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New Yorkers are fond of the "work hard, play hard" maxim, but the truth is, Gothamites don't need much of an excuse to hit the town. Any day of the week could easily be mistaken for a Friday or Saturday; the bottom line is that when the the mood strikes, there are always plenty of choices in this 24-hour city. Whether it's raising a glass in a historic saloon, a dimly lit cocktail den, or a swanky rooftop lounge; checking out the latest band; or laughing it up at a comedy show, it isn't hard for visitors to get a piece of the action.
The nightlife scene still resides largely downtown—in the dives and speakeasies of the East Village and Lower East Side, the classic jazz joints and piano bars of the West Village, and the Meatpacking District's and Chelsea's "see-and-be-seen" clubs. Midtown, especially around Hell's Kitchen, has developed a vibrant scene, too, and plenty of upscale hangouts dot the Upper East and Upper West Sides. Brooklyn and Harlem are go-to destinations for in-the-know locals.
Keep in mind that when you go is just as important as where you go. A club that is packed at 11 pm might empty out by midnight, and a bar that raged last night may be completely empty tonight. Time Out New York magazine has a good list of roving parties (www.timeout.com/newyork), as does Urban Daddy (www.urbandaddy.com/new-york). Scour industry-centric websites, too, like Eater and Grub Street, which catalog the comings and goings of many a nightlife impresario. New York magazine and the New York Times have listings of cabaret and jazz shows, the latter mainly in its Friday and Sunday Arts sections. Bear in mind that a venue's life span is often measured in months, not years. Phone ahead or check online to make sure your target hasn't closed or turned into a polka hall (although, you never know—that could be fun, too).
Housed in a former corner market, this easygoing neighborhood craft beer and cocktail bar, led by head bartender Patty Dennison, changes their cocktail roster seasonally, each with funny names to go along with the season's quirky theme. The kitchen keeps up, preparing light bites to pair with them.
This award-winning brewery shines in crafting brews across the whole beer and ale spectrum, especially IPAs and sours. However, they're now also partnered with Physica, a sister wine program of local, natural wines. In addition to their already sprawling taproom that's adjacent to their tanks and barrels, is a large outdoor-indoor rooftop space, where you can use your beer or wine to wash down slices of New Haven--style pies from La La’s Apizza.
Located in historic Central Harlem, Harlem Nights is a cozy neighborhood bar set in a relaxed lounge atmosphere. With live entertainment ranging from open-mic nights on Monday to comedy shows on Saturday and weekend DJs, there’s something for everyone. At their daily happy hour, you can enjoy craft cocktails at a discounted price until 8 pm. The food menu is fairly straightforward, with offerings like fish sandwiches, burgers, and apps like mozzarella sticks and fried pickles, but they have a decent, fairly priced cocktail list, and specials like a lager and a shot of Jameson for just $12. The main draw here is the music, so grab a drink and a bite, and stay awhile, as Harlem Nights is open until at least 2 am every night.
The Standard's sizable underground room draws top names in the business, and as part of Danny Meyer's southern-food restaurant Blue Smoke, it's one of the few spots where you can get dry-rubbed ribs to go with your bebop. There are welcoming Jazz for Kids concerts most Sunday afternoons.
A low-key mainstay of the downtown literary scene, the second-floor KGB Bar and third-floor Red Room together keep a busy calendar of music, readings, and other events. The name and the Soviet kitsch are a nod to the spot's history as a speakeasy for leftist Ukrainians. Some events have a cover charge and/or drink minimum.
Housed behind an unremarkable door in the stairwell of the subway station at the southeast corner of 7th Avenue and West 28th Street, this 600-square-foot speakeasy-like cocktail bar has enough room for 30 lucky people. The dimly lit space pops with blue and purple hues, as a DJ plays funk and electronica. The experience will quickly make you forget you're drinking a nicely made (but somewhat pricey) cocktail in a subway station.
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 pretheater hours. Lillie's also shares its friendly brand of Victorian charm in its Union Square location.
If you're looking to sip a classic cocktail in a space that harkens back to a bygone, old New York era, point yourself to the legendary Chelsea Hotel. The Lobby Bar, which opened in 2022 after the hotel was fully renovated, is vintage to the nth degree. Think: opulent chandeliers, a marble-topped bar, high ceilings, wood-paneled walls, and plush vintage furniture. And of course, there's a menu of classic libations, including re-created drinks from around the world. Pro tip: go for the ultrachilled Dukes Martini from the Dukes Hotel in London.
A multitime World's Best Bars honoree, this 8th Street cocktail bar is the stronghold of French mixologist Nico de Soto where he crafts inspired libations using unorthodox ingredients in a sleekly designed, dimly lit atmosphere. Things like dates, black sesame, pine nuts, corn puree, and something called "Champagne acid" are all likely to find their way into your glass. And it will taste fantastic. For nonexperimental drinkers, there are plenty of classic cocktails on the menu, too.
From the same father-son team who made Jacob's Pickle a neighborhood fave, this pleasant restaurant is deservedly famous for its French-dip sandwiches, melts, and other filling dishes. But its "old-school but progressive" cocktails, wine, and beer menus keep both of its separate bars busy. This is the sort of place where one visit will make you a regular.
Transport yourself to New Orleans in this dimly lit, yet lively cocktail and oyster bar, known for an extensive absinthe selection, a menu spanning light fare to hearty braised beef cheeks, and above all, an impressive selection of oysters hailing from both coasts. Cozy up at the horseshoe-shape bar or dine at a cast-iron table inside—or in the back garden on warm days.
The jazz institution that once featured big-name performers such as Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington is now a sophisticated supper club (that also serves weekend brunch) with a roster of house-band jazz performers and featured musicians. Small plates are plentiful, with dishes like rigatoni carbonara and greenshell mussels in a white wine cream sauce, paired best with a libation such as the Cinnamon Toast Punch, with bourbon and smoked cinnamon. It's not a cheap night out, but it is worth the splurge; just be sure to make reservations and dress to impress. It can get loud in here, so if you're worried about the sound, simply request a table toward the back.
Amid varnished wood and exposed brick that reinforce the cozy vibe, the Penrose fancies itself "the Upper East Local" and has something for everyone. There are nearly endless choices of spirits and specialty cocktails, including many types of whiskeys, a cold-brew espresso martini, and several nonalcoholic options. The bar offers breakfast corn dogs and other treats at its popular weekend brunch, and a colossal fried chicken sandwich at dinner. A late-night menu is served daily until 2 am; and even live jazz, blues, and folk music are performed on Sunday nights at 7 (no cover charge).
"Drink craft beer" is the motto here, so grab a stool, saddle up to the bar or around one of the barrels fashioned into a table, and take your time poring over the video board displaying various lagers and ales, along with hard ciders and seltzers. There's a heavy focus on NYC and New York State brews, with some suds from other states. Take advantage of the Tuesday through Friday happy hour from 4:20 to 6:20 pm, when beer, wine by the glass, and well drinks are all $7; on Monday, happy hour is an all-day/all-night affair. The kitchen stays open late, serving bar fare to soak up some suds. A vegan burger is available.
This polished, spacious, second-floor cocktail bar is named after the way a drink forms iridescent liquid ribbons when it's expertly poured. The menu lists options with a sliding scale that tells you how "spiritous," "refreshing," "comforting," and "adventurous" each one is, and you order accordingly. There are a few food items, too, like cheese and charcuterie, which are a good idea, because you'll be tempted to stay for another round of drinks.
With multiple performers at each of the three intimate venues, there's so much to hear here. Expect music of all types, often from bands or soloists just passing through the city. The lineup usually starts around 6 or 7 pm and runs 'til around midnight—meaning you can get your live music fix and catch up on sleep, too. There's typically one stage with no cover charge, making Rockwood a great spot to just drop in.
Named for late comedian Rodney Dangerfield, and previously known as Dangerfield’s since 1969, this entertainment spot is under new ownership and has received a complete overhaul following a COVID-19-induced closure. Now featuring an art deco design and an upscale feel, the club hosts rising stars like Josh Johnson of The Daily Show, comedy podcast tapings, and more. A menu of snacks and cocktails—with names like the Gin Carrey, the Berry Seinfeld, or, of course, the Rodney Dangerfield—are on offer, and a fuller food menu is forthcoming. Ticket prices range from free to $25, depending on the show, and are slightly discounted online.
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.
It doesn't look like much from the outside, but this bar and small performance venue hosts multiple events each night, with live music ranging from blues, jazz, Latin, Afrobeat, indie, and more, as well as DJs, spoken word, and dance. African masks, vinyl records, and album covers adorn the walls and ceilings, and there’s ample seating with plenty of space to dance, too. These days, there's usually a crush of out-of-towners during showtimes, but the music remains stellar, and the establishment itself is the stuff of legend.
