After dark, New York City sizzles with a seemingly endless supply of bars, clubs, and entertainment. And each neighborhood has its own vibrant options. Whether you prefer dive bars or classy wine spots, concert halls or minuscule jazz venues, it’s time to forget 2020 and find the best NYC nightlife right now. We’ve compiled a list of the best party neighborhoods and the places you can’t miss in each one. From the energetic East Village to ever-hip Williamsburg, there are countless gathering places to drink, eat, celebrate, and enjoy life. Whether you’re looking for a new home near all the action, or just want to know where to go after sunset, here are 7 top NYC nightlife neighborhoods. 

Greenpoint

Head to this effortlessly cool Brooklyn neighborhood for a slew of laid-back NYC nightlife options. Choose Threes Brewing for an impressive selection of craft beers and delicious burgers from the Meat Hook. “It’s a casual, yet lively setting for hanging out and catching up with friends, with a true neighborhood feel,” says the brewery’s director of marketing, Cindy Chen. For an intimate spot, check out Troost, a true neighborhood gem. Expect a lovely outdoor patio and occasional live music to accompany your drinks.  

If you’re craving a carb fix, check out Le Fanfare, a farm-to-table Italian spot serving up a mean cocktail (accompanied by live jazz, no less!). And mixology fans will love Sama Street, a pan-Asian bar with great drinks and shareable plates. There’s no better way to enjoy a night out than sipping on a libation dubbed the “Bollywood Superstar” while you dig into crispy pork and curry. 

And for those who prefer non-alcoholic fun, check out Getaway. By day, it’s a cool coffee shop; by night, it serves a selection of delightful mocktails as a non-alcoholic bar. It hasn’t returned to nighttime hours yet, but they’re coming soon. 

For a closer look at all things to do, see, and eat in Greenpoint, explore StreetEasy’s neighborhood guide. 

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Greenpoint?

Buyers can expect to pay a median of $1.3 million for a home in Greenpoint, as of April 2021. Renters pay a median of $2,700 per month, according to the StreetEasy Data Dashboard. 

East Village

You can always count on the East Village for great NYC nightlife, live music, and parties lasting until the wee hours of the morning. Irish pub McSorley’s Old Ale House, one of the city’s oldest bars, is a neighborhood institution. Its menu makes ordering simple: Get the dark or light ale (or both), or you’re out of luck. If you’re looking for a more customized experience, head to Death & Co, known for creative cocktails. Although it used to exclusively be an indoor speakeasy, it’s expanded since the pandemic, so you now can enjoy your fancy alcohol alfresco. 

The East Village is also home to Tiki Bar Otto’s Shrunken Head. “We’ve been around for 18 years, surviving a fire, a hurricane, and now a pandemic. We’re the tropical getaway on the island of Manhattan,” says co-owner Nell Mellon. And revelers can always turn to Niagara, on the bustling corner of Avenue A and 7th Street, for good vibes. The live music venue is serving food and drink from Tompkins Square Bar since the pandemic began. 

Oenophiles should stop by natural wine bar Ruffian, a funky, cozy spot. If it’s too crowded, you can always try its newer sister spot, Kindred, which has an expansive outdoor seating area. And The Immigrant is another neighborhood favorite for classy wine nights. 

Concert junkies have certainly been missing their live music fix. But come late August, East Village live-music staple Webster Hall is planning to reopen. In the meantime, the neighborhood’s Bowery Electric has a great lineup of bands and comedy.   

For more information on this always-popular area, check out our East Village guide. 

How Much Does It Cost to Live in the East Village?

The median asking rent in the East Village is $2,625 as of April 2021. That’s much lower than the $3,250 it was a year ago. The median asking price to buy a home is $1.2 million.

Williamsburg

This Brooklyn nabe is still one of the best places in the city for NYC nightlife. Beer lovers shouldn’t miss Radegast Hall and Biergarten, a large German-style beer hall. Pair a pitcher of bier with some kielbasa for your group at a communal-style wooden table, and it’s impossible not to have a fun evening.  

If you’re itching for entertainment, head to St. Mazie’s, which has daily live music and outdoor sets on the weekends. “It’s a great date spot, but also good for groups,” says manager Evangelos Arkas. “It’s an intimate and fun vibe with live jazz, outside patio seating in the vine-covered garden, and a hidden cellar supper club, which was an illegal gambling den during prohibition.” Drink like it’s the 1920s — or the 2020s. Both warrant a celebration. 

For drinks with a view, head to Westlight, the rooftop bar at The William Vale Hotel. In addition to panoramic views and classy cocktails, the space hosts the pop-up “Turf Club” in the summer months, when the roof is transformed into a lively greenspace. 

Beyond a killer drink scene, music and entertainment are ingrained into Williamsburg’s DNA. Locals are excited for September, when bowling alley-slash-concert-venue Brooklyn Bowl plans to reopen. The Music Hall of Williamsburg is also selling tickets for the fall. But this summer, the small but mighty Williamsburg Music Center is already open for business. This Black-owned jazz venue hosts live Friday and Saturday night sets with pay-as-you-will ticketing. Its in-person capacity is limited, so get your tickets fast!

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Williamsburg?

The median asking rent in Williamsburg was $2,800 per month in April 2021. Those interested in buying can expect to see median asking prices of $1.4 million.

Meatpacking District

You can always find a well-heeled crowd milling around the Meatpacking District’s cobblestoned streets. The area’s boutique Standard Hotel is almost a one-stop shop for NYC nightlife. For outdoor beer, pretzels, and bratwurst galore, check out its German Biergarten. For stunning city views and great music, its rooftop disco Le Bain can’t be beat. And its other sky-high space, The Top of the Standard (aka The Boom Boom Room), is slated to reopen in Fall 2021. 

Nearby, The Gansevoort also has a stunning rooftop bar and lounge area, currently open Thursday through Sunday. And if you’re itching for a staycation, booking a night at the hotel gains you access to their gorgeous rooftop pool. 

Chances are, if you’ve been out in the Meatpacking District, you already know neighborhood staple The Brass Monkey. This bi-level bar has an outdoor roof terrace and street cafe seating, ideal for large groups. “Everyone has a story about a time they were at Brass Monkey,” explains managing partner Marisol Delarosa. “Spending time here will easily make you forget about anything happening outside in the ‘real world.’” 

Culture-lovers are also eager to head back to The Whitney Museum for evening soirées. Even though it has not announced the return of its beloved nighttime events yet, the museum will surely cook up something good in the coming months. And if you fancy an evening stroll along the water, head to Little Island, the area’s incredibly cool floating park.  

How Much Does It Cost to Live in the Meatpacking District?

The Meatpacking District is usually considered to be a part of the larger Chelsea neighborhood, where the median rent is $3,500 per month as of April 2021. Prices have remained high throughout the pandemic. The median asking sales price as of April is $2.2 million.

Lower East Side

Manhattan’s Lower East Side is another hub for NYC nightlife. When the sun sets, check out Flower Bar, a funky ‘70s-style pub and restaurant. For some tunes, consider Arlene’s Grocery, a divey staple for live music. This bodega-turned-music-venue has been a tiny concert space and bar for over 25 years. And if you just want to drink beer and hang with friends, Clinton Street’s Donnybrook is a laidback venue for just that.  

For a classy affair, Skin Contact offers up a nice selection of organic wine in a low-lit setting. Cocktail lovers flock to Attaboy, a speakeasy that offers inventive creations in a romantic setting. Plus, it has expanded to include outdoor seating since the pandemic. 

If you love to see budding comedians, mosey on over to Joey Bat’s Cafe, a Portugeuse bakery with weekly open mic nights. It’s a great place to give standup a go if you’ve always wanted to give it a try, in a casual outdoor setting. 

And of course, the Lower East Side thrives on its many dance venues. Mr. Purple, at the top of Hotel Indigo, is an artsy, stylish rooftop bar for NYC nightlife. The Rumpus Room, a cozy spot for music and drinks, also recently reopened. Even without a destination, walk down Ludlow past 9 p.m. on a Saturday and you’ll undoubtedly find a watering hole to enjoy. 

How Much Does It Cost to Live on the Lower East Side?

Rents on the Lower East Side have dropped in the last yea. The median asking rent is now $2,800 per month, compared to $3,963 per month last year. Buyers can expect a median asking price of $1.2 million.

Upper West Side

Sometimes, a great night out just means tacos on a lovely patio. Luckily, Playa Betty’s offers all that plus a selection of fun margaritas and cocktails at its Upper West Side locale, which gets particularly lively on weekend nights. Similarly, Jacob’s Pickles isn’t necessarily an NYC nightlife staple — just a really good southern spot. Yet you can still find it packed pretty much any night of the week, with people looking for terrific pickles and fried fare. 

Also on the Upper West Side, Amity Hall Uptown draws locals with its weekday happy hour specials until 7 p.m. And for those who prefer to limit their partying to daylight hours, its weekend bottomless brunch is a great alternative.  

This Manhattan neighborhood really has it all. For a classic bar experience, try Jake’s Dilemma, which attracts a crowd looking for fried food and cheap drinks. Dive Bar is a casual hangout that lives up to its name. Book nerds should head to The Dead Poet, an Irish bar and ode to literature. And if you’d rather be sipping wine in France, the area still doesn’t disappoint. Adorable Amélie has wicker chairs and charcuterie to transport you to Paris, tout de suite. (And Vanguard and Vin Sur Vingt also have great UWS branches.)  

Also anchoring much of the Upper West Side’s NYC nightlife is the fantastic Beacon Theatre. Although most of its usual programming has been postponed, there are more offerings coming in August. The neighborhood’s iconic Lincoln Center is also coming back to life with in-person events scheduled this summer for its outdoor performance spaces, Restart Stages.

For more insight into the UWS, take a look at our neighborhood guide. 

How Much Does It Cost to Live on the Upper West Side? 

The median asking price for a home in this classic neighborhood is $1.7 million, as of April 2021. Renters will see a median asking rent of $2,800 per month.

West Village

It’s no secret that the West Village is an epicenter for great restaurants and NYC nightlife. The Duplex is a go-to destination for cabaret, drag shows, and other raucous entertainment. Marie’s Crisis — originally a prostitution hangout in the 1850s — is known these days for its nightly piano sets featuring showtune sing-a-longs. It stayed afloat with regular virtual programming during the pandemic is now excitedly welcoming people back into the physical space. 

Julius’ Bar is another neighborhood staple, often regarded as the city’s oldest gay bar. “We’re thankful for all the support this past year, and we look forward to welcoming back our customers,” says owner Helen Buford. And of course, it’s impossible to talk about the West Village without mentioning the iconic Stonewall Inn. This historic spot was a pivotal landmark in the gay rights movement of the 1960s and remains a beloved and important hangout. 

The West Village is also known for its music scene, particularly great jazz bars. Smalls and its sister location, Mezzrow, both have five shows a day, featuring some of the best musicians in the city. Blue Note is perhaps the most famous of the jazz bars and rarely disappoints. 

For those looking for classy NYC nightlife, wine bar St Tropez is the perfect find. With an extensive wine selection and a gorgeous outdoor patio, this French wine bar is a local favorite. The West Village also has its share of secret speakeasies, including Employees Only, which serves craft cocktails in a retro space. The basement-level Up and Up is another cozy, hidden option with delectable drinks.   

For more information on this lively New York nabe, explore our West Village neighborhood guide. 

How Much Does It Cost to Live in the West Village?

The West Village is notoriously pricey. The median rent is $3,241 per month as of April 2021. And that’s a drop from last April’s median rent of $4,100. Median asking prices for sales here are a high $1.6 million. 

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