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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 cocktail parlor invites you inside with its name, the beginning of an imaginary love letter to Irving Place, on which the bar resides. Interiors themed for different eras are chic and refined, and just as at sister property Raines Law Room, there are private sections of tables and couches for intimate conversations. Reservations are recommended (make them online), but you can sometimes get a table if you just show up.
Despite the generic name, this is far from a traditional dive bar. Yes, there’s a long list of domestic microbrews and imports on draft, along with whiskeys and other spirits and there are TVs playing sports. But this dive bar features an extensive and inventive menu with daily mussel specials, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, and even poutine, the stick-to-your-ribs dish from Québec (fries topped with gravy and cheese curds). The kitchen is open late and the bar even later—until 4 am daily.
At this intimate supper club, an integral part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, you can enjoy jazz, dinner, and drinks along with stellar views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park. The food is hearty and Southern-inflected (catfish po'boy, gumbo), but the top-notch music provides the main attraction. There are two sets; the late-night sessions are ideal for after-dinner nightcaps of classic drinks with new twists.
Composer-lyricist hopefuls and established talents show their stuff until 3 am nightly at this convivial Theater District cabaret. Extroverts will be tempted by the piano bar's open-mike policy as well as by the other showroom's singers, comedians, and drag acts. The exposed-brick lounge is quieter.
Since the early 1800s, this watering hole (at one time also a bordello) has been a sturdy New York landmark in a rapidly changing downtown and it still draws a laidback crowd of locals for drinks and pretty good food, too. There's live music several times a week. Note that the location is pretty far west, closer to the Hudson River.
With its art deco light fixtures, marble-top tables, and cute leather banquettes, this cocktail bar elevates itself from a neighborhood hangout to a destination. Here, sample creative concoctions based on the classics. While charcuterie boards are available, the spicy PB&J on the snack menu surprisingly pairs nicely with boozy vanilla shakes or espresso martinis.
The dapper, white-coated bartenders at this cocktail bar mix delicious, well-thought-out tipples with debonair aplomb and freshly squeezed mixers. Sip one in the dimly lit bar area, and you might feel like you've stepped back in time—if it weren't for the crush of trendy West Village locals and visitors at your back. Look for the green awning that says "EO" and the neon "Psychic" sign out front. Tasty, if pricey, fare is served in the restaurant at the back.
Filling a space that's long been the site of a gay establishment, Evolve is a go-to for mostly men to mingle after work and on weekends. The long bar is a watering hole for many regulars, and the smoke-friendly back patio is an added incentive to unwind in a bar unlike others in the neighborhood. Check the bar's social-media pages to see what go-go shows and open-mic lineups are planned.
Linger over lunch or a beer at this well-worn neighborhood bar and restaurant, a down-to-earth SoHo landmark that's been serving drinks (and good burgers, sandwiches, and quiche) since 1847. The old-timey photos on the walls add to the vintage atmosphere, as do the no-nonsense bartenders.
Each of New York’s five boroughs has embraced the craft beer trend and Staten Island is no exception. Located just a short walk from the ferry terminal, this proudly Staten Island microbrewery has a sizable taproom that plays an eclectic music playlist (almost always including an obligatory Wu-Tang song or two) for the patrons playing cornhole, or convening at one of its long communal tables. On tap: their rotating lagers, pilsners, stouts, and IPAs—Blood Orange being one of the more popular ones—all made in the other room.
The dimly lit, wood-clad Forty Four is the comfortable lobby bar of the boutique Royalton Hotel. Kick back in a leather sofa to enjoy the chic decor, well-done craft cocktails, and large fireplace—a sexy and popular spot to gear up or wind down after a Broadway show.
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.
This 10,000-square-foot club—complete with a chandelier and roomy downstairs lounge—has scheduled shows by popular headliners such as Roy Wood Jr. and Kate Clinton, as well as occasional pop-in performances by big-name funny folks like Dave Chappelle and Lewis Black.
Awarded New York Brewery of the Year two years in a row, Grimm certainly knows how to make a good brew. Fans of IPAs, sour beers, and goses (warm fermented beers) will definitely appreciate a session here; many of their beers lean in those realms of the beer spectrum. Some nights at the taproom feature DJs sets—except Wednesdays when it's BYOV (Bring Your Own Vinyl) and the music vibe is in the beer drinkers' hands.
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 specializes in “beer, booze, bites, and beats." Bites on the casual menu include a Bavarian soft pretzel, craft beer bratwurst, and a variety of spicy guma pies (similar to a flaky samosa or empanada), and everything pairs well with an accessible selection of innovative small-batch beers. A second location is opening at Pier 57 in Hudson River Park.
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 and loaded grilled cheese and avocado 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 pancakes, and deep-fried pickles to a somewhat questionable s'mores nachos.
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.
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