This list of the best bars in the East Village was written by Alejandro Beltran, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps) and a NYC local.
The East Village is home to a lively bunch of locals, and most weekends, the streets are teeming with folks in search of craft cocktails and dive bars with cold beer. Fortunately, the East Village has an abundance of fun, unique bars that are worth checking out. In this guide, I’ll give you a local’s take on the top bars in the East Village, so let’s jump in!
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Best Bars in the East Village
Table of Contents: East Village Bar Guide
Table of Contents: The Best East Village Bars
#1. Please Don’t Tell
Website: Please Don’t Tell
Address: 113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
Best for: Award winning cocktails
Hidden behind a phone booth in an unassuming hot-dog restaurant lies Please Don’t Tell (PDT), one of the best cocktail bars in the East Village. Guests enter the phone booth and dial in to ring a doorbell in the speakeasy, unlocking the hidden door. The bar is cozy, with low ceilings, brick walls, and a dim-lit vibe that makes it ideal for a date night.
The East Village speakeasy has also won awards for its drinks, including a James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program in 2012. Cocktails range from $18 – $22, and hot dogs from the neighboring Crif-Dogs are available for purchase.
#2. Amor Y Amargo
Website: Amor Y Amargo
Address: 95 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Best for: Bitter-based cocktails
At Amor Y Amargo’s entrance is a storefront selling bitters and mixology tools, giving a nod to its name (Amor Y Amargo is Spanish for Love & Bitters). The East Village cocktail bar has drawn rave reviews thanks to its willingness to use Italian bitters in most of its signature cocktails, adding a punch after every sip.
The ingenuity paid off; in 2022, Amor Y Amargo was ranked the 23rd-best bar in North America. The small seating area (only about eight bar stools + standing counters) hasn’t deterred locals from stopping by to try the rotating, seasonal selection of cocktails. The rising popularity has spurred an expansion, with Amor Y Amargo opening a sister bar called All Hands in the spring of 2024.
#3. The Copper Still
Website: The Copper Still
Address: 151 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Best for: Whisky & Guinness enthusiasts
A blend between an Irish pub and an upscale bar, The Copper Still has a cozy, warm atmosphere few can resist. While the food served is classic American-style bar fare (sliders, tater tots, buffalo wings, etc.), the vibes are that of a lively, high-spirited pub.
There’s an emphasis on high-quality whisky, including Irish, bourbon, and scotch (they have their whisky selection online), and their bartenders pour one of the best pints of Guinness in NYC with the perfect amount of foam. Moreover, if you visit during happy hour, select beers and cocktails are available for $6 and $10, respectively.
#4. Death & Company
Website: Death & Company
Address: 433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
Best for: Award winning cocktails, speakeasy vibe
Getting into Death & Company is a challenge since it doesn’t offer any reservations, but the wait is worth the reward. This renowned East Village bar has earned accolades like Best American Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu, drawing crowds of tourists and locals.
The dimly lit speakeasy exudes timeless charm. Behind the bar, skilled bartenders shine, crafting cocktails that deserve recognition. With an extensive menu categorized into options like “light & playful” and “boozy & honest,” patrons know exactly what to expect with each order.
#5. Tile Bar
Website: Tile Bar
Address: 115 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
Best for: Cheap drinks, laid back atmosphere
Tile Bar has dubbed themselves the “best dive bar in the East Village” and it seems most locals agree, the bar is rarely empty! Small and staffed with friendly bartenders, the watering-hole focuses on no-frills cocktails and brews at affordable prices. The decor hasn’t changed much since opening in the 1980’s. It’s also one of the best bars in the East Village for happy hour, offering beer for as little as $3 (the menu rotates regularly).
There are no Instagrammable floral motifs, neon quotes, or espresso martinis. There is cold beer, strong drinks, and a bartender that most likely knows your name.
-Tile Bar
#6. Goodnight Sonny
Website: Goodnight Sonny
Address: 134 1st Ave., New York, NY 10009
Best for: Craft cocktails, date night
Goodnight Sonny’s focuses on craft cocktails and features a European-esque space with white tile floors and a lengthy, lacquered wood bar. The bar is sun-soaked during the day and dim-lit after sunset, making it an optimal place for a date and a popular meeting ground for chipper friends.
Cocktails cost around $16 a drink, which is an excellent price for the neighborhood. But don’t let the affordable cocktail bar in the East Village fool you; low price doesn’t mean low quality. The drinks are crafted with care and have a presentation well worthy of a quick photo.
#7. Whiskey Town
Website: Whiskey Town
Address: 29 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10003
Best for: Dancing, inexpensive drinks
Dimly lit but full of life, Whiskey Town is a bar that knows how to party. The lively bar frequently has a DJ, which attracts a rowdy crowd with a contagious energy. The East Village dive bar vibe has friendly bartenders, straightforward drinks, a disco ball, and a constant rotation of great music.
As far as drinks go, this East Village bar offers a beer/shot combo, wine, and well drinks, all for $7 during their happy hour (Monday through Thursday, from open until 8 PM). And for those who can’t make it during happy hour, Whiskey Town is still one of the most inexpensive bars in the East Village, offering draft beer for as little as $5, and most cocktails are under $15.
#8. The Library Bar
Website: The Library Bar
Address: 7 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Best for: Late night drinks, grungy vibe
The Library is a hole-in-the-wall bar with a grungy vibe and rock tunes, staffed by laid-back bartenders. It’s a hard place to beat for cheap beer (all the brews are $10 and under) and a relaxed vibe. Graffiti covers the bathroom walls, and B-movies play in the background. Despite the buzz, you can still chat without yelling over the music. The Library Bar is also one of the best bars in the East Village. It is open late, leaving its doors open until 4 AM daily.
#9. Joyface
Website: Joyface
Address: 104 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009
Best for: Dancing, 70’s theme
Joyface is a 70’s themed bar in the East Village that you won’t want to miss. It’s not the kind of bar where you sit at the counter or in a booth to chat; this is the place you come to dance! Equipped with a disco ball, no-frills drinks, and upbeat tunes, it’s hard to resist dancing.
There are also themed nights at Joyface, making it one of the most fun bars in the East Village. They’ve hosted pajama parties, space-themed parties, and pride events that provide guests interested in meeting new people with an icebreaker and an excuse to dress up in something out of the ordinary. To keep up with their events, keep an eye on their Instagram.
#10. Juke Bar
Website: Juke Bar
Address: 196 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Best for: Casual brews, hosting a party
Juke Bar is an inexpensive bar, and unless you visit on the weekend after 10 PM (when it turns into an impromptu nightclub), it isn’t all that to find a table. During the day, it’s filled with a relaxed after-work crowd and groups of friends catching up over casual bar bites (like pretzels, fries, and mozzarella sticks).
The entertainment goes beyond dancing. Juke Bar is one of the best bars in East Village for live entertainment. Every Monday, there’s trivia, and every Wednesday, there’s a free comedy show. But best of all, Juke Bar is the best East Village bar to host a party. The joint has two separate rooms available for rent without fees or minimums; all folks have to do is pay for what their guests consume!
#11. Bibi Wine Bar
Website: Bibi Wine Bar
Address: 211 E 4th St, New York, NY 10009
Best for: Happy hour wine deals
Bibi is a can’t-miss wine bar in the East Village and one of the neighborhood’s best spots for a date, thanks to a charming outdoor seating area and a quaint European charm. Even for casual wine drinkers, the staff is always helpful in offering recommendations according to your palate.
During happy hour, guests can choose from $8 glasses of wine or $28 bottles, and the bottle deal is popular with groups of friends who can split the cost. The only drawback is that there is little in the way of food, mainly small bites and charcuterie.
#12. The Wayland
Website: The Wayland
Address: 700 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Best for: Live music, happy hour oysters
A popular destination for a dinner and drinks date night, The Wayland is a craft cocktail bar in the East Village that offers live music and high-quality bites. The founders wanted to create a cabin-like vibe, so the tables, floors, and accents are made of well-worn wood, and the bar has a quaint, rustic feel.
The live music schedule varies on the days, but there are generally three shows a week by bluesy, light rock bands. The Wayland also has a great happy hour during the week that includes a deal on oysters. From 4 to 7 PM (Monday – Friday), select cocktails, beers, and wine costs $4-10, and oysters run $10 per half or $18 per dozen.
East Village Bars (Post Summary)
- Please Don’t Tell
- Amor Y Amargo
- The Copper Still
- Death & Company
- Tile Bar
- Goodnight Sonny
- Whiskey Town
- The Library Bar
- Joyface
- Juke Bar
- Bibi Wine Bar
- The Wayland
Best Bars in the East Village (Map)
Further Reading for the East Village
Where to Eat in the East Village: 20 Memorable East Village Restaurants (Foodie’s Guide)
Happy Hours in the East Village: 12 Epic Happy Hours in the East Village (You Can’t Help But Love)
East Village Bakeries: 10 Top-Notch Bakeries in the East Village
Best Bars in the East Village: 15 Exciting Bars in the East Village (You Won’t Soon Forget)
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And there you have it folks! The best bars in the East Village according to yours truly. Let me know if you think we missed a spot.
Until next time, Al.
Megan McCarthy says
Thank you! But where is the map? I couldn’t click it on.
Vanessa says
Tile bar is not cash only, they take card.
New York Simply says
Thanks for the heads up Vanessa, we confirmed and made a change to the article!