Guidebook for New York
Parks & Nature
The quirky heart of Alphabet City--amazing for people watching, especially on weekends. There are lots of eccentric performances (planned and impromptu) and community events. Plenty of benches and grass areas to sit in on nice days.
538 locals recommend
Tompkins Square Park
East 10th StreetThe quirky heart of Alphabet City--amazing for people watching, especially on weekends. There are lots of eccentric performances (planned and impromptu) and community events. Plenty of benches and grass areas to sit in on nice days.
A small park near my apartment--centered around two different squares with plenty of benches and foliage.
20 locals recommend
Stuyvesant Square
Rutherford PlaceA small park near my apartment--centered around two different squares with plenty of benches and foliage.
A small but lovely little public garden that is incredibly well cared for. It's a wonderful place to sit and relax. You may even forget you're in downtown Manhattan!
10 locals recommend
Creative Little Garden
530 E 6th StA small but lovely little public garden that is incredibly well cared for. It's a wonderful place to sit and relax. You may even forget you're in downtown Manhattan!
The East River Park can be accessed by walking east along 11th St or 6th St. It's not as nice as the West Side waterfront, but there are walking trails and bike paths that span much of the East Side.
64 locals recommend
John V. Lindsay East River Park
1234 East 6th StreetThe East River Park can be accessed by walking east along 11th St or 6th St. It's not as nice as the West Side waterfront, but there are walking trails and bike paths that span much of the East Side.
Another great park for people watching. Always buzzing with activity.
440 locals recommend
Madison Square Park
11 Madison AveAnother great park for people watching. Always buzzing with activity.
Home of the famous arch - great for people watching and relaxing - the heart of Greenwich Village, near NYU (so lots of students)
946 locals recommend
Washington Square Park
Washington SquareHome of the famous arch - great for people watching and relaxing - the heart of Greenwich Village, near NYU (so lots of students)
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman StAmazing views of Manhattan
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Pierrepont PlaceViews of Manhattan - lovely afternoon stroll.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great neighborhood spot. Low key and fun, especially at night (but there's also a great happy hour).
15 locals recommend
Keybar
143 E 13th StGreat neighborhood spot. Low key and fun, especially at night (but there's also a great happy hour).
A laid back Irish pub catercorner to my apartment. There's pool in the back, cheap beer, and almost always plenty of space (and seats).
O'Hanlons
349 E 14th StA laid back Irish pub catercorner to my apartment. There's pool in the back, cheap beer, and almost always plenty of space (and seats).
This is another laid back spot near my apartment. It gets crowded on weekends and is almost always a lot of fun.
12 locals recommend
The Winslow Gin House and Eatery
243 E 14th StThis is another laid back spot near my apartment. It gets crowded on weekends and is almost always a lot of fun.
Goodnight Sonny
134 1st Ave.A fun cocktail lounge with a speakeasy vibe.
Drop Off Service
211 Avenue AAnother fun, nearby option.
Proletariat
21 St Marks PlAmazing beer selection
Lovers of Today
132 1/2 E 7th StI love this little cocktail spot
One of the better known "Speakeasies" - you have to walk through a 2nd floor Japanese restaurant to get there.
172 locals recommend
Angel's Share
45 Stuyvesant StOne of the better known "Speakeasies" - you have to walk through a 2nd floor Japanese restaurant to get there.
An iconic East Village cocktail spot. I'd recommend stopping by early in the night to get your name on the list (they'll call/text when it's your turn).
203 locals recommend
Death & Company
433 E 6th StAn iconic East Village cocktail spot. I'd recommend stopping by early in the night to get your name on the list (they'll call/text when it's your turn).
A not-so-secret secret bar located inside of Crif Dogs. You use the phone booth inside the restaurant to request a seat. I'd recommend coming early to get your name on the list (they'll call/text).
287 locals recommend
Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks PlA not-so-secret secret bar located inside of Crif Dogs. You use the phone booth inside the restaurant to request a seat. I'd recommend coming early to get your name on the list (they'll call/text).
Blind Barber
339 E 10th StNot-so-secret "secret" nightclub - fun for dancing on weekends
Mace
35 West 8th StreetGreat cocktail bar on Ave C (I love Ave C)
Dear Irving Gramercy
55 Irving PlSpeakeasy type place
One of the oldest bars in NYC - it's been around since the mid-19th century.
41 locals recommend
Pete's Tavern
129 E 18th StOne of the oldest bars in NYC - it's been around since the mid-19th century.
Beauty Bar
231 E 14th StWeekend dancing
Alphabet Lounge
104 Loisaida AvenueTrashy/fun nightclub with dancing
Nublu Classic
62 Loisaida AveFun performances
The Wayland
700 E 9th StNeighborhood favorite for cocktails and more
Sing Sing Karaoke
81 Avenue AKaraoke bar with private rooms
One of many somewhat trashy Lower East Side nightclubs along Rivington Street. Fun when the time's right
11 locals recommend
Fat Baby
112 Rivington StOne of many somewhat trashy Lower East Side nightclubs along Rivington Street. Fun when the time's right
Great late night club - lots of fun - downtown favorite for dancing (without crazy dress code)
56 locals recommend
Home Sweet Home
131 Chrystie StGreat late night club - lots of fun - downtown favorite for dancing (without crazy dress code)
The Delancey
168 Delancey StThis bar has a nice rootfop in the summer.
Iconic speakeasy nightclub/bar. It's become better known recently, so the vibe is hit or miss.
127 locals recommend
The Back Room
102 Norfolk StIconic speakeasy nightclub/bar. It's become better known recently, so the vibe is hit or miss.
Hotel Chantelle
92 Ludlow StLES nightclub with multiple dance floors.
Tiki Tabu
190 Allen StRooftop bar in LES w/ great views.
Trendy rooftop bar/club on top the Standard Hotel - always a scene. Great views, of course.
221 locals recommend
Le Bain
848 Washington StTrendy rooftop bar/club on top the Standard Hotel - always a scene. Great views, of course.
This is a great rooftop bar if you find yourself in Midtown. It's located in the Pod 39 hotel.
25 locals recommend
Salvation Taco Rooftop Bar
145 East 39th StreetThis is a great rooftop bar if you find yourself in Midtown. It's located in the Pod 39 hotel.
Mr. Purple
180 Orchard StAnother rooftop bar for summer
Cocktail bar hidden in brownstone - near theater district and great for a pre/post show cocktail. Call ahead for reservations. (212) 581-3130
Lots of celebrities...
12 locals recommend
Bar Centrale
324 W 46th StCocktail bar hidden in brownstone - near theater district and great for a pre/post show cocktail. Call ahead for reservations. (212) 581-3130
Lots of celebrities...
Output
74 Wythe AveNightclub famous for its electronic shows (and rooftop in summer)
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe AveFamous music venue
The Gibson
108 Bedford AveSkinny Dennis
152 Metropolitan AveReservations recommended - beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline
369 locals recommend
Hotel Delmano
82 Berry StReservations recommended - beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline
Boobie Trap
308 Bleecker StBar in Bushwick, Brooklyn - where everyone is cooler than you are
Father Knows Best
611A Wilson AveAnother trendy Bushwick (Brooklyn) spot
Our Wicked Lady
153 Morgan AveEast Williamsburg/Bushwick spot
Cocktail spot in East Williamsburg/Bushwick (Brooklyn) - if you want to see trendy BK, this is a good starting point
48 locals recommend
Reclamation Bar
817 Metropolitan AveCocktail spot in East Williamsburg/Bushwick (Brooklyn) - if you want to see trendy BK, this is a good starting point
Brass Monkey
55 Little West 12th StreetNear the High Line
Finnerty's
221 2nd AveSports bar
The Tippler
425 W 15th StMore relaxed, fun lounge than most other places in this area
Juniper Bar
237 W 35th StNice spot in an otherwise nondescript area
Nice cocktail spot in Murray Hill, where there aren't a lot of cool options.
37 locals recommend
Middle Branch
154 E 33rd StNice cocktail spot in Murray Hill, where there aren't a lot of cool options.
The Auction House
300 E 89th StDecent option if you're on the Upper East Side
Heidelberg Restaurant
1648 2nd AveAn UES bar/pub option
Cascabel Taqueria
242 E 85th StA Mexican themed bar on the UES
Shalel Lounge
65 W 70th StMore of a downtown vibe - good choice if you're on the UWS
Manhattan Cricket Club
226 W 79th StIconic speakeasy on the Upper West Side
Hidden jazz bar located in an American Legion clubhouse in Harlem - jazz on Thursdays and Sundays starting at 7pm. Amazing place!
19 locals recommend
American Legion Post 398
248 W 132nd StHidden jazz bar located in an American Legion clubhouse in Harlem - jazz on Thursdays and Sundays starting at 7pm. Amazing place!
Lion Lion
332 E 116th StGreat speakeasy in East Harlem
Diamond Dogs
34-04 31st AveGreat cocktails in Astoria (Queens)
Popular cocktail bar in Long Island City, Queens (if you find yourself out there)...
104 locals recommend
Dutch Kills
27-24 Jackson AvePopular cocktail bar in Long Island City, Queens (if you find yourself out there)...
Grand Vin
500 Grand StIf you wind up in Hoboken (NJ)...
dullboy
364 Grove StIn case you wind up in Jersey City for some reason...
Bronx Draft House
884 Gerard AveAn option near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx
If you've taken the Staten Island Ferry and are near the terminal on Staten Island, this is one place to try.
8 locals recommend
Jimmie Steiny's Pub
3 Hyatt StIf you've taken the Staten Island Ferry and are near the terminal on Staten Island, this is one place to try.
One of the oldest buildings in NYC - George Washington used to hang out here.
52 locals recommend
Fraunces Tavern
54 Pearl StOne of the oldest buildings in NYC - George Washington used to hang out here.
Good speakeasy type option in the Financial District
122 locals recommend
The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog
30 Water StGood speakeasy type option in the Financial District
Cedar Local
25 Cedar StAn option in the Financial District.
Getting Around
Best entrance is on the southeast corner of E 14th St. and 4th Ave.
456NQRWL trains.
30 locals recommend
14 Street - Union Sq Station
Best entrance is on the southeast corner of E 14th St. and 4th Ave.
456NQRWL trains.
2 Avenue Station
F train - nearest entrance is at 1st Ave and E. 1st St.
Essex St station
JZF subway station
Broadway-Lafayette St Station
East Houston StreetSubway - BDFM6 trains
Astor Pl station
Subway - 6 train
Hub for trains to Long Island (Long Island Railroad) and New Jersey (NJ Transit), as well as Amtrak (DC and Boston)
356 locals recommend
Penn Station LIRR
214 W 34th StHub for trains to Long Island (Long Island Railroad) and New Jersey (NJ Transit), as well as Amtrak (DC and Boston)
Metro North Trains to Connecticut and Westchester (NY)
781 locals recommend
Grand Central Terminal station
89 E 42nd StMetro North Trains to Connecticut and Westchester (NY)
Newark Liberty International Airport
3 Brewster RdMajor airport serving NYC area
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Major Airport serving NYC
LaGuardia Airport
Smaller, older airport serving NYC
500 E 13th St
500 East 13th StreetCitibike docking station near my apartment
344 E 11th St
344 East 11th StreetCitibike docking station near my apartment
310 1st Avenue
310 First Avenue LoopCitibike docking station near my apartment
605 E 14th St
605 East 14th StreetCitibike docking station near my apartment
92 E 14th St
Nearest entrance to Union Square subway station
456NQRWL lines
69 E 1st St
69 East 1st StreetNearest entrance to 2nd Avenue subway station
F subway line