50 Best Cocktail Bars near New Milford

“Authentic, good food . This was our first visit and won’t be the last!“

“You guys are the best. Every time I come, you guys always welcome my family and I. We always have a great time. The food and wine are always perfect.“

“Great presentation. Great drinks. Great service. Overall great experience 😎“

“I’m visiting my mom from Los Angeles, and as we planned a night out together, I wanted to support a local spot. There’s always something new whenever I return home, and this time it was Chez Messy, just around the corner from the 157th Street train station. Perched up upon a small staircase, this two-floor restaurant is intimate, cozy, and deeply sultry.

Nestled in the heart of Uptown New York City, a neighborhood known for its Dominican roots and growing diversity, Chez Messy shines as a Spanish Caribbean infused gem that took my breath away. The space feels both refined and familiar, elegant yet soulful. As I sat waiting for my mother, I opened the menu, and immediately everything called my name.

Our server Joshua was an absolute delight, attentive, kind, and confident in every recommendation. Antonio, the owner and floor manager, greeted us with charm and poise. Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded pride and grace, the embodiment of someone who deeply loves what he has created. What touched me most was realizing that this Spanish Caribbean dream of a restaurant is owned and operated by Dominicans. As someone who has traveled the world and eaten in countless hidden gems tucked along cobblestone streets, I can say this place holds its own among the best.

We started with a crisp glass of Albariño and dove into the pulpo and mofonguitos filled with ropa vieja. Let me start by saying I’m not typically a red meat superfan, but that evening I was completely transformed. The ropa vieja was tender, savory, juicy, and full of flavor. The plantain cups that held it were subtly sweet, creating a beautiful harmony between bold and delicate notes.

The pulpo was perfection, tender octopus paired with a light touch of vinegar and oil, thinly sliced onions, capers, and cherry tomatoes that burst like little jewels of freshness. It was bright, balanced, and refreshing, a perfect prelude to what would become an unforgettable meal.

Then came a surprise from Antonio, the avocado salad and batatas bravas, further inviting us into the full Chez Messy experience. I’ve had batatas bravas in Spain and beyond, but these were divine. Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, with seasoning that danced on the palate. The avocado salad was heaven itself, silky avocado paired with slivers of almonds and a hint of citrus, perhaps grapefruit, creating a beautifully layered bite that was both rich and refreshing.

By the time our entrée arrived, filet mignon and shrimp in cream sauce, medium rare, we were already swept away. The filet was tender and bursting with flavor, the shrimp perfectly cooked, and the cream sauce was so delicious that I found myself tempted to lick the plate.

Everything about our experience at Chez Messy was divine, from the impeccable service to the romantic, dark, and dreamy ambiance, the vibrant music that moved through the air, and the drinks that sparkled as much as the conversation.

Chez Messy is where you go when you want great food in a wonderful location, when you want to feel inspired, seen, and transported. It is a love letter to Spanish Caribbean flavor and Dominican pride, wrapped in elegance and joy.

This place deserves to be full every night, though a part of me secretly wants to keep it all to myself.“

“Stay Away!!! Just kidding, this spot is popular and rightfully so for all the right reasons. The atmosphere is bot chill and warm for lounge lizards wanting a great watering hole. The drinks are fantastic, The Monk Fashioned being my favorite, reminds me of a magical Sazerac. The food here is delicious too, been a couple times and look forward to returning again soon. Love the Sweet And Salty Grilly with Gruyère, Prosciutto, Fig Spread, Arugula on Sour Dough. The Fonduey Mac & Cheese is also a cooze fest of cheesy goodness, also the Whipped Feta with the Everything Bagel Pretzel. Always love to get the Crab Cakes. Though I’m eyeing the Skewered Thighs for next time they look like a divine dine. Fortunately we’ve gotten in without a reservation, though I’m sure it’s good to have one.“

“Fantastic food great atmosphere“

“Excellent atmosphere. Comfy seating, bar seats, or small tables, there’s a spot for anyone. The craft control menu was great, hard to choose which one to try. Extensive list of wines and spirits as well. Gonna have to try some food next time I come visit the city.“

“Outstanding food, service, atmosphere! Definately a place to have a great night!“

“Wonderful vibe. Nice music. Excellent Bartender #Sebastian“

“Beautiful cocktails and small bites. Super lovely and cocktail-knowledgeable staff.“

“super vibey bar with great happy hour prices ($10 cocktails and $8 or $9 apps).

food was really delicious and drinks were yum. service was really kind as well.

however it smells pretty strongly of cigarettes which did give me a headache“

“Great staff. Friendly and very attentive. Definitely recommend.“

“We came here for Restaurant Week, and we chose this location because we wanted to check out something a lil closer to Harlem where we hadn't really had the chance to explore the neighborhood.

Also they included a nice variety of cocktails with dinner, an appetizer, a main ,and a dessert. It doesn't get any better than that, all for $45 per person. I was sceptical at first but we thought that we would give it a try.

The establishment itself is very cute, I loved the black facade, and the intimate setting with the industrial lamps, leather seats, wooden beams, and the exposed brick. The hostess was prompt and friendly. We looked over the menu and chose the Old Fashioned and Golden Rush for drinks. We had the Calzonito (2 per serving, I had the sausage... Which was hard to actually see the actual sausage... I guess it was flavored in the cheese) and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken for apps (which is a large portion, great for sharing). For our mains we had the Pan Seared Sea Bass with roasted cauliflower and sauteed kale (it was well seasoned and the kale was cooked very well). For dessert we opted for the Warm Apple Crumble with oats, brown sugar and mezcal (it was warm, but would have been great with something a little creamy like evaporated milk or ice cream, we felt it just needed something to soften the dryness. We also chose the Bread pudding with sour cherries and buttermilk caramel.

The portions were huge so get there hungry. We had to get a few doggy-bags but you will definitely get a bang for your buck. Very cute spot, I loved their regular cocktail selections, I will definitely come back again!“

“Had an amazing experience with my family here ! Service was great food was great ! Atmosphere was nice music was popping all night mix of spanish, hip hop, reggaeton, rnb which is perfect Ill definitely be back we were lit as hell off of those drinks lol“

“Vittorio NEVER disappoints! 5 star quality! The dry aged tomahawk was the best I ever had bar none ! We shared the Rigatoni alla Norma and it was like right out of the kitchen in Italia. The ingredients are the best you can find and he has the knack for always having the best . Grazia Vittorio and keep it going ! 😎“

“Outstanding service!! And the food was delicious!“

“It is hard to believe to have this old school Irish bar in the city. The warm cozy ambience is amazing. Joe is nicely communicative. I don't know how to call him correctly - a bartender or mixologist because my cocktail and my friend's mocktail were on fire. We told him what we wanted and he made them perfectly, no disappointment. It's not easy to have that match. If I was living in the city, this place would definitely be my go-to bar.“

“Food was very good! We arrived and staff was very warm and welcoming! The food and drinks were good, the churros were amazing! I would only deduct a start rating due to pricing…I think for what it is the prices a bit higher than what I would pay. Otherwise good place to eat.“

“Hermoso restaurante de comida internacional música tragos espectaculares y ambiente súper agradable“

“I have been to Bistro Taino several times including for a special birthday dinner and it never disappoints. Tonight I went with some coworkers and as always everything was so good. We shared the crabmeat empanadas and each had the bifongo as entrees with chicken, steak, and seafood. We also shared the coconut tembleque for dessert. Special shout out to our server, Arianni, she was amazing! Friendly, attentive, and personable. Great service, food and ambiance, can’t ask for more. Thank you Bistro Taino for always making it a great experience.“

“Excellent ambiance, amazing drinks, and the best customer service !“

“Great atmosphere great food great vibe great service!!!!“

“Everything about Mykos was first class Cuisine 5 star Atmosphere 5 star Cocktails 5 stars Wine selection 5 star Desert 5 star There was nothing about our first visit to Mykos Greek cuisine I would change.“

“Birthday celebration for a friend and 13 others . Will be back again. Customer service outstanding. Atmosphere great. Had a wonderful time.“

“Little Sheep Hot Pot at American Dream is a must-try! Their broths are flavorful, the ingredients fresh, and the Wagyu is amazing. Right now, they’re offering one free fatty beef with any Wagyu order through 10/31 — such a great deal! Friendly service, cozy vibes, and a perfect spot for a hotpot night. Highly recommend!“

“If you appreciate fusion sushi, I highly recommend giving this establishment a try. Their all-you-can-eat sushi on Mondays is an excellent option for a refined dining experience. The ambiance was truly wonderful. I visited on a Monday evening with my family, including children, and everything was impeccable. Our server, Patria, provided exceptional service. I requested the Knicks game to be displayed on the television, and she promptly accommodated my request. My personal favorites among the sushi selections were the Volcano roll and the Mar Y Tierra.“

“Excellent places , if you want to have at great time with family or friends , great atmosphere , great food , great drinks , great staff , ty Gretel will highly recommended to everyone #new sherif in town 🙏🏼“

“Look on Yelp for an extensive review.“

“Had a delicious dessert! Nice atmosphere!“

“Chill location in Bronx, near Arthur Ave.

Tacos were perfect, frozen margarita were from another league and churros were amazing.
To add, service was fast and you always feel like your being served by a relative and not a stranger.

To add it all, pricing is a great value with respect to quality and service.

100% would come back“

“c´est bon, joli, convivial. une bonne adresse à pratiquer 👍“

“Vegan Friendly ❤️🩷 Great place.“

“Excelente. Comida rica y bebidas 🍷 buenas.“

“Quality establishment with style …. Recommended A++“

“it was ok .. i.have to say that the order we got had a funny smell as if it been reheates. el moro cubano dont taste or smell like that“

“We tried the shrimp chowder and camaron saltado! Mommy and I would have licked the bowl and plate, if we weren't in public! Then he brought out the passion fruit creme brulee...Heaven!!!!“

“Simply outstanding food and service. The coffee and teas were excellent. The food was amazing. The deserts were outstanding too. The service was just heartwarming. Great value for your money to! The bean appetizer, chicken drumsticks and beef dishes were to die for. The carrot cake and rum soaked cake were divine!“

“I recently hosted a holiday party at 690, and everything exceeded my expectations! The atmosphere was vibrant, the space was perfect, and the bar options were excellent. We rented the entire upstairs private floor with a cash bar, and it worked out beautifully. They catered the event, and the food was absolutely phenomenal, with plenty of menu options to choose from. If you're searching for a venue to host your next event, I highly recommend considering 690—it’s a fantastic choice!“

“Great meal - drinks extraordinary. Definitely coming back.“

“The food and drinks are delicious.“

“Went on a Saturday night and they had a guitarist which created such a great vibe. The drinks were amazing as well as the food. Had the ceviche and steak nachos which was perfect for two people. The staff and bartender were attentive and friendly. Will definitely come back.“

“This restaurant was on my list for a while and was happy to finally stumble upon it. Our waiter Johnathan was great, witty, and knowledgeable. We had the draft beer, esquites, tacos de Barbacoa, duck mole, and the pastry/hot chocolate dessert. Food was balanced and delicious. If I had to be critical for this restaurant to reach its peak success- I would say the mole did not come out as hot as it could have (was just slightly warm) and the tacos de barbacoa could have used more balancing and freshness to it. Would definitely recommend and come back“

“Literally one the tastiest places I’ve been in NYC and I’ve been plenty of times and have had a lot of food. The potion size was amazing and the flavors were on point. I still think of the rice to this day! Most certainly a must try.“

“Great food and service was excellent“

“Took home two seafood entrees with sides. Absolutely delicious, large portions. Obviously prepared with care and quality ingredients. Will be returning for more!“

“I'm genuinely perplexed as to why City Coffee & Bar doesn't put its culinary offerings front and center. While their coffee and drinks are, of course, excellent, the food experience here is truly exceptional. Having worked in Lower Manhattan for over a decade and explored countless Midtown eateries, I can confidently say this is the pinnacle of Modern American Dining.

The dishes are incredibly delicate, refined, and, most importantly, exquisitely delicious. From their fantastic hamburger, where the bun and patty achieve a perfect harmony, to the diverse flavors of their Burrito, Shakshuka, and House Granola, every item is top-notch. Their Omelets, Pancakes, Lemon Chicken Paillard, and various sandwiches also consistently impress.

Even seemingly simple sides like their French fries and sweet potato fries are outstanding. Their French fries, in particular, surpass even those from establishments renowned for their fries, like Five Guys. City Coffee & Bar stands out not just as a superb cafe or bar, but as one of New York's finest casual dining destinations. It's truly a must-visit.“

“The Hamilton is a cozy, warm, bar with an excellent selection of whiskeys. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and will help you find the perfect cocktail for your tastes. Joe, one of the bartenders, also host a a rotating exhibition of different artists about once a month. You can get a perfect Manhattan and a piece of artwork for your livingroom. 😊“

“Foods and drinks are delish😋 Great ambiance and service!“

“Wife and I flew into JFK late one Friday. We were famished , it was 1030 by the time we got to Arthur Ave.. We parked and walked , came upon people eating alfresco. We asked if any place was still serving. The "MAN" Vic asked what we would like, from one of the tables. In no time we had a bottle of Vino Tinto in front of us and people were making us try food they were dining on. I felt like I was at my friends ,' THE PIAZZAS " house. The food was excellent and the people better. Can not wait to go back !“