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New York City Nightlife

New York nightlife is non-stop and highly addictive, from bustling neighbourhood bars to swank cocktail lounges and nightclubs. The East Village is famous for its local bars that stay open late and its small live music clubs. The Lower East Side offers a similar nightlife scene and vibe. Soho is the cool capital, with its small chic bars attracting models, poseurs and media types. The gay scene is headquartered in the bars of Chelsea and the West Village. Gramercy, in the 20s on the east side, has a smaller selection of velvet-rope cocktail lounges. The city's best nightclub scene can be found around the Meatpacking District.

Normal club closing time is 0400, although many venues are open all night. An ever-changing crop of ‘after-hours' places offer entertainment until sunrise, however, alcohol cannot legally be served between 0400 and 0800 or after 2400 on Sunday. The minimum drinking age is 21.

Time Out New York (www.timeoutny.com) is a good source of nightlife event information, published weekly. A good online nightlife and restaurant guide is Yelp (www.yelp.com/nyc).

Bars in New York City

Death and Company

Craft cocktails are big news in NYC, and Death & Co (the name is a nod to a saying about prohibition) is at the top of this game. Go early as it’s seating only. If not, you’ll give your name to the doorman, and be put down on his list. If you gain entry, prepare yourself for cocktails like you’ve never tasted.

433 E 6th Street
Tel: (212) 388 0882.
Website: www. deathandcompany.com

Mayahuel

Immediately welcoming new bar with a Mexican feel and a strong line in tequila and mescal. The small wooden shack of an exterior belies the treasures to be found inside, from the near-perfect mixed drinks to the excellent bar food.

304 E 6th St
Tel: (212) 253 5888.
Website: www.mayahuelny.com

McSorely’s Ale House

About as low-fi as it gets, both in terms of the spit and sawdust barroom and the drinks menu, which extends to ‘dark’ or ‘light’ beer. Choose one and sit back in a charmingly raucous atmosphere that has a hint of old New York about it. A unique drinking experience.

15 E 7th St
Tel: (212) 473 9148.
Website: www.mcsorleysnewyork.com

Clubs in New York City

Bowery Ballroom

Outfitted in classy art deco style building, this three-level club is a former shoe store. It has a cosy downstairs lounge that isn’t overbearingly hipster-ish, and a 500-capacity concert hall that welcomes all kinds. It’s become a cool, mid-sized venue for bands, and DJs playing electronica, alternative and indie-rock.

6 Delancey St., between Bowery & Crystie St
Tel: (212) 533 2111.
Website: www.boweryballroom.com

Cielo

One of the longer lasting New York clubs in a town where venues open and close every week. Cielo runs a umber of dance nights, encompassing electro, Latin beats, soul, house and disco classics. Its DJ rosta is enviable, and boasts the seminal Louie Vega.

18 Little w 12th St
Tel: (212) 645 5700.
Website: www.cieloclub.com

Galapagos

Fashionable and eco-conscious, this Brooklyn club has an indoor lake with its own island. The hip and happening kids from Williamsburg flock there for the nightly music, and there are live shows and performance art. You can drink in the bar without a cover, but you’ll pay to get in to the shows in the back rooms.

16 Main Street, Brooklyn
Tel: (718) 222 8500.
Website: www.galapagosartspace.com

Live Music in New York City

Madison Square Garden

This iconic venue has welcomed most of the biggest names in music, and these days plays host to any number of rock and pop heavies from Britney Spears to U2. “The Garden” is expensive, but shows are usually spectacular, with all manner of hi-tech shenanigans at the venue’s disposal.

1 Pennsylvania Plaza, Seventh Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets
Tel: (212) 465 5800.
Website: www.thegarden.com

The Knitting Factory

This famous Brooklyn venue stages a good mix of rock, punk, bluegrass and experimental sounds on its three levels. Catch up and coming acts as well as more established, alternative types. There are also film screenings and special events.

361 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn
Tel: (347) 529 6696.
Website: bk.knittingfactory.com

The Mercury Lounge

A trendy as you like music venue in the Lower East Side, this building actually used to house the servants for the Astor family, now catering more to slaves to fashion. Expect the odd secret gig here for big name bands – Radiohead and Lady Gaga have both graced the stage, and played to crowds of only 250 people.

217 East Houston Street
Tel: (212) 260 4700.
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

Culture in New York City

Brooklyn Academy of Music

Universally known as BAM, Brooklyn Academy of Music is America's oldest performing arts academy and one of the busiest and most daring producers in New York. During autumn, BAM's Next Wave Festival showcases the hottest international attractions in avant-garde dance and music.

30 Lafayette Street, between Flatbush Avenue and Fulton Street, Brooklyn
Tel: (718) 636 4100.
Website: www.bam.org

Carnegie Hall

The greatest names from all schools of music, from Toscanini to Gershwin, have performed at the legendary venue of Carnegie Hall. Open since 1881, the hall (actually three halls) boasts an astonishing and eclectic repertoire, and is considered the height of artistic endeavour in many fields.

154 West 57th Street, at Seventh Avenue
Tel: (212) 247 7800.
Website: www.carnegiehall.org

Metropolitan Opera House

Known as the Met, this is located in the Lincoln Center and is New York's premiere opera venue and home to the Metropolitan Opera from September to late April, during which time around 27 productions are staged. A symphony-sized orchestra supports the enormous cast, which includes a chorus and children’s choir.

The New York State Theater, also housed in the Lincoln Center, is where the New York City Opera perform. Its wide and adventurous programme varies wildly in quality but seats go for less than half the Met's prices.

Lincoln Center
Tel: (212) 362 6000.
Website: www.lincolncenter.org

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