Four Manhattan Bars Compared by Setting

4.3 (25,844)

Mon – Thu, 12:00 – 01:00 (+1); Fri, 12:00 – 02:00 (+1); Sat, 11:00 – 02:30 (+1); Sun, 11:00 – 01:00 (+1)

1150 Broadway

Unobstructed Empire State Building views define this penthouse bar and rooftop garden on Broadway. Live music, a menu of global bites and brunch add reasons to stay beyond the skyline. Expect a lively crowd and possible lines outside, with an upstairs area noted by visitors.

4.5 (1,408)

Mon – Sun, 11:00 – 04:00 (+1)

253 5th Ave

Near Fifth Avenue, this bar pairs craft beers and classic cocktails with New American small plates and sandwiches. The atmosphere changes with the hour. Thursday happy hours can be crowded, while weekday lunches are quieter. Visitors report a varied service experience, including occasional delays.

4.2 (819)

Mon, 11:30 – 00:00 (+1); Tue – Fri, 11:30 – 00:30 (+1); Sat, 15:00 – 21:00

22 East 41st Street, New York, NY 10017

A block from Grand Central, this Irish pub suits a drink before a train or an after work gathering. The venue has a rooftop courtyard and private event spaces. Expect a louder early evening atmosphere, with a quieter mood later and a dozen beers on tap.

4.4 (83)

Thu – Sat, 18:00 – 22:00

244 W 14th St

Ticketed interactive theater unfolds around cocktail drinkers in this lounge style bar on West 14th Street. Several storylines run at once, making it a different proposition from a conventional pub. Reviews are mixed, with praise for the immersive format alongside concerns about sound and narrative delivery.