The Whiskey Ward Whiskey Bar

Lower East Side, New York –

Lovers of whiskey and Old West-themed bars have struck gold at The Whiskey Ward, a Lower East Side dive that takes its extensive drinks menu very seriously.

A pool table and a jukebox are among the few contemporary touches in this modern-day saloon, where whiskey barrels serve as tables, Victorian paintings adorn the exposed brick walls, and mounted liquor jugs delight the twenty-something cowpokes who crowd the bar with childlike awe.

Though there’s usually a game on the lone TV, the single-room joint is far from a sports bar, and even if its kitschy décor evokes images of a Disneyland mine ride, the extensive list of bourbons, ryes, scotches, tasting flights, and combos is decidedly grown-up.

Daily specials and Happy Hour keep the hard stuff flowing for devoted connoisseurs in need of a stiff belt, but deals also include a nice selection of beer and sangria pitchers for those angling for a softer/sweeter kick.

Weeknights are chill as casual groups of friends stop in to sip and chat, while Fridays mark the influx of scruffy coeds and packs of friendly bros who want to avoid the club scene but still get oiled up.

Its old-timey feel might be a gimmick, but The Whiskey Ward is still a haven for dive lovers looking to get sloshed on the cheap without sacrificing the quality of what’s in their glass.