I recently visited NYC for the first time!!! I had such an amazing time visiting friends in the city, and ya’ll already know that one of my top priorities–right after Times Square and the Statue of Liberty–was exploring the beverage scene. I was staying in Bushwick, Brooklyn, but also spent plenty of time hopping around Manhattan and the East Village.
Below are the coffee shops and bars I hit during my New York trip, with a few stories sprinkled in along the way.
caffe vita
Caffe Vita was my friend and I’s first stop before a day of sightseeing around Manhattan. Located in the industrial Bushwick neighborhood, this spot is tucked inside a warehouse-style space with its roastery attached. It immediately felt very “Brooklyn,” with exposed brick, grungy accents, and a cozy bar area. This is one of their three locations in the country, the original located in Seattle and the other in Phoenix. I ordered an oat milk latte (my go-to), and it was exactly what I needed to kick off the day!
cherry on top
After a productive day of sightseeing—Times Square, Central Park, pizza, and the Museum of Modern Art—it was time to explore some bars! Our first stop was Cherry on Top, an intimate wine bar back in Bushwick.
We went around 5 p.m., and the vibe was mellow: think dim lighting, soft indie music, and quiet conversation. We split a bottle of orange wine from Georgia (we were feeling adventurous) that was crisp and easy-drinking with notes of melon, which felt like the perfect way to ease into the night. Bonus: they also have a rooftop that opens in the warmer months.
over story
Next up was my absolute favorite bar from the entire trip. Overstory is known as one of the top-rated cocktail bars in NYC, and it completely lived up to the hype. Located high above the city in the financial district of Manhattan, this intimate cocktail bar sits on the 63rd floor and offers both a cozy indoor space and a 360-degree rooftop with unreal views of the skyline. It’s basically impossible to be in a bad mood there.
I tried three cocktails, and hands down, they were the best I’ve ever had. The balance was perfect—strong enough that you could taste the alcohol, but crafted so well that it elevated the rest of the drink instead of overpowering it.
What really stood out, though, was the service. At one point I casually mentioned maybe getting another round, and within a minute our server appeared with menus, already anticipating what we might want. That level of awareness is true hospitality. Shoutout to our server Alex, who gave great recommendations and even brought me a mini cupcake after I mentioned I’d recently celebrated my birthday. If you’re looking for a special-occasion bar or a night of full-on NYC elegance, Overstory is a must.
Carousel
Our last stop of the night was Carousel, a more casual bar back in Bushwick, but still a standout. The space is big and full of personality: a main bar room, a small dance floor with a disco ball and couches, a pool table, and an outdoor smoking area located in the middle of the building. Yes–in the middle of the building. There’s something oddly fun about standing outside while technically still inside! A few gin and tonics later, and it turned into one of those places I didn’t want to leave.
wycoff starr coffee shop
Another local Bushwick favorite, Wyckoff Starr was our stop for oat milk lattes before taking the subway to the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. It’s cozy with limited seating, which makes it perfect for grabbing coffee on the go before a busy day. The shop is also Twin Peaks themed, which I thought was fun. If I hadn’t already eaten, I absolutely would’ve tried one of their house-made bagels, because they had a seriously tempting menu.
sophie’s
My last night in the city, a friend from college and I stopped into Sophie’s after dinner for a drink. It’s a true neighborhood dive in the best way: cozy, low-key, and welcoming, with a pool table in the back and a decent amount of seating. It was the perfect place for a gin and tonic (I’m going through a gin tonic phase, okay) while catching up and reliving old college memories. 🙂
kgb bar
KGB is apparently all the rage in the East Village right now, and I can see why. It’s a Soviet-themed bar with two floors and live music on certain nights. Think red mood lighting, velvet couches, antique décor, and a lively crowd. Unfortunately, I came on a night without live music, but with the small stage upstairs in the Red Room, I can imagine how special it gets when bands are playing. It felt very New York to me: bold, dramatic, and full of character.
paradise lost
My final stop on my NYC beverage tour was Paradise Lost, a spooky-themed tiki bar—and yes, creepy meets tropical. I loved it.
The entrance is hidden behind a wall of greenery, and inside you’ll find dim lighting, eerie surf-rock music, and spooky décor everywhere. We started with mojitos (fair warning: the drinks are strong), and then I ordered a blended banana cocktail that somehow tasted like a sugar cookie with buttercream frosting–unexpected, but delicious. They even put a fake spider on my frozen drink, which absolutely made me jump…worth it!
The beverage scene in New York is wildly overwhelming, but for the three days I spent there, I think I did pretty well. If you find yourself in NYC, give a few of these spots a try. I already can’t wait to go back and explore even more coffee shops, cocktail bars, and dives.
Thanks for reading 🙂
Caffeine & Chianti 
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