The best bars & nightlife in Cortland

Family-owned in Ithaca since 1941, Triphammer Wines & Spirits offers an expansive selection of wine, spirits, beer, and ready-to-drink options, including Finger Lakes wines. Drop by for a free wine tasting on Fridays, and maybe discover your new favorite before your usual bottle gets jealous.

From the Ithaca newsletter, November 1, 2026

Argos Warehouse Lounge & Event Space pairs classic cocktails and local draft beers with a warm, eclectic room decked out in velvet couches, vintage industrial tables, rugs, and art. It’s a good spot to settle in for a drink, and Adelina’s Roman-style pizza truck is next door when the snack situation gets serious.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, October 26, 2026

Six Mile Creek Vineyard is Ithaca’s oldest winery and distillery, set in a restored 19th century Dutch Colonial barn, pouring a range of wines and spirits from a copper pot still, all made from wine. Try the Cabernet Franc that snagged the 2019 NY Governor’s Cup, then watch for live music and events.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, October 19, 2026

Family-owned and run by Chris and Holly Rakow, Hopshire Farm and Brewery is that rare spot where fresh pours, local food, and live tunes actually mingle, plus a farm that grows produce for local farmers markets and easygoing events like yoga, trivia, and blues jams locals keep coming back for.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, October 23, 2026

Level B Bar, Lounge, & Dancing is that go-to when you want generous cocktails, a cushy lounge to start the night, and a legit dance floor once the DJs heat up. Easy vibe, solid crowd, and the kind of spot that can turn Tuesday into Saturday.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, October 25, 2026

Bike Bar is a bicycle inspired Ithaca tap room pouring 12 rotating craft beers from Finger Lakes standbys to global curiosities, plus a few ciders and cocktails like Blood Orange Vodka or Grandma's Old Fashioned.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, October 12, 2026

Whether you're meeting up after work or plotting a casual weekend adventure, Ithaca Beer Co pours fresh brews in a taproom with industrial decor that feels easy to settle into. Go for a weekend tour, then hang out and sample what's pouring with your crew.

From the Ithaca newsletter, October 7, 2026

Family-owned and built on three generations of craft, McGraw Box Brewing Co, Inc has poured in McGraw since June 2022 and added a North Syracuse taproom in February 2024.

From the Homer newsletter, November 1, 2026

Just outside Cortland, Homer Hops Brewing mixes handcrafted beer, live music, and a kitchen into an easy local hang that works for after-game meetups or midweek decompression. Planning something bigger? They host weddings and private events in a relaxed spot, and the Brew Bites menu pairs nicely with your pint.

From the Cortland newsletter, October 29, 2026

Argos Inn - Ithaca's Boutique Hotel turns a beautifully restored, LEED certified historic mansion, once the Mayor’s house and even Duncan Hines’ world headquarters, into your go-to for Bar Argos drinks in the parlor or on the patio, plus a next-door late-night Warehouse and occasional hyper-local Roman-style pizza.

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 30, 2026

Since 1980, Woody’s Public House has been Cortland’s original pub, born again in 2019 with specialty drinks, fresh-squeezed lemonades, and its beloved Mug Club. It’s the kind of place for easy catchups, a well-made pour, and that just-right mix of history and hometown energy.

From the Cortland newsletter, October 5, 2026

Whether you want a post-game bite, roadhouse classics with local twists, or a pint on the huge deck, Hobo's 281 Bar & Grill nails the neighborhood hang. Expect darts, cornhole, private-party space, and that People’s Choice Best Burger in Cortland County locals won’t shut up about.

From the Homer newsletter, October 23, 2026

Cortland Beer Company keeps downtown lively with house-brewed beers, cider, seltzer, and small-batch distillery pours, plus regular live music on indoor and outdoor stages. Expect fun one-offs like Pumpkin Ale with a cinnamon-sugar rim or Salty Old Bastard brown ale, then settle into the courtyard with friends.

From the Homer newsletter, October 21, 2026

Sun Dog Downtown Clubhouse is downtown Cortland's first indoor golf simulator bar, restaurant, and music venue, with three Trackman bays using the same pro tech used on tour.

From the Homer newsletter, October 25, 2026

If you live here, you already know the vibe, but The Red Jug Pub keeps it easy with Mug Club perks, T-Shirt Tastings, proper dart boards, and a TouchTunes-fueled soundtrack. Born in Cortland in 2006, it’s the kind of spot where weeknights accidentally become stories.

From the Cortland newsletter, October 26, 2026

Whether you want open bowling with friends and family, to start a team and join nightly leagues from September to April with spring sessions into July, or need gear and tune-ups from the fully stocked pro shop, 281 Bowling, Inc. keeps the 10-lane, family-owned fun rolling, and they make parties and fundraisers easy.

From the Homer newsletter, October 19, 2026

A Cortland staple since 1984, Paddy's Pub keeps it classic with crispy, saucy wings, big burgers, and those sneaky-good handmade Reuben egg-rolls. Easygoing vibe, signature drinks, and plenty of hometown hospitality... the kind of place where catching up with friends somehow turns into staying for one more.

From the Homer newsletter, October 11, 2026

Since 1975, Dark Horse Tavern has been the go-to for Cortland State folks and townies alike, the kind of downtown spot where stories start, beers disappear, and that giant two-story mural makes it impossible to forget where the night began.

From the Homer newsletter, October 12, 2026

At Bar Argos, bartenders steer you toward classics or clever house inventions in a room glowing with a custom zinc bar, two-century bricks, and beeswax-touched plaster. It’s the spot for unhurried conversation, a well-made drink, and maybe a Roman-style pizza assist.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, September 2, 2026

Whether you're post-hike or just dodging email, South Hill Cider delivers Finger Lakes terroir in the glass with guided tastings, small farm-to-table plates, and a lineup that ranges from single-orchard pours to cocktails. Live music, lawn seating, and that Cayuga Lake Valley view seal the deal.

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 26, 2026

Since 2010, The Westy has been Ithaca's West End staple for craft beer and good hangs... a perfect low-effort plan this week. Choose from 50+ beers with 20 rotating taps or 50 whiskeys, then claim a spot in the huge beer garden for darts, a friendly game of pool, and popcorn-powered people-watching.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 28, 2026

American fare with modern flair, a rotating 20-tap craft lineup pouring brews from across the country, and a patio made for warm Finger Lakes nights. Ithaca Ale House is your easy win for catching up over shareable apps, a solid meal, and a pint that keeps conversation going.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 10, 2026

When you want a spot that feels polished without being precious, The Regent Lounge nails it with modern craft cocktails that keep pace with big-city trends and a menu of shareable small plates and easygoing dinners. It’s equally good for quiet solo sips or gathering the group.

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 19, 2026

Ports of New York Winery brings multigenerational French winemaking chops to the Finger Lakes, with techniques carried forward from a family winery founded in 1919. There is a tidy little museum and a shop too, which makes it a fun, low-key local detour when you want something different.

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 27, 2026

Nowhere Special Libations Parlor leans into the good stuff, with deep Whiskey, Mezcal & Tequila, and Rum menus that reward lingering curiosity. Slide in for a well made cocktail, compare pours, and leave with a new favorite bottle name to brag about.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 18, 2026

The Heights keeps it classy with Mediterranean-inspired American seafood, meats, and pizzas, plus a patio that just begs for a lingering second glass. Wine Spectator thinks so too, naming The Heights Restaurant and H Bar one of nine standout wine restaurants in Upstate New York.

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 13, 2026

Tres Leches brings a polished, low-key lounge to Collegetown with Mexican classics and Latin American inspired craft cocktails built on fresh-squeezed citrus and homemade syrups. Ideal for a quick unwind or a longer hang, especially if mezcal is your love language.

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 21, 2026

Bickering Twins Restaurant & Tequila Bar keeps things relaxed and reliably tasty with tacos, enchiladas, and salads that feel like a midweek win. Settle in with a margarita or a tequila flight and let the classic flavors do the talking.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, September 5, 2026

New York Cider Company turns Finger Lakes heirloom and wild apples into crisp, extra-dry ciders using sustainable farming and traditional techniques. Clean, nuanced, and unapologetically dry, it’s the bottle that plays nice with your weeknight dinner, backyard catch-ups, and those moments when beer feels too heavy.

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 29, 2026

Bookies Sports Bar & Lounge delivers watch-the-game energy with craft beers, signature cocktails, and an elegant wine list, plus crowd-pleasing apps, burgers, pizzas, and calzones. A friendly perch overlooking the Downtown Ithaca Commons where the vibes stay high even if your team forgets how to play defense.

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 20, 2026

Vinifera Ithaca is the spot when you want precision in the glass and a room that hums at that just-right volume. Expect rare spirits, carefully chosen vintages, and classics or signatures poured with intention, then quietly celebrate finding your new go-to.

From the Ithaca newsletter, September 15, 2026

No-frills tavern with pool & darts offering drinks, bar food standards & games on TV.