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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).
A low-key mainstay of the downtown literary scene, the second-floor KGB Bar and third-floor Red Room together keep a busy calendar of music, readings, and other events. The name and the Soviet kitsch are a nod to the spot's history as a speakeasy for leftist Ukrainians. Some events have a cover charge and/or drink minimum.
This neighborhood standby has something going on just about every night. On the main floor, two bocce courts and library nooks with couches are popular hangouts. Downstairs, there are smart comedy shows with both high-profile and up-and-coming performers, eclectic talks, or DJs spinning. The outdoor patio is open in good weather. The menu of tasty burgers, wings, poutine, and pizza means the patrons tend to settle in for the evening. Events are either free or have a modest cover (from $5).
This corner bar has been a cozy outpost for Greenpointers throughout much of the riverfront's transformation from industrial to industrial chic. With a wood-burning stove for warmth in the winter, and outdoor space to drink and dine alfresco in the summer, Achilles Heel is known for simple, yet creative cocktails, along with fare spanning snacking olives to steak au poivre. Since it's often crowded on weekends, get there on the early end to snag seats, or reserve a table in advance.
Not just the local Irish pub for the college kids attending nearby Manhattan College, this Riverdale institution of over three decades is a hybrid of an Irish bar, restaurant, gallery, and performance space for local and Irish poets, musicians, and thespians. Named after the satire by Flann O'Brien, which translates to "the poor mouth," this congenial pub adorned with old timey Irish paraphernalia and portraits of great Irish writers is where you can wash down bangers and mash with a pint of Guinness, all while watching a theatrical stage reading or an Irish jig being performed.
Everybody's en route either to or from 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 at the classic bar—with its robust scotch and whiskey menus—or in the dining room. Still, one of the best things about Joe's 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.)
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