What are the best bars in the Northeast? See USA TODAY's 2025 Bars of the Year
If you're a cocktail lover, you've also come to the right place: This list is a don't-miss read and includes cool bars you must visit.
These six cocktail bars — the swankiest, most creative, coolest in the nation — are among the selections in our second USA TODAY Bars of the Year list.
The USA TODAY Best Bars in America: The 29 best bars in America in 2025: See USA TODAY's top picks
More: Best Bars in America: How USA TODAY picked the 2025 finalists
Selected by our network of food writers across the nation — from The Arizona Republic to the Palm Beach Post — these bars represent the best neighborhood taverns, the coziest wine bars and the beachiest beach bars.
But for lovers of cocktails, and the bars that serve them, we've created a special sublist here.
Here they are, the USA TODAY Bars of the Year in the Northeast.
See last year's list The best bars in America in 2024: See USA TODAY's 27 favorite spots
The Starboard | Dewey Beach, Delaware
Details: 2009 Coastal Highway; 302-227-4600, thestarboard.com
While Delaware's beaches have plenty of stand-out bars, The Starboard lives in a world of its own. With an old-school hodgepodge layout and must-have pounder Orange Crush drinks paired with beloved longtime bartenders and high-energy bands and DJs, the bar itself is a playground for locals and vacationers alike. The core following helps make the bar the best, a silly crew that likes to dress in costume and let loose like no one's watching. Highlights each year include laugh-out-loud events such as the Running of the Bull, with bargoers chasing two people in a bull costume down the beach (not exactly like they do in Pamplona), and Derby Day, a Kentucky Derby spoof with bar-goers running on broomstick horses around the block. There's a reason why The Starboard has three branded spin-offs in the tiny beach town, serving everything from seafood to pizza. — Ryan Cormier, Delaware News Journal
Read a full review of The Starboard on delawareonline.com
Carrie Nation Cocktail Club | Boston, Massachusetts
Details: 11 Beacon St.; 617-227-3100, carrienationcocktailclub.com
Imagine a badass woman in 1900 who was so opposed to anyone drinking alcohol that she would barge into saloons with a hatchet, smashing liquor bottles and bar fixtures. This historic female figure is no longer alive, but her spirit shines on with her name in lights at Carrie Nation Cocktail Club. Nation's ironic presence is felt throughout the 1920's vibe venue offering two bars under one roof – a main bar and restaurant in the front and a hidden speakeasy in the back. Its interior decor offers an upscale, Victorian boudoir theme with dim, vintage chandelier lighting with beaded fringe trim and deep red tones on textured wallpaper. Hanging draperies, black leather seating, black-and-white checkered flooring and even an antique shoeshine chair complete the setting. The bourbon maple espresso is one of the most popular cocktails, and pan-seared branzini fillet and lamb shank are two of the many hearty entrees to try. — Joanna Tzouvelis, Wicked Local
Read a full review of Carrie Nation Cocktail Club on wickedlocal.com
Georgies | Asbury Park, New Jersey
Details: 810 Fifth Ave.; 732-988-1220, georgiesbarap.com
Since 1999, Georgies Bar – affectionately known as "the gay Cheers" – has been a safe and welcoming place for members of the LGBTQ+ community. It's an atmosphere that honors the bar's founding as a place where people could just be themselves. This is not a pretty, polished Shore bar but a classic neighborhood dive bar where first-time visitors and regulars feel comfortable. Georgies is well-known for its karaoke and trivia nights and drag shows and brunches, and for its contribution to community groups. When the weather is warm, live music fills the patio, and hungry bar-goers dine on soft pretzels, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches and fries. "It's a bar for everyone. Everybody takes care of each other," longtime bartender David Hoffman said. "This place is all love from the beginning to the end." — Sarah Griesemer, Asbury Park Press
Read a full review of Georgies on app.com
Cowan's Public | Nutley, New Jersey
Details: 229 Centre St.; 973-542-8151, cowanspublic.com
From the outside, Cowan's Public is just another brick house in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of Nutley. Inside, though, is a celebration of community and libations. This bar and eatery – with a roaring fireplace, Art Deco bar, custom stained glass, Prohibition relics and expert mixologists – opened in 2015, but the building has been a pub since it was erected months after Prohibition ended in 1933. Elevated pub grub, a local craft beer taplist, events (including dinners and trivia) and an adjoining dining room with classic tin roofs and upholstered walls create an experience both lively and cozy. Cocktails are king. Get the velvety Half Lotus with Japanese whiskey and black sesame; the earthy, mezcal-based Pale Blue Dot; or the vibrant green Sea Foam with pisco, coconut and Chartreuse. Pair those with pub grub such as killer tempura-fried chicken lollipops in hot honey, Swedish meatballs with blueberry jam or simply some of the best deviled eggs around. Cowan's is not the 'speakeasy-style' pub so in vogue nowadays; it is a modern bar with boundary-pushing cocktails and an old soul. — Matt Cortina, NorthJersey.com
Read a full review of Cowan's Public on NorthJersey.com
Horsefeathers | Tarrytown, New York
Details: 94 N. Broadway; 914-631-6606, horsefeathersny.com
In business since 1981 – and now owned by the original owner's niece, Julia McCue – Horsefeathers prides itself on its familiarity. Its history is woven into the community: Menus are filled with details about local attractions and the decor is filled with witty touches, including a large mural depicting famous authors. McCue grew up in town so she knows what the neighborhood wants: A casual, burger-and-beer spot where you can always grab a seat at the bar. Her goal when she bought it seven years ago was to keep it the same, yet enhance it. That means more creative cocktails, often in funky glassware. Try the Cosmo – all cocktails are served tableside and often come with an extra sidecar. Burgers, wings and chicken parm are other popular favorites. You'll love the all-out-decor come the holidays. (This being Sleepy Hollow country, Halloween is the craziest.) Still, the old-time charm remains. — Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Read a full review of Horsefeathers on lohud.com
Marge's Lakeside Inn | Rochester, New York
Details: 4909 Culver Road; 585-323-1020, margeslakesideinn.com
A city with all-too-brief summers, Rochester has precious few places to head to for a drink in your hand and your toes in the sand. That's why Marge's Lakeside Inn has been a quintessential part of summertime for the past 65 years. Legend has it that Magin's, its predecessor, was a speakeasy until it opened legally after Prohibition. Marge Beth opened her eponymous bar in 1960, and it's been run by family members since then. Now, Francine Beth carries on the legacy in a building with squeaky floors, a vintage jukebox and a swath of beach out back. Marge's isn't about bougie craft cocktails; order a boozy slushy or its own Marge's Tiki Blonde Ale. There are food carts where you can grab a hot dog, burger or a platter of charcuterie, and you'll find live music most summer nights. Bands play early enough that you can catch the sun setting over Lake Ontario. Clouds, after all, make for glorious sunsets. — Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Read a full review of Marge's Lakeside Inn on democratandchronicle.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Best bars in the Northeast: Six spots you need to visit in 2025
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