The 10 Best Bars in NoMad, NYC

Whatever the occasion, there’s nothing quite like catching up with friends or colleagues in a fun, inviting bar. If you’re looking for somewhere unique to go for a drink in NYC, the NoMad neighborhood offers some brilliant options! From classic cocktail bars to singular speakeasies, there’s something to tickle everyone’s fancy. We’ve pulled together 10 of the best bars in NoMad to visit the next time you’re in the area.

1. Swingers NoMad

For a venue with an irresistible atmosphere, head over to Swingers NoMad on West 29th Street. We have not one, not two, but six fantastic cocktail bars to explore, each with elegant 1920s-inspired décor! These bars offer a wide range of cocktails to enjoy, including seasonal classics and golf-inspired drinks.

A frequent favorite is the Frozen Paloma Prima, made of Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Aperol, salted grapefruit cordial and lime juice. Tart and refreshing, this one’s a treat at any time of year! True tequila lovers also shouldn’t miss the Grand Mana Margarita: a fiery blend of Espolon Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, ginger liqueur, mango and lime juice. (Go ahead and request the house-made spicy tincture if you’re feeling brave!)

Indeed, our NoMad cocktail menu has something for everyone. You and your party will find plentiful options for wine, champagne, gin, rum, tequila and so much more. There’s also the Chauffeur’s Choice section for designated drivers, with delectable mocktails. And if you’re feeling hungry, you can pop straight to gourmet street food right there in the venue!

Finally, if you’re gearing up for a work party or special reception, why not book one of our private or semi-private spaces? Whether you’re drawn to the intimate Sun Room or the stunning Greenhouse Bar, we have a NoMad cocktail bar for every party size and occasion.

2. Everdene at the Virgin Hotel

Everdene at the Virgin Hotel is a rooftop bar with incomparable views of the city. This NoMad bar offers indoor and outdoor seating, and an airy, open feel no matter where you are – the perfect setup for enjoying Everdene’s custom cocktails, seasonal dishes and light bites.

Consider sharing a charcuterie board with friends, or indulge in your own juicy flat iron steak. As for drinks, Everdene serves beer on tap, zero-proof mocktails and of course, plenty of signature cocktails. We’re especially tempted by the Janet Jackson-inspired Rhythm Nation: a rich-sounding tipple made with Zacapa 23 rum, chocolate bitters and demerara sugar.

If you and your party have an appetite for great food and entertainment, come for their Queen Supreme Brunch Cabaret (hosted every Sunday at 12:30 and 3 pm)! That said, this is also a stellar spot for afterwork dinner or drinks, with food served until 10 pm and the bar open even longer.

3. Barroom at Koloman

Koloman aims to fuse European cafe-culture with the vibrancy of New York City. The restaurant’s name refers to Koloman Moser, a key artist in the Vienna Secession movement, whose elegant yet vivid design style has inspired the space.

The barroom is a separate part of Koloman, with a focused drinks menu and a striking bar of contrasting black and gold. The cocktails range from familiar classics to more adventurous creations, such as the Emma Goldman: rye, brown butter-washed apple brandy, bitters and smoke. If you dare, we’d also recommend the Black Widow, which contains tequila blanco, chili, rhubarb and (for a sweeter finish) strawberry.

Furthermore, this barroom offers some of the best mocktails in NoMad, with six elaborate, alcohol-free “Soft Cocktails” to choose from! For an upscale yet original drinking experience, you couldn’t do better than this hidden gem.

4. Nubeluz at the Ritz-Carlton

Right at the top of the Ritz-Carlton NoMad sits Nubelez: a glamorous cocktail bar and lounge with stunning views across NYC. The name is a fusion of the Spanish words for cloud (nube) and light (luz). Naturally, it’s gained the moniker of “jewel box in the sky” – and those who plan to visit may want to pull out their own jewels, as cocktail attire is recommended.

Ritz-Carlton guests and mixology lovers alike can enjoy both classics and signature drinks at Nubeluz. Among their signature drinks: the evocatively named Salt Air Margarita, made of tequila, combier and lime with a foamy salt finish. Or if you feel like treating yourself, why not spring for a Champagne flight? Spirit-free drinks are also on the menu, including the Niño Melón made with American Malt and honeydew.

And the Nubeluz experience wouldn’t be complete without some high-quality (rooftop bar pun fully intended) snacks, like their infused oysters or the “Bikini Sandwich” of jamón cocido, manchego and truffle butter.  If you’re looking for a cozy bar with great food and cocktails be sure to check out Nubeluz before they get fully

5. The Ivory Peacock

The Ivory Peacock, a NoMad bar that’s over a century old, radiates sophisticated charm. But don’t mistake this historic space for stuffy – once inside, you’ll find comfortable banquettes to settle into and even bar stools for an elevated view of the space.

And when it comes to the menu, the Ivory Peacock serves plenty of imaginative cocktails and shareable plates! Discover seasonal takes on classic drinks using elaborate French kitchen techniques. There’s the Nouveau Old Fashioned, made with bourbon, rum, acidified orange, Angostura bitters and a cherry garnish. Or you could try the entertainingly named Handle Your Scandal, which comes with a wasabi pea rim. Gin lovers will go wild for the gin selection (one of the most extensive in NYC!) and the signature sub-zero martini menu.

Having had a few tipples, you may wish to temper with plates described as “luxe finger food”: uni udon, white truffle spaghetti, and miso-glazed croque monsieurs. There’s also a raw bar with fresh oysters, caviar and tuna tartare for a truly terrific treat.

6. Patent Pending

Another NoMad bar steeped in history, Patent Pending is located in the same building where inventor Nikola Tesla once lived and worked. You will have to search a bit to find it, as this speakeasy-style bar is hidden away in an underground cellar. As you’d expect, the vibe is cozy and conspiratorial, with exposed brickwork, bar stool seating, and a stylish installation of exposed lightbulbs – a nod to Tesla’s groundbreaking work.

The cocktails themselves are also inspired by Tesla, with particular highlights including the Currents & Coils and the Made from Memory. The former is a sweet concoction of various rums, malted milk, coconut, banana, coffee and juice, while the latter is served hot and made with gin, apple brandy, orange liqueur and earl gray tea. There are plenty of beer and wine options as well, if you prefer, and a menu of light bites if you’re feeling hungry. Choose from crab devilled eggs, Korean fried chicken sandwiches, and boozy gelato – a highly inventive selection, we’d say, and quite fitting given the site’s history!

7. Shinji’s

With only 18 seats in the entire bar, Shinji’s is the epitome of intimate NYC dining. This NoMad bar is named after food journalist Shinji Nohara, who has clearly influenced both the cuisine and the rich Japanese-inspired décor: velvet drapes, smoked glass and soft lighting.

Guests will find a curated selection of nostalgic cocktails with unusual flair. One of our favorites is the Tropicana, a playful take on the classic screwdriver – served inside a frozen orange! Then there’s the Big Lebowski-inspired Jackie Treehorn, a dairy-free take on a White Russian served on a coaster that looks just like a miniature replica of The Dude’s iconic rug. Food-wise, Shinji’s offers a tableside hand-roll sushi service with fish flown over from Japan. Other light bites include wagyu beef sandos and savory egg custard.

If all this sounds compelling, be sure to make a reservation at Shinji’s – with a location so small, you’ll want to lock down your table (and cocktails!) well in advance.

8. Apotheke

Apotheke is another exquisitely enigmatic speakeasy-style bar in NoMad. You’ll find it behind an unmarked door on West 26th Street: a vast room lit by candlelight, with Victorian decor and vaulted ceilings. Take a seat in one of the high-backed fabric booths, or approach the marble bartop to order apothecary-inspired cocktails galore!

Indeed, these ingredients wouldn’t be out of place in a witch’s cupboard: plants, roots, botanical extracts and even fresh herbs. Most of Apotheke’s drinks have alleged medicinal properties, with ingredients like spirulina and starfruit. The drinks themselves are listed under their effects, such as “Stress Relieving” or “Stimulating.” Standouts include the Live and Learn, made from turmeric-infused cachaça, gooseberry, and bitters made right there in-house. But if you start feeling a little too affected, so to speak, you can always order small plates of caviar and dumplings to share.

9. Little Ned 

Little Ned is a 1920s-inspired bar serving up divine cocktails and bar staples. Along with dramatic burgundy curtains and soft lighting, the interior features subtle nods to the Roaring 20s, such as shining checkered floors and velvet upholstery. Whether you’re seated at the burl wood tables on the mezzanine or in the more private side booths, you’ll enjoy the life of luxury here.

As far as cocktails go, expect classics with a twist! There’s the Little Ned Champagne Martini – or for something even richer, the Altar Old Fashioned with salted maple and chocolate bitters. Non-drinkers can enjoy alcohol-free libations like The Mule, which features fresh lime, spiced ginger cordial, san Pellegrino, and candied ginger.

The dinner menu is small but tasteful (much like Little Ned itself), with small bites like shrimp cocktail and larger portions of pan-seared salmon and NY strip steak. Whatever you order, don’t miss breathtaking views of the Empire State Building from Little Ned – open until 2 am every day but Sunday.

10. Vin Sur Vingt Wine Bar

Vin Sur Vingt Wine Bar has firmly established itself as a NoMad wine bar dedicated to simplicity, authenticity and value. This golden-lit space borrows heavily from French wine bars in terms of aesthetics, with reflective mirrors and lots of tables to create a very European effect.

Yet the intimate space is a bit misleading, as Vin Sur Vingt offers a tremendous wine list of 250 rotating bottles. From reds to whites to rosés as well as rare wines and Champagne, the wines here run the entire gamut, as far as we’re concerned. Having chosen your bottle (one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever make – in a good way!), you may also choose to accompany your wine with small plates of cheese or charcuterie… or a hearty cassoulet.

Note that this lovely wine bar is open daily, but seating is first come, first serve, so you may want to get there early. Look out for their happy hour for some of the best wine deals in all of NYC! (And speaking of deals: for those who travel frequently to DC, don’t miss our other cocktail bar recs for the 7 best bars in Dupont Circle.)

BONUS: Magic Hour

New York’s largest indoor and outdoor bar is a must-visit for anyone in the vicinity of NoMad. With multiple bars, DJ residencies, and rotating seasonal popups for those looking for an air of exclusivity, this is the place to be.

Sitting on the rooftop, you’ll have an unobstructed view of the Empire State Building and the surrounding skyline – the perfect backdrop for a drink with friends.

Make sure to make the most of the happy hour, running every weekday from 3pm – 6:30pm or pop in for brunch in the morning on weekends.

With five distinctive bar areas, you can choose whether you want to enjoy your drink in an elegant garden setting, or are looking for more of an industrial vibe.