The Insider’s Guide to Lower Manhattan Hotel Bars

The vast selection of hotel bars in the five boroughs is not constrained by the typical cliches of tourist trap crowds or overpriced drinks. Rather, the city has witnessed quite the evolution in this lounge category. Lower Manhattan alone is overrun with a mix of high-concept cocktail bars and little-known spots for a quiet nightcap. Consider the nine picks below.

1. The Alley Cat

The Beekman’s cavernous cellar lounge provides just the right amount of mischief. Get the roasted shishito peppers and whichever mezcal is the barkeep’s favorite.  (123 Nassau St.)

2. CUT by Wolfgang Puck

Housed inside the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, the bar inside Wolfgang Puck’s first NYC restaurant gets pretty lively and still dishes out first-rate service. (99 Church St.)

3. Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar

Bookmark the Conrad New York Downtown’s outdoor haunt for the warmer months. Then order yourself a prosecco-and-ice-pop cocktail and take in the Hudson River views. (102 North End Ave.)

4. Liquid Assets

The Millennium Hilton’s drinking sanctuary doesn’t stretch into late-night territory (hours are 5p-11:30p), but it’s reliable for a low-key happy hour or for travelers who need to decompress from an afternoon of shopping. (The hotel sits just across from the Oculus.) (55 Church St.)

5. Coconut Lounge

The W New York Downtown’s newly-opened cabana has taken over the fifth-floor terrace through December and with promises of pina coladas, mai tais and cushy seating. (8 Albany St.)

6. Recreation

The Moxy’s work-and-play space functions as both a place to knock out some afternoon laptop work with a club sandwich and then transition into DJs, live music, skeeball and a few Ketel One cucumber mint vodkas after 5. Or whenever your drink o’clock begins. (26 Ann St.)

7. Morton’s

Tucked away at the Club Quarters Hotel, the steakhouse/bar overlooks the World Trade Center site and is a surprisingly well-kept secret. Happy-hour prices for beer, wine and cocktails are all under $10! (140 Washington St.)

8. Bellini

The Italian bistro’s lounge inside the Mr. C Hotel at the Seaport is another pleasant, chill gem that’s often overlooked by the after-work crowds — an excellent reason in and of itself to relax here.  (33 Peck Slip)

9. The AC Hotel New York Downtown

The AC’s little-known hideaway is another one off the beaten path to consider. Friendly service and decent snacks, too! (151 Maiden Ln.)