Heading out for a special occasion, looking to make your visit extra fun or just want to have a night out in your own backyard? New York City can always be trusted to meet your needs when it comes to finding the right bars, clubs and parties. These five-borough picks offer up evening entertainment options for any celebration or mood—whether you want to dance all night, savor craft cocktails, pull up a chair at a beloved dive, take in skyline views or laugh until you cry. Read on and prepare to hit the town.
Courtesy, House of Yes
Dance Clubs
The anatomy of a night out dancing is different for every New Yorker and visitor. With so many options to choose from across the five boroughs, we’re giving you a quick primer of how to flaunt your moves to the soundtrack of world-class DJs.
Rumpus Room
Neighborhood: Lower East Side, Manhattan
The vibes: Step out in stylish attire because you’ll be rubbing elbows with some of NYC’s most fashionable revelers. Award-winning designer Gulla Jónsdóttir has created a see-and-be-seen space featuring bamboo walls, a copper bar and vintage wallpaper. On any given night a VIP party with their own photographer will be celebrating in one corner alongside revelers sipping cocktails on zebra-print ottomans and vibrant crowds swaying to cross-genre hits on the dance floor.
Don’t miss: The trademark Prosecco cocktails, photo booth and party scene during New York Fashion Week.
Le Bain
Neighborhood: Meatpacking District, Manhattan
The vibes: What better way to take in stunning 18th-floor Hudson River views than at a glass-windowed penthouse discotheque and rooftop bar atop the trendy Standard hotel? The state-of-the-art sound system will make you feel like you’re inside the music, and after a few strong cocktails, the plunge pool beside the dance floor may look dangerously appealing.
Don’t miss: The locale’s beloved crepes, served tableside and at an outdoor creperie.
House of Yes
Neighborhood: Bushwick, Brooklyn
The vibes: Once you step inside the doors of this old ice warehouse—now psychedelically appointed with a massive neon arch-covered stage, colorful lights, balloons, streamers and other performance-themed designs—you’ll know you’ve entered a glorious escape from reality. The venue plays host to themed dance parties, circus variety shows and cabaret performances, and its inclusive programming draws a diverse, high-vibe crowd.
Don’t miss: The gorgeously designed gender-neutral bathrooms, which make funky, fun backdrops for an impromptu photo shoot.
Doha Bar & Lounge
Neighborhood: Long Island City, Queens
The vibes: This triple-threat palm tree and pink light–accented nightclub, cocktail bar and restaurant features Latin-fusion fare alongside parties that can go till the wee hours. Fuel up for late-night dancing with chimichurri skirt steak with yuca fries or passion fruit chili-glazed salmon. If you’d rather skip straight to the post-dinner entertainment, reserve a table or just hop right onto the spacious dance floor to sway to reggae, bachata, salsa, merengue, pop and house music beats.
Don’t miss: The impressively involved tiki drinks served in fresh pineapples.
Other cool dance clubs
The Sultan Room for Turkish eats, Nebula for karaoke, Loosie’s for a sleek subterranean locale, No Bar for a hybrid bar-club vibe, Elsewhere for live music and a roof terrace and The Stonewall Inn for LGBTQ+-friendly entertainment in a historic location.
Union Pool. Photo: Marley White
Dive Bars
Get back to basics at these quirky, no-frills watering holes beloved by locals. While there are plenty of dives to choose from in the City, this collection gives a wide range encompassing the five boroughs.
Union Pool
Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The vibes: This veritable entertainment complex is located in a former pool supply store and includes a main bar with a black-and-white photo booth and pinball machine, a back room music venue and a patio complete with taco truck. Guest DJs supply the soundtrack in the bar on most evenings, there’s a full concert calendar and the crowd is laid-back—to get a good feel for the local flair, stop by on a theme night (the Halloween costume contest is particularly fun).
Don’t miss: The weekday happy hour taco and drink specials.
169 Bar
Neighborhood: Lower East Side, Manhattan
The vibes: This spot’s name is a catch-all for both the physical address and the fact that the bar dates back to 1916. It was known as the “bloody bucket” in the 1950s, owing to the regular bar fights within its walls, but today its far tamer crowd enjoys the leopard-print pool table, palm trees, dinosaur taxidermy and rainbow lighting. The patrons are as quirky and welcoming as the atmosphere, and the eclectic food offerings—including popcorn shrimp, empanadas and oysters—are surprisingly tasty.
Don’t miss: The house favorite original pickle martini.
The Punch Bowl
Neighborhood: Kingsbridge, The Bronx
The vibes: Your new go-to Irish pub stretches back to the early 1900s (when it was a German beer hall) and remained in operation during Prohibition, when it was disguised as an ice cream parlor. The bar’s decor is a quirky mishmash of eras—framed Yankees and Mets jerseys and mirrored beer ads offset the structure’s original stained-glass windows (now hung inside) and the circa-1901 ceramic floor. The bartenders know everyone’s name and the friendly patrons enjoy darts, TVs broadcasting sports, pool tables and a jukebox. Stop in on karaoke nights to see the locals really come alive.
Don’t miss: Live music acts, DJs and karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mother Pug’s Saloon
Neighborhood: Port Richmond, Staten Island
The vibes: Inside this humble paneled-ceiling space, expert bartenders handle crowds with finesse during even the most packed live music shows—for which this spot is best known. Tunes tend toward punk and metal, as does the crowd—you can even get in on the action during their emo karaoke nights, which feature live band accompaniment. Claim a dart lane or head to the back patio for a round or two of cornhole (the plastic tables, folding chairs and desert island mural add a nice touch).
Don’t miss: The beer selections from local breweries like Kills Boro and Kings County Brewers Collective.
Albatross Bar
Neighborhood: Astoria, Queens
The vibes: Take one look at the cheerful flower-planter-adorned and rainbow-flag-trimmed exterior of this cute corner building and you’ll know why the spot is known as “The Queer Cheers.” Inside, the warmly lit space is filled with friendly faces both in front of and behind the bar—there’s entertainment scheduled daily, so depending on the evening, you could walk into the middle of a drag show, karaoke set, trivia competition, paint and sip class, TV viewing party or bingo game.
Don’t miss: The two-for-one happy hour.
Other cool dive bars
Spring Lounge for a historic 1920s locale, Sunny’s Bar for live bluegrass tunes, Julius’ to experience the City’s oldest gay bar, Trailer Park Lounge for kitschy Americana, Do or Dive for a taste of Bed-Stuy, Connolly’s for famed beachside piña coladas and Sunshine Laundromat for pinball.
Westlight at the William Vale. Photo: Victor Llorente
Rooftops
If you like a heaping dose of expansive views alongside your craft cocktails, these locations deliver.
The Roof at the Public
Neighborhood: Lower East Side, Manhattan
The vibes: Ascend to the outdoor terrace and glass-encased rooftop bar atop the Public hotel for sprawling 360-degree city views. Into the later hours the space transforms from a hip spot to grab bites and cocktails into a micro-club. You’ll feel like you’re floating above it all thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows flanking the blue-lit dance floor; take a rest on one of the surrounding plush black leather chairs or get some air beneath the lush, climbing greenery outside.
Don’t miss: The private, candlelit reservation-only heated igloos.
Westlight at The William Vale
Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The vibes: Take in 22nd-floor views of Manhattan and Brooklyn atop one of the City’s hottest hotels, The William Vale. The wraparound outdoor terrace is peppered with seating areas and strung with glowing string lights, and the interior bar is flanked by massive windows that frame the stunning cityscape beyond. There’s a decidedly upscale feel to both the space and the clientele, so break out your chicest attire and treat yourself to an expertly crafted cocktail, like the Gotham Corner Martini featuring Harridan vodka and house-made brine.
Don’t miss: The upscale fare from celebrated chef Andrew Carmellini.
Zona de Cuba
Neighborhood: South Bronx
The vibes: When you can’t hop a flight south, just bring yourself to the Bronx. You’ll feel like you’ve traveled to a tropical paradise in the bar’s bright umbrella, frond-printed lounger and palm tree-dotted outdoor patio space. The red-lit interior is lined with leopard-print couches and massive glass-front wine storage racks—by day, the space is a fashionable restaurant, but by night, it transforms into a DJ-spun dance club. The one constant: incredible modern Latin cuisine like oxtail stew and whole snapper filled with seafood and coconut rice, and the transportive power of Latin beats.
Don’t miss: The weekend brunch, which features live bands and turns into a massive party.
Lost in Paradise
Neighborhood: Long Island City, Queens
The vibes: Mosey up to this greenery-laden space filled with bar-side stools and terrace couches for sprawling Manhattan skyline and Queensboro Bridge views. You may even catch an acrobatic act or glowstick-accented dance performance while you’re there. The taco-centric Tex-Mex menu makes a good complement to classic house cocktails like margaritas and mojitos. The clientele comes ready to party, with the skyline lighting up the night sky, so prepare for a good time.
Don’t miss: The wildly popular bottomless taco Tuesdays and brunches.
Eagle NYC
Neighborhood: Chelsea, Manhattan
The vibes: This black-walled multiple-level “leather-and-Levis” bar featuring an iconic old motorcycle from its original 1970s location has long been a mainstay for the City’s gay residents and visitors. The two-story building—which was once a 19th-century horse stable—is the club’s second incarnation, but the patrons are as loyal as ever. Dance to the oft-shirtless DJ’s tunes on the rooftop deck or play pool inside while you mingle.
Don’t miss: The yearly Mr. Eagle NYC contest, which takes place in the fall. The victory party is on the roof deck and the winner goes on to represent the City at Chicago’s May International Mr. Leather Competition.
Other cool rooftops
Somewhere Nowhere for two levels and a pool, Overstory for retro surroundings, Panorama Room for a 360-degree perspective, Vista Sky Lounge for tapas by candlelight, Harriet’s Rooftop for outdoor dining, Berry Park for a beer garden and sports broadcasts and The Roof at the The Rockaway Hotel for ocean views.
After-After Parties
These late-night bars and clubs are all too happy to ensure that the City’s nightlife lives up to its never-stop reputation.
Nowadays
Neighborhood: Ridgewood, Queens
The vibes: No matter the weather, you’ll be able to party the night away at this laid-back beer garden-meets-club. Move from the sleek, modern plant-covered taproom to the foggy disco ball-strewn indoor dance floor, or head to the tree-lined backyard for food truck bites on picnic tables beneath twinkle lights and chairs grouped around fire pits. DJs spin both outside and in, the crowd arrives ready to dance and the outdoor portion includes a few dog-friendly sections.
Don’t miss: Their monthly Nonstop parties, which feature guest DJ lineups and rage for 24 hours straight.
The Box
Neighborhood: Nolita, Manhattan
The vibes: If you want an upscale experience with a hint of naughtiness, this is the spot. The intimate club “starts late and goes late,” featuring performances that blend burlesque, acrobatics, erotica and theater. Booking a table ahead of time is often required, as entry is generally limited to reservations and space in the gorgeous historic bi-level theater is tight. The crowd is as eye-catching as the acts on stage—this is the place to feel comfortable costuming yourself fantastically, so dust off your three-piece suit and top hat or sequined dress and feather boa.
Don’t miss: Their renowned seasonal parties, particularly on New Year’s Eve and Halloween.
Avant Gardner
Neighborhood: East Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The vibes: Whatever your flavor of music or dance, you’ll find it at this 80,000-square-foot entertainment complex that weaves together The Brooklyn Mirage (an open-air courtyard venue), The Great Hall (a classic warehouse venue with a stage and dance floor) and Kings Hall (a space with glass-paneled ceilings and incredible acoustics). You can digitally load up your wristband to purchase eats and drinks inside, but regulars know the best bites are at the food trucks that line Scholes Street after the shows.
Don’t miss: The seasonal food court in the Mirage, which serves pop-up fare from local eateries.
La Boom
Neighborhood: Woodside, Queens
The vibes: This sprawling nightclub specializes in Latin music and laser lighting synced up to the beats, and the party doesn’t truly kick off until after midnight (bands generally start their sets around 1am). Merengue, bachata and salsa lovers will rejoice—though some DJs switch things up with a smattering of pop, hip-hop and trap. The dress code tends toward collared shirts and high heels, and the revelers take their dancing seriously.
Don’t miss: Their special events, which include theme nights, comedy shows and children’s programming.
Marie’s Crisis
Neighborhood: West Village, Manhattan
The vibes: Are you a Broadway soundtrack aficionado? Love to belt songs out solo or with a crowd? This is the LGBTQ+-friendly spot for theater buffs to gather around the piano and sing show tunes together after hours. It’s been a neighborhood fixture since the 1800s, when its original owner’s name was Marie and Revolutionary War–era Crisis author Thomas Paine died within its walls (hence the hybrid name). Go often enough and you’ll be on a first-name basis with the roster of pianists and the regulars, who tend to sidle up to the keys with their own lyric sheets. The feeling of community is palpable from the moment you step in, and crooners both casual and professional are welcome.
Don’t miss: The $9 flat rate drinks (the bar is cash only, so hit an ATM prior to visiting).
Other cool parties
Terminal 5 for one of the City’s best multiroom concert venues, Basement for legendary guest DJs, The Gutter for bowling and tunes, Club Cumming for drag and cabaret, 3 Dollar Bill for queer-friendly viewing parties and Industry for a chic disco ball–strewn LGBTQ+-friendly setting.
Comedy Clubs
Let the City’s renowned stand-up talent tickle your funny bone over drinks at these tried-and-true spots.
Courtesy, QED Astoria
Comedy Cellar
Neighborhood: West Village, Manhattan
The vibes: To experience what’s popularly considered America’s best comedy club, look no further. Come check out established comedians—stage alumni include Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer and Chris Rock—and up-and-comers; you may recognize the brick-walled locale as the backdrop for numerous Netflix specials. The space is tiny, which lends an intimacy to the performances—you’ll feel like you’re practically on stage. You’ll be asked to put your phone in a manila envelope upon entering so the artists know their sets aren’t being recorded, but the perk of guaranteed privacy is that anyone (read: famous headliner) could show up unannounced to practice new material.
Don’t miss: Their stand-up comedy classes run by veteran comedians.
The Bell House
Neighborhood: Gowanus, Brooklyn
The vibes: This quintessentially Brooklyn warehouse bar (vintage wallpaper! Old wood beams! A giant chandelier centerpiece!) and performance venue plays host to various entertainment events, but it’s known for its comedy. From improv to audience participation to semi-scripted shows, the events calendar is chock full of hilarious options. Think: a Bachelor episode recap featuring a panel of comedians obsessed with the show or a live onstage drunk Titanic reenactment and drink-along. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Don’t miss: Their weekday happy hour specials, which extend to coal-oven pizzas sourced from a local restaurant.
Q.E.D.
Neighborhood: Astoria, Queens
The vibes: This woman-owned performance venue also has a bar that serves up beer, wine, cocktails and small bites. The house specialty is an impressively varied slate of comedy shows ranging from storytelling to showcases to R rated. It leans heavily on the fact that it’s a community space, so you may find yourself mingling before a show with neighborhood residents working on laptops or chilling at the bar with a drink, so who knows—you might also walk away with a new friend.
Don’t miss: The lottery-style open mic nights, where rotating performers are given four minutes to wow the crowd.
The Duplex
Neighborhood: West Village, Manhattan
The vibes: This beloved LGBTQ+-friendly cabaret and piano bar also happens to host some raucous comedy nights in its upstairs space. From stand-up to drag, any show you attend is sure to be memorable—plus, the crowd and employees are always inclusive and welcoming. And don’t let the relaxed atmosphere fool you—greats like Melissa McCarthy, Joan Rivers and Barbra Streisand have performed here. It’s a favorite haunt of celebrities too; you never know who you’ll spot in the audience.
Don’t miss: Snap a photo in front of the iconic neon sign out front, which has been featured in shows like Will & Grace and Saturday Night Live.
The Looney Bin
Neighborhood: Port Richmond, Staten Island
The vibes: This traveling comedy club is hosted at a different restaurant each week and is the only one of its kind on Staten Island. It features nationally recognized and local comedians, and the sets traditionally consist of one or two headliners followed by a smattering of special guests.
Don’t miss: Venues range from trattorias to diners, giving you a chance to both take in a show and enjoy a gastronomic tour of the area.
Other cool comedy clubs
Gotham Comedy Club for a spot that’s launched celebrity careers, Black Cat LES for a coffeehouse feel, Littlefield for diverse acts in a warehouse setting, BKLYN Comedy Club for nightly shows in the back of a bar and 8 Ball Comedy for guests from major TV and streaming networks.
Dutch Kills. Photo: Marley White
Cocktail Bars and Lounges
These locales are second-to-none when it comes to combining ambience and the art of cocktail making.
Dutch Kills
Neighborhood: Long Island City, Queens
The vibes: You might miss the speakeasy-style entrance, thanks to the covert signage consisting of only a small neon red “bar” sign. Once inside, you’ll sip classic drinks in a long, dark-wood-paneled space filled with cozy booths and padded bar stools as you watch expert bartenders hand cut ice for meticulously crafted cocktails. Seasonal specials ensure that regulars always have something new to sip, and though the employees take their drinks seriously, the ambience isn’t at all stuffy—the music is chill, the seating is comfortable and the lighting is pleasantly dim. Bonus: they recently opened a live music venue, Debbie’s, upstairs.
Don’t miss: Their oversize hero sandwiches, considered some of the best in the City.
Dear Irving
Neighborhood: Union Square, Manhattan
The vibes: This Gilded Age Gramercy space is the height of opulence, with crystal curtains and tufted velvet couches. They specialize in classic cocktails with a modern twist, giving a signature spin to whiskey sours, Gibsons and Negronis. The intimate bar never quite crowds over capacity, lending it a bit of a hidden gem feeling, and the luxurious appointments even extend to seat-side call buttons that summon your server.
Don’t miss: Their hands-on cocktail classes led by expert educators.
Hotel Delmano
Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The vibes: Head here to invoke the feel of long-ago New York City saloons, complete with sepia-toned portraits, red wallpaper, stuffed leather chairs and distressed ceilings. Choose a vintage from the 100-bottle wine list, or sip a specialty cocktail alongside raw bar items like caviar, oysters and crab. Their charcuterie boards are excellent shares for a date night or friend outing, and the back patio regularly draws big crowds. The spot is located in a buzzing section of Brooklyn, so you can easily make it a central part of your bar or restaurant hop.
Don’t miss: Their rotating menu of nonalcoholic drink selections, which are as nuanced and delicious as their boozy counterparts.
Evo Cocktail Lounge
Neighborhood: Unionport, The Bronx
The vibes: Come here for an American fare restaurant, DJ-fueled dance party, cocktail bar and hookah lounge. Oh, and massive frozen cocktails topped with upended mini liquor bottles. The crowd on weekends is young and fun, and the music is hip-hop heavy; the spot is often bumping well past 3am. There’s an outdoor section out back that’s heated in the winter, making it a welcome place to hang year-round, and a set of neon angel wings hanging on the wall make for a fun photo op.
Don’t miss: Their margarita and mac-and-cheese Mondays—an unbeatable combination.
The Coupe
Neighborhood: Tompkinsville, Staten Island
The vibes: If you want the luxury of a vintage-style atmosphere combined with the warmth of your friendly neighborhood local, this is the spot. Tin ceilings, a coupe glass chandelier and a marble-topped bar flank the candlelit space, which plays host to free burlesque shows and offers up meat and cheese platters alongside classic cocktails. The mixologists are all too happy to create something special for you, and there’s a Bartender’s Choice menu item to prove it; the music is low enough to carry on a conversation, and the bar is open until 4am every night.
Don’t miss: Their rum cocktails, especially the Tiki for Two, which is served in a large ceramic mug with a fresh flower and flaming accent.
Other cool cocktail bars and lounges
Bar Americano for Spanish and Italian influence, Raines Law Room for speakeasy energy, Apothéke for drinks in an old opium den, Upstairs Cocktail Bar for a lounge above a beloved chicken shop, The Last Word for a backyard and American fare, Sundown Bar for musical performances, Lambda Lounge for a sleek spot that’s Black owned and LGBTQ+ friendly, and C’mon Everybody for a queer-owned event space.
