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The Ultimate Guide to the Hell’s Kitchen Bar Scene

Hells Kitchen is a neighborhood on the West Side of Manhattan. Over the years, the area has been home to a large Irish-American community and working stage actors. The name “Hell’s Kitchen” is likely derived from a quote by Davy Crockett from 1835 when he called some men “too mean to swab hell’s kitchen.” About 46,000 people live in Hell’s Kitchen, and the thousands of visitors to Manhattan often stop in local bars and restaurants.

friends out drinking at a bar in hell's kitchen

Restaurant Row on West 46th Street is in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, so finding a delicious meal or a creative cocktail is easy and exciting.

Hells Kitchen bars vary from upscale craft cocktail establishments to pubs serving up local beers. We have reviewed tons of places in the community and have listed the eleven best bars in Hell’s Kitchen!


Rudy’s Bar & Grill

627 9th Ave, Manhattan, NY 10036
Phone: 646-707-0890
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Source: Barcelona Bar

Since 1933, Rudy’s Bar & Grill has been serving straightforward cocktails and free hot dogs. Notably, the bar got one of New York’s first liquor licenses when prohibition ended! The bar is open from 12:00 pm to 4:00 am. Look for the pig statue wearing a red dining jacket situated by the front door to find the bar.

The no-frills menu is perfect for a cheap beer. Try “The All American,” a shot of Seagram’s 7 served alongside Rudy’s Blonde Draft. The bar also has its own red ale on draft. Rudy’s serves Blue Point beers, a local New York brewery. I enjoyed the Blue Point Toasted Lager.


Flaming Saddles Saloon

793 9th Avenue, between, 52nd W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-713-0481
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Flaming Saddles Saloon
Source: Flaming Saddles Saloon

Flaming Saddles Saloon is a themed bar with “Wild West” cowboy-style decor. The bar is a cash-only traditionally gay bar that plays country music and hires dancing bartenders. The restaurant is open until 4:00 pm daily. Happy hour during the week is from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and offers $5 draft beers!

After a few drinks at the bar, you’ll want to try the bar’s famous Frito Pie with homemade all-beef Texas red chili, cheese, sour cream, jalapeño, spicy brown mustard, and chopped white onions. Every day offers a new drink special; on Tuesday, try the Shiner & a Shot combo, and on Mondays, try the $5 Fireball shot!

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Ardesia Wine Bar

510 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-247-9191
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Ardesia Wine Bar
Source: Ardesia Wine Bar

Ardesia Wine Bar offers more than thirty wines by the glass and serves homemade New York pretzels. The bar is open daily. From 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm between Monday and Friday, enjoy two dollars off each glass of wine. You can also join the Ardesia Wine Bar wine club for special deals and offers.

I enjoyed red wine, and the Altar Uco, “Edad Moderna,” Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina, bottled in 2019, is delicious. I also enjoyed the Rioja Reserva Bodegas Pecina bottled in Spain in 2013. Try the Goat Milk Ricotta Crostini, the Shishito Peppers, or the Salt Cod Fritters for a snack.


On the Rocks

696 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-247-2055

Ardesia Wine Bar
Source: Ardesia Wine Bar

Located in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, On the Rocks is a diminutive and dimly lit neighborhood bar. On the Rocks offers a large selection of whiskeys. The bar is open between Tuesday and Saturday from 5:00 pm to 4:00 am. The dark wood exterior sets the bar’s vibe immediately upon entering; it’s like you are stepping into a bottle of whiskey.

I enjoyed Whistle Pig’s Straight Rye Whiskey on the rocks and in an Old Fashioned cocktail. The bar also serves Japanese whiskey, which is an interesting taste. For bourbon on the rocks, order a double Blanton’s and enjoy the smooth flavor of the spirit in the hip atmosphere of the bar.


Dutch Fred’s

307 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 646-918-6923
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Dutch Fred's
Source: Dutch Fred’s

Dutch Fred’s is known for beer and cocktails; the space has beautifully tiled floors and has posted flat-screen televisions about the bar for guest enjoyment. The bar is open daily, excluding some holidays. Once a veteran policeman, “Dutch Fred,” patrolled the neighborhood during prohibition, so the restaurant borrowed his name for its own.

Dutch Fred’s offers Taco Tuesday, Wine Down Wednesday, and a Bottomless Brunch, so look for a special no matter what day you visit! I enjoyed the Fried Chicken Sandwich with Louisiana coleslaw, the Baked Macaroni and Cheese with truffle oil, and the Kinky Boots cocktails with Ketel One vodka, raspberries, and lemon.


Pocket Bar NYC

455 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 646-682-9062
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Pocket Bar NYC
Source :Pocket Bar NYC

Pocket Bar NYC is a homey joint serving beer and wine in a cozy atmosphere. The bar is open from 4:00 pm to midnight, and guests can enjoy Teddy Grahams and sangria simultaneously! The bar also offers options for private events for corporate cocktail hours or reception-style parties.

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I enjoyed the Pocket Bar Rose and the Malbec Reserva. The beer list includes the Dirty Mayor Cider, the Allagash Curieux, and the Delieria Strong Blonde Ale. The bar has a beautiful exposed brick wall with a decorative mirror that reflects bottles, creating an illusion of thousands of bottles and a larger space.


Hold Fast Kitchen and Spirits

364 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 917-261-6691
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Hold Fast Kitchen and Spirits
Source: Hold Fast Kitchen and Spirits

Hold Fast Kitchen and Spirits holds a full bar and is decorated with low-lighting and eclectic furnishings. The bar offers imaginative pub foods and serves fantastic happy hour specials. The bar is open until 2:00 am daily. Visitors can make reservations online.

The food menu at the bar is as good as the vast drink menu! I enjoyed the Spicy Shrimp Ceviche with jalapeno, the Fried Burrata with House Marinara, and the Avocado Smash Toast with Crispy Chickpeas. Try the “Judy is a Beauty” cocktail with Ketel One Vodka, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, and Blood Orange Juice. The “Hold Fashioned” made with Angel’s Envy Bourbon is incredible!


As Is NYC

734 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 646-858-1153
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As Is NYC
Source: As Is NYC

As Is NYC is a bar serving craft beers and cocktails. The food menu includes tasty bites. The bar’s atmosphere is retro, and the decor is creative and fun with an exposed brick wall. The restaurant is open daily with an extended happy hour. Taps line the length of the bar, so guests can feel confident that their favorite, or a new favorite, brew is just a pull away!

I tried a few different beers and enjoyed the Key Lime Pie Berliner Weisse from Weldworks, the Luppolo, a Dry-Hopped Italian Style Pilsner from Oxbow, and the Mile Long Stare from Deep Fried Beers. Try the Falafel Pita Sandwich with hummus and tahini. I also enjoyed the Crispy Chicken Sandwich with buttermilk brined chicken and Calabrian aioli.


Beer Culture

328 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 646-590-2139
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Beer Culture
SourceL Beer Culture

Beer Culture is a laid-back bar with a casual vibe. The bar is open daily until at least midnight. Beer Culture can be rented for private events and makes parties unique and exciting. Follow the bar on Instagram for the most up-to-date information on which bottles are available.

I enjoyed the All Day IPA by Founders Brewing Co. and the Santilli IPA by Night Shift Brewing. One category of cans is called “In Grandpa’s Fridge” the beers are five dollars and include Genesee, Genesee Cream Ale, and Narragansett. Try some of the burgers like Saturday Morning Cartoon Burger with a fried egg, Bacon, the Bourbon BBQ Burger with smoked mozzarella, or the Nacho Burger with pickled jalapeño.

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Hibernia Bar

401 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-969-9703
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Hibernia Bar
Source: Hibernia Bar

Hibernia Bar serves draft beers and is a quintessential sports pub focusing on playing Pittsburgh Steelers games on giant televisions. The bar is open daily from 4:00 pm to 2:00 pm. With large green awnings, Hibernia Bar is easy to find in Hell’s Kitchen.

I would definitely recommend sitting down at the bar with a pint of Guinness. The deviled eggs topped with bacon are a great bite, and the restaurant serves an incredible full English breakfast for those early morning soccer games. I also enjoyed the classic old fashioned cocktail made with Bulleit Bourbon. This bar is enjoyable; catch a game or “waste” an afternoon at this bar!


Barcelona Bar

923 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
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Barcelona Bar
Source: Barcelona Bar

The Barcelona Bar offers hundreds of shots that are inspired by famous personalities or audience recommendations. The bar is open until at least 2:00 am daily but offers extended hours on the weekend. Monday nights are trivia nights, and the bar provides incredible prizes like Amazon gift cards and bottles of liquor!

If you are visiting Barcelona Bar, know that you are definitely ordering shots! I would recommend the Harry Potter shot, the Girl on Fire shot or the Monica Lewinsky shot. Additionally, The Waffles shot is actually delicious and tastes like waffles with syrup. It’s a great place to begin a night out, but beware, the bar gets very crowded!


Hell’s Kitchen is a fun neighborhood for dining and drinking for residents and visitors alike. From creative shots to draft beers to bourbon on the rocks, bars across Hell’s Kitchen offer something exciting for everyone. Due to its rapid growth throughout the years, Hell’s Kitchen is a diverse neighborhood filled with history and expert restaurateurs.

Are you looking for other places to eat in Hell’s Kitchen? Check out our favorite restaurants in the area by clicking here.

So if you are searching for where to get a drink in Hell’s Kitchen, try one of these eleven bars! Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.