Bar Districts or Areas
 

In NYC, are there any bar "districts" or "areas" where there are a cluster of bars located close to each other to choose from? That way we can easily check several bars out in the same area? Is the lower east side like this?

Yes, there are certainly streets on the Lower East Side that are like this. Also the East Village (especially around NYU), 3rd Avenue in Murray Hill, also Hell's Kitchen, also Chelsea, also the Far West Village, also SoHo, also the Meatpacking District (north of SoHo but south of the West Village), also the Upper East Side, also the Upper West Side. Basically, there are so many areas where you'll find bars that this is a useless question.

More to the point, what kind of bars are you looking for? Are you gay or straight? How old are you? What kind of experience do you want to have?

Nightlife is not my forte, but there are people here who can give you advice. But if you want to go bar-hopping, you'll have more fun if you focus on an area of town that has a cluster of bars that you will enjoy.

Sorry for the pointless question Doug. If we were from the area we probably wouldn't have to ask. Straight, professional guys, 28-42 years old. Nothing too trendy or presumptuous. A laid back crowd with a mix of decent music. Preferably no rap or hip-hop. Dancing is a plus, but dance clubs are not ideal, if that makes any sense. We were also considering the Secaucus, NJ area because of its location to our hotel. I guess the question is "what area would give us the best concentration of these types of bars?"

Uh.. you will not find anything in Secaucus, NJ. Lower East Side will be your best bet as well as Nolita. Separately, I actually went to a couple of great places on 7th street (between 1st Ave. and A) recently.

Now, you're helping a lot. I think you might like some places in the East Village, but many others are going to be way too young for you. I wish I knew more about the scene right now.

You're way too old for the Third Avenue bars, as well as the Upper East Side string of spots on 1st Avenue in the 80s/90s. I can tell you that much at least.

I think your main obstacle may be in getting back to Secaucus late at night. Bus service is limited after midnight, and it's a bit far for a taxi.

Everyone has their preferences. If you are in Seacaucus try Hoboken. In Manhattan, Stone Street near the South street seaport.

Dancing is going to be an issue - since there are thousands of bars all over the city dance clubs are a whole different thing. NYC has some very arcane cabaaret laws that make it difficult to run dance clubs. For a bar all you need is a liquor license. For dancing you also have to have a cabaret license (expensive and difficult to get, limited to a certain number in each area) - so many dance clubs are much more expensive and exclusive - to make up for the cost and difficulty of setting them up.
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I seem to recall you were lookjng for a place with budget drinks (less than $20 ) which are unlikely in dance clubs - many of which survive on their foo-foo (and big$ drinks) as well as their habit of asking you to buy a bottle - at a very high rate - to be able to get a table, versus just standing all night.

So - I would focus on bars versus clubs - unless the dancing is an absolute must.

And, I would go to newyork.timeout.com and look at their bar sections to get some ideas

Start with the bars on Orchard St in the LES-that should be the right age group. Popularity, type of music varies by the day. You can bar hop to find the right place for you.

East Village is also another place for you age group with a mix of bars and lounges

Some info on Orchard St bars/lounges
http://newyork.metromix.com/bars-and...370939/content

APT in the Meatpacking district is a bar with dancing downstairs. If that isn't your thing, lots of others around-follow the crowds.

Here is a nightlife guide that should help. They break things down by category and neighborhoods
http://nymag.com/nightlife/


Expect to pay dearly for drinks in the popular "districts"
A group of guys going to lounges and clubs will be hassled to buy bottle service, so if you can have a mix of men and women you'll have an easier time getting in.