New York City is considered to be the cultural capital of the United States. It has been the theme of innumerable movies, songs, novels and poems. Tourists and locals delight in the beauty of its parks, restaurants, scenic views and its people. It is definitely a place where people from all walks of life live, work, dine, play, shop and have fun.
But they say you haven’t truly seen the real New York until you’ve seen it in the dark. New York City was not labeled as The City That Never Sleeps for nothing. True to its nickname, it has countless night spots that you can enjoy. From rooftop lounges and unique cocktail bars to jazz venues, here’s a roundup of the best places you can visit in New York City after sunset:
Rooftop Bars
GREENHOUSE 36
341 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018
b/t 8th Ave & 9th Ave in Hell’s Kitchen, Midtown West
(646) 329-3225
Enjoy a relaxing night in this serene oasis while enjoying their delectable tapas. The Greenhouse 36 at West 36th Street offers organic breakfast, lunch and dinner while staying either indoor or at the courtyard. Whether you are a New York City local who just wanted to drop by after a long day at work or a tourist who just wants to explore the City, you can grab a bite at Greenhouse 36 and enjoy their cocktail drinks and wide array of wines including organic wines around the world.
You can also relish the view from their Madison Square Sky Lounge, their rooftop lounge overlooking the Manhattan skyline. They have their nightly promo, the Attitude Adjustment Hour, offering 50% off their drinks and selections from their Tapas Menu.
Must tries: Tapas, crab cakes, buffalo chicken lollipops.
PENTHOUSE 808
8-08 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 289-6118
A new and exciting dining spot is located at the 6th floor of Long Island City’s first luxury boutique hotel, The Ravel Hotel. The Penthouse 808 Asian Bistro and Lounge, an 8,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor rooftop restaurant and lounge, makes you experience and appreciate the magnificent New York City skyline and Queensboro Bridge view providing the best backdrop while having a fantastic dinner. You can also enjoy unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and Bellini’s on weekends.
Must tries: Sushi, wings, wild salmon, filet mignon.
PLUNGE ROOFTOP AT HOTEL GANSEVOORT
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
18 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10014
212-206-6700
Imagine yourself riding an elevator going to the penthouse and when the doors opens, you see a gorgeous rooftop with a beautiful pool with the DJ spinning the latest hits, and the breathtaking views of the city as your background.
This 14-floor, 187-room Hotel Gansevoort boasts of its rooftop bar as it features a beautifully landscaped garden and a spacious loft with 20-foot ceilings giving its guests spectacular 360-degreecity view. On the roof’s other side, a 45-foot outdoor heated pool is available. The best part about this pool? It has underwater music!
Must try: Tuna Tartar tacos.
Best Cocktail Bars
APOTHEKE
9 Doyers Street, New York, NY 10013
212-406-0400
Conveniently located between China Town and Little Italy, this hidden bar is located at Doyer’s Street and was inspired by the history and rise of the apothecary in Europe. The quest for its entrance is a challenge itself and tasting the sublime cocktails (which are more like “prescriptions” from “pharmacists”) made with unusual fruits and herbs is an experience that one would never forget.
Must tries: Drinks (prescriptions) are classified according to different types of remedies: Heath & Beauty, Stress Relievers, Stimulants, and Aphrodisiacs. The range of liquors, flavors, and textures are fairly distinct, so there’s something suited for your preference. There’s tequila, gin, bourbon, rum, egg whites, or sours. They also have available red and white wines for the wine lovers.
PEGU CLUB
77 W Houston St., New York, NY 10012
b/t Greene St & Bowery in SoHo
Located in NYC’s SoHo District, Club Pegu believes that it is at the heart of the cocktail revolution, of which Mixologist Audrey Saunders is the vanguard. Club Pegu experiments with tradition, art and excesses of our current age. The lounge provides a posh ambience, without being congested. They are serious about cocktails, so expect only the best. But don’t get us wrong, it is not only an after dinner spot for a date, it is actually a perfect place to unwind and grab a bite in the late afternoon
Must tries: For cocktails, try the Gin Gin Mule, Jamaican Firefly, Tantris Sidecar, Pisco Punch to the seasonal drinks. Their crowd pleasers also include Rangoon Crab Cakes, Sloppy Duck Sandwiches, Shishito Peppers and the truly unique Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs.
ANGEL’S SHARE
Village Yokocho, 8 Stuyvesant St., New York, NY 10003
Rated by GQ Magazine as the second best bar in America in 2010, this hidden “speakeasy” bar is located behind a sushi restaurant with its door unmarked. It is comfortable and quiet, sophisticated yet not snotty. Angel’s Share is filled with soft music jazz and is popular for its creative hand-crafted cocktails carefully formulated by its Japanese Bartenders.
Must tries: Evidence, Cheek to Cheek, Summertime, Serenity, and Nardis are some of the must tries, but all are amazingly delicious cocktails.
Best Jazz Venues
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
33 West 60th Street, Floor 11, New York, NY 10023
(212) 258-9800
Whether you are looking for a great place for your date or just a nice spot to hangout, Jazz at Lincoln Center is the perfect place to be. It is an intimate, cozy setting although spacious, and provides a great view of the city. It also offers a live concert venue where guests can enjoy awesome jazz performances at the perfect volume.
VILLAGE VANGUARD
178 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
b/t Perry St & S 7 Ave in West Village
This legendary, cozy jazz venue with a rustic ambience often sells out very quickly so we suggest reserving your tickets online or buying them ahead of time. The venue is fairly small so guests won’t have trouble when watching the performers on stage. Expect fantastic live jazz music in Village Vanguard. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or just a music lover, you’ll sure have a great time here.
