We all know dead men don't drink (nor do they wear plaid), but what New York bars would you crash if you had Jack Nicholson's wallet and six months to live? Here are a few spots you might want to add to your own personal bucket list.
The Weather Room at Top of the Rock
Dust off the old tuxedo (or find time to do a little shopping before you go), because The Weather Room is chic, sophisticated and a tad too upscale for a pair of jeans. The space, perched at the very top of Rockefeller Center, has practically patented the term "elegant establishment," and the panoramic city views from 25-foot windows have few competitors (The Eiffel Tower being one). Enjoy top-shelf drinks like Johnny Walker Blue (chilled and three fingers high) and catered snacks from a little-known restaurant called Cipriani. Yeah, it’s often only used for events, but there’s nothing wrong with a little party-crashing. Hey, you’re outta here soon anyway. (
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 212-698-2000)
Jimmy's Corner From Top of the Rock to king of the dives, this nearby narrow, barfly-filled joint is a shrine to the sweet science of boxing, and while you won't get more than a few friends through the door, the service is as quick as a right jab, and you may even learn how to throw one if owner and professional boxer and trainer Jimmy Glenn decides to take you under his wing. (
140 W. 44th St. between Broadway and Sixth Ave., 212-944-7819)
Jake's Dilemma As you kick off your last days, there has to be a stop at a good ol' generic post-college bar. Nothing more, nothing less. Grab your pals and plan to swill some beer, shake your groove thang and get in on a game or two of Buck Hunter. You’ll be partying like a frat boy on Friday night, as Jake's happy hour starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.. Plus, there might be a few college-aged cuties to have a little fun with before you go. (
430 Amsterdam Ave. between 80th and 81st Sts., 212-580-0556)
McSorley's Old Ale House Manhattan's oldest bar should be on everyone's list, regardless of their prognosis. This is the place where men and women (thank you Supreme Court, 1970) come to drink beer and get lost in the rich, boozy history of a city that was built with the blood, sweat and tears of its immigrants. If you’re looking for brightly-colored appletinis (or simply a rum-and-Coke), keep walking because beer’s the only offering—McSorley's light and dark were born here, and that's all they’ve got on tap. (
15 E. 7th St. between Second and Thirs Aves., 212-474-9148)
Little Branch There was a time when trying to get that phone number to Sasha Petraske’s Milk & Honey was akin to playing Mass Effect on an Atari 2600—and dropping the “I’ve got six months to live” line wouldn’t have gotten you in any quicker. Nowadays, it might be a tad more accessible, but we prefer its spin-off , with its upright piano, non-upright staff and drinks made with patience, old-world professionalism and time-honored skill. The same rules apply here as they do at M&H: If you spot someone famous, ignore them. If someone famous spots you, buy them a drink. (
20 Seventh Ave. S. at Leroy St., 212-929-4360)
Xes Gay, straight, bi—it really doesn't matter here, where all are welcome (and nobody pays a cover). If that's not enough, try this on for size: Rhe bar boasts the largest karaoke library this side of the rising sun, so you could easily spend your final nights literally going out on high note, belting everything from Aguilera to Ziggy Stardust. (
157 W. 24th St., between Sixth and Seventh Aves., 212-604-0212)
Back Room Party like a gangster (circa 1920) at the best retelling of a speakeasy the city’s got, where patrons must slip through a dark alley to reach the bar, which is hidden behind a defunct toy store. Though the specialty cocktails are served in porcelain teacups, the bar is more than a pricey tribute to Prohibition; it’s a trip back in time without the risk of a temporal paradox or a run-in with Lucky Luciano (
102 Norfolk St. between Delancey and Rivington Sts., 212-228-5098)
Stonewall InnWith so many heavily-storied landmark bars, why not go to one that literally started a revolution. The 1969 Stonewall riots marked the exact time and place when New York's Gay community unified themselves and announced their permanent, uninhibited arrival to the world. And as a result, the phrase "gay power" was born. In recent years, Stonewall has undergone several makeovers and has seemed to have finally found its look as a bustling joint for both casual cocktails and bustling events. (
53 Christopher St. between Seventh Ave. S. and Waverly Pl., 212-488-2705)
Russian Tea Room If you care to leave this world eating and drinking like a czar, then this is the place to go. The history of old-world Russia and the embodiment of old New York glamour come together splendidly here, where everything is done with staggering elegance and sophistication, from cocktails to dining. Some critics say this place is outdated and a bit too glitzy for modern standards, but those people might be too young or too new to the city to appreciate such a classic. It’s places like this that make the phrase “going out in style” a fact, which is something you’ll undoubtedly do. (
150 W. 57th St. between Sixth and Seventh Aves., 212-581-7100)
