This list of the best bars in the Financial District was written by Yana Zaytseva, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
The Financial District (FiDi) in New York City is a hub where millions of dollars switch hands daily. And the best way to unwind after a stressful day of high-stakes deals? Booze. Lots, and lots of booze. By no means am I saying that every person hitting the bars in the Financial District is a stockbroker or Wall Street tycoon, but you’re sure to rub elbows with a few.
The historical charm of FiDi bars is unmatched, from centuries-old establishments frequented by presidents to modern gems. So if you’re planning a trip to the Financial District and want to know which bars to visit, I’m here to help. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Bars in the Financial District (FiDi)
Table of Contents: Best FiDi Bars
Table of Contents: Best Financial District Bars
The Dead Rabbit
Website: The Dead Rabbit
Address: 30 Water St, New York, NY 10004
Named after an Irish gang that ran rampant in lower Manhattan, the Dead Rabbit was opened in 2013. The founder, Jack McGarry hails from Belfast, Ireland, and had a simple goal. He wanted to create one of the best upscale bars in the Financial District with the atmosphere of an Irish Pub. And he delivered.
The phenomenal cocktails being crafted at this New York City bar have earned it several awards, most notably #1 bar in the world in 2016. But it’s the hot toddy that steals the show for me. Few FiDi bars are as impressive as The Dead Rabbit. In fact, I remember when I first moved to New York City, anytime I asked a local for bar recommendations, sure enough, The Dead Rabbit was first for many folks.
Ulysses
Website: Ulysses
Address: 58 Stone Street, 95 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004
Open for an impressive stretch of 7,000+ days in a row Ulysses is a machine churning out delectable pub fare and cold beer. The neighborhood staple doesn’t stop, it’s open year-round until 4 AM, rain or shine! The Irish pub is between two of the neighborhood’s most iconic streets, Stone St. and Pearl St., and is well deserving of a spot among the best bars in the Financial District.
There’s live music (some with a cover fee, some without, visit the website for a schedule) that helps enliven the place and before you know it you’ll be tapping your feet too. The drinks cover the gamut, ranging from classic beer to expensive wine to masterfully crafted cocktails. Safe to assume after a few rounds you’ll be tuned up and enjoying one of the best bars FiDi has to offer.
Fraunces Tavern
Website: Fraunces Tavern
Address: 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004
Fraunces Tavern has been in operation since 1762, effectively making this one of the oldest (but not the oldest) bars in New York City. This iconic FiDi bar holds historical significance that can’t be beat; it hosted George Washington several times. Most notably, when Washington bid his troops an emotional farewell after the Revolutionary War victory in 1783.
Whenever I visit I’m always surprised by the lack of tourists, I mean this is one of the most iconic bars in the Financial District for crying out loud! But alas, this seems more like a local joint. Make sure to visit the museum located upstairs, which history buffs are sure to appreciate. It’s home to fascinating relics and they even recreated the way the room would have looked when Washington bid farewell to his troops.
From Memoirs of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge (1830)
“At 12 o’clock the officers repaired to Fraunces Tavern in Pearl Street where General Washington had appointed to meet them and to take his final leave of them. We had been assembled but a few moments when his excellency entered the room. His emotions were too strong to be concealed which seemed to be reciprocated by every officer present. After partaking of a slight refreshment in almost breathless silence the General filled his glass with wine and turning to the officers said, ‘With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.”
Fraunces is one of the: 20 Best Scotch Whisky Bars in New York City
Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina
Website: Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina
Address: 83 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004
Mad Dog & Beans in the Financial District is a top margarita bar. Despite being usually busy, the attentive staff ensures a great experience. Enjoy some of NYC’s freshest margaritas with various flavor options like mango, coconut, pomegranate, guava, and more. For a real party, try their massive 100-ounce margarita tower, which is equivalent to about 10 drinks. It’s served on the rocks and available for groups of at least four, promising a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
Manhattan
Website: Manhatta
Address: 28 Liberty St 60th floor, New York, NY 10005
They say you can only have two: good views, good quality, or good prices – at Manhatta, you can have it all. Located on the 60th floor at 28 Liberty Street, the views at Manhatta are easily the most sensational for a whisky bar in the Financial District with stunning panoramic views of Manhattan.
The FiDI bar is best described as casual-upscale, where dressing up is encouraged but you can ditch the sports coat at home. The menu is full of innovative and modern flavors, mostly revolving around American staples. And here’s a little bonus tip: if you can’t get reservations, arrive early to try to snag a seat at the bar. Manhatta’s bar opens an hour before the restaurant, making this a great spot to start your night.
Stout NYC
Website: Stout NYC
Address: 90 John St, New York, NY 10038
Stout NYC was founded in 2005 and has four locations peppered near Manhattan’s major transportation hubs, and luckily one of them is among the best bars in the Financial District. The joint looks like an upscale, laid-back, friendly neighborhood bar. It’s well suited for after-work drinks or meeting with friends for a casual evening out.
There’s a solid selection of draft beers available, most of which come from New York. Plus the food is a step up from typical dive bar quality so a growling stomach will find its match at Stour NYC. If you need to accompany your beer with some entertainment, Stout NYC has plenty of TVs playing major sports. All this to say, the easygoing atmosphere and easy accessibility make Stout NYC one of the best bars in the Financial District.
The Full Shilling
Website: The Full Shilling
Address: 160 Pearl St #1, New York, NY 10005
Want to enjoy a pint of Guinness over a 100+ year-old bar from Ireland? Because I bet if you didn’t, you do now. And we’re in luck because The Full Shilling, one of the best bars in the Financial District, imported one from Belfast when they opened in 1999. And the countertop isn’t the only thing authentically Irish at The Full Shilling.
The Irish cuisine is warm and appetizing, with staple items like bangers & mash (sausage and mash potatoes), shepherd’s pie, and Guinness beef stew drawing locals in like magnets. Chef Hector Garzon has also introduced American bistro fare as well like flatbreads and burgers.
Since the pub neighbors Wall Street you’ll find it’s one of the best bars in the Financial District for working folks. The lunch rush swells with folks on break and after about five or six in the afternoon there’s a second wave of eager locals.
Stone Street Tavern
Website: Stone Street Tavern
Address: 52 Stone St, New York, NY 10004
If you’ve never visited Stone Street you’re missing out on one of the best things to do in the Financial District. One of New York’s oldest streets, Stone Street dates back to the Dutch colonization of New York! String lights brightly illuminate the cobblestone path which is lined with restaurants on either side. One of the locales, Stone Street Tavern, is well-placed among the best bars in FiDi.
For starters, the ambiance is laid back and fun. Even more so when the weather is nice and you’re sitting outside, at a table under the string lights with friends. Secondly, the food is fantastic. The French onion soup is some of the best I’ve had in NYC and the mac & cheese is the best out of all the bars in the Financial District.
You’d be hard pressed to find a better place to visit if you’re looking for a fun-loving atmosphere, whether you’re a local or a tourist. The cold drinks and iconic outdoor dining make Stone Street Tavern one of the best bars in the Financial District.
Trinity Place
Website: Trinity Place
Address: 115 Broadway, New York, NY 10006
One of the most unique bars in the Financial District is Trinity Place Bar & Restaurant. To access the bar you’ll have to walk through a front door made out of an old bank vault that was once owned by Andrew Carnegie (luckily it’s already open, you won’t have to crack it).
Once inside you’ll find a charming restaurant staffed by kind waiters and bartenders. It’s not necessarily a fancy restaurant, but it is a good spot for a casual date.
And if you’re only looking to drink, Trinity Place is one of the best bars in FiDi for happy hour. The selection is small but enough has enough variety to get you buzzed on a budget. There are sub $10 cocktails and buckets of beer available too! Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 – 6 PM.
Beckett’s Bar & Grill
Website: Beckett’s Bar & Grill
Address: 81 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004
You wouldn’t immediately assume Beckett’s is one of the best sports bars in the Financial District, but as soon as you step inside you’re bombarded with enough TVs you might think you stepped into Best Buy. It’s crazy that the two-story bar is housed in the same building (from the 1600s) that housed New York City’s first printing press. I guess there’s something about the location that loves being at the forefront of technology!
Monday through Thursday the joint is relaxed and easygoing. It’s one of the best bars in FiDi to catch a casual game. The weekends see larger crowds, and if there’s a big game (like March Madness or the Super Bowl), good luck finding a table! That’s why, whenever possible, I encourage making reservations.
The Irish American Pub
Website: The Irish American Pub
Address: 17 John St, New York, NY 10038
If you’re in search of a good time, and nothing but a good time, The Irish American Pub is the place for you. As one of the best bars in the Financial District, the joint knows how to curate a high-spirited atmosphere fueled by alcohol, good food, and sports.
Nearly every major sporting event can be found on one of the many TVs hanging from the walls. And the crowd is full of fun-loving, jovial locals. For any fans of football (soccer), The Irish American Pub has become a hub for Liverpool games; the atmosphere is electric.
There’s also a pool table, ping pong and karaoke further solidifying The Irish American Pub as one of the best bars in the Financial District. There’s a generous selection of spirits including a decent array of whiskeys. If you choose to keep things simple though, beer is available (including great pours of Guinness).
Killarney Rose
Website: Killarney Rose
Address: 88 Broad St, New York, NY 10004
Killarney Rose is a poster child for the American dream and I’m convinced the history makes the beer taste richer. Frank Moran arrived at Ellis Island from Ireland in 1950, working odd jobs and even serving in our military, eventually opening Killarney Rose in 1962. Even in the present, Killarney Rose remains in the family, being run by Frank’s son, John.
In a lot of ways, Killarney Rose is the quintessential Irish pub, owned and operated by a family of immigrants welcoming their new community with cold beer and hearty meals. It’s one of the best bars in the Financial District and the locals know this to be true, it’s an unfussy joint that satisfies.
And the prices are hard to beat, too. Killarney Rose is one of the best bars in the Financial District for those of us on a budget and every day brings a new special. There are two-for-one Tuesdays, wine-down Wednesdays, Dew & brew Saturdays, and more!
O’Hara’s Restaurant & Pub
Address: 120 Cedar St, New York, NY 10006
O’Hara’s Restaurant & Pub is as old-school and classic as Irish pubs in New York City get. Not to mention, the history packed into this one neighborhood bar is worth the visit alone. Opened in 1983, O’Hara’s has stood the test of time and has proven to be one one the best bars in the Financial District.
In its heyday it was a hub for locals to gather. But what once served as a safe haven was tragically destroyed in the September 11th attacks. After closing and rebuilding over seven months, O’Hara’s reopened, becoming even more of a sanctuary through its resilience.
At present, it’s become one of the most iconic bars in the Financial District. This neighborhood staple has become a hot spot for firefighters, policemen, and folks from all over to get together and share a cold beer and reminisce.
Pro Tip: Ask to see the scrapbook of all the photos, news articles and aftermath clippings of 9/11. O’Hara’s survived the tragedy and pays tribute to those we lost.
Underdog
Website: Underdog
Address: 55 Stone St, New York, NY 10004
In a lot of ways, the Underdog is an overachiever (that’s how it gets its name). While most bars in FiDi are either fancy or historic, The Underdog is just a friendly neighborhood bar.
The food is typical for bars in the Financial District, consisting of simple burgers, wings, fries, and such. And for any aspiring whiskey connoisseurs, Underdog has an impressive selection of unique and hard-to-come-by whiskey to help expand your horizons. You’ll also find beer, wine, and cocktails if you’d prefer to keep things simple.
Clinton Hall
Website: Clinton Hall
Address: 90 Washington St, New York, NY 10006
Clinton Hall’s name is an ode to Castle Clinton on the southern tip of Manhattan. Originally, Castle Clinton was made to protect the people of New York. Today, Clinton Hall protects New Yorkers from “consuming bad beer” by being one of the best bars in the Financial District.
Additionally, they’re providing locals with what many believe to be the best burger in New York City. Their Double Smashed 19 burger won Insider Edition’s Burger Bash in 2018. It was rated as not the best burger in New York City, but the country.
But the real reason Clinton Hall has made our list of best bars in the Financial District is simply thanks to the atmosphere. This is a spot where locals and visitors can unwind with a brew in hand while passing the time by playing games. Card games, Connect Four, and Jenga are just a few of the games available for you to enjoy while sipping on beer. The outdoor patio makes the perfect gathering spot for friends on a nice summer day.
FiDi Bars (Post Summary)
- The Dead Rabbit
- Fraunces Tavern
- Ulysses
- Clinton Hall
- Jeremy’s Ale House
- Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina
- O’Hara’s Restaurant & Pub
- Killarney Rose
- The Irish American Pub
- Beckett’s Bar & Grill
- Trinity Place
- Stone Street Tavern
- Full Shilling
- Stout NYC
More Articles About the Financial District
Where to Eat in the Financial District: 20 Best Restaurants in the Financial District (FiDi)
What to Do in the Neighborhood: 20 Fun Things to do in the Financial District (You Won’t Soon Forget)
Best Brunch in the Neighborhood: 15 Best Spots to Grab Brunch in The Financial District NYC
More Places to Drink in New York City
Cocktail Bars in NYC: 15 Boozy Cocktail Bars in New York City (Worth The Wait)
Happy Hour in NYC: 20 Spectacular Spots for Happy Hour in NYC (To Quench Your Thirst)
Best Martinis in NYC: 10 TOP-NOTCH Martinis in New York City (Local’s Personal Guide)
Scotch Whiskey Bars in NYC: 20 BEST Scotch Whisky Bars in New York City (Expert Ranking)
Financial District Bars in NYC (Map)
And there you have it, the best bars in FiDi according to yours truly. If you think we missed a spot, leave a comment and we’ll check it out.
Cheers!
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