The neighborhood of the Upper East Side is a hidden gem in terms of New York City nightlife. While many people might assume that the best bars are located in “cooler” neighborhoods downtown and in Brooklyn, some of the best bars in NYC are actually located on the UES.

There are a variety of Upper East Side bars to choose from depending on your interests- hidden speakeasies, a 70’s themed disco bar, timelessly elegant cocktail bars, a piano bar with broadway-caliber performers, casual bars for games and brews, and more. There is sure to be an UES bar that is just what you are looking for.

Below is a list of the most unique bars on the Upper East Side. If you are an Upper East Side local, you are bound to have visited at least a few of the UES bars on this list. If you are coming from downtown- prepare to be impressed by the amount of Upper East Side bars to choose from. 

Coolest Bars on the Upper East Side

Brandy’s Piano Bar

Brandy’s Piano Bar is an absolute must-visit bar on the Upper East Side. It is a hole-in-the-wall piano bar with nightly performers beginning at 9:30 p.m. 

Their piano player is always willing to take requests- be prepared to sing along and have a great time. It is also very likely that the Broadway-caliber bartenders and wait staff will hit the microphone for a few songs throughout the night too.

Brandy’s Piano Bar is located on 84th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. 

Ethyl’s

Ethyl’s is a 1970’s themed bar with go-go dancers, a dance floor, and a DJ. Stepping into Ethyl’s feels like you are stepping into a scene from Saturday Night Fever. It is one of the best spots uptown if you are looking for a fun dance/party vibe.

Ethyl’s is located on 2nd Avenue between 84th and 85th.

Bemelmans

Bemelmans is a timeless, upscale piano bar located in the Carlyle Hotel on East 76th and Madison.

Its walls are painted in murals by artist/author Ludwig Bemelmans (most well known for his children’s book series Madeline). Its ceilings are covered in 24-karat gold-leaf.

Bemelmans has live music 365 days a year, with live piano 5:30-8:30 pm and a jazz trio beginning at 9:00/9:30 pm (there is a cover charge during the jazz trio performance)

UES (Ice Cream Speakeasy)

UES is a speakeasy located behind an ice cream parlor on 2nd Avenue between 88th and 89th Street. To get in, you enter through the main entrance of the ice cream parlor and then head to the door in the back left of the shop that is decorated in ice cream pints. 

They have special events such as “Cinema Sundays” with movies playing every Sunday at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.

Reservations are encouraged, however, walk-ins are accepted. There is a dress code- no athletic wear permitted. 

DTUT

DTUT stands for downtown uptown. According to their website, “Our goal is… to bring a downtown feeling to an uptown location. We felt the Upper East Side needed some vintage couches, reclaimed wood, and good strong coffee!”

They have weekly events such as Bachelor Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays, and Comedy Wednesdays

We love their butterbeer and s’mores!

The Tool Box

The Tool Box is the Upper East Side’s only gay bar. It is a small hole-in-the-wall bar located on 2nd Avenue between 90th and 91st Street. They host fun events throughout the week such as Bingo on Mondays, Karaoke on Tuesdays, a drag show on Wednesdays, and DJs Thursday-Saturday. The Tool Box has a fun, welcoming, high-energy environment. 

Club Macanudo

Club Macanudo is an elegant cigar bar located on 63rd Street between Madison and Park. It is decorated exactly the way you would expect from a cigar bar on the Upper East Side: rich mahogany, worn leather chairs, and warm lighting. 

In addition to cigars, they offer great cocktails, food, and dessert. They host blackjack every Thursday and also have frequent live music. 

They have a $40 minimum per person, and there is a strict dress code. For more info, visit their website.

The Auction House

The Auction House is located on East 89th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue. The Auction House has the vibe of a speakeasy- there is no sign at the entrance, and you would probably walk right by it if you didn’t know that it was there.

The Auction House has a spooky vibe, with red velvet antique furniture, exposed brick walls, and creepy (but cool) wall art. 

2nd Floor Bar and Essen

2nd Floor Bar and Essen is a semi-hidden cocktail bar located above the 2nd Avenue Deli. You can enter either through the back of the 2nd Avenue Deli (during the deli’s opening hours), or though the main entrance on 75th Street. 

2nd Floor Bar and Essen recently reopened after being closed for over a year and a half. It feels like a well-kept secret on the Upper East Side- be sure to visit before they become too popular! We loved their “Upper East Sider” cocktail. 

Hex and Company

Hex and Company is located at 1462 1st Avenue, and is the Upper East Side (and the entire East Side’s) only board game cafe. Like their other location on the West side, they offer around 1000 games for play in-store, a wide selection of coffee, beer, wine- but they’re proud to be the only board game cafe in NYC with a full liquor license, so they also have a great cocktail menu.

In addition, they have tons of games for sale, and lots of events/tournaments too.

Have you visited any of the above Upper East Side bars? What is your favorite UES bar? Leave a comment below!