NYC's Top Judgement-Free Places To Drink Good Whisky

There's no shortage of great places to drink in New York City. From time-tested dives, to new speakeasy concepts popping up each month, there's something for everyone. For those of us that enjoy the finer things, quality spirit and cocktail bars are a plenty, though too many are accompanied by an off-putting air of pretention that feels out of place in 2018's drink culture.

If you're looking for a spot to try something unique and delicious, without having to feel uncomfortable about speaking above a whisper or asking a question regarding the menu, consider checking out one of our picks for Manhattan's most inviting whisky dens.

5. On the Rocks (696 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019)

A truly bespoke experience in a tiny dimly lit space in Hell's Kitchen, On The Rocks has managed to procure some delightfully obscure bottles of whisky. Simply tell the bartenders what you like – sweet, smoky, spicy – and a general price range you'd like to stay within, and they'll present you with a few options that you likely haven't tasted before. You'll walk away having tried something new, and without the sticker shock that can sometimes accompany such samplings.

4. Leave Rochelle Out of It (205 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002)

Often simply referred to as Rochelle's, this is the ultimate hybrid, a very expansive whisky bar wrapped up in a party-bar aesthetic. The tagline is "bad decisions served nightly," and while things can certainly get rowdy on the weekends, there's a plethora of great sipping options here, including some of the more obscure offerings from High West, Elijah Craig, and Suntory to name a few. The best bet however, might just be the beer and a shot combo. At $5 during happy hour, and still only $9 the rest of the night, this great deal includes a Miller High Life split and a shot of what's almost always a surprisingly delicious "whisky of the week."

3. American Whiskey (247 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001)

A rare gem in the heart of midtown, American Whiskey is the perfect option for when your train from Penn Station doesn't leave for another hour, but you don't want to settle for a domestic lager and subpar chicken wings. An elevated Southern-style whisky den conveniently located a block away from the Station, American Whiskey offers an impressive selection of over 375 whiskies from around the world, and a delectable menu of well-crafted appetizers and entrees including roasted bone marrow, smoked wings, and several burgers and steaks.

2. Bondurants (303 E 85th St, New York, NY 10028)

Hidden away on the Upper East Side, Bondurants boasts a well-curated collection of over 100 different whiskies, available in 1 oz. tasters and 2 oz. pours. Though there is seating around the entire perimeter of the space, the no-frills establishment requires all orders to be made at the horseshoe-shaped bar in the center. This, coupled with the unfinished wood table tops and dim lighting, feels vaguely reminiscent of an old western saloon. It's a refreshing experience to step into off a New York City block. While you're here for the whisky, don't do yourself the disservice of skipping the food, as Bondurants' burgers, served on pretzel buns and adorned with such toppings as pimento cheese, pickled green tomatoes, and bourbon bacon jam, are among the best in the city.

1. The Dead Rabbit (30 Water St, New York, NY 10004)

No list of premier Manhattan drinking establishments would be complete without the inclusion of the iconic Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog. Purveyors of a to-die-for Irish coffee, and named the world's best bar in 2015 and 2016, owner Sean Muldoon and his team have perfected the cocktail bar experience. Its brutal comic-book style menu, featuring a collection of famous bartenders as its cast of characters, is almost as enjoyable to flip through as the inventive drinks are to sip on. The bartenders and servers at The Dead Rabbit are masters of their craft, and always more than willing to answer questions to help patrons navigate a menu made up of many foreign ingredients. Cocktails, both whisky and otherwise, should be your first choice here, but the bar has a hefty Irish whiskey selection for purists too, including its recently released, 5-year old, namesake blend, The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey.