Nina Rossiello
Food, Booze, Body Art Editor & Writer
Founding Member
A quick guide to some must-stops for happy hour in New York City.
You walk out of work on Friday after a long, stressful week of work, and you get a text from your friend that simply says “happy hour?” Sign me up! There is no better way to end a week than sitting on a high stool at the bar next to a friend venting about the 9-5 grind, making future plans together, and just catching up on life. There is only one problem here that arises the moment you receive that text message: you’re in New York City surrounded by endless choices of bars, pubs, and even some speakeasies, and cannot decide where to go. There are so many options.
In hopes of helping you narrow down your endless options, I’ve compiled a short list of some of my favorite spots scattered throughout NYC (in no particular order whatsoever).
Vanguard Wine Bar – Upper West Side (Amsterdam between 68th St and 69th St)
If you’re looking for a relaxing space, Vanguard Wine Bar should be high up on your list. This low-lit, cozy bar is one of the perfect happy hour spots. When you walk in, you are met with a long wrap around bar, which fills up most of the room, but there are tables lining the walls if you prefer to not sit at the bar itself. The wine list has plenty of different whites, reds, and roses to choose from, but the list also isn’t overwhelming. Personally, I have never had a wine from there I didn’t enjoy!.
Along with the wine selection, they offer a delicious selection of small plates, so you can snack while you enjoy your glass of wine and chit chat the night away. A personal favorite for me is the White Bean Hummus. I was scraping the bowl clean after asking for a second serving of bread to dip! The bartenders and waitstaff are attentive, knowledgeable, and always exceedingly pleasant. Sounds like a great spot, am I right? Let’s say you agree, but maybe this location is a little too far from where you’d like to be, you’re in luck! Vanguard has two more locations to offer with the same wine list, drinks, and even small plates. One of the locations is on the Upper East Side on 1st Avenue, and the other location is in Midtown West on 51st Street.
Stout (33rd St between 7th Ave and 6th Ave)
Stout is more of your classic bar feel, and an absolutely perfect spot for happy hours large and small. This location is conveniently located walking distance from Penn Station, which can have its pros and cons. Since it is so close to Penn Station, it can get crowded very quickly, especially if there’s an event, such as a Rangers game, happening at Madison Square Garden (located right above Penn Station for any non-New Yorkers here). Stout has a very open-concept aesthetic, and is honestly tremendous, especially for New York City. Most bars and restaurants in New York City are quite narrow and have limited capacity. When you walk in, you enter the main area, which has a bar that runs the entire length of the room. Behind this section, there is an area with tables that are for dining and waiter-service only. A seating and dining area runs along the wall parallel to the main bar.
If these two rooms don’t offer enough space for you, there is also an additional bar and seating downstairs from the main room AND even more bar seating upstairs from the main room. Once you pick your spot, you can sit (or stand) back and enjoy the lively ambiance. There are televisions along the bar, so you and your friends can enjoy the game while also enjoying your beverages and each others’ company. If you prefer a classic bar atmosphere, this is your place. Similar to Vanguard, Stout offers two additional locations separate from their MSG location. The first location is relatively close to the MSG location, being a short walk away to 41st St and Park Ave. The second location is a bit of a trip from Penn Station, but favorable if you work (or play) in lower Manhattan. It is located in the Financial District on John St and Gold Street.
The Flying Cock (3rd Ave between 33rd St and 34th St)
At first glance, The Flying Cock is tight. Not tight like awesome, tight as in small and narrow tight. There is a bar to the right when you walk through the door, and an additional bar is located towards the back. The room is narrow, and filled up with tables and chairs, but it is a cozy, aesthetically pleasing locale, and a great spot for an intimate night with some friends. The bartenders and wait staff are attentive, and are quick in making your next cocktail. Even though The Flying Cock is a narrow space, and you can definitely go there with a group of people, say maybe a group of 5-6 or so coworkers after work. The bar can get a tad crowded, but it is spacious enough to still have a great experience, so keep an open mind.
I have to admit, when I first went, it was with a very large group, we didn’t have a reservation, and I was being negative the entire night complaining about how uncomfortable I was. Looking back on that evening, I was the problem in this equation, definitely not the bar. When you’re in New York City, it is important to remember that most places are pretty tight and when you go with a large group (20+) it can be overwhelming physically in the bar and emotionally for the staff and other patrons of the bar. After reminding myself of these things, we ended up having a great time altogether, just in close quarters.
The waiters and waitresses were extremely accommodating, treated us all respectfully, even though we completely took over their bar, and they ensured we had full drinks at all times. I definitely recommend going there with a smaller group, but they can without a doubt handle large groups as well! If you do plan on going with a larger group, do yourself and the bar a favor and call ahead to give them the heads up. It will be less stressful for everyone involved. The Flying Clock only offers one fun location, but that adds to the charm and the unique experience.
Rosie O’Gradys Saloon (Corner of 7th Ave and 52nd St)
A classic Irish pub to add to your list (and my personal favorite). Rosie’s is a step further from Penn Station, but much closer to Times Square. Luckily, most tourists around that area tend to stick to Broadway, so even though it is close to Times Square, it is never overwhelmingly crowded. The street level of Rosie O’Grady’s is the dining area, so for happy hour, you’re going to want to make your way downstairs to the bar.
There are tables down there to dine at as well, but it’s usually filled up with mostly bar patrons. Entering the softly lit bar area, you will be greeted with a smile and an Irish brogue every single time you step down there. The bartenders exude classic Irish charm and friendliness, and tend to recognize you and offer you the usual if you’re a repeat customer (not that I know that from experience or anything). I recommend sitting at that bar if you can because of how comfortable the bartenders make you feel. If you can’t decide what you’re in the mood to sip on, definitely take a look at their drink specialties – they never disappoint.
My first choice when I’m looking for a unique cocktail is the Razzmopolitan. It is exactly what it sounds like: a raspberry cosmopolitan, and it is so yummy! After you’ve enjoyed a drink or two, check out their food menu too. The menu is full of delicious apps to snack on or full meals if you’re feeling hungry. My personal favorites are the mozzarella sticks or, if I’m extra hungry, the California burger. Rosie O’Grady’s Saloon is a one-and-only in New York City, with the one location, making your enjoyable experience extra special.
The Perfect Pint – Midtown East (45th Street between 3rd Ave and 2nd Ave)
Last but not certainly not least, one more classic bar to close out this quick bar guide. The Perfect Pint is the only rooftop bar that made its way onto this list. There are three stories to this bar, and obviously, the rooftop portion is on the third floor, so get ready to climb some steps! There is a bar on each floor, making it convenient to find a spot if it is a bit crowded when you visit. The first level is the largest bar area, and usually fills up the quickest. The second level has a small bar, and usually if you’re dining, you’ll be seated there. The third floor also has a small bar, but is the rooftop section. When the weather is nice, this fills up FAST.
Going there right after work (5-6pm) for happy hour is your best chance at getting a table up there. The whole place is relatively narrow, but very deep, so you can fit a bunch of people. If you pick a table on the rooftop level, you can either go up to the bar and order some drinks, or order with the wait staff (depending on the time and how busy it is really). The waitstaff is especially attentive, and will never keep you waiting too long. Drinks choices here are standard and classic, offering a decent beer selection and a few mixed drink options. The bartenders here make a delicious vodka soda.
You’re probably thinking that’s such a simple drink, but there are plenty of places I’ve gone that have messed up this classic drink. Perfect Pint also offers your customary selection of bar food, such as chicken wings and mozzarella sticks. Everything offered on the menu food wise is guaranteed to hit the spot during and even after a successful happy hour. The Perfect Pint offers two Midtown locations, one in Midtown East and one in Midtown West, both locations are easy to remember because they’re both on 45th street!
