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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).
This longtime spot, a block over from the Empire State Building, stands out from its karaoke counterparts by being a BYO venue. Yes, you can send a pizza delivery here or bring in a snack of your own. It’s also budget-friendly, as other spots could get pricey with bottle service and room rentals. The venue’s website lists a page where you can search for songs, with language selections including English, Spanish, and Chinese, so you can prep for your time on the mic ahead of time. With their late business hours, you and your group can sing on well into the night.
Surprisingly, the basement of Red Rooster has one of the best jazz clubs in Harlem, Ginny's Supper Club. Here, guests can enjoy the fine flavors of one of Harlem's most popular eateries while enjoying the live music during their Sunday gospel brunch. Priced at $80 per person, feast on an all-you-can-eat buffet with the choice of two showtimes; one at 11 am and a second one at 1:15 pm. It is highly advisable to make reservations in advance via OpenTable. If you are less interested in brunch but still curious in checking out this secret enclave, Ginny's Supper Club frequently hosts ticketed events.
Head downstairs from Marcus Samuelsson's renowned Red Rooster restaurant and find yourself in a glamorous lounge that seems right out of the 1920s. The cocktails are classic with a modern flair, and there is live music and/or DJs throughout the week, as well as a Sunday gospel brunch. Walk-ins are welcome, but advance reservations are recommended.
The east side of Harlem doesn't get nearly as much love as it should, and The Good Good is proof in the pudding that, while off the beaten path, the area is just as worth exploring. This Black female--owned cocktail bar is serving up classics but in elevated form, like the Good Good Daiquiri, made with dark rum, fresh lime, and demerara syrup. Zero-proof cocktails are plentiful at only $8 a pop, but you'd be remiss to not order some food here, too. Plant-based diners will be pleased to see the "earth" portion of the menu, with offerings like jerk mushrooms and roasted yams that have a crunch that rivals that of fried chicken thanks to its coating in honey. But put that theory to the test and try their hot honey fried, too, one of the crispiest birds in the neighborhood.
At this gay bar, the plentiful flat-screen TVs and cheap Budweisers draw sports enthusiasts of every stripe, from athlete to armchair. The bar also sponsors—and frequently hosts parties for—a number of local gay sports teams. The two-for-one happy hour in the early evening on weekdays is one of the best deals in the neighborhood.
Launched by three graduates of Historically Black Colleges, this cozy pub is Manhattan's first 100% African American--owned craft beer bar. Bites on the casual menu include a Bavarian soft pretzel, jerk chicken and vegan bratwurst sausages, and a variety of spicy guma pies (similar to a flaky samosa or empanada). Everything pairs well with an accessible selection of innovative small-batch beers. They can also be found at Market 57 in Chelsea.
A juicy burger and more than a dozen craft beers on tap make this the type of neighborhood watering hole every New Yorker wants on their corner. Plenty of stools fill the sprawling space, along with a scattering of tables on the sidewalk in warm weather. The peanut butter burger, loaded grilled cheese, and fork-and-knife fries are crowd favorites, and there’s live music during special events. It's an unfussy spot to raise a glass after a day of exploring vibrant Harlem.
The nightly parties at this laid-back West Village HQ for the Sapphic set attract young professional women, out-of-towners, and longtime regulars. Because the DJ and pool table quickly create a crowd, though, lesbians arrive early to stake their claim to a spot, especially on weekends.
The fantastic neon signs, padded black walls, large round mirrors, and L-shape bar here make you think you've wandered onto a 1930s movie set. Settle into a booth or banquette, and watch the neighborhood bons vivants (and bon-vivant wannabes) leap into action nightly, be it early for the daily happy hour or late weekend nights. A raw bar serves seafood and sushi to wash down your boilermakers.
If you've been in the city long enough, you'll remember the Holiday as the quintessential New York dive bar, with dim lighting and basic drinks, where everyone felt comfortable despite the slightly uncomfortable bar stools and banquettes. If you've just arrived here, you'll be treated to a similar welcoming ambience, but with new upholstery, trendier drinks, and bar food that ranges from Wagyu corn dogs, kimchi tacos, and deep-fried pickles to a somewhat questionable Cuban sandwich and doughnut hybrid.
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.
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.
A relatively intimate venue that holds about 1,000 people on two levels, Irving Plaza is known for its packed lineup of both indie and more mainstream acts, though tickets can get a little pricey. The sound system is good, and there are several bars.
On the 18th floor of the ModernHaus SoHo hotel, Jimmy is an all-season rooftop bar with stellar views and a cozy fireplace. Sit in a corner nook for Empire State Building vistas, or head toward the (seasonal) outdoor pool area (the pool is tiny) to survey the bridges over the East River. Cocktails are a highlight, albeit pricey, featuring seasonal ingredients.
Relax at the bar before or after 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 enjoying a classic cocktail or tipple from its robust scotch and whiskey menus. One of Joe's standout features 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.)
Named for the Public Theater's near-mythic impresario Joseph Papp, and located inside the renovated, historic Public Theater, Joe's is the ultimate cabaret lounge for A-list and longtime-favorite downtown performers who revel in the intimate setting—and for New Yorkers keen to discover marvelous, innovative shows and artists rarely enjoyed elsewhere. The venue serves good food and solid cocktails and has nary a bad seat, be it at a table, a booth, or the bar. If you want to occupy one, though, buy tickets and/or reserve your spot beforehand.
One of the last true dive bars left in the West Village, you can spot Johnny's bar by the neon sign that lights up Greenwich Avenue, simply reading "BAR." Inside, the narrow space is bedecked with bumper stickers and posters and there's always some classic rock, soul, and funk on the jukebox. As befitting of any dive, well drinks are poured with a heavy hand and bartenders are always happy to chat.
Maxfield Parrish's justly beloved 1906 mural of "Old King Cole" and his artful court (made famous by the 18th-century nursery rhyme) was fully renovated in summer 2024 and now gleams just like the day after it was finished. It adds to the already considerable elegance at this romantic and essential Midtown lounge. Try the Bloody Mary—since this is where this spicy drink was introduced to Americans as a "Red Snapper" back in 1934, with an nonalcoholic version available—and be ready to pay for the privilege of drinking in this legendary establishment.
In a space that housed an old-school Italian place for decades, La Diaspora is a fun bar (with an adjacent restaurant next door). Cozy up to the long bar, order a mezcal margarita, and chat with the always-friendly bartender. If you get hungry, the adjoining restaurant has a long menu of pan-Latin fare, including birria tacos, Cuban sandwiches, and shrimp quesadillas that you can eat at the bar.
