Best Vegan Cocktail Bar NYC: Top Vegan-Friendly Spots to Try

NYC has more vegan cocktail options than most people realize, but “vegan-friendly” covers a wide range — from a fully plant-based kitchen and bar to a restaurant with one or two animal-free drinks on a longer list. Willow Vegan Bistro in Chelsea is one of a small number of NYC spots running a completely vegan, kosher-certified kitchen and bar program together, which is why it leads this list.

This roundup covers Willow alongside four other genuinely vegan-friendly cocktail spots across Manhattan, based on their own published menus and reputable coverage, so the comparison reflects what’s actually on offer rather than a generic “best of” list.

Why Willow Tops the List

Willow’s bar uses plant-based bitters, eggless foams, and agave or maple syrups in place of honey, matching the same fully vegan and kosher-certified standard as the food menu. Signature cocktails include the Cucumber Basil Gimlet, Lavender Paloma, and Rosemary Mule, priced from $16. Weekday happy hour (Monday–Friday, 4:00–6:00 PM) offers $10 select cocktails and $8 small bites, and the kitchen stays open throughout, so a drink can turn into a full dinner without a second reservation.

Other Genuinely Vegan-Friendly Cocktail Spots in NYC

A few other NYC restaurants run kitchens and bars worth knowing about if Chelsea isn’t convenient:

• Anixi (Chelsea) — sister restaurant to Willow under City Roots Hospitality, Mediterranean vegan menu with cocktails featuring za’atar rim and saffron-infused options.
• Avant Garden (East Village) — Michelin-recognized vegan restaurant with a small, carefully built cocktail menu of batch classics and rotating signature drinks.
• ABCV (Union Square) — Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s plant-forward restaurant, cocktails built around fresh fruit and vegetables.
• PLANTA Queen (NoMad) — Asian-inspired vegan menu with globally-influenced cocktails.

How Do These Vegan Cocktail Bars Compare?

Willow and Anixi are the only two on this list that are both fully vegan and kosher certified — and as sister restaurants under City Roots Hospitality, they share the same sourcing standards. For dedicated bar hours and a weekday happy hour specifically, Willow is the more complete option of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fully vegan and kosher cocktail bar in NYC?

Willow Vegan Bistro in Chelsea and its sister restaurant Anixi are both fully vegan and kosher certified. Willow additionally runs a dedicated weekday happy hour.

Are all the bars on this list 100% vegan?

Willow, Anixi, Avant Garden, and PLANTA Queen run fully vegan menus. ABCV is plant-forward but not a fully vegan menu, so it’s included here as a vegetarian-friendly option rather than a strictly vegan one.

Does Willow have a happy hour?

Yes. Monday through Friday, 4:00–6:00 PM, with $10 select cocktails and $8 small bites.

Do I need a reservation?

Table reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, and can be made through Resy. Bar seating for up to eight guests is available on a first-come basis.

Which Vegan Cocktail Bar Is Actually Worth Visiting?

Of the five spots covered here, Willow Vegan Bistro is the only one combining a fully vegan and kosher-certified kitchen and bar, a dedicated weekday happy hour, and a complete dinner and brunch menu in the same location. For anyone specifically looking for a vegan cocktail bar in NYC rather than a restaurant with a couple of plant-based drinks, it’s the most complete option on this list.