As if we didn't get good and drunk enough already…
The New Year is here and we're starting it off with a cheers!
Whether you're going for a 'New Year, New Me' or you need some serious chill after the craziness of the holidays, New York City never ceases to disappoint when it comes to spots to grab a drink.
From brand new bars to best kept neighborhood secretes, here's our pick for the best places to raise a glass at this month.
Oh, too broke to drink? Here are some other non-drinking (just kidding. Some of these definitely require drinking) suggestions for your first month of 2017. Oh, and these are the free ones!
1. Hop House (2224 Frederick Douglass Blvd)
Head on up to this new Harlem hotspot, Hop House, a beer den in the spot that used to house the beloved eatery Bad Horse Pizza. It adds to the growing number of beer-heavy establishments in the neighborhood, such as Harlem Tavern and Bier International.
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They offer a great list of locally made beers from $7 and wine from $8, as well as pizza in their rustic yet refined 60-seat space. They also plan to start offering beer-education courses, where you'll learn about local brews as well as the refining process they use to create the best sip that they can.
2. The Last Word (31-30 Ditmars Blvd - Queens)
A new craft cocktail haven has popped up in Astoria! Get your two cents in at The Last Word, which boats a wide variety of customizable craft cocktails to appease the palettes of just about any wayward drinker who happens to wander in.
At first, you'll think you've walked into a hardware store, with decor using things like keys and tools. But sneak behind the red velvet curtain into a sumptuous speakeasy where you can grab an Aged House Words, with an aged spirit of your choice, green chartreuse, luxardo, maraschino liqueur and lime.
3. Ghost Donkey (4 Bleecker Street)
Down on Bleecker you can get some serious heat, even in the NYC winter. The Latin-themed lounge Ghost Donkey is a colorful and welcoming watering hole that boasts a number of creative cocktails, like their Champagne Cobbler using smooth herradura plata, orange curaçao, citrus and bitters.
They also feature classics like a smokey Negroni made with mezcal and aquavit as well as drinks like the Stone Wall, a mix of tequila, mezcal, habanero cider, and pomegranate. The massive "cocktail for two" El Burro, is a potion of mezcal, aperol, agave, pink grapefruit and chili served in a ceramic donkey.
4. Macri Park (462 Union Avenue - Brooklyn)
Williamsburg has come to have one of the liveliest scenes when it comes to gay nightlife, the crown jewel being Metropolitan Bar on Lorimer Street. Now meet their new sister bar, Macri Park, which is just a five minute walk away. And the party is already getting off to a great start.
From a stellar drag show Monday nights at 11 p.m. with Ruby Roo and Ragamuffin to Karaoke Night on Wednesday to their epic Friday night dance parties, there's something going on each night of the week. So no matter when you decide to pop in, you're in for a good night out.
5. VNYL(100 3rd Avenue)
They don't make them like these all the time. This four-story, 70's-inspired "clubstaurant" is the newest reason to go down to the East Village. Enter VNYL, which stands for 'Vintage New York Lifestyle,' drawing decor inspiration from the chic and sophisticated homes of L.A. in the 70's.
Their cocktail program offers signature cocktails like Tighty Whities, with shiso-infused gin, shochu, green chartreusse, yuzu and citrus as well as time-old drinks like their remix of an Irish Coffee. They also serve a number of exquisite food items that come from sustainable and eco-friendly sources.
6. Alamo Drafthouse (445 Albie Square West - Brooklyn)
This bar in Downtown Brooklyn is so much more than a mere watering hole. It's also a specialty movie theater that plays both contemporary releases as well as a number of oldies and throwbacks, all with cool libations within arm's reach.
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With a revolving schedule of classic movies to re-watch on the big screen like Hackers and Clueless, not to mention their weekly Terror Tuesday horror movie night, it gets even better with their specialty cocktails, wine, and craft beer, all of which is brewed locally. Pass the popcorn!
7. Chumley's (86 Bedford Street )
In 2007, the 81-year-old bar Chumley's downtown was forced to close when a wall collapsed. Since then, the bar has been trying to redesign and reopen. Now, this Village gem has finally put together the team to make it work and has officially reopened and added a new restaurant component.
The new Chumley's still pays homage to the literary pub it was in its glory days, with decor and memorabilia from the writers who passed by in the old days. The onetime regular Willa Cather might not recognize it after the new facelift, but it's still a great place to grab a stiff drink.
[Feature Image Courtesy Gothamist]