If you're in Manhattan and looking to wet your whistle, skip the dive bars and Irish pubs and go straight for the good stuff - the city is full of classy cocktail bars that offer tasty drinks beyond your wildest imagination. Whether you prefer whiskey, vodka, gin or tequila, the knowledgeable bartenders and mixology gurus behind the counter at these Manhattan watering holes are sure to excite your taste buds with their uniquely delicious cocktail concoctions.

Little Branch
(20 Seventh Avenue South)

Little Branch is the third venture from Milk & Honey's Sasha Petraske. The most notable feature of this bar's cocktails is the hand-chipped ice blocks, sized specifically for the glasses they come in. The candlelit nightspot also includes a piano, on which live jazz music is played from Sundays through Thursdays, usually beginning around 10pm. Know before you go: this bar is cash only.

Neighborhood: West Village
Website: littlebranch.net
Hours: Mon-Sat 7 pm - 3 am

Milk & Honey
(134 Eldridge St)

Milk & Honey is one of Manhattan's most exclusive mixology bars. Many New Yorkers assume that Milk & Honey is an urban myth because it's so damn hard to get in - entrance is by referral and appointment only. If you do manage to get a spot at the bar, order one of Milk & Honey's specialty cocktails, which include Hot Drinks & Flips, Swizzles & Fizzes, Punches & Cobblers, Champagne Cocktails and much more.

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Website: mlkhny.com
Hours: Mon-Sun 9 pm - 4 am

Huckleberry Bar
(588 Grand Street)

East Williamsburg gem, Huckleberry Bar, adds a splash of class to the area, thanks to owners Stephanie Schneider and Andrew Boggs. The upscale bar not only serves delightfully inventive seasonal and classic cocktails, but also offers a mouth-watering menu of small plates 'til late. DJs set the mood every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night beginning at 10pm; check the bar's website for who's scheduled to spin.

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Website: huckleberrybar.com
Hours: Mon-Thu 4 pm - 2 am; Fri 4pm - 4am; Sat 1pm - 4am; Sun 1pm - 2am

Death & Company
(433 East 6th Street)

The atmosphere in East Village's Death & Company is not as morbid as the name implies. Rather, its name and ambience is inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies, where bartending was an outlawed and revered art. Owned by David Kaplan and Bourgeois Pig owner Ravi DeRossi, the bar serves a number of original concoctions, all exquisitely crafted for top-notch appearance as well as taste.

Neighborhood: East Village
Website: deathandcompany.com
Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 6pm - 1am; Fri-Sat 6pm - 2am

Apothéke
(9 Doyers St)

If you're feeling down and need a tasty cocktail to ease your woes, head over to Apothéke in Chinatown for some boozy herbal prescriptions. All of their cocktails are prepared with local and organic produce from local greenmarkets or picked straight from their rooftop herb garden. The medicinal-themed bar also features mixology courses for anyone hoping to impress their friends with fancy craft cocktail skills.

Neighborhood: Chinatown
Website: apothekenyc.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 6:30 pm - 2 am; Sun 8pm - 3am

Daddy-O
(44 Bedford St)

At Daddy-O, dive bar meets mixologist heaven - you can get amazing craft cocktails without all of the attitude. Feast on Daddy-O's tasty local fare and wash it all down with one of their many specialty cocktails. During the spring, order up a herbaceous mojito which replaces the usual mint with cilantro - it may sound odd, but take our word - it's extremely refreshing. Daddy-O is also a great place to stop in for a drink and watch a game for all you Steelers fans out there.

Neighborhood: West Village
Website: daddyonyc.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 4 am; Sat-Sun 11 am - 4 am

PDT
(113 St. Marks Place)

Those who love the novelty of a well-kept secret will enjoy PDT, short for "Please Don't Tell," a uniquely camouflaged cocktail bar that's accessible only through a vintage telephone booth within East Village hot dog restaurant, Crif Dogs. The cozy speakeasy serves up classy cocktails as well as a thoughtfully-selected menu of beer and wine to in-the-know patrons. Advance reservations can be made by phone.

Neighborhood: East Village
Website: pdtnyc.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 6 pm - 2 am; Sat-Sun 6pm - 4am

The Tippler
(425 W 15th St)

Tucked beneath New York's celebrated Chelsea Market, the Tippler inhabits a historic space that hasn't been revealed to the public in over 100 years. Besides having a rich history in New York, the Tippler is also known for having incredible cocktails. Choose between three cocktail varieties: Tippling Redux, Free Style or Tight, Rich & Boozy - or skip all the fuss and choose from their "Fast & Furious" shooter options, which includes the aptly named "Hot Fuzzy Kitty" - Averna amaro, orange soda and hot sauce.

Neighborhood: Chelsea
Website: thetippler.com
Hours: Sun-Thur 4 pm - 2 am; Fri-Sat 4 pm - 4 am

Pegu Club
(77 West Houston Street)

Soho's Asian-inspired Pegu Club features kimono-clad waitresses serving up fine cocktails made from fresh squeezed juices, original infusions, and sophisticatedly swizzled glass bottle sodas. Pegu's bartenders pride themselves on getting these little things right for an upscale yet relaxed customer experience. At-home cocktail aficionados may also purchase the bar's official Regan's Orange Bitters #6 and Peychauds on site. Rooms are available to reserve for groups and events as well.

Neighborhood: SoHo
Website: peguclub.com
Hours: Mon-Wed, Sun 5 pm - 2 am; Thu-Sat 5pm - 4am

Booker & Dax
(207 2nd Ave)

Do yourself a favor and take a seat at the bar when you go to Booker & Dax, as watching the mixologists whip up craft cocktails is half the fun. They use things like liquid nitrogen, saline solution, and a hot poker that is heated to 1500 degrees (to name a few) in their cocktail making. How badass is that?! We recommend the "Friend of the Devil," a warm cocktail with Campari, sweet vermouth, rye, Pernod and bitters.

Neighborhood: East Village
Website: momofuku.com/restaurants/booker-and-dax/
Hours: Mon-Thurs, Sun 6 pm - 2 am; Fri-Sat 6 pm - 3 am

Lani Kai
(525 Broome St.)

For a taste of island paradise, head to Lani Kai in South Village. Filled to the brim with Hawaiian charm, this boozy lounge is able to pull off the tiki-theme and still remain classy. Order up one of the many tropical-inspired cocktails such as the "Tia Mia" (Mezcal, Jamaican Rum, toasted almond orgeat, orange liqueur and lime juice) or go big with one of Lani Kai's signature "Liquid Luau's" (meant for sharing between 2-4 people).

Neighborhood: South Village
Website: lanikainy.com
Hours: Mon-Thurs 5 pm - 2 am; Fri-Sat 5pm - 3am

Weather Up
(159 Duane St)

At Weather Up, you won't find your typical craft cocktails. All of the drinks at Weather Up are unique and flavorful in their own ways, but the list of cocktails doesn't end with the menu. Ask your bartender for the "Keep Calm and Carry On" and just see what custom glass of tasty goodness he whips up. You've got to be in the know to find this place, as it maintains a speakeasy vibe with no sign and a low key environment.

Neighborhood:TriBeCa
Website: weatherupnyc.com
Hours: Mon- Sun 5 pm - 2 am

Mayahuel
(304 East 6th Street)

Mayahuel is one of New York's premiere Mexican drinkeries. As you'd expect, Mayahuel specializes in tequila and tequila cocktails from all over Latin America. Give your taste buds a kick in the ass with Mayahuel's signature "Stone Raft" cocktail - jalapeño tequila, mezcal, Amontillado Sherry, Agave Nectar & Celery Bitters 13. The bar also serves up a number of spicy beer cocktails that are sure to clear your sinuses.

Neighborhood: East Village
Website: mayahuelny.com
Hours: Mon-Sun 6 pm - 2 am

Employees Only
(510 Hudson Street)

In the West Village, Employees Only puts high quality artisanal ingredients in the hands of trained mixologists for a unique menu of creative and classic cocktails. Try one made with lavender scented gin or another interesting infusion in this cozy, dimly lit spot, where the perfect wintertime date spot is alongside the warmly romantic fireplace.

Neighborhood: West Village
Website: employeesonlynyc.com
Hours: Mon-Sun 6 pm - 3:30 am

What's your favorite spot in Manhattan to grab a cocktail? Let us know what you'd add to our list in the comments!