Beauty & Essex / 146 Essex St, Lower East Side

If we’re all reminiscing about the early 2010s, I am reminded of the time when every Millennial’s dream was a lavish night at Beauty and Essex. In the trendy neighborhood of the Lower East Side, this lavishly-decorated speakeasy has a decidedly opulent feel: grand staircase, playful chandeliers, warm hues of salmon and pink - and it doesn’t stop there! Serving not only a range of signature and luxury cocktails, there is a menu of inventive zero-proof options. Beauty and Essex also serves food - and boasts a dedicated vegan menu! Bring the girls for brunch and order the show-stopping Wonder Wheel: a chef’s selection of sweets served in a functioning, light-up ferris wheel. No “wonder” this remains one of the most famous bars in NYC!

The Fraunces Tavern / 54 Pearl St, Downtown

History buffs will remember the Fraunces Tavern at George Washington’s favorite local restaurant - yes, it’s THAT historic! Located inside the old Delancey family home, you can feel the history around every corner of this legendary Downtown space. In the spacious dining rom area, there is a vast mural of New York harbor, painted in 1765 - or, curl up in a cozy chair by the fireplace in the Dingle Whiskey Bar. Personally, I’ve enjoyed many a Friday night in the annex of the space, built in the 1800s, with itchy cow-hide booths and a DJ spinning classic dance hits. The bar boasts many beers and ciders on tap, and the cocktail menu is vintage in feel as a nod to their history - think gimlets, old fashioneds, even the obscure Parisian cocktail the Boulevardier! Cramped but cozy, the Fraunces Tavern is among my favorite famous bars in NYC. Get the truffle fries. Trust me on this one.

With so many NYC bars to choose from, these famous bars each offer something distinctive in terms of atmosphere, history, entertainment, and of course, drinks! No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, one of these famous NYC bars is sure to offer a night you’ll never forget - one that you’ll be buzzing from for the rest of your NYC adventure!