3 New York Bars Named Among The Best In America, Including One In Poughkeepsie

Three of the best bars in the country call New York home, including one right here in Poughkeepsie, NY.

If you enjoy bar hopping every once in a while in the Hudson Valley, you already know that we are lucky enough to have a ton of options to choose from. Most towns have a favorite place where everyone likes to grab a drink or two, but did you know that a bar in Poughkeepsie has been named one of the best bars in the nation?

Every year, USA TODAY releases its Bars of the Year list highlighting some of the best watering holes across the country, and this year 38 bars have been selected, including three New York bars.

Goodnight Kenny Named One of Best Bars in America

One of the Best Bars in America Is in Poughkeepsie, NY

Goodnight Kenny in Poughkeepsie has been named one of USA TODAY's best bars in America, putting the popular Academy Street cocktail bar among some pretty impressive company. If you've never been, Goodnight Kenny, located at 27 Academy St. in Poughkeepsie, has become a popular spot to meet up and grab a drink, especially on weekends.

USA TODAY described it as the kind of bar you might not expect to find in Poughkeepsie. The owners describe it as a neighborhood bar "affectionately named after the owners' father, Kenny." Apparently, he had a habit of frequently "dozing off."

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The bar's cocktail menu is a big part of what makes it stand out, with its Kenny's Classics going for around $13 each. One of the cocktails USA TODAY highlights is the Good Enough for Eleanor, made with vodka, lemon, honey, grapefruit cordial and Lillet Blanc before being topped with sparkling wine.

Goodnight Kenny wasn't the only New York bar to receive the national recognition.

Two Other New York Bars Made The List

The Ambleside Pub, located at 23 E. Main St. in Mount Kisco, also made USA TODAY's 2026 Bars of the Year list. The Westchester County pub was highlighted alongside Goodnight Kenny as one of the New York selections.

The third New York spot is Bar Goto in New York City, which was also selected for this year's list.

USA TODAY says its annual list isn't simply based on online reviews or popularity. Food writers across the country nominate their favorite bars, with editors narrowing those recommendations down to 38 locations. The result is a list that includes everything from neighborhood dives and cocktail bars to speakeasies and other unique drinking spots.

So, if you've been looking for an excuse to check out Goodnight Kenny in Poughkeepsie, being named one of the best bars in America is probably a pretty good one.