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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, the West Village and Hells Kitchen. 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

Amélie

This intimate wine bar in the West Village has a distinctive red-topped bar and is a popular spot to sample well-chosen wines from the top regions of the world. Sit at one of the vintage theatre seats at the front, or in cozy tables at the back, and pair a wine flight with French bistro fare such as cheese, truffle ravioli or chocolate tart.

Address: West Village, 22 W 8th Street, New York City, 10011
Telephone: +1 212 533-2962.
Website: http://www.ameliewinebar.com

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.

Address: East Village, 433 East 6th Street, New York City, 10009
Telephone: +1 212 388 0882.
Website: http://www.deathandcompany.com

McSorley’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.

Address: East Village, 15 East 7th Street, New York City, 10003
Telephone: +1 212 473 9148.

Clubs in New York City

Cielo

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

Address: Chelsea, 18 Little West 12th Street, New York City, 10014
Telephone: +1 212 645 5700.
Website: http://www.cieloclub.com

Mehanata

One of the best places for a night of dancing in the Lower East Side, Mehanata is a small multi-story club with a high-spirited dance floor and a wild soundtrack - a mix of Slavic bands and DJs spinning world grooves hold court. The upstairs lounge has a more laid-back vibe, where hookahs are available. For a bit of a lark, partygoers head down to the ice cave to don old Soviet army uniforms and chug vodka from ice-carved glasses.

Address: Lower East Side, 113 Ludlow Street, New York City, 10002
Telephone: +1 212 625 0981.
Website: http://www.mehanata.com

The Standard

The stylish Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District has several enticing drinking spots, including an outdoor beer garden (glass-enclosed in the winter) on the street level with classic German brews. On the rooftop, Le Bain is a top nightspot that attracts a largely Euro crowd. It has a buzzing dance floor and panoramic views over the city, and during the summer, party people hop into the spacious Jacuzzi (towels provided).

Address: Chelsea, 848 Washington Street, New York City, 10014
Telephone: +1 212 645 4646.
Website: http://www.standardhotels.com/high-line

Live music in New York City

Bowery Ballroom

Outfitted in classy art deco style building, this three-level club is one of New York's best live music venues. 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 indie-rock, and after the concert, you can stick around for drinks.

Address: Lower East Side, 6 Delancey Street, New York City, 10002
Telephone: +1 212 533 2111.
Website: http://www.boweryballroom.com

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

This massive, elegant performing arts complex is the seat of high profile opera, theatre, film and jazz in New York City. From the Metropolitan Opera (www.metopera.org) with its iconic fountain in front, to the Film Society of Lincoln Center (www.filmlinc.org) and Jazz at Lincoln Center (www.jazz.org), you can take in world-class theatre, dance and music, as well as avant garde film.

Address: Lincoln Square, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York City, 10023
Telephone: +1 212 875 5456.
Website: http://www.lincolncenter.org

The Mercury Lounge

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

Address: Lower East Side, 217 East Houston Street, New York City, 10002
Telephone: +1 212 260 4700.
Website: http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com

Classical music in New York City

Dance in New York City

Theatres in New York City

Music and Dance in New York City

Culture in New York City

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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This hip downtown spot fills a renovated historic building in the Tribeca neighbourhood. From the eclectic lobby with its comfy chairs and imported Moroccan screens, to the luxurious bathrooms featuring Carrara marble and hand-laid Turkish tiles, you'll feel a rich combination of style and decadence.

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This chic downtown hotel features 86 individually designed guestrooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows, original artwork and a stylish contemporary design. Guests also enjoy the leafy garden, the private screening room and a whimsically designed bar. The hotel is beautifully located on a cobblestone street just a short stroll from the great dining and shopping in Soho and Nolita.

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The Paramount

There is nothing traditional about The Paramount, a post-modern showplace. For example, in the entrance, red roses are displayed vertically in vases set into the wall. The lobby bar, designed by Philippe Starck, has platinum walls and a glamorous staircase sweeping up to the mezzanine. Guests can gaze down from their tables to the music and theatre industry leaders reclining on the slightly off-kilter furniture below.

The Gershwin

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