NYC Bars for Introverts

By Rachel Chou

An introvert’s personal hell: a loud crowded bar where you’re sitting five inches from a person but have to scream at them so they can hear you. Despite popular belief, many introverts enjoy socializing and being in the company of other people. Introverted doesn’t necessarily equate to being shy and reclusive, it just means that you’re a single powered battery. Your inner power recharges solely when alone. But being able to speak in a normal, indoor-level tone is definitely preferable and more comfortable for the energy-conscious introvert. Looking for a space where you can recharge but not in solitude? Or a bar for a quieter conversation? Here are our tried and trues.

The Dead Poet

Upper West Side, 50 Amsterdam Ave b/t 81st St & 82nd St

This book themed bar may thwart my attempt to destigmatize the stereotype of the bookish introvert, however, it is a very charming spot in the Upper West Side with drinks named after famous writers and literary works. You can sip on Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde and talk about something completely non-literary. They also have weekly happy hour specials great for an after work date. Introverts may want to avoid Friday nights and weekends, which get a little hectic but otherwise it’s a very chill bar.

Broadway Dive Bar

2662 Broadway b/t 101st St & 102nd St

This divey bar sees a blend of Columbia students and OG Upper West Side patrons. Mellow vibes, christmas lights, and oddities hanging out of the ceiling decorate this linear, two floored arrangement. There’s a lounge area upstairs if you’re feeling the higher vantage point, or want to sit up there alone and finish another chapter of Infinite Jest. There’s a vast selection of beer to choose from and prices aren’t bad at all for the Upper West Side.  

DTUT

Yorkville, Upper East Side 1744 2nd Ave

DTUT is the bar version of Batman: coffee shop by day, bar by night. Barman? It’s a quiet locale to bring a group for s’mores and games, and you can even reserve a spot for the night. The atmosphere is very hipster ski lodge, which is unique to the Upper East Side, and they play old school hip hop and 90’s music. Seating selection is reminiscent of a college library. They have slouchy couches and long skinny tables perfect for both intimate dates and solo coffee and work sessions. And last time I was there, someone was carving a pumpkin in the corner.

Burp Castle

41 E 7th St

The self claimed “Temple of Beer Worship”, the Burp castle is the only bar in Manhattan where the bartender will shush you like a librarian, so I am going to go ahead and claim it the quietest hip bar in all of Manhattan. According to their website, the bartenders used to wear monk robes in the 90’s in keeping with the mural of merry and drunken monks that lines the wall. This mural isn’t far from truth: monks were revolutionary beer producers for over 1500 years. A quick history lesson: in the middle ages, monastic life required that monks earn their keep, which included producing goods to sell such as cheese, honey and beer. Beer was also safer to drink than water (in those days water was often contaminated by sewage) and also helped them to get through periods of fast. Monks from the Middle Ages introduced the addition of hops to beer as a preservative.

You can impress, (or bore) your date with that information if you grab a drink there!

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