These are the best going-out neighborhoods in NYC according to New Yorkers
One of the things we love most about New York nightlife is that it embraces everyone.
Whether you’re a self-proclaimed bro who loves sports bars, a fashion girlie who prefers to sip martinis at bougie hotels or a techno head who gravitates towards Berghain-inspired basements, there’s a “going-out community” somewhere in the city waiting for you to join.
The challenge with nightlife is, of course, that the city is always evolving: venues shut down, parties die and legendary promoters retire. In order to know about the best parties, you really do have to be in conversation with the people who are going out in the city right now, especially because the places that are considered cool at any given moment are constantly shifting.
To celebrate the diversity and vitality of our city’s nightlife, we recently asked Time Out readers to tell us about their favorite going out neighborhoods. There were the obvious contenders—the Lower East Side, Williamsburg and Bushwick were mentioned the most—but there were also other less expected nominations that absolutely hold their own weight and deserve the attention, including Harlem and Long Island City.
Here are the areas Time Out readers like to go out in, along with some of our own recommendations for where to hang out in those neighborhoods.
Against all odds and raising prices, the Lower East Side has held out as one of the city’s best neighborhoods for nightlife. We recommend starting out your night with dinner at Flower Shop before heading down to its basement, where the party usually happens. If you’re looking for a fancier dinner before drinks, the newly renovated CASINO offers great food and is located right next to the legendary 169 Bar, where you can get trashy and easily make friends. If you’re looking to dance, head over to The Delancey, Mehanata or, if you’re feeling brave, Pianos.
Williamsburg
You won’t find the most subversive nightlife here, but there are still some great options. The most notable recent opening in the neighborhood is Gabriela, a two-story bar opened by nightlife legend Eli Escobar and friends. For a fancy rooftop moment with breathtaking views of Manhattan, head over to Westlight atop the William Vale Hotel. For an authentic Williamsburg experience that will give you a glimpse of what the area was like pre-hyper gentrification, head over to Caribbean Social Club, where you can get cheap drinks and listen to Spanish music all night.
Bushwick/East Williamsburg
This is a no-brainer, especially for those who love a good rave. But beyond the obvious venues like Elsewhere, Bossa Nova Civic Club and House of Yes, there are many destinations that have breathed new life into the area. Among them is Red Pavilion, a bar and clubspace that opened in 2023 and is inspired by Wong Kar-wai films. They have Chinese herbal medicine-inspired cocktails, Chinese jazz, as well as the occasional all-Asian drag shows. There’s also the recently remodeled old airplane hangar that turned into SILO, a 500-capacity space that holds reggaeton parties. Paragon, which opened right after the pandemic, now hosts world-class DJs. Trans-Pecos is having a techno revolution and Market Hotel is also seeing a sort of rebirth with new parties that have taken over the space.
Hells Kitchen
Whether you’re going to Hush, Industry, Boxers, The Ritz, or Flaming Saddles, this continues to be the epicenter of traditional gay clubbing in the city. After a night out, make sure to head over to the 24/7 Empanada Mama on 9th Ave, which is a gay club in its own right.
Greenpoint
Greenpoint has been a hot area since the early 2000s, but now that the park under the K Bridge has been converted into a giant event space, the neighborhood feels new. Recently, Bjork performed a DJ set under the bridge, which should tell you everything you need to know.
Harlem
Harlem nightlife can be a wild card. You might stumble upon a chill block party or somehow find yourself in the wildest and most crowded apartment party you’ve ever been to. But if you’re looking for a more chill and controlled experience, head over to the Harlem Cigar Room, Harlem Nights or Lambda Lounge.
Honorable Mentions
Although few of our readers mentioned Queens, there are many blossoming neighborhoods in that borough that deserve more love. Here are our picks, and why we think they are worthy of a shoutout.
Long Island City
More and more people are moving to LIC, and it’s becoming an increasingly cool place to party. This summer, we recommend checking our MoMA PS1’s stacked DJ lineup.
Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights has an unmatched nightlife energy that feels like a trip to another city. Not only is it home to top-tier food spots that stay open late like Birria-Landia, but there are also plenty of dive bars, salsa clubs and hookah lounges that play Latin music. We recommend walking on Roosevelt Avenue and letting the sounds and vibes of the club spaces guide you. For a queer night out, definitely check out Hombres Lounge, True Colors and Friend’s Tavern.
Experience the Energy that Draws New Yorkers to Madison Square Garden
Since its opening night in 1879, Madison Square Garden (MSG) has become a premier destination for historic championship games and legendary concerts. From the New York Knicks to Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson, playing here is considered the pinnacle of an artist or athlete’s career. The venue is an engineering marvel, the first arena built above an active railroad station.
Background on Madison Square Garden
When they opened the present Madison Square Garden Complex in 1968, they called it Madison Square Garden Center. It was the 4th venue to bear the MSG initials. Then, it boasted the first permanent steel cable suspension roof at its construction. The circular structure was another feat that made the venue famous.
Today, MSG has become so iconic that New Yorkers often refer to it simply as ‘The Garden.’ It can accommodate over 20,000 people for concerts and live events.
Sports fans will recognize the Garden as the home of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the NBA’s New York Knicks. The Garden has also hosted some of the most legendary boxing fights and pro wrestling events. The city’s most high-profile concerts are held here. Elvis Presley, John Lennon, The Who, Billy Joel, and Lady Gaga are among the famous artists who have played here. The venue has even hosted a mass by the Pope.
Where is Madison Square Garden and how do you get there?
Madison Square Garden stands on Seventh Avenue between West 31st and 33rd streets. There are 2 VIP entrances and 6 other entrances.
Getting here is easy:
- By train: Take the 1, 2, 3, A, C, or E trains to Penn Station or the B, D, F, M, N, Q, or R trains to the 34th Street/Herald Square stop.
- By bus: Take the M4, M10, M16, M34 or Q32 buses to 7th Avenue/Penn Station.
- Access-A-Ride: MSG has an Access-A-Ride stop on 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue for physically disabled visitors.
- From New Jersey: Visitors from Weehawken, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Belford can take the ferry to Midtown/W39th St., and a free NY Waterway shuttle will take them to the arena.
What to expect when you visit?
No two visits to MSG are the same. Whether you see a basketball court or a stage depends on ongoing events. You can take the All Access Tour to see the arena if you’re not there for a specific event. Each tour lasts about an hour. Mostly, the weekends are the most crowded. Scheduling your visit on a weekday morning should give you a more comfortable experience. MSG does not have a coat check area, so avoid carrying oversized bags.
Tickets for Madison Square Garden are available at the venue and online. Book your tickets online if you don’t want to stand in a line.
What else can you do when you visit Madison Square Garden?
Besides marveling at the beauty of MSG, you should ideally watch a game or a concert to experience the arena’s energy. Don’t miss out on the Walk of Fame, the retired jerseys hanging from the rafters, and the merchandise stands.
If you’re hungry, grab a snack at one of the many food stalls in the venue or restaurants near the entrances. Alternatively, you could visit Madison Square Park or Bryant Park for a picnic. If you’re lucky, you could picnic during one of the free concerts held at the park. The Empire State Building is a short walk from the arena.
FAQs
Why do people visit Madison Square Garden?
Madison Square Gardens is famed as one of New York’s oldest sporting facilities. It has hosted some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
Who can visit Madison Square Garden?
Anyone with a ticket to a game or event can enter the venue. Those without event passes can enter with an all-access tour ticket.
Are children allowed?
Children are allowed to attend most events. Any child over the age of 2 years requires a ticket.
Visiting Madison Square Garden is a must. Locals know the excitement of cheering for the Knicks or joining a roaring crowd at a pop concert. This iconic venue, often called the world’s most famous arena, has been the heart of NYC’s cultural scene since its inception. Catch a game, enjoy a concert, or take a tour to experience its rich history. Whether you’re a sports fan or a music lover, Madison Square Garden offers unforgettable moments.
The post Experience the Energy that Draws New Yorkers to Madison Square Garden appeared first on Secret NYC.
You can get a slice from a 16-foot-cake at this Nolita garden party
A big birthday requires an even bigger cake, and Glenlivet is taking that idea very literally. The famed Scotch distiller is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and to mark the momentous occasion, international food artist Laila Gohar has created a cake of epic proportions—200 inches to be exact.
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On Tuesday, June 25 at 8pm, Glenlivet will host an open-to-the-public, 21-plus garden party at the Elizabeth Street Garden (21 Elizabeth Street) in Nolita, where it will unveil the behemoth, bicentennial baked good, which will reportedly be one of the biggest cakes served in NYC.
The larger-than-life dessert will stretch 16.6 feet in length—that’s more than two Shaquille O’Neals, folks—and feature 200 candles and enough sweet layers of soft sponge and fruity jam (made with The Glenlivet Fusion Cask, apricots and peaches) to feed hundreds of hungry New Yorkers. (For reference, per Guinness World Records, the longest cake in the world measured 17,388 feet in Kerala, India, which is, like, so many sheet pans.)
All of that sugar needs a little something to wash it down, and thankfully the booze brand will be pouring out complimentary cocktails made with Glenlivet’s iconic single-malt Scotch whisky, which will pair nicely with the cake thanks to its caramel-toffee sweetness and fruity notes. A live band will also be on hand providing party tunes and there will fittingly be a toast with The Glenlivet Fusion Cask to honor the distillery’s two centuries of work.
Curious revelers can simply drop by the Elizabeth Street Garden to get a gander at the giant cake on Tuesday evening or register here if they want a guaranteed spot at the whisky-fueled anniversary shindig. Cheers!
Here is what Flatbush Avenue might look like once a bus lane is added
It’s official: next summer, some of the car lanes on parts of Flatbush Avenue will turn into bus-only routes, according to Gothamist.
The effort, which seeks to alleviate the traffic that constantly defines the area, has been a long time coming: city officials proposed the changes back in 2023.
According to a new proposal by the Department of Transportation, bus-only lanes would replace car lanes in each direction of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn between Linvingston Street and Grand Army Plaza.
How, exactly, the plans would be implemented is still unclear. According to Gothamist, there are three design options to choose from. The first involves the addition of concrete islands for passengers and bus lanes in the middle of the street. The second design, on the other hand, requires the creation of the lanes next to the curbs alongside a ban on parking during specific hours. The third option would completely replace a car lane with a bus one.
“Transportation officials said they eventually plan to add bus lanes along Flatbush Avenue all the way down to Kings Plaza, but added that they are prioritizing the northern corridor because it’s the most congested section of the street,” reports the outlet.
In other bus-related updates, New Yorkers are also waiting for 40 blocks of new bike and bus lanes to take over Third Avenue on the Upper East Side. The project, announced last summer, join a roster of new transportation changes that city officials hope will ameliorate the local situation for all parties involved: car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Will things actually get better? We’ll have to wait and see.
Enhance Your Busy City Life With Essential Nutrients
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Life in a city is not a walk in the park and that is why your body has to be given all the necessary vitamins for survival. However, with many things happening in a city, it becomes very difficult to focus on healthy eating habits or principles. We need so many vitamins and minerals for…
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Leyenda is celebrating Christmas in July with themed cocktails and Mariah Carey on repeat
Yes, it is June. The temps are high, our shorts are short and we are currently at the peak of “we outside” season. But somehow, just five months from now, we will once again be in our puffy coats praying for just a bit of sunshine. Of course, we have the cushion of the holidays to get us through the colder months. But sometimes, even that’s not enough to beat the dreariness of the weather. Luckily, Leyenda is bringing back its famous holiday pop-up this month so we can have the best of both worlds.
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Celebrating the wonder that is Christmas in July, Leyenda is reviving its holiday bar this month, “Sleyenda.” Returning for just one week this month, from July 15 to 21, Sleyenda plans to bring festive cheer in the form of fantastical decorations and Mariah Carey on repeat. Themed cocktails will make an appearance like the tequila-forward Coquito Ho Ho and the Nutcracker Old Fashioned. And to cool off and have some cheer while you’re at it, the frozen cachaça-based Candy Striper is a good bet. So dust off your Christmas hat and don your finest pair of shorts—the best of time of the year is apparently here.