New York City · August 17, 2026
New York City
Where I actually go, almost all of it 14th Street and below. Irish pubs, rooftops, and the few dinners I bothered to book.
My personal bias disclaimers
- I am not a foodie.
- I do not care about, nor do I drink, fancy cocktails.
- I would never take a recommendation from social media.
- I do not believe any line is worth waiting in. Walk in culture only.
- I don’t really like to go out on weekend nights because there are too many people.
- I exclusively hang out “downtown” Manhattan, which is from 14th Street down to the Financial District. If you’re within these neighborhoods you better give me a call to get a coffee or a beer.
The greatest thing to experience in New York City is the people. Sightseeing, cuisine, bars, museums, shows, and nightlife are merely used as an excuse to get out to see, meet, and interact with the people that make NYC great.
What are the best Irish pubs or taverns?
Editor’s note: I’m convinced Irish pubs are the great equalizer of the world. Everything from the working man to the world’s elite drink at Irish pubs across the world. When I am in far far far away lands, I always find the nearest Irish pub or tavern, because I always feel at home.
Beyond the Pale
53 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 · Soho
BTP is so great I have its logo tattoo’d on my ass. Owners are very nice, properly Irish, and made me feel at home when I first moved to NYC. Solid bar food.
The Ear Inn
326 Spring St, New York, NY 10013 · Soho
Proper Irish spot. I think it’s one of the oldest bars in NYC (I feel like multiple places claim this title). The owner has a great story of him during Hurricane Sandy, guy was really going to go down with the ship. It was originally right on the west river before they added to the island of Manhattan. Solid bar food.
The Galway Hooker
133 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 · West Village
Won a $50 gift card at trivia here, mainly why it made the list. However, the West Village is a great going out spot, and this is a really solid place to use as a go to within the neighborhood.
Ulysses
58 Stone St, New York, NY 10004 · Financial District
At some point you will find yourself in the Financial District, so you’ll want to go to Stone Street, and this is where I would start. Solid bar food.
What are the best rooftop spots?
This is a biased opinion, but I think most would agree, the two best rooftop bars in Manhattan are in the Financial District. But if you want to see the Manhattan skyline, you need to go to Brooklyn.
Overstory
70 Pine St, 64th Floor, New York, NY 10005 · Financial District
In my opinion this is the GOAT of rooftop bars in Manhattan. If you’re going to go, I recommend making a reservation here, especially on the weekends.
Manhatta
28 Liberty St, 60th Floor, New York, NY 10005 · Financial District
This bar is indoors, but has an amazing view. I’ve almost always been able to just walk in and get a seat at the bar.
Citizen M Hotel Rooftop Bar
189 Bowery, New York, NY 10002 · Lower East Side
Really nothing special about this spot, other than it has good views, you likely can find a seat or table, and you can always just walk in.
Public Hotel Rooftop
215 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002 · Lower East Side
This is a sexy hotel. Ladies are obsessed with taking pictures on their escalators??
The Arlo Hotel Rooftop
96 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249 · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
I’m not a big Brooklyn guy, but this hotel has to have the best views of Manhattan.
I want to go to a nice dinner?
As mentioned, I’m not a foodie. I typically like to go places I can easily walk in to, so this is a short list of the few places I actually made an effort to get a reservation and found that it was at least somewhat worth it. At a minimum I would say these places are $100 per person if you get food and one drink. Make a reservation for these places.
Mēdüzā Mediterrania
657 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014 · Meatpacking District
Very sexy restaurant, food is solid. Definitely paying for a combination of aesthetics and good food here.
TAO Downtown
92 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011 · Meatpacking District
Another sexy restaurant. Food and aesthetic are both great here. Just a heads up, TAO isn’t just an NYC thing. They have one in Chicago and Vegas as well. Asian food.
Supper
156 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10009 · East Village
Old school Italian spot, cash only. The food here is amazing. When I had my company’s whole team in town this is where I hosted our team dinner.
Harry’s
1 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004 · Financial District
Old money vibes steak house, sexy restaurant, sexy bar, overall solid place.
Keens Steakhouse
72 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018 · Garment District
Breaking my rule here and going out of downtown NYC. This place is a really cool old school steak house. They have smoking pipes from every iconic person in NYC history. Bar is really cool.