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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).
Manhattan's preeminent venue for burlesque, magic, and the "circus arts," has been showcasing the city's talented performers since 1999 and it's still going strong. Some shows have reserved seating, with a two-drink minimum, others are general admission, and the intimate space seats about 200 over two floors. Bring dollar bills to tip the performers.
Despite the name, this spacious spot with a huge wraparound bar and cozy booths is not Spanish themed. Instead, it's a dimly lit spot for solid cocktails and better-than-average pub grub that will quench your taste buds and fill your tummy to add longevity to a night of imbibing. There is a large selection of signature cocktails with an emphasis on whisky-laced concoctions. Excellent bar bites include polenta and meatballs, charbroiled oysters, and cassoulet.
Practically the official bar of the High Line park, the Standard Biergarten is a sprawling, bustling space complete with table tennis, bench tables, and big steins of beer. For food, there's a grill that churns out all manner of Teutonic-accented sausages; other kitchen offerings include giant soft pretzels, crispy wings, and Berlin street food favorite currywurst.
When The Ten Bells opened back in 2008, the unusual wine list attracted people in the wine industry and wine nerds, as well as locals who loved the $1 oysters (still a thing) and tapas-style food. Now that natural wines have become trendy, the dark cozy space is busier than ever—and the happy hour is just as inviting.
Perched atop the Arlo Williamsburg, overlooking its rooftop pool, this ambitious bar is one of four party venues within the hotel. Not one of New York’s actual iconic water towers, but rather a conical glass structure made in tribute to them, the bar is unabashedly upscale in a “Manhattan” sort of way, with inventive albeit pricey cocktails. The 360-degree views are some of the city’s best, and if you’re looking for a comprehensive night out, starting with drinks and ending with a DJ dance party, this is your ticket.
With slate floors, wood-paneled walls, and a small stone-filled pond, the design at this spacious lounge in Hell's Kitchen is as upscale as its mostly male clientele, which includes older uptown professionals and the twentysomething hipsters who love them (and vice versa). Hungry? There's a solid menu of small dishes.
In the heart of TriBeCa, this diminutive three-story town house dates all the way back to 1810. The ground floor is home to a restaurant with a wood-burning fireplace in the back, and food is served until late; upstairs, a pressed-copper bar provides an intimate place for cocktails and snacks. This is prime date territory, and Tiny's old-fashioned ambience is perfect for a romantic predinner cocktail.
As the name suggests, Tom and Jerry's is pretty much an every-person's bar, a casual mainstay on the New York scene that caters mostly to locals who come for everything from casual afternoon beers to late-night cocktails. There's seating at the long bar or at picnic tables under the windows.
Distinguished mature men from the Upper East Side meet younger would-be versions of themselves at this "gentlemen's club" and piano bar. The attire is "uptown casual" if not fancier (though jackets are not required), and there are daily happy hours plus weekly special events.
A fun find for LGBTQ+ travelers and allies, Uncle Charlie's is a second-floor haven for happy hours, piano singalongs, and quiet breaks on the back outdoor patio. It's a casual scene with flirty regulars and attentive bartenders pouring 'til the wee hours (from 4 pm to 4 am nightly except Sunday, when hours are 5 pm to 2 am).
A former pool-supply store now serves as a funky multiroom venue, complete with a bar serving beer and simple cocktails, a photo booth, DJs, and a backroom for up-and-coming music acts. It's been around for over two decades, and is still a popular spot on the Friday-night circuit, especially for late-night dancing. Permanently parked within its walled patio is a taco truck.
The 30th-floor penthouse rooftop lounge atop The Kimberly Hotel offers cocktails with a view. Sip a Midtown or your drink of choice while taking in 360-degree views of the city; you may even catch a glimpse of the Chrysler Building. A retractable glass ceiling, heated floors, and outdoor fireplace make this bar perfect for any season.
Tucked away from the street, the "Belgian Beer Bar" (as everybody calls it) features a European-style, enclosed outdoor courtyard and a cozy interior, all red light and shadows. NYU grad-student types come for the mammoth selection of beers on tap as well as the fries, which are served with Belgian flair in a paper cone, with an array of sauces on the side.
You can get a solid Negroni or Manhattan at this exposed-brick watering hole, but where the bar really shines is in its bespoke cocktails. Fight for a seat at the bar if possible to watch the sharply clad barkeeps whip up house specialties, or simply give them a few descriptive words ("spirit-forward," "something with bourbon," "light and refreshing") and let them create a cocktail on the spot to match your thirst.
Despite the cutesy name reflecting its location, Warren Peace is a sophisticated, compact lounge pouring classic libations and a balanced selection of signature cocktails. There's also a long menu of local and international ales, a nice assortment of wines, and an uncommon list of soft drinks like rose lemonade and ginger beer. Small and share-able bites are on the food menu, but instead of food, most locals head here for a romantic vibe and creative concoctions.
This 143-year-old tavern got a revamp in spring 2019. The new White Horse has a cleaned-up interior and a much more inspired gastropub menu to boot. Prices went up, too. The burger, now $20, is still good, though. Poets and history buffs should make a point to have a pint here: according to New York legend, writer Dylan Thomas drank himself to death in this watering hole. When the weather's nice, try to snag a seat at one of the sidewalk tables for breezy people-watching—just don't overdo it on the whisky like Thomas.
Combine the cozy atmosphere and frothy pints standard at Irish pubs with a well-heeled West Village crowd and you get Wilfie & Nell, a candlelit bar full of communal tables for making new friends. This perpetually crowded neighborhood go-to, with its low ceilings and locally sourced food, is a popular singles spot as well as a good match for night owls: food and brews are usually served into the wee hours.
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