New York City

We’ve compiled the best of the best in New York City - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola

    Midtown West

    For a night of jazz with big names and talent in a posh setting, turn to Dizzy's, an intimate club with Manhattan-skyline and Central Park views and southern-inflected cuisine (gumbo, blackened fish dishes) and cocktails. Late-night sessions are ideal for an after-dinner nightcap; some of the drinks, such as the Dizzy Gillespie, are named after jazz legends.

    10 Columbus Circle, New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-258–9595
  • 2. Lillie's Victorian Establishment

    Midtown West

    Delight awaits at this uncommonly large (for Times Square) and flamboyantly decorated bar, with nearly every square inch covered in old English art and sculpture. Don't be thrown off—the cocktails here are inventive and expertly made, as is the tasty, filling pub fare. Consider a table reservation if you're dining around pre-theater hours. Lillie's also shares its friendly brand of Victorian charm in its Union Square location.

    249 W. 49th St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-957–4530
  • 3. Salon de Ning

    Midtown West

    Take a break from 5th Avenue shopping at this glass-lined penthouse bar on the 23rd floor of the ritzy Peninsula Hotel, where the sumptuous decor is inspired by the historic tale of Shanghai socialite Madame Ning. Drinks are pricey and well made, plus the rooftop terrace views and posh atmosphere are worth the premium.

    700 5th Ave., New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-903–3995
  • 4. The Rum House

    Midtown West

    Among the glittering lights of Broadway theaters, the Rum House is a libation destination thanks to its attention to the craft of mixing cocktails. Tucked like a tasty gem inside the Hotel Edison just off Times Square, this bar often has live piano music and always pours both creative and classic cocktails. See if you can figure out where Michael Keaton sat during scenes from the Oscar-winning 2015 film Birdman.

    228 W. 47th St., New York, New York, 10036, USA
    646-490–6924
  • 5. Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

    Midtown West

    Located mid-block on the pedestrian corridor that is 6½ Avenue, this sophisticated lounge pours more than 40 by-the-glass and 200 by-the-bottle wines. Aldo Sohm, considered one of the world's top sommeliers, also oversees the wine program at legendary Le Bernardin around the corner. Enjoy a delicious small-bite lunch and dinner selection that, in this case, pairs with the wine menu (not the other way around). Better still, sip varietals while gazing at this bar's original works by Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and other New York artists.

    151 W. 51st St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-554–1143
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  • 6. Birdland

    Midtown West

    This place gets its name from saxophone great Charlie "Yardbird" (or just "Bird") Parker, so expect serious musicians such as John Pizzarelli, the Dave Holland Sextet, jazz guitarist Frank Vignola, and Arturo O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra (on Sunday night). The dining room serves moderately priced American fare with a Cajun accent.

    315 W. 44th St., New York, New York, 10036, USA
    212-581–3080
  • 7. Broadway Comedy Club

    Midtown West

    Expect to find established and rookie comics taking the stage at this busy, long-running club, with three rooms on two floors, and multiple shows nightly. Plenty of big names have performed here, including Wanda Sykes, Brett Butler, and Sarah Silverman. It's best to buy advance tickets (always affordable) and arrive early to snag good seats and get your two-drink-minimum orders flowing before comedians start dishing out the laughs.

    318 W. 53rd St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-757–2323
  • 8. Caroline's on Broadway

    Midtown West

    This high-gloss club presents established names as well as comedians on the edge of stardom. Janeane Garofalo, David Alan Grier, and Colin Quinn have all headlined, and sometimes their sets are recorded here for TV and streaming shows.

    1626 Broadway, New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-757–4100
  • 9. Célon Lounge

    Midtown West

    Underneath the Bryant Park Hotel—and dramatic arched ceilings—is one of the more unexpected and spectacular spaces in Midtown, thanks to its Moroccan decor and Mediterranean-inspired cocktail and light-fare menus. Expect to sip herbally aromatic craft drinks while international pop music plays and fashionistas and media types unwind in style.

    40 W. 40th St., New York, New York, 10018, USA
    212-642–2257
  • 10. Connolly's Pub & Restaurant

    Midtown West

    This family-owned, tri-level Irish pub often hosts live music including Irish bands, both traditional and with a modern edge. Daily happy hours (11 am-3 pm) cover beer, wine, and well drinks, along with burger and brew combos. Full Irish breakfasts are served all day long, for a taste of Dublin just off Times Square.

    121 W. 45th St., New York, New York, 10036, USA
    212-597–5126
  • 11. Don't Tell Mama

    Midtown West

    Composer-lyricist hopefuls and established talents show their stuff until 3 am nightly at this convivial Theater District cabaret. Extroverts will be tempted by the piano bar's open-mike policy as well as by the other showroom's singers, comedians, and drag acts. The exposed-brick lounge is quieter.

    343 W. 46th St., New York, New York, 10036, USA
    212-757–0788
  • 12. Forty Four

    Midtown West

    The dimly lit, wood-clad Forty Four is the comfortable lobby bar of the boutique Royalton Hotel. Kick back in a leather sofa to enjoy the chic decor, well-done craft cocktails, and large fireplace—a sexy and popular spot to gear up or wind down after a Broadway show.

    44 W. 44th St., New York, New York, 10036, USA
    212-944–8844
  • 13. Industry

    Midtown West

    This longtime favorite LGBTQ+ bar draws fun queer crowds starting from its 6 pm–9 pm daily happy hours to its wee-hours last call (usually 4 am). Industry's long bar is always hopping, as are its lounge and dance spaces, stage, and pool table nook. Programming is full of sparkly fun, so expect to find special events like RuPaul's Drag Race viewing parties, live shows, DJ nights, and the wildest, most flirtatious crowd in Midtown.

    355 W. 52nd St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
  • 14. Iridium

    Midtown West

    Cozy and subterranean, this jazz venue is a sure bet for big-name talent like Chuck Mangione, the Eddie Daniels Band, the David Murray Black Saint Quartet, and pianist Michael Wolff. The sight lines are good, and the sound system was designed with the help of Les Paul, inventor of the solid-body electric guitar (Paul played here every Monday night for years). Small bites and entrées are on the menu here, along with a robust beer, wine and cocktail selection.

    1650 Broadway, New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-582–2121
  • 15. Joe Allen

    Midtown West

    Everybody's en route either to or from a show at this "old reliable" tavern on boisterous Restaurant Row, celebrated in the musical version of All About Eve. You might even spot a Broadway star at the classic bar—with its robust scotch and whiskey menus—or in the dining room. Still, one of the best things about Joe's is not the show crowd but the hilarious "flop wall," adorned with posters from musicals that bombed, sometimes spectacularly. (Check out the ones for Paradox Lust, Got Tu Go Disco, and Dude, the unfortunate sequel to Hair.)

    326 W. 46th St., New York, New York, 10036, USA
    212-581–6464
  • 16. Posh

    Midtown West

    Among Hell's Kitchen's gay lounges, Posh offers an array of special party nights and drag shows, ample room for flirting and dancing, plenty of neon decor (plus artwork by local artists), and long hours to suit any schedule, from 2 pm to 4 am. Daily happy "hour" from 2 to 9 pm draws a steady clientele.

    405 W. 51st St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-957–2222
  • 17. Ritz Bar and Lounge

    Midtown West

    At this effervescent Hell's Kitchen gay hot spot, crowds put on the ritz every night for bargain happy hours (4 pm–9 pm) and late-night dancing on two floors 'til 4 am. Expect extra-packed weekend fun, with crowds flocking here for drag-queen DJs, women's nights, male go-go dancers, all-night drink specials, and weeknight variety shows.

    369 W. 46th St., New York, New York, 10036, USA
    212-333–4177
  • 18. RPM Underground

    Midtown West

    If you're feeling inspired by the music and musicals of Broadway, don't miss a visit to Manhattan's most eclectic karaoke bar. The subterranean space has a lively bar that serves friendly songbirds, plus 17 private rooms, each decorated individually by theme and with an array of vintage items and posters. Karaoke fans will especially love that many of the huge selection of songs show lyrics over the original music videos. At ground level, pop into RPM Vinyl to browse the wild assortment of old- and new-school records, with a few weirder ones for sale in the bargain bins out front.

    246 W. 54th St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
    646-609–3828
  • 19. Russian Vodka Room

    Midtown West

    This block of 52nd Street knows some serious vodka drinking. The Vodka Room features a casual front room with live piano and jazz music, a more sumptuous back room, a 4 pm–7 pm daily "attitude-adjustment" hour (happy hour), and an impressive variety of infused vodkas. A vodka tasting menu is also available, as are culinary standards like caviar and borscht. For those ready to compare flavors, Russian Samovar ( www.russiansamovar.com) across the street has similar style, including nightly live music and bold, house-infused vodkas from cherry to ginger to horseradish.

    265 W. 52nd St., New York, New York, 10019, USA
    212-307–5835
  • 20. Sardi's

    Midtown West | Bars/Pubs

    Head to this Broadway institution to drink in vintage Midtown Manhattan at the compact bar, surrounded by caricatures of theater, film, music, and TV stars past and present.

    234 W. 44th St., between Broadway and 8th Ave., New York, New York, 10036, USA
    212-221–8440

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