15 Best Nightlife in New York City, New York

Don't be surprised if you see some snickering Italian tourists taking a selfie in front of this bar/cafe's sign on the facade. The name means "small penis" in Italian. The interior is nothing to laugh at. Imagine if, by some divine miracle, a prettied-up antique bar in Milan or Rome suddenly materialized in the West Village. That's the vibe at Pisellino. The high-ceilinged, wood-and-marble-clad space is stunning. During the day, sip espresso; in the evening, stop by for a perfectly made Aperol spritz or a Negroni.

This prototypical jazz club, tucked into a cellar since the 1940s, has been the haunt of legends like Thelonious Monk and Barbra Streisand. Today, you can hear jams from the likes of Bill Charlap and Ravi Coltrane, and, on Monday night, the sizable resident Vanguard Jazz Orchestra blows its collective heart out.

Opened in 1961, this lovable neighborhood saloon serves what many think are some of the best (and most affordable) burgers in town. Once you actually get a seat, the space feels nice and cozy, but until then, be prepared to drink a beer amid hungry, sociable patrons.

The dapper, white-coated bartenders at this cocktail bar mix delicious, well-thought-out tipples with debonair aplomb and freshly squeezed mixers. Sip one in the dimly lit bar area, and you might feel like you've stepped back in time—if it weren't for the crush of trendy West Village locals and visitors at your back. Look for the green awning that says "EO" and the neon "Psychic" sign out front. Tasty, if pricey, fare is served in the restaurant at the back.

The nightly parties at this laid-back West Village HQ for the Sapphic set attract young professional women, out-of-towners, and longtime regulars. Because the DJ and pool table quickly create a crowd, though, lesbians arrive early to stake their claim to a spot, especially on weekends.

One of the last true dive bars left in the West Village, you can spot Johnny's bar by the neon sign that lights up Greenwich Avenue, simply reading "BAR." Inside, the narrow space is bedecked with bumper stickers and posters and there's always some classic rock, soul, and funk on the jukebox. As befitting of any dive, well drinks are poured with a heavy hand and bartenders are always happy to chat.

This two-floor Japanese cocktail bar hits the mark on all notes. Perch yourself at the bar on the second floor, and watch the bartenders shake up sensational Japanese-accented libations, such as a shiso-laced G&T or a "Meguroni," with genever (a ginlike liquor), aged umeshu (a fruit liqueur), and Caffo bitters. There's also a menu of satisfying izakaya-style snacks like uni-topped deviled eggs and charred Japanese eggplant.

Regardless of whatever "Marie's crisis" was or is (each employee seems to have a different story), all the customers here know all the words to show tunes you've never even heard of. Down enough drinks at this ultra-fun West Village joint and you'll be singing along, even if you don't know all the lyrics.

The initials stand for "Sounds of Brazil" (no, not what you—and everybody else—might think), and this is the place for reggae, African, and Latin music, with some jazz gigs sprinkled into the mix. Tito Puente Jr. sometimes holds court here, as does calypso's Mighty Sparrow when he's up north. Don't miss the Haitian dance parties, the after-work Latin-groove happy hour, or the Bollywood-themed bashes. There's usually about a $25 cover charge, and while there is a food menu, it's better to just come for the music.

This two-room spot is one of the best wine bars in the Village, thanks, in part, to the fact that it offers over 100 different wines by the glass. So you can spend an evening here switching up your libations and locations, going from Napa to Rioja to the Republic of Georgia to even Slovakia. Tasty snacks include beef meatballs, cacio e pepe cheese puffs, and Calabrian chili-topped deviled eggs.

No matter who's performing, the big, gay audience hoots and hollers in support of the often kitschy talents at this music-scene staple on busy Sheridan Square, open since 1951. Singers and comedians hold court in the cabaret theater, while those itching to take a shot at open mike head downstairs to the lively piano bar. Warmer seasons bring a most welcome outdoor seating area that offers some of the neighborhood's best people-watching.

This "Monster" is a friendly one. This local-favorite gay bar has anchored its prime corner spot since 1970 and still serves as a lively piano bar and watering hole at street level, with an energetic disco downstairs that features a variety of nightly events, including Sunday tea dances.

Head to the far-west, dimly lit Otheroom for a flight of fancy drinking in good company. The menu is reliable and creative, with dozens of microbrews and international wines available by the glass—though choices change weekly, just to keep it interesting.

This 143-year-old tavern got a revamp in spring 2019. The new White Horse has a cleaned-up interior and a much more inspired gastropub menu to boot. Prices went up, too. The burger, now $20, is still good, though. Poets and history buffs should make a point to have a pint here: according to New York legend, writer Dylan Thomas drank himself to death in this watering hole. When the weather's nice, try to snag a seat at one of the sidewalk tables for breezy people-watching—just don't overdo it on the whisky like Thomas.

Combine the cozy atmosphere and frothy pints standard at Irish pubs with a well-heeled West Village crowd and you get Wilfie & Nell, a candlelit bar full of communal tables for making new friends. This perpetually crowded neighborhood go-to, with its low ceilings and locally sourced food, is a popular singles spot as well as a good match for night owls: food and brews are usually served into the wee hours.