New York Nightlife for the late-twenties
#1
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New York Nightlife for the late-twenties
Hi!
Okay, my best friend and I are coming to New York City in less than two weeks and we can barely contain our excitment. We're pretty done on our day itineraries so we thought it was time to begin our search on New York City night life.
We are both in our late-twenties, and love to hang and people watch (or meet hot men
) at bars/lounges. I have heard the meatpacking district was the way to go but I wonder if it's a bit too "chi-chi" for our tastes? We don't want to have to dress up to the nines to go out, but would happily look pretty and go somewhere more upscale than just a neighbourhood pub. Oh, I should add then that we are staying near the theatre district.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Someone had suggested to us the Spice Market...
Thank you!
[sorry if you are seeing this twice, I had forgotten to pick New York the first time around. oops]
Okay, my best friend and I are coming to New York City in less than two weeks and we can barely contain our excitment. We're pretty done on our day itineraries so we thought it was time to begin our search on New York City night life.
We are both in our late-twenties, and love to hang and people watch (or meet hot men
![Imported](https://www.fodors.com/community/images/smilies/imported/smiley.gif)
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Someone had suggested to us the Spice Market...
Thank you!
[sorry if you are seeing this twice, I had forgotten to pick New York the first time around. oops]
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
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The good news is, you have about a zillion options. The bad news is, you have about a zillion options.
I'd focus on neighborhoods. One night go out on the Lower East Side. LES suggestions include (many are also great restaurants):
Freeman's Alley (great food)
17 Home
aka Cafe
Libation
One91
Paladar
Pianos (live music, big)
Punch & Judy (known for wine)
Suba
Tenement
Schiller's Liquor Bar
The Delancey
Stanton Social
Verlaine
The Meatpacking District is getting old, and on weekends it's a nightmare (amateur nights). But the bar on top of the Gansevoort Hotel is worth visiting, as are Highline (the basement area is trippy) and Pop Burger. And, of course, the infamous Tortilla Flats if you want solid Mexican food and a wild time.
In Tribeca, you shouldn't miss the Brandy Library. Very nice. Also the lobby bar at the Tribeca Grand Hotel.
If you're in the mood to dance, Naked Lunch in SoHo and APT in the Village are worth checking out (although I believe dancing is technically not allowed at APT). Want 80's music? Culture Club on Varick -- it's a hoot.
Keep in mind that, as mentioned above, Fridays & Saturdays are amateur nights and many of the places will be packed. If you can go out on other nights, you'll probably have a better time and, well, let's just say you'll meet a different crowd.
For more info and to check out all these options, visit:
www.sheckys.com
www.citysearch.com
Enjoy NYC and feel free to ask more specific questions after you've had an opportunity to review.
I'd focus on neighborhoods. One night go out on the Lower East Side. LES suggestions include (many are also great restaurants):
Freeman's Alley (great food)
17 Home
aka Cafe
Libation
One91
Paladar
Pianos (live music, big)
Punch & Judy (known for wine)
Suba
Tenement
Schiller's Liquor Bar
The Delancey
Stanton Social
Verlaine
The Meatpacking District is getting old, and on weekends it's a nightmare (amateur nights). But the bar on top of the Gansevoort Hotel is worth visiting, as are Highline (the basement area is trippy) and Pop Burger. And, of course, the infamous Tortilla Flats if you want solid Mexican food and a wild time.
In Tribeca, you shouldn't miss the Brandy Library. Very nice. Also the lobby bar at the Tribeca Grand Hotel.
If you're in the mood to dance, Naked Lunch in SoHo and APT in the Village are worth checking out (although I believe dancing is technically not allowed at APT). Want 80's music? Culture Club on Varick -- it's a hoot.
Keep in mind that, as mentioned above, Fridays & Saturdays are amateur nights and many of the places will be packed. If you can go out on other nights, you'll probably have a better time and, well, let's just say you'll meet a different crowd.
For more info and to check out all these options, visit:
www.sheckys.com
www.citysearch.com
Enjoy NYC and feel free to ask more specific questions after you've had an opportunity to review.
#3
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And while the East Village does tend to have more "bars" than "lounges," you really shouldn't miss it.
Zum Schneider on Avenue C is a great German beer hall with outdoor seating (perhaps dine at Esperanto first, just a few blocks away also on C). Hi-Fi on Avenue A has far and away the best jukebox in New York (custom created by the owner). And d.b.a on First Ave has an amazing selection of beers & whiskeys.
Zum Schneider on Avenue C is a great German beer hall with outdoor seating (perhaps dine at Esperanto first, just a few blocks away also on C). Hi-Fi on Avenue A has far and away the best jukebox in New York (custom created by the owner). And d.b.a on First Ave has an amazing selection of beers & whiskeys.
#4
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Thanks for all the suggestions, Gekko! I have actually heard of APT and wondered if that might be a good spot so maybe we should check it out. We will definitely have to also spend an evening in the LES.
i have been pouring through sheckys.com but i will have look up all the places you listed!
I did hear that the locals tend to go out mon/tues while the weekend was more for, like you said, the amateurs (as i admiringly wonder don't these people have to work on mon/tues?!).
Okay, I will have to admit, I'm also keen to find some hip hop/R&B clubs that cater to our age range for a fun night of dancing. So far, I've seen the following names come up but don't know if they are suitable (meaning too young for us?!):
Exit
Avalon
Crobar
And a place Brass Monkey for more of a pub environment?
Your thoughts on these would be greatly appreciated!
i have been pouring through sheckys.com but i will have look up all the places you listed!
I did hear that the locals tend to go out mon/tues while the weekend was more for, like you said, the amateurs (as i admiringly wonder don't these people have to work on mon/tues?!).
Okay, I will have to admit, I'm also keen to find some hip hop/R&B clubs that cater to our age range for a fun night of dancing. So far, I've seen the following names come up but don't know if they are suitable (meaning too young for us?!):
Exit
Avalon
Crobar
And a place Brass Monkey for more of a pub environment?
Your thoughts on these would be greatly appreciated!
#5
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Crobar and Avalon are huge Chelsea megaclubs. I've never been and would never go -- not my scene since the late '90's (when the Avalon space was the infamous Limelight) when I was in my 20's.
Exit is in Hell's Kitchen and, I've heard, is similar to the other two.
Expect high cover charges ($20+) and expensive drinks at all three clubs.
I have been to a few events at a relatively new club called BLVD on the Bowery. Personally, I'd check out that one before the others. One big advantage to BLVD is that it's in a great area close to many other options, just in case you can't stand it.
Brass Monkey is on Little West 12th in Meatpacking. I've been once for a beer on the way someplace else -- very crowded but a fine place.
Like I said, I suggest you break it down by neighborhood. Have several places in mind that are close together, and head out. You can move around all night and settle where and when you want.
Exit is in Hell's Kitchen and, I've heard, is similar to the other two.
Expect high cover charges ($20+) and expensive drinks at all three clubs.
I have been to a few events at a relatively new club called BLVD on the Bowery. Personally, I'd check out that one before the others. One big advantage to BLVD is that it's in a great area close to many other options, just in case you can't stand it.
Brass Monkey is on Little West 12th in Meatpacking. I've been once for a beer on the way someplace else -- very crowded but a fine place.
Like I said, I suggest you break it down by neighborhood. Have several places in mind that are close together, and head out. You can move around all night and settle where and when you want.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Gigglepots,
By "amateurs" Gekko means the Bridge & Tunnel crowd...people who come into the city on weekends to get rowdy & get wasted. Monday thru Thursday nights you'll see at the bars more people who work in the city (early in the evening) and locals (both early and late). Friday nights are kind of a mixed bag.
By "amateurs" Gekko means the Bridge & Tunnel crowd...people who come into the city on weekends to get rowdy & get wasted. Monday thru Thursday nights you'll see at the bars more people who work in the city (early in the evening) and locals (both early and late). Friday nights are kind of a mixed bag.
#7
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I just used Sheckys to look up a bar I'm going to tonight and I noticed the "Map Search" function. If you haven't tried it, I suggest you do.
One of the drawbacks of Sheckys is a lack of maps and closest subway. Citysearch has both.
One of the drawbacks of Sheckys is a lack of maps and closest subway. Citysearch has both.