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New Yorkers are fond of the "work hard, play hard" maxim, but the truth is, Gothamites don't need much of an excuse to hit the town. Any day of the week could easily be mistaken for a Friday or Saturday; the bottom line is that when the the mood strikes, there are always plenty of choices in this 24-hour city. Whether it's raising a glass in a historic saloon, a dimly lit cocktail den, or a swanky rooftop lounge; checking out the latest band; or laughing it up at a comedy show, it isn't hard for visitors to get a piece of the action.
The nightlife scene still resides largely downtown—in the dives and speakeasies of the East Village and Lower East Side, the classic jazz joints and piano bars of the West Village, and the Meatpacking District's and Chelsea's "see-and-be-seen" clubs. Midtown, especially around Hell's Kitchen, has developed a vibrant scene, too, and plenty of upscale hangouts dot the Upper East and Upper West Sides. Brooklyn and Harlem are go-to destinations for in-the-know locals.
Keep in mind that when you go is just as important as where you go. A club that is packed at 11 pm might empty out by midnight, and a bar that raged last night may be completely empty tonight. Time Out New York magazine has a good list of roving parties (www.timeout.com/newyork), as does Urban Daddy (www.urbandaddy.com/new-york). Scour industry-centric websites, too, like Eater and Grub Street, which catalog the comings and goings of many a nightlife impresario. New York magazine and the New York Times have listings of cabaret and jazz shows, the latter mainly in its Friday and Sunday Arts sections. Bear in mind that a venue's life span is often measured in months, not years. Phone ahead or check online to make sure your target hasn't closed or turned into a polka hall (although, you never know—that could be fun, too).
Guests pile onto long benches at communal tables at this Bavarian-style beer hall, as costumed barmaids serve imported German beers, liqueurs, pretzels, and shot-skis (a ski with shot glasses attached). Along with having a 50-foot balcony, a glass ceiling retracts in the summer, ensuring that a stop here is always a good time. Appetizers are large, and beer can be ordered in a 2-liter (glass) boot if you wish.
Warm summer nights and cold, frothy beers have been savored by locals for over 100 years at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. With pitchers of beer, picnic tables, live music, and Czech and Slovak dishes like schnitzel and goulash, this sunny garden is an ideal spot for getting together with old friends—or making new ones over big mugs of Paulaner and Pilsner Urquell. They also have a decent selection of house wines, as well as handcrafted cocktails. Some of the outdoor seating is covered, but in the event of rain, the well-worn indoor bar is just as inviting, though comparatively tiny.
It can be boisterous at this sprawling beer hall, where plenty of communal tables foster a convivial atmosphere—and the occasional dancing on tables. The European beers on tap wash down hearty foods like schnitzel, goulash, and giant pretzels from the kitchen, or brats and currywurst from the grill. There's live music on weekends, for the afternoon and nighttime crowds.
Practically the official bar of the High Line park, the Standard Biergarten is a sprawling, bustling space complete with table tennis, bench tables, and big steins of beer. For food, there's a grill that churns out all manner of Teutonic-accented sausages; other kitchen offerings include giant soft pretzels, crispy wings, and Berlin street food favorite currywurst.
