Looking for the best West Village bars? You’re in the right place!
Manhattan’s bar scene is definitely worth checking out, whether you’re looking for some places to chill or just want to kill time with a margarita or mimosa in one hand!
This neighborhood got them all, from the bustling Katana Kitten that boasts an izakaya-style bar to the contemporary Analogue with unique drinks and snacks!
Wait no more, let’s hit up the 12 best West Village bars that are worth your time (and penny too)!
1. Katana Kitten
Katana Kitten boasts an izakaya-style bar featuring Japanese fare with an American twist. You know you’ll have a good time when they regularly land in the top 10 World’s Best Bar list.
Try the Gatorade-blue Calpico Swizzle with savoury sake blends smoothly with the spicy sansho pepper and fizzy champagne.
The Meguroni is even more bursting with flavours of earthy, bitter, spicy, and buttery taste!
Being a sweet tooth, I love their Grape Soda so much! Don’t be fooled by its fruity aroma, sweet and fresh taste, this drink is heavy (but delicious)!
What to order: Gatorade-blue Calpico Swizzle, Meguroni, Grape Soda,
Address: 531 Hudson St, New York, NY, United States
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2. Due West
Located right in the heart of West Village, Due West is a casual and approachable gastropub with a vibrant ambiance and a great selection of food and cocktails!
This place is practically busy with sports fans and large groups of friends. It gets pretty loud by night with all the music, and people chatting and shouting at the same time. But it’s gonna be fun visiting Due West, trust us!
Green-Witch is a perfect drink to start the night thanks to its light and refreshing taste from lime and rosemary. In the mood for something new and exciting? Try Lychee!
It has that signature sweet, tropical taste of lychee, and blends so well with nutty, spicy Sherry, making this drink so smooth and wholesome!
For food, I highly recommend some fresh, raw Oysters, or Baja Fish Taco that is utterly mouthwatering and irresistible!
What to order: Green-Witch, Lychee, Oysters, Baja fish Taco
What to order: Manila Social, Green-Witch, Oysters, Short Rib Slider
Address: 189 W 10th St, New York, NY, United States
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3. Employees Only
At the heart of West Village is an inimitable NYC speakeasy founded in 2004 by industry friends who want to provide a welcoming abode in the aftermath of a busy and tiresome day.
There are many excellent options on their dinner menu, but the Bacon Wrapped Lamb Chop is the most outstanding one!
It’s savory, saucy, garlicky, and smoky. Each bite feels like a flavor bomb on your palate!
Get the Quiet Storm if you’re into something herbal and spicy with hints of ginger and tea. The Strangers Punch is a much more powerful one but definitely worth trying with warm notes of cinnamon and the fresh aroma of tea leaves!
Pro-tip: There is a dress code in place, so enter in style and look fabulous!
What to order: Bacon Wrapped Lamb Chop, Quiet Storm, Strangers Punch
Address: 510 Hudson St, New York, NY, United States
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4. The Otheroom
The Otheroom is your next bar to go if you’re escaping from the city’s hustle and bustle to relax and enjoy your quiet time!
With lush decor, brick walls, warm color tones, and a low-key, intimate atmosphere, The Otheroom is perfect for a romantic date as well!
The menu features a good mix of wines, draft beers, and a couple of cocktails. Start your night easily with a bottle of Nine Pin Signature Hard Cider, which is crisp, bold, and refreshing with unmistakable red raspberry notes.
The Ace Pineapple Cider is sweeter with a unique scent of cotton candy and a slight tartness from pineapple. Order the Left Hand Milk Stout if you’re in search of something bolder!
It has a rich, smooth, and dark taste of roasted coffee, chocolate, and caramelized sugar, which is sure to leave an impression!
What to order: Nine Pin Signature Hard Cider, Ace Pineapple Cider, Left Hand Milk Stout
Address: 143 Perry St, New York, NY, United States
5. The Spaniard
If you have a big love for whiskey, The Spaniard is going to be your next favourite bar in West Village!
This pure heaven for whiskey lovers offers over 100 types of whiskey on the menu, not to mention a wide variety of cocktails, wine, and beer!
The American Trilogy is the star of the show, featuring a smooth mouthfeel in which the sharp spiciness of whiskey is lifted by a bit of citrus flavor on the finish!
In case you want something lighter, Mosquito can surely do you good with its refreshing, bright taste of ginger, and lemon peel!
Exploring their dinner menu is no less exciting, I highly recommend you try the Chicken Wings served with blue cheese and hot sauce.
They have extremely strong and finger-licking good taste that can make your palate scream for happiness!
What to order: American Trilogy, Mosquito, Chicken Wings
Address: 190 West 4th Street, New York, NY, United States
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6. The Garret
The Garret is a modern speakeasy bar in West Village that is famous for its unique entry and of course, stunningly creative cocktails!
To get there, you’ll first walk into the Five Guys and find a hidden staircase in the back. Go upstairs and you’ll find The Garret with a vintage living room, striking lighting, and views looking out on the street!
If you’re looking for a place to impress your date partner, this is it!
Stanley Tucci Was Wrong is a perfect drink to start the night. It’s light, easy to drink, and super refreshing with notes of bergamot and cucumber.
The Deli Run is my all-time favorite! It remains fresh with some grapefruit and lemon but tastes stronger and bolder. Fancy something tropical? Order the Bento And The Mothafunkin Time!
This goodness is so tasty with flavors of pineapple, coconut, banana, and almond. Be careful, it’s heavier than any other drink!
What to order: Stanley Tucci Was Wrong, The Deli Run, Bento And The Mothafunkin
Address: 296 Bleecker St, New York, NY, United States
7. Art Bar
If you are looking for a bar with a lively crowd and a sociable atmosphere in the West Village, pay a visit to Art Bar!
This place has been the locals’ favorite spot for more than 20 years and is always packed with people.
Choose to sink into an overstuffed couch in the back living room to unwind, or join the partiers in the back!
Whatever you do, don’t miss their Jalapeno Margarita! It’s spicy, tart, slightly sweet, and refreshing. Don’t worry, it’s not too spicy, just enough kick to surprise your tastebuds!
Craving something sweet and nutty? Grab the Peanut Butter & Chocolate Espresso Martini, which is rich, smooth, buttery, and sweet. It doesn’t even taste bitter at all, so make a try!
I usually order some Fried Mozzarella Sticks as snacks too! It’s simple yet goes so well with most drinks!
What to order: Jalapeno Margarita, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Espresso Martini, Fried Mozzarella Sticks
Address: 52 8th Ave, New York, NY, United States
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8. Ollie
Tucked away on Downing Street in the West Village, Ollie is a unique bar that features nutritious food options along with creative, innovative cocktails!
Ollie is just the opposite of speakeasy bars, it’s bright and airy and serves healthy bites like a grain bowl, tuna crudo, and charred carrots.
But it doesn’t mean their cocktails are gonna be boring. In fact, they serve the most interesting and flavorsome drinks I’ve ever tried!
Cocktail No.1 is fragrant, sweet, and fruity with a taste of strawberry and rose water. In case you love this taste profile but want it to be stronger, grab Cocktail No.6!
I fancy the spicy and nutty notes so much that I can’t resist Cocktail No.8. Each sip is filled with nutty, slightly bitter, and a bit herbal-ish taste from cardamom!
Try their Veggie Sandwich too! No one can deny the enticing prowess of this dish, not even those who previously disliked vegan sandwiches!
What to order: Cocktail No.1, Cocktail No.6, Cocktail No.8
Address: 64 Downing St, New York, NY, United States
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9. The Four Faced Liar
The Four Faced Liar is a must-visit Irish pub that is perfect for connecting, having fun, and making new friends!
The first impression of this place must be music, talk, and fun! Step inside and you’ll see people chatting with each other, even with strangers. Here, everyone is a friend!
There are poetry readings, board games, and regular big game screenings to save off any hints of boredom too!
Grab a pint of creamy Guinness or have a glass of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale while taking in the relaxed atmosphere and listening to poets recite poems, free verse, prose, and more.
Their full bar also contains a fine collection of single malt whisky and quality blended whiskeys. Don’t be shy to ask for some!
What to order: Guinness, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Single Malt Whisky.
Address: 165 West 4th Street, New York, NY, United States
10. Analogue
Analogue is one of the best contemporary bars to enjoy some cocktails while listening to Jazz music in West Village!
It has a relaxing feel with enormous leather chairs, old-time photographs hanging on the wall, and classic soft Jazz playing along.
Besides cocktails, Analogue offers an extensive lineup of scotches and bourbons, craft beers and a concise list of great wines as well!
Try the most famous drink, The Analogue, made expertly with spiced dark rum and bourbon, ginger and lime cordial, and a bit of lemon.
It’s first bursting with spicy flavour, let it develop in your palate for a bit and you’ll realize all the sweet, nutty, and even smoky taste it has!
Freshen up with something light, floral and creamy like the Tea & Hibiscus is a must! Then keep the night going with a glass of Bubble Gum.
I am so impressed with Bubble Gum because it actually smells like bubble gum but tastes more fruity and has a zest finish!
What to order: The Analogue, Tea & Hibiscus, Bubble Gum
Address: 19 W 8th St, New York, NY, United States
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11. Kettle of Fish
Kettle of Fish is a low-key bar for casual drinks in West Village. Visiting Kettle Of Fish is an experience that you’ve never had before, from the ambiance, and the people, to the drink!
Kettle Of Fish first opened its doors in 1950, back when mixologists and inventive cocktails were a rarity. So you’ll see all kinds of old-time decorations hanging on the wall and even the ceiling!
The menu is basically a piece of paper pinned on the wall, featuring classic beers like Budweiser, Corona, and Heineken. If a citrusy and fresh drink is your treat, get the Red Hook Longhammer IPA!
What to order: Budweiser, Corona, Heineken, Red Hook Longhammer IPA
Address: 59 Christopher St, New York, NY, United States
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12. Grace’s
Grace’s is a comforting traditional Irish pub that serves a vast array of local beer, well-crafted cocktails, premium whiskey, and plenty of stout!
The place is well-decorated, dimly light, and has a lot of wood interiors. Grace’s is so well-liked that sometimes you have to wait for a table, especially during weekends!
It’s a must to order their Irish Coffee, which poses a flavour like a sweet boozy espresso drink! I love how they finish the drink with whipped cream on top to add a richer and smoother taste!
The King Carlos is totally opposite, which consists of tequila, pineapple, Thai chili, and lime. Each sip feels so bright and uplifting with a slightly tart, spicy, and herbal-ish taste!
Where’s Me Jumper is a lovely drink to end the night. It has that sweet and fresh scent of rose, blended with the juicy grapefruit, and the mouthfeel is so round and wholesome!
What to order: King Carlos, Irish Coffee, Where’s Me Jumper
Address: 252 W 14th St, New York, NY, United States
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There you have it; that wraps up the must-visit bars in West Village. We hope to catch up with you in a couple of them very soon. Possibly at happy hour?
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