15 Best Bars in Greenwich Village, New York City

Considered by many (not least its current owners) to be "the jazz capital of the world," the Blue Note was once the stomping ground for such legends as Dizzy Gillespie and still hosts a variety of acts, from Chris Botti to jazz to Latin orchestras to Maceo Parker. Expect a steep cover charge except for late shows on weekends, when the music goes from less jazzy to more funky.

A multitime World's Best Bars honoree, this 8th Street cocktail bar is the stronghold of French mixologist Nico de Soto where he crafts inspired libations using unorthodox ingredients in a sleekly designed, dimly lit atmosphere. Things like dates, black sesame, pine nuts, corn puree, and something called "Champagne acid" are all likely to find their way into your glass. And it will taste fantastic. For nonexperimental drinkers, there are plenty of classic cocktails on the menu, too. 

If you woke up this morning and thought: I'd really like to drink a cocktail in 1920s Japan, you're in luck. This stylish bar, whose name is the Japanese equivalent of a "flapper," shakes up classic American cocktails using Japanese spirits and ingredients. The food menu is equally unique as it focuses on yoshoku cuisine, Western-influenced dishes that were created when Japan ended its 2½-century isolation and opened up to the West in 1868—sort of a time-warp cuisine that marries perfectly with the ethos of this bar.

It doesn't get more intimate than this dark, inviting music den downstairs from the Italian café La Lanterna. An ever-changing roster of musicians takes the stage here, from emerging artists to featured trios. Come early to grab a seat and tuck into a good thin-crust pizza. In summer, hang out in the lovely garden for a prelude.

On a fabled bohemian block, this Greenwich Village standby has served its share of talent since 1961, with Billy Joel, David Crosby, and Dr. John among the stars who've played here. These days you're more likely to find (much) lesser-known musicians playing blues, rock, funk, and jazz.

Every night, laughter fills this exposed-brick space beneath the writer-friendly Olive Tree Café. The bill features a range of comedians, from hilarious up-and-comers to television and movie personalities like Jon Stewart and Amy Schumer.

A quasi-subterranean bar with a nautical theme and a penchant for rum drinks, the Folly is a cool, refreshing place to chill out when the temperatures are high. The frozen painkiller—rum, creme de coconut, and pineapple juice—soothes the misery of a blazing day. The happy hour goes until 8 pm on weekdays and the snack menu includes crab mac and cheese and roasted garlic hummus.

Head into the street-level or underground entrances to behold this cutting-edge, multipurpose entertainment and dance emporium, whose name means "the Red Fish" (and whose parentheses around "Le" remain a mystery). Blending just the right mix of posh notes (lush decor, fine dining), party nights, reasonable pricing, and brave music programming (retro-pop, jazz, electronic, cabaret, rock, folk—even rollicking drag-queen bingo), the Poisson is an essential NYC fixture.

Brought to you by the people who run Smalls (just across 7th Avenue from here), Mezzrow is a low-key, subterranean jazz club with a loyal following. Several acts perform nightly, and it's a good idea to make a reservation (see the website) to ensure entry.

Named for a 19th-century bar at or nearby this address, this tiny, charming, divey craft-beer bar is often passed by unnoticed. But ring the bell to enter a hushed, low-lit subterranean bar with funky decor and rabbit images, where the menu dazzles with exotic and seasonal brews on tap and by the bottle (along with a few nice wines).

Despite the name, this spacious spot with a huge wraparound bar and cozy booths is not Spanish themed. Instead, it's a dimly lit spot for solid cocktails and better-than-average pub grub that will quench your taste buds and fill your tummy to add longevity to a night of imbibing. There is a large selection of signature cocktails with an emphasis on whisky-laced concoctions. Excellent bar bites include polenta and meatballs, charbroiled oysters, and cassoulet.

A true charmer, this second-story haven for blues lovers is a cozy Greenwich Village club surprisingly short on NYU students (unlike other places in this neighborhood). Everyone from great national acts like Buddy Guy to local R&B artists graces the stage year-round.

Tucked away from the street, the "Belgian Beer Bar" (as everybody calls it) features a European-style, enclosed outdoor courtyard and a cozy interior, all red light and shadows. NYU grad-student types come for the mammoth selection of beers on tap as well as the fries, which are served with Belgian flair in a paper cone, with an array of sauces on the side.