NYC Entertainment | Nightlife in New York City

Entertainment and Nightlife in New York City
Bartenders in NYC have an uncanny talent for remembering faces. Make sure to tip

Bartenders in NYC have an uncanny talent for remembering faces. Make sure to tip

Entertainment and Nightlife in New York City

Are you looking for the best in NYC nightlife? Well, you're in the right place. Here at NYCTourist.com, you'll learn everything you need to know about entertainment and nightlife in NYC, including how to get in to the most popular NYC clubs, where to find the best bars in NYC, and what cheap NYC hotels are close to New York nightlife hotspots. Whether you're looking for cool, kooky NYC bars or trendy NYC clubs, you're sure to find what you're after.

Here are a few beginner's tips:

  • Dress to Impress: Most popular clubs in NYC enforce strict dress codes. If you don't look like you belong, you won't get in. Check club websites for dress codes.
  • Tip Your Bartender Well: Bartenders in NYC have an uncanny talent for remembering faces. If you stiff them on the tip, they'll note it, and you probably won't get a drink again. Of course, if you tip them well, they'll remember that, too, and they'll pour stronger drinks and take your order first. This is especially true in upscale NYC clubs.

To learn more about nightlife in New York City, continue reading below!

Located in the Midtown West neighborhood of Manhattan, The Royalton New York stands right in the center of it all

Located in the Midtown West neighborhood of Manhattan, The Royalton New York stands right in the center of it all

Hotels Close to Nightlife in NYC

If you plan on doing your share of partying in NYC, do yourself the favor of booking a room in an New York hotel close to nightlife in NYC. Here are a few of our top New York City hotels for partying:

  • The Royalton New York: Located in the Midtown West neighborhood of Manhattan, The Royalton New York stands right in the center of it all, close to popular NYC attractions and the best nightlife in NYC (the world-famous Pacha Club NY stands just steps away). This 4.0-star luxury hotel boasts a lively on-site bar, a 24-hour fitness center, and a breathtaking lobby with an enormous cast-bronze fireplace.
  • The GEM Hotel Chelsea: For those who would rather spend their money on signature NY drinks than on trendy NY hotel rooms, there's the GEM Hotel Chelsea, a cheap NYC hotel close to New York nightlife. This popular NYC hotel stands just minutes away from many of New York City's hottest clubs, including Marquee NYC.
Are you looking for fun things to do in New York City after dark?

Are you looking for fun things to do in New York City after dark?

NYC Nightlife - Cool Bars in NYC

Are you looking for fun things to do in New York City after dark? Do you want to learn about NYC nightlife and nightclubs in NYC? Are you on a quest for the coolest, hottest, swankiest bars in NYC? If so, you're in the right place! Below you'll find two of our favorite NYC nightlife hotspots.

  • The Rum House: Located in Manhattan's Times Square, just steps away from New York City's Theater District, The Rum House is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail before or after a Broadway show. This upscale bar in NYC is sure to delight music lovers and cocktail purists alike with its leather upholstery, piano players, and high-end drinks.
  • Smith & Mills: One block east of the Hudson River lies the small, pocket-sized bar known as Smith & Mills. At this eccentric Tribeca bar, which occupies a mere 450 square feet, food is served on antique flatware and beer in Mason jars.

To hear more about NYC nightlife, keep reading below!

NYCTourist Travel Info
  Nightlife Info Price
1. Mercury Lounge

One of the top concert venues in NYC! This venue is intimate and charming, with room for just 250 people. Despite the smaller size of this venue, it has a state of the art acoustic set-up that is sure to make for a fantastic concert-going experience.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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2. Penthouse 808
at the Ravel Hotel New York

Fine dining, a world renowned DJ and unparalleled New York City views can be found at the New York Penthouse 808 Lounge, inside the trendy Ravel Hotel. Just across from Midtown Manhattan, this is the perfect escape from busy city nightlife, with all the fun.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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3. Salon Millesime
at the The Carlton Hotel New York

Salon Millesime New York is located inside The Carlton Hotel NY. Off the hotel lobby, this two-story lounge has a full bar with beer, wine and specialty cocktails and a food menu with appetizers, small plates and light meals.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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4. The Strand Lounge
at the The Strand Hotel NYC

The Strand NYC lounge is one of the best places to get a cocktail and a view of the New York City skyline.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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5. Bar 41
at the Hotel 41 NYC

Bar 41 NY has half off drink specials during happy hour, making this Times Square bar and restaurant a popular stop for locals after work.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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6. Bar on 5th
at the The Setai 5th Avenue

Bar on Fifth is a new Midtown Manhattan bar. The decor and the seating is swanky and high class, but their dress code allows for anyone to enjoy a drink and an entree at their bar. It wouldn't be surprising to see Wall Street bankers sitting next to tourists.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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7. Star Lounge
at the Ritz Carlton NYC Central Park Hotel

Perfect for NYC tourists looking to experience one of Manhattan's most luxurious hotels without getting stuck with a huge hotel bill, the Star Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Central Park is a sophisticated NY bar in Midtown. Indulge in one of their famous high-end NY cocktails and snack on light fare while you enjoy a small taste of the 5-star Ritz Carlton at the star Lounge NY.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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8. Jimmy's Bar NYC

Looking for an authentic NYC bar near Times Square? Then check out famous Jimmys Corners Bar NY in Midtown Manhattan. One of the last remaining dive bars in Midtown's Theater District, Jimmys Corner Bar NY is a small New York bar that offers cheap NYC drink deals nightly.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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9. Manhattan Inn

A perfect choice for a first date, Manhattan Inn Piano Bar NYC is a lively and romantic NYC piano bar located in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. At this quirky NYC bar, re-purposed doorknobs serve as tap handles, school desks serve as tables, and sugar jars serve as lighting fixtures. You'll be charmed by Manhattan Inn long before you taste the food.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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10. S&M

Aside from fascinating cocktails and vintage decor, Smith & Mills Tribeca has enticing food for you to munch on while you enjoy the ambiance.  Try the mushroom salad with red quinoa, barley, tomato, squash, bib lettuce, goat cheese and toast!  If looking for a more filling dish try the chicken paillard aquavit complete with haricot vert, arugula salad, pickled red onion, fresh dill, and house aquavit.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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11. Bar Henry

One of the most talked about entrees in NYC is served at Bar Henry in Greenwich Village, a small, old world wine bar.  The Niman Ranch pork belly is absolutely mouthwatering, served with frisee salad, crunchy walnuts, and dried cranberries.  Another impeccable dish is the Portuguese octopus, complete with kalamata olives, fiery red pepper, creamy pesto and feta cheese.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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Pacha Club boasts a 3,500-square-foot wooden dance floor

Pacha Club boasts a 3,500-square-foot wooden dance floor

The New York Nightlife Scene and Things To Do at Night in NYC!

We’ve all heard that New York is the city that never sleeps – and it’s true! If hitting the town, checking out the clubs, seeing the lights in Times Square, or just hanging out at a great lounge or bar is your thing, then NYC can deliver. There are hundreds of restaurants that have bars and lounges for early evening entertainment and hundreds more pubs and bars in New York (especially Manhattan) that are open deep into the night. New York’s club scene is broad and varied and is led by Webster Hall in the East Village – one of New York City’s most popular nightclubs featuring five (yes FIVE) dance floors, live music, famous DJs, and an iconic history of entertainers (our nightlife tip is to buy tickets early as this is a hot place to hang out, dance, and party).

Another way to spend the night is dinner and live music at a New York jazz club like Cleopatra’s Needle on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. If you’re into laughing (let’s hope so) then New York boasts some of the best comedians and comedy clubs in the world such as the Broadway Comedy Club, Caroline’s on Broadway, World Comedy Club in Manhattan's Midtown West, Dangerfield’s, and the NY Comedy Club where "Laughter is an instant vacation!" Yes, most have a two drink minimum but that’s nothing compared to the quality of entertainment.

If you’re looking for NYC concert tickets, entertainers or other things to do at night in NYC then check out our up to date NYC events calendar.

Clubs and Nightlife in NYC

Some of the best clubs in the world can be found in New York City. One famous NYC nightclub is Pacha Club NY. Located in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan, Pacha Club boasts a 3,500-square-foot wooden dance floor and four stylishly decorated floors with large open spaces and intimate seating coves. Notable attractions at this popular club in NYC include Pacha's famous shower booths, where bikinied girls dance under colored LED lights, and the jet-setting celebrities who people the ultra-exclusive mezzanine floor.

Another popular NYC club is Marquee NYC. This trendy nightclub in NYC evokes the elegant sophistication of an old-fashioned gentlemen's club with its scuptural glasswear, custom-made ice buckets, 42-foot vaulted ceiling, and 35-foot "wishbone" staircase. With a maximum capacity of just 600 people, Marquee NY is the perfect size for an NYC nightclub, neither too big nor too small.

NYC Event Tickets

Manhattan Inn Piano Bar is a cool and quirky NYC piano bar located in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Manhattan Inn Piano Bar is a cool and quirky NYC piano bar located in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn.

NYC Nightlife - The Best Bars in NYC

Looking for cool bars in NYC? We've got you covered! Check out these trendy NYC bars with live music and bar food. They're two of the best bars in New York City!

  • Manhattan Inn Piano Bar NYC: Founded in 2009 by Brooke Baxter and Rolyn Hu, Manhattan Inn Piano Bar is a cool and quirky NYC piano bar located in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. This popular NY piano bar offers live music seven nights a week and a full bar that serves quality small plates and full-course meals.
  • Le Poisson Rouge NYC: Founded by musicians on the former site of the Village Gate, Le Poisson Rouge is one of the best places to see live music in NYC. This cool NYC bar features a 28' x 21' fixed corner stage, a 23'-diameter hardwood dance floor, and flexible event space that can seat 250 and stand 700. Aside from signature NY cocktails like the Garfunkel and the Pumpkin King, Le Poisson Rouge serves delicious small plates like quesadillas, nachos, and pizza.