12 NYC Tequila Hotspots We Recommend
With more than 25,000 bars and restaurants in New York City, it’s easy to wonder where to start when you’re looking to sip well made, additive-free tequila in the Big Apple.
From swanky hotel bars to speakeasies to private social clubs, we’ve put together a list of twelve recommended NYC bars and restaurants where you can enjoy Cierto, the Most Awarded Tequila in History, alongside inventive global cuisines – in style.
Zaytinya
Located in The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad at 1185 Broadway
Featuring Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisine, Zaytinya is one of the best Manhattan restaurants at which to experience the unexpected delight of pairing Cierto Tequila with Eastern Mediterranean cuisines. Unlike many New York City eateries, Zaytinya feels roomy and spacious no matter where you’re seated, thanks to its central location inside the stylish Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad.
Under the direction of James Beard Award winner José Andrés and head chef Jose Ayala, Zaytinya takes guests on a culinary voyage, offering an array of small plates as well as a tasting menu that allows you to sample and savor a throng of exciting flavors. If you’re dining with a larger group, popular family-style dishes include kebabs, whole Santorini-style sea bass and lamb shoulder – rich, hearty dishes to pair with Cierto’s Private Collection Añejo.
Nubeluz
Located in The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad at 25 W. 28th Street
José Andrés is to thank for another distinctive spot inside The Ritz-Carlton in NoMad: Nubeluz. This rooftop bar on the 50th floor features indoor and outdoor seating and boasts stunning 270-degree views of the Manhattan skyline. Sipping Cierto’s additive-free tequila at this elevation is a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Nubeluz menu consists of small snacks and sandwiches as well as caviar with José’s signature potato chips. On those rare weekend afternoons when you’re not in the mood for tequila, Nubeluz is a popular place to go for high tea. But we prefer toasting the sunset with a glass of our Private Collection Reposado.
Keys and Heels
Located on the Upper East Side at 1488 2nd Avenue
Behind the façade of an old-school key-cutting and shoe repair shop lies Keys and Heels. With its speakeasy-style concept and its dark, intimate lounge vibe, it’s been called a “hidden gem” and NYC’s “best kept secret.”
You can order their signature cocktail, The Alchemist, featuring Cierto Private Collection Blanco, aloe liqueur, lime and palo santo bitters or you can sip your favorite Cierto tequila expression alongside Keys and Heels’ elevated comfort foods, such as pulled pork cones with guac and salsa.
Check Out: What Makes the Perfect Tequila Sipping Glass?
Lucien
Located in the East Village at 14 1st Avenue
Lucien opened its doors in 1998 and has been an East Village mainstay for more than 25 years. This hugely popular French bistro offers both indoor and outdoor seating, but if you want to have a truly European experience without leaving New York, ask for a seat outside.
The food at Lucien never disappoints. As you might expect, they have an extensive wine list, while also serving up top-quality global spirits and additive-free tequilas. Sip and savor Cierto alongside authentic French dishes like moules mariniére traditionnelle, escargots de bourgogne or filet mignon au poivre. We enjoy an after-dinner pairing of Cierto Private Collection Extra Añejo with the crème brulée.
T-Squared Social
Located in Midtown at 7 E. 42nd Street
The aptly named T-Squared Social is the brainchild of Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods. Located in the heart of Midtown, steps from lovely Bryant Park, it’s a unique dining, drinking and entertainment experience where you can watch the game and play games all in one spot.
The menu of elevated pub-style dishes includes something for everyone, and multiple screens make it easy to gather with friends to catch the game. T-Squared Social has golf simulators, bowling lanes and darts for members and guests to enjoy, plus plenty of seating where you can lounge comfortably and sip a Cierto Reposado Espresso Martini until your next turn.
Dirty French at The Ludlow Hotel
Located on the Lower East Side at 180 Ludlow Street
Dirty French at The Ludlow Hotel highlights timeless French dishes with modern style. It serves as another great example of elevating authentic French cuisine, such as oysters bourguignon or duck a l’orange, by pairing with your favorite Cierto Tequila expression. (Think Paris meets Jalisco.)
If you’re up for a full meal, head to the lobby lounge and garden bar, grab one of the several tequila cocktails on the menu and enjoy an exceptional people-watching experience.
Soledad
Located in Yorkville at 1825 2nd Avenue
If you’re planning to dine on the Upper East Side, you can sip Cierto while feasting on upscale Mexican food at Soledad in Yorkville. From chef and restaurateur Julian Medina, who’s also to thank for El Verano in Southampton, Soledad delivers fresh and authentic Mexican cuisine that includes recipes from Medina’s mother and grandmother.
Soledad doesn’t feel like your typical American Mexican restaurant – its intimate, stylish interior feels more like dining in a luxurious home in Mexico – and the bar menu includes a variety of fresh tequila cocktails. In a 2024 interview with RESY, Medina named his pato con mole, corunda and albondigas as some of his most essential, most recommended dishes – strong, earthy dishes which pair beautifully with the complex flavors found in Cierto Private Collection Añejo.
Mercer Hotel
Located in SoHo at 147 Mercer Street
Mercer Hotel is known as one of the more luxurious SoHo hotels, but what many people don’t realize is that beneath it all lies a speakeasy-style bar called (Sub)Mercer. If you’re looking for an unusual new place to indulge in a glass of Cierto, this is it.
Inside the hotel is Sartiano’s, a cozy, elegant and dimly lit restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Alfred Portale. Sipping tequila while eating an authentic Italian meal in this space will make for an unforgettable experience. We enjoy pairing Cierto Private Collection Blanco with the caviar cannoli and yellowfin tuna tartare.
You Might Like: Sip and Savor: The Best Ways to Enjoy Authentic Tequila
Zero Bond
Located in NoHo at 0 Bond Street
To enjoy Cierto Tequila at Zero Bond, you’ll need to be a member (or be friends with one) – this NoHo hotspot is a private club for NYC’s elite.
Once you’re in, you’ll spend your evenings eating and drinking in one of the sleekest, most sophisticated interior spaces in the city. Cierto’s additive-free blanco tequilas pair well with Zero
Bond’s sushi, while reposado and charcuterie make for a great sweet-and-savory combination that reveals some of the tequila’s underlying umami notes.
Añejo Tribeca
Located in Tribeca at 301 Church Street
With a name like Añejo Tribeca, it’s clear that this Lower Manhattan mainstay takes tequila seriously. This corner spot at Church and Walker boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere in which to enjoy innovative Mexican dishes accompanied by a massive selection of well made, additive-free tequilas and mezcals.
From spicy pineapple guacamole to pork belly tostadas to salmon a la veracruzana, every dish on the menu pairs perfectly with a different tequila expression. If you’re not sure where to start, just ask the knowledgeable and friendly bartenders for a recommendation or try a Cierto Tequila flight.
Avenida
Located in Chelsea at 1 Pennsylvania Plaza
Formerly Lucy’s Cantina Royale, Avenida is a colorful bar and restaurant, located steps from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. It’s a casual, comfortable spot with indoor seating and a great outdoor rooftop scene.
Avenida serves classic Mexican foods, so whether you’re craving burritos, tacos, empanadas or quesadillas, they make it easy to pair your favorite dish with your preferred tequila expression – and test different combinations to find some new favorites.
The Cabinet
Located in Alphabet City at 649 E. 9th Street
In 2023, Food & Wine magazine ranked The Cabinet as one of the 15 best places to drink tequila – not just in NYC, but in the entire U.S. The Cabinet boasts 300+ tequilas, mezcals and lesser-known agave spirits such as raicilla.
Their small yet tasty snack menu is an affordable crowd pleaser, especially during happy hour. The Cabinet also hosts cocktail making classes for would-be mixologists who want to learn how to make bar-worthy agave drinks at home.
We recommend pairing their mole chicken tamale or chicken tinga tacos with Cierto Private Collection Añejo. Their fondue de chocolate, made with a blend of decadent Mexican chocolates, tastes even more indulgent with a glass of Cierto’s luxurious Private Collection Extra Añejo.
You can find Cierto Tequila throughout New York City, Long Island and the surrounding tri-state area by using our interactive Where to Buy tool to discover more local cocktail bars, restaurants and retailers that serve and sell the Most Awarded Tequila in History.
Up Next: Cierto Tequila Named Spirit of the Year
About the Author
Jim Ruane is the Chief Growth Officer of Elevated Spirits and Cierto Tequila. During his 20-year beverage career, Jim has led some of the world’s most respected brands, has studied and taught the engineering, chemistry and cultural significance of spirits distillation and is one of the industry’s most dynamic leaders.
