Nightlife & Music

New York is The City That Never Sleeps — and that's no exaggeration. Bars close at 4 AM (many have no official closing time), the subway runs 24/7, and you can still get pizza and a conversation at 3 AM.

Rooftop Bars

New York's Rooftop Bars are a genre of their own — cocktails with skyline views, often on hotels or skyscrapers:

• 230 Fifth: Empire State Building right in front of you. Indoor-outdoor, with a heated terrace in winter (robes included!).
• Westlight (William Vale Hotel, Williamsburg): Brooklyn view of the Manhattan skyline. Hipster chic.
• The Press Lounge (Ink48 Hotel, Hell's Kitchen): 360-degree views over the Hudson and Midtown.

Live Music

• Jazz: New York is the world capital of jazz. Blue Note (Greenwich Village, world-class musicians, from $20), Village Vanguard (since 1935, the most sacred jazz stage in the world, from $30), Smalls Jazz Club (West Village, late-night sessions from $20).
• Rock/Indie: Mercury Lounge (Lower East Side), Bowery Ballroom (Bowery), Brooklyn Steel (Williamsburg).
• Comedy: Comedy Cellar (MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village) — the most famous comedy club in the world. Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer, Dave Chappelle regularly drop by for surprise sets. Reservations highly recommended!

Speakeasy Bars

New York has an obsession with hidden bars in the style of Prohibition (1920–1933). Behind unmarked doors, in phone booths, or behind burger joint refrigerators, you'll find cocktail bars with top-notch drinks:

• Please Don't Tell (PDT): Entrance through a phone booth in Crif Dogs (hot dog joint), East Village.
• Employees Only: West Village — neon palm reader at the door. Best cocktails in the city.
• Attaboy: Successor to the legendary Milk & Honey. No menu — the bartender makes what you wish for.