NYC's 7 Best Rainy Day Bars & Drinking Spots
The weather sure has been dreary lately, and it's not even technically winter yet! Whether you want to venture outside for dinner or drinks - or both - you don't have to order in. From grown-up bowling alleys to movie theater bars, we have the skinny on where to hang when it rains.
Brooklyn Winery
213 North 8th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
347-763-1506
bkwinery.com
More: NYC's 5 Best Bars For Wine Flights
The urban winery and winemaking center's Atrium, located in the heart of Willamsburg, includes 1,000 square feet of glass enclosed space, allowing the natural the natural light to flood in. Transparent glass ceilings, abundant foliage, rustic natural and reclaimed materials and an immense airy entryway, which can be left open for outdoor expose, emanate the feeling of being outside, so guests stay dry -- while sipping an equally dry Rosé.
Carnival NYC at Bowlmor Lanes Midtown
222 W. 44th St.
New York, NY
(212) 680-0012
carnivalnyc.com
More: NYC's 5 Best Bars For The Kid In You
We know you want to avoid Times Square, but this is the place in NYC for grown-up bowling - our favorite bad weather activity from childhood. After the snowstorms of 2010-2011 caused flooding damage to Carnival at Bowlmor Lanes Union Square, the big top action moved to Bowlmor's 90,000-square-foot Times Square venue. The former Subway Lanes have been converted into The Coney Island Room featuring classic boardwalk games such as Skeeball, Milk Money, Krazy Kats and Fish Pong. An adjacent lounge area, Luna Park, features the Basket Case, Put a Ring on It, and Who Darted games.
Standard Biergarten
848 Washington Street
New York, NY 10014
(877) 550-4646
standardhotels.com/new-york-city
Having already made our list for NYC's best beer gardens, the Standard's summertime haunt might not be the first place you think to head when it rains. But the hotspot - right under the High Line - is an enclosed space, featuring a classic German menu, complete with sausages, flavorful beers and pretzels. The weather-proof Biergarten transforms for rain or shine, so guests still feel like they are outdoors no matter the weather.
Jimmy at the James Hotel
15 Thompson Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 201-9118
jimmysoho.com
One of our picks for Soho's best cocktail bars, the Jimmy is a bar on the 18th floor of the James Hotel. The rooftop bar is a year-round destination with its roof deck for warm, sunny weather as well as its inside lounge area with panoramic floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer stunning views of the Big Apple. We're big fans of the Bonded Waldorf -- a concoction of Lairds Bonded Apple Brandy, Walnut Liqueur, Tawny Port, celery, and apple slice.
Barcade
388 Union Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 302-6464
barcadebrooklyn.com
Hide out with beer nerds and video game junkies alike. The two groups combine their hipster pastimes at Williamsburg's Barcade, specializing in craft beer and old-school arcade games. Pump quarters into '80s classics such as Donkey Kong, Frogger, Q-bert and Ms. Pac-man and more while you sip draft beers. Founders Red's Rye, Sixpoint Sweet Action, and Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout are among the 25 beers currently on tap.
Sweet Afton
30-09 34th St.
Astoria, NY
(718) 777-2570
sweetaftonbar.com
Queens is known for its popular beer gardens, so you might think this borough isn't ideal when looking for a happy hour or a night out in wet weather. Not true. The team behind the West Village's Wilfie and Nell opened this rustic Astoria cocktail bar in 2009, bringing the neighborhood a drinking alternative. Sporting reclaimed wood and Edison bulbs, the gastropub offers a cozy vibe and a list of classic and house cocktails. Try the Rye Root Beer (Rye whiskey, homemade root beer and vanilla) or the Dirty Pickle Martini (vodka, McClure's pickle juice and McClure's pickles) and you'll feel like a local in no time.
Ace Bar
531 E. 5th St.
New York, NY
(212) 979-8476
acebar.com
Skeeball, pinball, darts, pool and punk rock combine at this East Village bar-meets-rec room. The inner child-vibe is further indulged with a wall display of vintage lunch boxes. From Goose Island to Laguinitas IPA, Ace's 12 draft beers drop to just $3-$4 during their every day happy hour through 8 p.m.
