they let you bring food into the bar, so my favorite thing to do is to get takeout from caracas, porchetta and wechsler's with a bunch of people and have a feast.
Come to this seductively lit haunt for the House of Scorpio’s Lip Service the best party to kiss a stranger. It’s a naughty and nice make-out mixer. Read more.
UCBT is the best place to laugh at funny people before they end up on TV. Nearly every sitcom on NBC’s Thursday-night lineup features performers who honed their craft at the Chelsea venue. Read more.
The best place to hang out with cute lesbians is this aptly named, cozy bar. There’s no attitude here, just lots of paper lanterns and holiday decorations. Strike up a conversation at the jukebox. Read more.
The best spa for pampering on the fly has aestheticians ready to primp and polish at a moment’s notice. Plus, buy three best-selling products to get a complimentary makeup application. Read more.
We love the house line of affordable, feminine clothing and accessories—new styles are added weekly. Read more.
We rely on this trendy travel-supply boutique for chic, playful, and colorful on-the-go essentials from carry-ons to candles for your hotel room.
The best New York-focused museum is housed in a decommissioned subway station. Make sure to see the excellent collection of vintage subway cars. Read more.
Besides great views, The Standard hotel also has NY's hippest beer garden. The menu, designed by Michelin-starred chef Kurt Gutenbrunner, includes fat, flavor-packed sausages and plus-size pretzels. Read more.
No LES grit here; just posh comfort food, from Kobe beef sliders and French onion dumplings to blood orange jalapeno margaritas. Don't skip the just-out-of-the-oil donuts—a fave at Matt Damon's table.
On Mondays, try the $15 prix-fixe special here that includes fried chicken, corn bread, corn on the cob, and Blue Point beer. Read more.
Sample quirky treats like the decadent Salty Pimp, a chocolate-dipped vanilla cone with dulce de leche and sea salt. The shop is small, so get your cones to-go. Read more.
This offshoot of the original Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre can’t be beat for a cheap and hilarious date. Plus, you’ll look especially cool on the off-chance that a big-name comedian shows up. Read more.
Starting February 9, DJ Ceremony and Apathy Angel will host Corruption at Tammany Hall, a burlesque show, on Thursdays at 9pm. It’s followed by a free dance party at 11pm. Read more.
Get cozy in a velvet booth at this mescal bar adorned with folk art, statuettes, masks and other mementos of the co-owners’ travels. Taste the namesake spirit in a flight of three one-ounce pours. Read more.
This place has old school cocktails, nightly jazz, and the dark mood-lighting only associated with a 1920s speakeasy.
call for resevations to get a booth along the windows - breakfast can be a mad house
Get a bucket of Corona! Best place for day drinking on a boat in the city! Get there before 4:30pm during the week for a table in the sun on the second floor! Read more.
Every Wednesday Night Come Join your host LeeAnn with Starlite Karaoke & Enjoy Ladies Nite 2-4-1 Drinks!! Along with other Great Food & Drink Specials!!
Looking for a cheap & delectable brunch deal? For $14.50 prix-fixe, choose from 9 entrees w/ drink included. Try the Nutella French Toast. Read more.
Friendly bartenders, low key atmosphere and very dog friendly. Stay upstairs for a casual drink or go downstairs to dance.
If your workplace is a laptop, consider this location your new boffice (bar+office=boffice.) Come for the boffice, stay for the $2.50 happy hour beer… Read more about boffices in NYC on MetroFocus Read more.
Go through the Japanese restaurant and to the unmarked door that faces you as you get to the hostess stand. No parties more than 4. The specialty cocktails are impressive here.
cool speakeasy bar. there's no sign, you go down the stairs and the entrance is at the back of the building. there's a secret room behind a bookshelf. fridays and saturdays are 25+ to enter.
Ever been to the catacombs? This is like it, but better—there’s beer. You enter into a dim, tomb-like underground. The beers are imported and largely monk-made. Ask for a Trappist recommendation.
Go on Friday & Saturday, I can't say it's on the level with the Box, but the burlesque show is not to be missed
To get to this swanky lounge, walk straight to the back of Lower East Side tavern Barramundi and push the buzzer next to the door marked "private." (from Eater)
“With 11 tables and a max. of 4 people per table, save this spot for a night with that special someone or with a close group of friends!” More at http://www.partyearth.com/venues/2nd-floor-on-clinton.
Gaze at a seasonal exhibition of innovative sculptures by cutting-edge artists on top of arguably the world’s finest art collection. Open May through late fall, weather permitting.
My sense of reality has still not recovered from "Sleep No More." As far as I know, I'm still in the hotel. Do this: http://sleepnomorenyc.com/
Enter through Cipriani on the balcony at Grand Central & you'll feel as if you have entered a bygone era. Drinks are expensive ($15 martini) but the atmosphere is worth it. Reserve a table in advance.
A fantastic restaurant with a very "homey" feel. Almost like eating at grandma's. Loved their Roast Duck with polenta and must save room for their Apple Pie.
This bar is hidden. No signs, just a black door down some stairs. It's exciting to find! Intimate & cozy setting once you're inside.
Burlesque/variety show downstairs on Thursdays, $!0 to get in. Pretty fucking cool. Love the bar - they have the best and most unique drinks made with fun spices and herbs.
Mondays have live music and 1920's swing dancing, but needs a password (on the FB group). Fri & Sat are 25+ and need even ratio.
Insane cocktails at mad Austrian scientist's lair in Chinatown. Ridiculous showmanship, jaw-dropping presentation. Look for the crowd begging entry under the "Gold Flower Restaurant" sign. [BlackBook] Read more.
This place is awesome! Thursday's is ladies night so you receive a cosmopolitan cocktail w your treatment! Enjoy
Go to the bar upstairs for some great cupcakes. It's also surprisingly uncrowded and a great place to relax after you make a Serendipity reservation! (Don't deny it!)
If you’re looking for a place to laugh, and do lots of shots, then this is your place! There are literally 100s of varieties of themed shots – get the Harry Potter or the Return of the King.
Try the black truffle quesadilla or lobster tacos. The trio of guacamole, which includes a hot chipotle version and one with mango, apples and and pomegranate topping, is also a good bet. Read more.
One of the best hair colorists in Manhattan, Alma herself whips up the perfect shades to complement your skin tone. The also handle African American hair, even if you are natural.
A favorite shopping haunt of the Duchess of Cambridge, you can nab contemporary women's wear at affordable prices.
Come on Tuesday Nights for free beer samples from around the world. Try the burger or the chicken pot pie.
Make a reservation ahead of time for this unlimited champagne brunch. Lively, young singles on a Saturday having a blast over good food and champagne cocktails.
Great little spot. Classy, not typical nail salon. Great deal on mani/pedis on off days (tues, weds) and just off the 1!
Don't let the pawn shop in the front fool you, open the doors and enter a fan resto and lounge.
Watermelon Sangria is amazing, go on Mondays for a free panini with your glass of wine. Delish! Read more.
Get the hot chocolate! it's like a really great liquid chocolate bar! NYC's best!
Cute townhouse with many cozy, dim lit spots for sipping and eating. Burrata with Proscuitto, steak, fish, and the banana peanut butter cake for dessert.
The oyster po' boy ($8.50) "is fully “dressed,” which on a New Orleans sandwich denotes the addition of lettuce, tomato, mayo & pickles, and, on Orchard St., also calls for Tabasco, ketchup & lemon." Read more.
Lovable, lovable garden, fabulous food, and great people. Vivid vibe but private and quiet. Magnificent.
If you want to pamper your gal in NY, run over to One if by land, Two if by Seas for the delicious beef wellington and great wine list- Patti Stanger, Millionaire Matchmaker
Well-priced vintage shops make us grin. Look for no-name designer pieces and leave no dress unchecked. We've found real treasures (mink cape, hedgehog sweater) in the past.
Stroll through the gourmet shopping mecca and break for lunch at celiac-friendly, comfort food haven Friedman’s Lunch.
Beer, glorious beer tastings! See what's on tap and take home your own growler.
After Hours Specials Every Thursday Night: $5 Cover. $5 Menu. $5 Specialty Cocktails. Unbeatable! Read more.
A relatively small jazz club featuring breathtaking views and amazing performers in a beautiful and intimate setting. The food is overshadowed by the music!
CNN Eatocracy: Devils on Horseback, chicken liver & a burger with Roquefort are a few of its hearty offerings. A 2 hr wait is normal during peak hours, as is celeb-spotting in the witching hours. Read more.
Intimate space to catch some sidesplitting improv – especially on Wednesdays when all the shows are free from 6-11pm. They serve wine and beer too!
Enjoy this popular and scenic route on a bike, on roller blades or on your own two feet. You'll enjoy great people watching, nature spotting and gorgeous cityscapes.
Tucked away are the conservatory gardens of French, English and Italian design, each fragrant with the blooms of the season. Here you will escape the crowds, the noise and bustle of the city.
"Warm, rustic, sexy atmosphere and the best drinks in town. Plus amazing food and taxidermy animals on the wall, if you're into that sorta thing." - Jeffery Self, Jeffery & Cole Casserole
The bartender here is super nice and really sexy! Nice ambience, quiet enough for a date and loud enough for a girls night out. The food is also really good though portions are tiny.
first Thursday of every month, there's a free concert starring a hand-picked rock up-and-comer. free open bar too.
On a nice afternoon, it’s great to walk through and peek at all the antiquey things for sale, and you might find a deal on designer shoes. Open Saturday & Sundays.
Easily some of the most knowledgeable staff on Italian wines in the city. Tell them what you like in a wine and they'll give you recs, for food, porcini ravioli, any seafood risotto, shrimp papardelle
great find...what's better than chilled vodka and caviar? dill vodka is amazing. fyi...CASH ONLY but a friendly and quirky place
This packed barbeque joint is serving up awesome ribs (Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs), perfect mac & cheese and collared greens. Start with the deviled eggs! Jazz music is served on the side.
During warmer months this South Street Seaport branch of Smorgasburg has vendors selling everything from sandwiches to oysters and drinks out of re-purposed shipping containers.
This dog-themed FiDi spot boasts 20 craft beers on tap, hot dogs from Brooklyn's Mile End, and a patio out on Stone Street for the warmer months. Downtown ain't no beer desert these days!
Delicious, but very small portions 4 the price. That said, the food is thoughtful & precise. Everything on the plate is meant to be there & the wine selection does enhance the plate. BTW, gets loud!
Now open at 9pm!!! Thursdays and Fridays with Free Salsa classes on thursdays 9pm and fridays 9pm! both days discounted to $5 admission before 9:30!!! New Location 22 west 39th!
Victor's is in a great location and their pre theatre prix fixe menu brilliant. Get the ropa vieja, some sangria, and stick around to enjoy the live music.
Get the squid in ink with rice, the patatas bravas, chorizo al jerez, and, of course, the daily croquettes. One of the best tapas restaurants in NYC hands down.
Excellent BBQ. Can't go wrong with the combo entree where you get a tasting of each of the meats. Green fried tomatoes are really good as a starter.
"Even though it gets a big fashion and art-world crowd, it always has a Zen vibe. It's my sanctuary, even on weekend nights. I get the black cod." -Chloe Sevigny, in the WSJ's Insider's Guide to NYC Read more.
Cocotte is an amazing little find. Quaint and romantic with crisp wines and small bites bursting with flavor. Day dreaming of their stuffed mushrooms as I type... mmm
This area of the park was designed by Calvert & Vaux to replicate the beautiful Adirondacks in upstate NY! Where to find it: Mid Park from 101nd – 110nd Streets. Read more.
Homey just like the name implies with impeccable food and extensive wine list. Sit in the garden when it’s warm and dive into the Hudson Valley Duck Confit Salad!
UD: Free short cruises around the Hudson. Four times a day, it’ll weigh anchor and float out for 45 minutes before returning to shore.
By far the BEST place to have breakfast in New York. This tiny jaunt has a line around the corner and out the back door for Sunday Brunch. You can also inquire about their cooking classes! - Nikki
Sophisticated live piano karaoke with a speakeasy feel. Classy cocktails; full bar w beer & wine. Hidden gem.
