Rent the perfect bar in West Village

Now, obviously, being in close proximity to the country’s most reliable coast-to-coast burger joint raises a bar’s pedigree. The Garret does offer a bit more than a guaranteed bite to eat after a session, though.

The 7th and Bleeker spot holds fast and true to the central tenets of any good speakeasy: warm, dimly lit, and deliberately difficult to find. Once you’ve done the obvious thing and secured your burger and fries, head upstairs to find the bar itself.

The cocktail list is what you’d expect from a talked-about West Village bar, with long complicated names leading you to drinks that just about justify the $17 price tag. Going for the beer is also a decision we wholeheartedly support.

Despite an out-of-the-way entrance, the Garret is definitely vibesy, and you’ll want to get in early to guarantee yourself a seat. There is a semi-private area for bigger groups.

Wedged between Washington Square Park and West Village, Four Faced is about as archetypal as you get for a proper NYC Irish bar. The name comes from a clocktower in Cork’s Northside, which doubles as the birthplace of Four Face’s founder and original proprietor. Dishing up a warm, local atmosphere that perfectly complements a well-poured Guinness, it’s one for the rainy days.

You’ll find English Premier League and European soccer being featured regularly alongside Sunday poetry readings and a continuous showing of Irish congeniality.

As you can probably expect from a self-styled Ale House, Blind Tiger prides itself on showcasing the very best of NYC’s world-beating craft beer scene. IPAs, Stouts, American Pale Ales, Sours and everything else that can be squeezed from a hop litter the extensive menu.

We know that the words ‘craft ale’ in the West Village can induce nightmares of plaid shirts and moustaches adamantly refusing to enjoy themselves, but the atmosphere at Blind Tiger still does what a good bar should do: make you feel at home.

They also serve a pretty standup grilled cheese, for when you need to soak up all that beer.

Katana Kitten is where Japanese cocktail precision meets New York City's irreverent bar scene. This spot is a delightful cultural mash-up, like a Tokyo subway car colliding with a New York speakeasy. It's known for its whimsically named drinks and an ambiance that's as quirky as it is welcoming.

The cocktails are crafted with a meticulousness that proves perfect for those who enjoy their drinks with a side of playful eccentricity. Katana Kitten is a standout in the West Village's bustling bar landscape, offering a unique twist on the traditional bar experience. No surprise then that's it's consistently ranked among the best bars in the world.

Once an East Village trailblazer and leader of the craft-cocktail renaissance, Tony Yoshida’s bar ended a three-decade run back in 2022 to the disappointment of many New Yorkers.

A few years later, Yoshida’s daughter, Erina, moved and reopened this snug speakeasy to a basement on Grove Street, with its old door and chandelier in tow.

Dimly lit, with an almost church-like atmosphere, Angel’s Share operates on its original strict Japanese-style etiquette. Smartly dressed bartenders cradling cocktail shakers work off a tight list of exceedingly nerdy cocktails. Blow torches, immersion blenders, a quick swish of the tweezers to perfect a garnish, and all under a mock-Tiepolo mural.

It's a mellow place of both formality and intimacy. Cocktails are taken seriously,—no Long Island iced tea here. Hard spirits are carefully smoked, infused or iced with ingredients such as soy sauce powder or rye whisky. Small bites include sashimi or crudo to accompany exotic plum wine.

Just remember, there are a few rules that are strictly (to put it mildly) enforced. Walk in only, no standing allowed and max. 4 people per party.

But, once you're in, count your lucky stars.

Solid and straight to the point. Wilfie and Nell is a dark and cozy bar with impeccable vibes, great for bringing a friend or making a new one. The brick walls and wooden tables are enough to inspire the next great American novel. If you glance around the room, you might see a picture of the owners' grandparents, who we can thank for inspiring Wilfie and Nell. It might feel like you need to order a whiskey on the rocks, but any of their cocktails are cool enough to make it onto your Instagram story. If you stay for a snack, don’t skip the grilled cheese - the caramelized onions put it over the top.

Straight from Switzerland, Lavaux Wine Bar brings a pinch of Swiss magic to the West Village. If you are in the mood for cheese and wine (who isn’t? All the time?), this is the place to be. Three friends created Lavaux, two of whom were wine connoisseurs and one a cheese monger. They came together to make their dream become a reality: getting New Yorkers drunk on fruity wine. The best part of this place, however, is the secret message party every Tuesday. Guests may write any conversation starter and pass it to a “messenger” who discreetly gives it to another person in the bar of your choosing. It is quite possible you come for the vino and leave with a great story.

The second-oldest bar in NYC, White Horse Tavern, has been a West Village institution since 1880. Good beer and good company have ensured its survival through wars, storms, and pandemics. Dylan Thomas, James Baldwin, Jack Kerouac, and many more have loved this place for its homey vibes and excellent cocktails. This is definitely a bar to come and sit with friends (or even foes… great disagreements can be settled over a White Horse Martini). There are three different rooms here that can be rented out for private events, individually or together, for groups of up to 100 people. The White Horse is the perfect place for drinks, dinner, or writing your next rock album. Hey, it worked for Bob Dylan, didn’t it?

If you’re in the mood for a drink, a snack, and the melodic vibrato of a saxophone, Arthur’s Tavern is the place for you. Iconic names in Jazz have performed on their stage such as Mabel Godwin, Al Bundy, and Johnny Parker. This speakeasy opened at the end of the Prohibition era, and maintains the intimate and smoky vibes the 20s were famous for. Music has been a feature of Arthur’s since the 1950s, and we can only imagine the parties that used to be held in the speakeasy. Nowadays, the music, drinks, and food still rock. Or should we say, jives? Swings? Bops? Never mind, you’ll get it when you go there.

This WV bar is all the rage right now, for all the right reasons. The underground lounge is called Sip, while the upper level is Guzzle. Both bars share a small but mighty food menu with highlights such as mochi french fries and razor clams. Guzzle has standing room for drinks or an adjoining room for reservations, if you can nab one. Sip is first come first serve, but worth the fight. The cocktails here are what put Sip & Guzzle on the map - award winning and mouth watering. The bar comes from the powerhouses behind Employee’s Only and Angel’s Share, so you know you’re in for a good time. It’s a place to see and be seen, and brag about for weeks after.