A Manhattan bar, Stars, has been named to Esquire’s 2026 ranking of top bars in the country. The recognition places Stars alongside two Southern California bars also highlighted by the magazine this week. Esquire’s annual list draws attention from both industry professionals and regular bar patrons as summer drinking season reaches its peak.
Stars opened in the Lower East Side last fall. The bar is known for its long marble counter and a late-night cocktail menu that features rye whiskey and sherry. On Thursday nights, bartenders reported higher foot traffic after the news of the ranking circulated on social media.
The Esquire editors cited Stars’ “unfussy approach” and a focus on classic drinks. Regulars described the atmosphere as “steady and unshowy,” with regulars stopping in after midnight. Cocktails start at $16, with a small bar menu served until 1 a.m.
Other New York bars have appeared on similar lists in past years, but Stars is the only city establishment to make Esquire's 2026 selection. Local bar owners say such nods can drive business, but also raise expectations among weekend crowds.