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. Bar Bella
at the Park Central New York

For pre-theater cocktails or a nightcap after a full New York evening, Bar Bella New York in the Park Central Hotel's lobby is an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of Midtown. The sophisticated bar offers a wide selection of spirits and tasty bar bites like calamari and chicken fingers.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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2. Bull and Bear
at the Waldorf Astoria NYC

The New York Bull and Bear Steakhouse and Bar is a classic Manhattan tavern that serves some of the finest cocktails in New York City that are consistentlymixed to perfection.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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3. Cocktail Terrace
at the Waldorf Astoria NYC

The Cocktail Terrace offers guests a taste of the old Big Apple, including afternoon tea and evening cocktails in a quaint, upscale environment.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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4. Bridges Bar
at the Hilton New York

If there's one thing better than the steel cables and bridge-themed murals lining the walls of the Bridges Bar, it's the cocktails. Featuring tasty martinis with a touch of New York, the Bridges Bar in the Hilton New York is a great place to unwind after a long day on the town.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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5. Madison Club
at the Roosevelt Hotel New York

For a classic New York lounge experience, look no further than the Madison Club Lounge at the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown East. Here you'll enjoy an extensive menu of martinis and plush leather chairs ideal for relaxing after a long day of exploring New York City.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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6. Atrium Lounge
at the Marriott Marquis Hotel NYC

Located in the New York Marriott Marquis, the Atrium Lounge is one of the most scenic and elegant restaurants in the city to get a cocktail, making for a romantic evening only the Big Apple can offer.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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7. Broadway Lounge
at the Marriott Marquis Hotel NYC

The Broadway Lounge is a great place to grab a pre-theater cocktail, or to kick back and unwind after a long day of Big Apple sight-seeing. Featuring a stunning view overlooking Times Square, the Broadway Lounge offers a full bar and authentic Italian buffet.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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8. LQ NYC
at the The Lexington New York

Featuring Salsa music and bumping hip hop beats, the LQ Club New York is one of Manhattan's best nightclubs. An exclusive New York hotspot, LQ Nightclub features free New York Salsa lessons and a complimentary buffet before 8pm on Wednesdays.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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9. Library Bar and Bar 46
at the Paramount Hotel New York

The Paramount Hotel's two premier bars, The Library Bar and Bar 46: Athletic Club, offer guests Times Square decadence and style without the large crowds.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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10. Ad Lib NYC
at the Doubletree Suites Times Sq

The Ad Lib Lounge gets the Broadway crowd inspired with original pre and post-theater cocktails from the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Grab a quick bite before the show, or kick back and relax when the theater lights turn on at the Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square Ad Lib Lounge.

Full BarWine BarBottle ServicePrivate PartiesLive Entertainment/DJDance FloorBar FoodRooftopHappy Hour
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11. Coopers
at the The New Yorker Hotel

Cooper's Tavern in Midtown West features an extensive win list to accompany some of the best steak and seafood entrees in town. Make sure to save room for dessert, as Cooper's offers authentic New York classics like tiramisu and cheesecake.

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.