Best NYC Restaurants and Bars to Eat, Drink and Be Merry for the Holidays

As the temperature drops around the holidays in NYC, the number of visitors peak and there are endless activities to get you in the spirit. Read on for my top three favorite NYC restaurants and bars to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season. In case you spent too much of your holiday budget on Black Friday or Cyber Monday I’m also sharing with my personalized gift guide of travel gifts and if you join my partner Bublup and share a folder with me too of what you want this holiday I will give you $500 cash to get what you really want. It’s that easy, just click here to join and see my group folder for inspiration!

1. Rolf’s German Bar and Restaurant

Rolf’s is a classic, but reservations for December fill up months in advance. Come earlier in the year when it is almost empty. Prices go up during the holidays and they often rush you to finish your meal or drink within an hour and a half to rotate in new guests. Even with a reservation you can also find yourself waiting in a line outside. It is still a favorite spot for me, but I like visiting in the summer or fall when they open for the day so I almost have the place all to myself.

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Did you know that Rolf’s is now booked till the end of the year? (Took this photo about 2 weeks ago) Thanks to my friend @sarahfunky I saw yesterday for telling me that you can now only maybe wait in line for the bar… but not to worry there are other holiday themed bars in NYC here are 7 of my favorite alternatives to Rolf’s: 1. Miracle on 9th pop up! (Will be featured in my next video if I ever get to edit it 🙈) . . .2. Miracle on 12th pop up (second in the list because the above Miracle pop up opens earlier at 1pm this one at 4pm so if you want a less crowded experience go there! 3. SERRA by Birreria Flatiron is one of my favorite closed rooftops that has constantly changing seasonal decor! You know those bars that hang up one string of lights and then look sad… this is the opposite there are so many lights it is ACTUALLY magical. Another get here early vibe to guarantee some space but still worth it. I love to order their cheese platter with wine. 4. 230 fifth – yes that bar we went to right after college – it’s touristy but has an amazing view, so much space and igloos so had to add it to the list! 5. Sipping’ Santa at Boilermaker in the Lower East Side @sippinsanta @boilermakernyc 6. The lodge at Bryant Park I love their decadent hot chocolate @thestackery more photos and video coming soon! 7. The winter rose garden at the Dream Downtown in Meatpacking is transformed into an all RED romantic room open through you guessed it Valentines Day. Ok, fewf that was a lot but if you need a drink now you know where to go! I’m liking these mini Instagram “blog posts” here! What do you want to know next?

A post shared by Jen 🗽 NYC (@jenniferscamera) on Dec 3, 2019 at 5:02am PST

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What are you doing for NYE? It always sneaks up on me, so start the conversation by sending these Times Square alternatives to your friends! 1. Ask your finance friends who have a view of Times Square and the ball drop too have a party i their office! I actually did this one year and it was epic, some streets around Times Square are eerily quiet and we had a warm view of the ball drop and all the food and drinks we wanted! 2. Themed Party at Pier A: Last last New Year’s Eve, I attended the Pier A masquerade themed party and loved the no-stress upscale venue with delicious food and included drinks. There were multiple areas to dance and different songs in each area, and a jazz band that made ringing in the New Year with my best girlfriends extra special! @piera_nyc 3. NYRR Midnight Run: Instead of drinking to the new year, celebrate in a healthier way by running the New York Road Runners’ annual Midnight Run. Start the four-mile run, which counts towards the New York City Marathon 2018 requirements, by dancing at 10 pm. This is the best way to start any healthy New Year’s resolution off on the right foot! Register before 5 pm on December 31. @nyrr 4. Free Cruise on the Staten Island Ferry: If you time it right, you can ride the free Staten Island Ferry, which offers the best views of the skyline and many fireworks displays for FREE! Make sure to get there early and bring warm layers! What’s your favorite way to ring in the new year?

A post shared by Jen 🗽 NYC (@jenniferscamera) on Dec 3, 2019 at 8:45am PST

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Had to post one last photo from @rolfsny before some of the yummiest food tomorrow! Any guesses what type of food? Congrats @blondevoyageabroad for entering my $150 giveaway! DM sent! Stay tuned for one of the biggest giveaways yet with an epic sponsor later this week!

A post shared by Jen 🗽 NYC (@jenniferscamera) on Dec 3, 2019 at 3:46pm PST

2. Eataly SERRA by Birreria Seasonal Rooftop

SERRA by Birreria is Eataly’s seasonal rooftop restaurant and bar. It is on the top floor of the Flatiron location of Eataly in NYC. The Italian greenhouse is enclosed but the seasonal decor is always impressively decadent and transformative. I love the winter themed Alpine countryside vibes this time of year. The ceiling is covered in white lights making any portrait style photo on your phone or camera really stunning. I recommend pairing their wines with a cheese board. Though the bar can get busy if you get a table you won’t feel crowded at all. Tables have much more space than most other seasonal spots during these winter months.

 

3. Miracle on 9th and Miracle on 12th pop up bars

There are two pop up locations in Manhattan. Miracle on 9th opens at 1pm and Miracle on 12th opens at 4pm. The Miracle pop up was born when one cocktail bar owner decided to overdo the decorations of his unfinished NYC bar and serve holiday themed drinks. It did so well Miracle now boasts locations worldwide. I counted 108 locations on their website and have personally visited a few versions of their bars over the years in NYC. The mismatched holiday decorations are over-the-top on purpose and look like forgotten relics from your grandmother’s attic that are trendy now. Every drink comes in a different retro style mug that reiterates a fun name like SanTaRex which comes in a red hat wearing green dinosaur cup. I had the Christmas Carol Barrel which was the right amount of sweet and my friend got the cutest drink the Bad Santa drink which comes in the Santa mug.

Don’t forget to check out our gift guide and join our folder and share what you want to enter to win $500 cash. Where are your favorite holiday restaurants and bars? Comment below.

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