The best bars in the Lower East Side

Evoking the ambiance of tiny Tokyo bars, Bar Goto is a serene refuge from the storm of Lower East Side bars that leave you with tinnitus. Sleek design, warm lighting, and rich green details make the space a relaxing space to indulge in unique cocktails and bites. It’s authentic, too – a framed bolt of traditional silk kimono fabric hangs on the wall, from the bartender/owner Kenta Goto’s family.

Bar Goto specializes in the Japanese cocktail tradition, with various kinds of sake, shochu, and awamori. Cocktails include their signature Sakura Martini, a Hojicha Old Fashioned, and a cucumber melon gin soda. Food-wise, they offer a veggie or classic okonomiyaki, as well as miso wings, chips & wasabi dip, and daikon pickles, which are also available as shared plates for private events.

Full buyouts host up to 40 guests, and are all-inclusive, with an open bar, shared plates, and a dedicated staff. The intimacy of the bar means it’s a great place for smaller events, or just to bring a client, a date, or a book and enjoy the tranquility.

Most of Bar Belly’s patrons have likely just happened upon it while wandering the streets around Canal. The unassuming exterior gives way to a romantic neighborhood gem, anchored by a curved copper bar brightened with fruit bowls and colorful spirit bottles. The walls are lined with funky vintage suitcases, and one is a free-for-all costume chest, in case you feel like stepping into a new identity for a night.

Their seasonal cocktails come from a nationally recognized bar team, and the long list has everything from simple daiquiris to the wild Jackalope Spritz with fiero bitters, celery, and grapefruit. Order a punch bowl for six or more guests, and snack on their complimentary house popcorn and fresh $1 oyster deal. In the late hours, you’ll likely catch a live band playing Soul or Bossa Nova.

Rent out the entire bar for up to 100 party-goers, or reserve the outdoor area for a summer evening streetside. Want something more intimate? Don’t worry – it’s a notorious date spot.

If you can snag a table, that is. This experimental bar was crowned the No. 1 best bar in North America in 2023, taking second in the world. The duality of Double Chicken Please allows you to choose whether you want to risk trying parmesan in your cocktail or stick to the well-done classics. Either way, you’ll be able to order a chicken sandwich.

The front room has a rotating brass-tap system that dispenses 11 seasonal Taptails, from passionfruit Aperol spritz (#1) to a seaweed and elderflower gin cocktail (#7). The back room, the Coop, is a more refined experience with an unexpected menu: try liquid takes on dishes like the Waldorf Salad (apple brandy, walnut bitters, celery) or the Red Eye Gravy (whiskey, corn, mushroom). In both areas, you can order their famous chicken sandwiches, and finish off with a Big Mac for dessert – it’s a giant macaron.

Full buyouts are available for up to 140 guests on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. A three to twelve-week notice is required, and party packages are available. For smaller groups, you can reserve up to 6 days in advance, or put your name down and bar-hop to some other spots on this list.

It’s five o’clock somewhere. Log off, dress up, and head to Kind Regards, a Lower East Side bar that parties til’ late seven days a week. Inspired by basement parties of Downtown NYC back in the early 2000s, you’ll find mismatched pillows, comfy couches, and art that feels like your Midwestern grandma’s in the best way.

Six cocktails are available on draft, including an Aperol spritz and a Girl Scout cookie-inspired drink that’ll take you right back to the good ol’ days. Specialty seasonal drinks use flavors like lavender, strawberry mint vodka, peach brandy, lychee, and hot honey. Snacks include deviled eggs and pigs in a blanket, and a $1 oyster hour occurs between 4 and 8 pm.

Partial or complete rentals of the space are available day and night, and full buyouts offer an open bar and food packages. The bi-level space includes a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres lounge, and add-ons include DJs, customizable menus, and dedicated staffing. Host up to 125 in the basement lounge, 89 in the street-level cocktail bar, or 214 combined.

You can expect bouncers at the door, so if you’re coming on a whim, show up stylish with a good attitude. The drinks and vibes are worth it.

Among the trendy bars of Dimes Square, it can be hard to find somewhere that feels a little more old-school and, well, unpretentious. Hair of the Dog is that spot – from the warm, barn-like interior to the $35 weekend bottomless brunch. With 23 projectors and TVs, it’s the ideal place to watch your favorite team with friends. When the sun goes down, DJs keep the energy going, and bartenders whip up nightly specials.

Behind the bar, you’ll find IPAs, stout, cider on draft, and specialty cocktails like a butterscotch espresso martini or a watermelon Red Bull margarita. The menu has nostalgic favorites like fried pickles, buffalo wings, and a chicken Caesar wrap.

The Remedy Room hosts up to 130 people in a roomy space with wrap-around windows and an embossed tin ceiling. Need more? Rent the whole space for 300 standing and 250 seated.