It’s Time to Have a Drink at the Dead Rabbit, the World’s Best Bar

It’s been a tough time to be the world’s best bar. Like most places, The Dead Rabbit, a famed and cozy eight-year-old pub in Lower Manhattan that won that title from Drinks International magazine in 2016, has been closed for months. Governor Cuomo shut indoor dining in the city in December, and the bar, which faces a bus stop, never got an outdoor seating up-and-running before the snow piles took over. 

But whiskey lovers can rejoice: The Dead Rabbit reopens Friday, February 12, as indoor dining returns to the city. It’ll be nearly eight years to the day that the bar first opened in 2013, and in celebration, it’s giving away a free Irish coffee for every seat booked on opening day. Indoor dining citywide is limited to 25% capacity, so book a reservation on Resy if you want to get in there soon. 

The pub, which is named after a 19th century Irish-American street gang, and whose owners hail from Belfast, Ireland, will be open noon until 10 p.m. on the weekends (which is still the latest bars and restaurants are allowed to stay open under the governor’s rules). It’ll have its full drink and food menus all day, with brunch and its signature Sunday Roast returning as well. 

While the interior has been closed for months, the bar was able to operate a to-go business, featuring large servings of its signature cocktails and some food items. That will continue even as indoor dining reopens. 

Note that  infection rates in the city remain high and vaccinations continue at a slow pace. Be sure to mask up when not dining, and tip handsomely. Like many bars, the Dead Rabbit has added barriers to separate diners from other parties indoors. The bar says it hopes to have an outdoor dining situation set up soon, but if you’re eager for the long lost comforts of a warm Irish pub on these cold, icy days, make your reservations now. 

photo: @deadrabbitnyc