It’s called the city that never sleeps for a reason. On any night of the week, New Yorkers are enjoying a cocktail, a dance party, a special meal, a karaoke session, and so much more. In fact, there are so many ways to cut loose, it can be a little overwhelming to choose just where you'll do it. Fear not, though: Here's a whole list of places where you can get down for any occasion, whether it's your 21st birthday party, your wedding, a holiday party, or a get-together "just because."
Bushwick Country Club
You might want to judge your friend group based on how they handle this place, with its layers and layers of hipster irony. It’s a dive bar named like the typical enclave of the wealthy, with a mini golf course in the back comprised of ripped pieces of turf. The broken furniture inside doesn’t fare much better, but there is a frozen-drink machine serving whiskey slushies. So just try not to think about it all too hard.
Bushwick Country Club, 618 Grand Street (between Lorimer and Leonard Streets); (718) 388-2114
The Wooly
A place to party in the Financial District—yes, it’s possible! This speakeasy is hiding inside the landmark Woolworth Building (the old skyscraper with the pointy, aged-copper roof to you), and the feel is adorably funky. With two rooms, you can relax at the bar or tear up the little dance floor.
The Wooly, 11 Barclay Street (between Church Street and Broadway); no phone.
Up and Down
It’s your party and you’ll make everyone get dressed up and hit a nightclub if you want to. You’ve got a serious scene on your hands at this place, but the two glossy levels have slightly different vibes. We prefer the one with the circa 2000 rap music.
Up and Down, 244 W 14th Street (between Sixth and Seventh avenues); 212-242-4411.
Franny’s
It’s very farm friendly at Franny’s, where the food is local, sustainable, and organic. They even convert the kitchen grease to biodiesel fuel! The restaurant is a great place to dine on veggie-tastic pastas and pizzas, or you can use the cellar for private meals, from birthday dinners to weddings.
Franny’s, 348 Flatbush Avenue (between Sterling Place and 8th Avenue), Park Slope; 718-230-0221.
Cienfuegos
Named after the Cuban resort city, this restaurant feels like an old Caribbean manse, with bold green walls and bright white furniture. The decor is enough to transport you, but the food is incredible. There’s an emphasis on rum drinks, naturally, and did we mention the guacamole with pork belly? Consider moving up your birthday drinks, so you can have the dinner here, too.
Cienfuegos, 95 Avenue A (at 6th Street); (212) 614-6818.
NoMad Hotel Rooftop
Holy moly, is the NoMad Hotel beautiful. It’s decorated in rich velvets and warm leather, with jewel-tone colors and quirky art, and that special touch extends to the rooftop. You can sit with friends at tables divided by little grassy knolls, or rent the special event space — the latter makes for one epic dinner party.
NoMad Hotel, 1170 Broadway (at 28th Street); 212-796-1500.
Lavender Lake
Planning a party doesn’t have to be a whole fuss. No matter what feel you’re going for, you can achieve it at Lavender Lake, a strikingly low-key gastropub with a fun backyard. Hang out, sip some beers, try the unreal brussels sprouts, feel that sunshine, and you’ll have such a great time you’ll forget you’re the hostess.
Lavender Lake, 383 Carroll Street (at Bond Street), Brooklyn; 347-799-2154.
Rainbow Room
Old New York is getting harder and harder to come by, but it’s alive and well at the top of 30 Rock. The iconic restaurant opened in the 1930s, and not much has changed. You can still get white linen tablecloths, a revolving dance floor, a glittering chandelier, and lovely views. You can stop in for brunch on Sundays and dinner on Mondays, but every other night is reserved for special events — maybe yours should be one of them?
Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza (between West 49th and 50th streets); 212-632-5000.
Crown Victoria
If the best present you can imagine for your birthday this year is all of your best friends day drinking under the sunshine, then Crown Victoria is your place. There is a bar, yes, but it’s really all about the outdoor space: a whopping 10,000-feet of it! There are picnic tables, colorful umbrellas, bocce courts, and more, which makes it really easy to meet people (or take over tables and only talk to your friends, if that’s more your speed).
Crown Victoria, 60 South 2nd Street (between Kent and Wythe avenues), Brooklyn; 917-719-6072.
The Penthouse at Hotel on Rivington
There are rooftops, and then there's this Lower East Side hotel's penthouse: three stories of glass, all for you, if you want it enough. While the views are amazing during the day, surrounding yourself with 360 degrees of twinkling NYC lights is even better.
Hotel on Rivington, 107 Rivington Street (between Ludlow and Essex streets); 212-475-2600.
Gallow Green at The McKittrick Hotel
By now you’ve probably heard of (or experienced) the theater experience Sleep No More, housed in the gothically gorgeous McKittrick Hotel. But what about its rooftop? Gallow Green is similarly theatrical, with draping vines creating a roof garden look, and you can hang out or host an event there.
Gallow Green at The McKittrick Hotel, 542 West 27th Street (between Tenth and Eleventh avenues); 212-564-1662.
61 Local
The expansive space of this pub, with its high ceilings, brick walls, and dangling bulbs, is unlike most NYC watering holes in that it allows you to hang out and actually breathe. Its beer-garden-esque feel, however, translates surprisingly well to private events, where the warm wood and quiet surroundings will make your party feel especially intimate.
61 Local, 61 Bergen Street (between Boerum Place and Smith Street), Brooklyn; 718-875-1150.
Barcade
Here’s the natural upgrade from your dream birthday party in the third grade. There are tons of vintage arcade games, scores of beer options, and, most important, lots of space to run around — a rare and beautiful thing in this city. Why didn’t anyone think of this bar-and-arcade concept sooner? It’s the perfect setting for a fun, low-key night.
Barcade, Multiple Locations.
Bouley Botanical
Ask your boss if your next client presentation (or deal-sealing meal) can be held at Bouley Botanical, a bright, airy space that accommodates 8 to 100 people for dinner and 150 for receptions. You can customize the space with LED lights, music, projectors, and more, though all those technical possibilities contrast with the look of the place. Plus, there are 400 species of plants in "vertical gardens" lining the windows, so take a nice, deep breath.
Bouley Botanical, 281 Church Street (at White Street); 917-237-3205.
Mondrian Soho Penthouse and Terrace
The trademark Secret Garden–like entrance to the Mondrian Soho is mirrored on its leafy terrace, which offers spectacular views of the city. The minimalist penthouse, which opens onto the patio, lends itself to customized decor and can be booked for a private party, fancy meal, or even an intimate wedding.
Mondrian Soho Penthouse and Terrace, 9 Crosby Street (between Grand and Howard streets); 212-389-1000.
Tutu’s
There are many reasons to love Tutu’s — its proud hangover-fighting brunch menu and its beer-and-burger happy-hour deal are just a few. The name of this spot comes from the Hawaiian word for grandmother, and this place indeed hugs you like a granny. It makes party-planning just as comforting, too, with a team that’ll help you personalize the space for any event, price point, or menu.
Tutu’s, 25 Bogart Street (at Varet Street), Brooklyn; 718-456-7898.
Wallflower
The fact that there’s a cocktail named after Betty Draper on the menu tells you everything you need to know about this place. It’s elegant, old-fashioned (with decor like a speakeasy), and feminine in a completely charming way. The bar is the perfect place for girls’ night, with fancy seafood bites and creative drinks with unexpected touches like corn purée or lemon sorbet.
Wallflower, 235 West 12th Street (between West 4th Street and Greenwich Avenue); No phone.
Sheltering Sky at McCarren Hotel and Pool
You might know that the best views of New York City come from outside Manhattan, and one place where you can catch such a glimpse is Sheltering Sky in Williamsburg. Watch the island, sparkling away, from the comfy couches at this rooftop bar, which overlooks McCarren Park. It shares a creative director with the Gramercy Hotel’s Rose Bar, so you can expect similarly chichi opulence.
Sheltering Sky at McCarren Hotel and Pool, 160 North 12th Street (between Bedford Avenue and Berry Street); 718-218-7500.
Bar Naná
This spot is one of those places that made the Meatpacking District a "thing" not so long ago. And, as you would expect, the space is dark, slick, and chic, with a French-South American fusion reflected in the drinks and food. The bar is now open only for private events, so you don’t have to feel too bad about not getting in these days.
Bar Naná, 63 Gansevoort Street (between Washington and Greenwich streets); No phone.
Charlie Bird
You can rent out the entirety of this slim little restaurant or, if your pockets aren’t incredibly well lined, take over the private dining room with 14 people or fewer. The neon lights and jazz theme will make you feel like the hippest host of all time. There are small and large plates, which are great for sharing, with an emphasis on seafood and Italian fare.
Charlie Bird, 5 King Street (at Sixth Avenue); 212-235-7133.
Brooklyn Winery
You don’t have to get on a plane to tour a winery. Just hop on the L train. Visit the premises of this small-batch winery in Williamsburg to learn how the vino is made, and then chill out at the attached wine bar. You could make an afternoon of it or host an event here. If you pour the wine, they will come.
Brooklyn Winery, 213 North 8th Street (between Driggs Avenue and Roebling Street); 347-763-1506.
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