Mace
Greenwich Village, New York City
Bar in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Spice-Forward Cocktail Program
Why go
Book Mace when the night calls for a serious cocktail bar rather than a casual fallback. Its World's 50 Best Bars and North America's 50 Best Bars recognition make it a strong date-night choice in New York City, but plan early and do not rely on it for dinner, outdoor seating, or a flexible group hang unless those details are confirmed separately.
About Mace
Top 500 Bars Best Bars listed Mace at No. 246 in 2025, giving this New York City venue notable recognition. The safest way to plan is to treat Mace as a recognised bar in New York City rather than build expectations around specifics such as menu format, pricing, seating, hours, or a particular service style.
The awards history is the strongest reason to pay attention: Mace was also listed as World's 50 Best Bars #28 in 2016 and World's 50 Best North America's Best Bars #18 in 2023. That does not answer every practical question about a visit, but it does place Mace among bars with notable recognition. The dress code is smart casual.
For a date, make this a recognised New York City bar choice
Mace is easiest to recommend when the decision is based on its recognition and smart casual dress code. For food, happy hour, outdoor seating, pricing, or a specific menu structure, check directly before planning the rest of the evening.
The practical move is to build the night around the essentials: Mace is in New York City, has a smart casual dress code, has several bar accolades. If you want to compare it with other options, browse Our full New York City bars guide and cross-check choices before committing.
Plan around the accolades, not assumed extras
Mace works best as a New York City bar with notable recognition rather than as a venue to rely on for reservations, group size, food, outdoor seating, or discounts. If any of those details matter for your visit, check directly before you make plans.
For wider planning around the city, use Our full New York City restaurants guide for dinner options, Our full New York City hotels guide for a stay in New York City, broader New York City guides for the rest of the night.
Planning details
- Location
- 35 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011
- Website
- macenewyork.com
- Phone
- +1 347-866-7739
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Mace presents a focused, modern cocktail identity built around spices rather than spirit categories or retro aesthetics. Across a decade of international rankings it has carved out a reputation for technical rigor and botanical specificity — cardamom, black pepper, saffron and turmeric anchor the program — which gives the bar a purposeful, research-driven energy. The room reads as a destination for people who come to taste thoughtful, ingredient-forward drinks rather than classic templates; its consistency and influence on New York menu-building position it alongside the city’s most respected cocktail programs.
Best For
Mace is best for people who prioritize cocktails as a tasting experience: cocktail enthusiasts, curious couples on a date night, and small groups celebrating a special occasion. Its spice-forward menu rewards focused attention and conversation about technique and botanicals, so it suits evenings when drinks are the point of the night rather than a quick stop. The bar’s sustained recognition also makes it a natural pick for visitors seeking a representative example of New York’s modern cocktail craft — an intentional, ingredient-led outing rather than a casual, whirlwind bar hop.
Ordering Tips
The menu is organized by individual spices, so pick a botanical that appeals to you (cardamom, black pepper, saffron, turmeric) rather than starting with a spirit. If you’re unsure, ask the bartender to recommend a drink that highlights a flavor profile you like or to suggest a progression through several spice-focused cocktails. Because the program is technical and ingredient-led, ask about preparation methods and how the spice interacts with the base spirit — the team can guide you toward balanced choices that illustrate their approach to botanical-driven cocktails.
Venue details
Ambiance
Pleasantly decorated with a calm, civilized atmosphere even at peak times, urban jazz playing, ferns and vines adding a bohemian touch.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Urban Jazz
Signature Pours
- Mace
- Frankincense
- Paprika
- Pandan v.4
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Kazumi Omakase, Notable alternative
- Marlton Espresso Bar, Notable alternative
- Bar Blanc, Notable alternative
- Jeffrey's Grocery, Notable alternative
- American Bar - New York, Notable alternative
Bar context
How It Compares
Choose Mace over Marlton Espresso Bar when cocktails are the point of the night, not a casual hotel-adjacent meet-up. Marlton Espresso Bar is the easier-feeling choice for a low-pressure conversation; Mace is the stronger pick for a date where the bar itself needs to carry the evening.
Kazumi Omakase is a better fit when the priority is a structured dining format, while Mace makes more sense as a drinks-led stop before or after dinner. If the night needs food as the anchor, start with Kazumi Omakase or Jeffrey's Grocery; if it needs cocktail credibility, keep Mace higher on the list.
For a polished alternative, compare Mace with American Bar - New York and Bar Blanc. American Bar - New York reads better for a classic New York night, Bar Blanc is the cross-shop when the evening leans dining-room rather than cocktail-room, Mace is the pick when awards-backed drinks are the reason to go.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Mace guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Mace
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Mace | New York City | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #2462023 World's 50 North America's Best Bars · #182022 North America's 50 Best Bars · #352017 World's 50 Best Bars · #422016 World's 50 Best Bars · #282015 World's 50 Best Bars · #38 |
| Kazumi Omakase | New York City | No published awards |
| Marlton Espresso Bar | New York City | No published awards |
| Bar Blanc | New York City | No published awards |
| Jeffrey's Grocery | New York City | No published awards |
| American Bar - New York | New York City | No published awards |
How Mace New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the crowd like at Mace?
For the crowd, check directly with Mace if it matters to your plans. Mace is in New York City, has a smart casual dress code, has recognised bar accolades including World's 50 Best Bars #28 in 2016 and Top 500 Bars Best Bars #246 in 2025.
Does Mace have happy hour deals?
Is the food good at Mace?
For food details, check directly with Mace. If you want to plan a meal separately, you could compare other dining options such as Jeffrey's Grocery, while treating Mace as a New York City bar with notable recognition.
Does Mace have outdoor seating?
Is Mace good for a date?
Mace can be a sensible date choice if you want a smart casual New York City bar with notable recognition. Compared with Bar Blanc or Marlton Espresso Bar, use its accolades and dress code rather than assumptions about format, food, or seating.
Do I need a reservation at Mace?
Is Mace good for groups?
If you are planning for more than a few people, check directly with Mace before relying on it; Kazumi Omakase is a separate option to compare depending on the kind of evening you want.
