Travel and Dining

New York City Nightlife

Worldpress.org
December 19, 2008

Vapor is a 4,000 square foot effective blend of the young, up and coming financial crowd and local hipsters, amidst a backdrop of artistic, minimalist décor and impressive LED lighting that continually changes the mood of the lounge.

After Work or Before Dinner Drinks

Bar 44
Royalton Hotel
44 West 44th Street (Between 5th & 6th Streets)
(212) 944-8844

The lobby of the Royalton Hotel looks more like a runway, and is tres chic with several alcoves of pale leather banquettes and a gorgeous two-sided fireplace. The actual bar lies just to the right of the unmarked entrance, providing the perfect setting for New York professionals and European visitors to enjoy appetizers and drinks, noon and night. Bar 44 is the incarnation of Royalton's legendary round bar and offers the “art of lobby socializing” at its very best. If you are a wine lover you will love their cellar - it's got over 3,000 bottles. And if you get hungry after knocking back a few, the critically acclaimed Brasserie 44 restaurant serves outstanding and innovative American cuisine and is one of the hottest kitchens in town.

Cabana
The Maritime Hotel
88 9th Street
(212) 242-4300

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This bright open rooftop bar is the ultimate escape from the bustle below. Mingle with the trim and tan in an upscale and trendy setting. Sip a frozen mojito amidst Cabana’s two decks, floating pools, and outdoor foliage and you will soon forget that you’re in New York. With a Miami feel (and occasionally a Miami-esque crowd), this deck replaces all those “other” hotel rooftops that now seem so … last summer.

Plunge
Gansevoort Hotel
18 9th Ave (At 13th Street)
(212) 206-6700

The line outside and the overstuffed elevator ride are worth the trip to the 15th floor penthouse of the Hotel Gansevoort. As you exit directly into the bar area, the magnificent outdoor pool is on your left. Kick back and enjoy the scene at this richly landscaped roof garden and lounge area with breathtaking 360° city views. Plunge is filled to capacity on weekends with trendy twenty-somethings hoping to see and be seen. Go on a Monday or Tuesday night for a quiet (albeit expensive) drink, and enjoy the magnificent view in peace.

Penn-Top Bar and Terrace
Peninsula Hotel
700 5th Avenue
(212) 956-2888

This posh midtown hot spot, located on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel is a favorite among New York’s business crowd. The glass-encased rooftop bar has a magnificent view and is a perfect hideaway from reality. Summer offers outdoor seating and an unforgettable New York experience. Enjoy the stunning views of 5th Avenue and Central Park, as well as midtown architectural gems like the Citicorp Center. If you get hungry go downstairs to the elegant Fives Restaurant, overlooking 5th Avenue, for authentic Atlantic Rim-Cuisine.

Jean-Luc
507 Columbus Avenue
(212) 712-1700

Great after-work bar, this west side find is full of well-dressed investment bankers, broadcasting executives and the like, with a great male / female ratio. Soap opera stars sometimes tend bar and your occasional belly dancer appears in the middle of cocktail hour. It’s easy to meet attractive people here, which is why it’s always crowded.

Dinner

Nobu
105 Hudson Street (At Franklin Street)
(212) 219-0500

There is no other experience like this wondrous and original epicurean delight. The densely flavored sweet black cod marinated in miso is Nobu’s signature item and as one would expect, the sushi and sashimi are decadent. The food and presentation are so delightfully unique that you will hardly feel the sting of the hefty bill at the end of your meal.

Ono and O Bar
Gansevoort Hotel
18 9th Ave (at 13th Street)
(212) 206-6700

Hotel Gansevoort features Ono, a multi-level indoor / outdoor Japanese bar and restaurant. Menu includes traditional and modern Japanese cuisine featuring sushi and Robatayaki (grilling over an open flame). Patrons sit at a bar around the chef and select pieces of meat, fowl, vegetables and fish from a large display in front of them. The chef cooks the selection of food over an open flame, and serves you the delicious fare.

Spice Market
403 W. 13th Street (At 9th Avenue)
(212) 675-2322

This sexy, spicy scene in the middle of the meatpacking district is worth the long lines. Enjoy the Southeast Asian street food in this huge but beautiful locale.

Megu
62 Thomas St. (Tribeca — between Church and W. Broadway)
212-964-7777

An architectural wonder on two soaring levels, Megu is created around a 600-pound Bonsho, or Temple Bell, which is suspended over a stunning ice-carved Buddha. The 14-page menu offers distinct selections beyond your wildest culinary imagination. Megu specializes in meat, fish, and vegetables grilled over charcoal imported from Japan. Try their cold edamame soup, sake-steamed slices of grilled abalone or Panko-crusted pork tonkatsu. Or go all the way with one of their tasting menus or the Kobe beef. And if you have room for desert (and money left in your pocket) try Yuzu’s unforgettable dark chocolate soufflé.

Sea Grill
Rockefeller Center
19 W. 49th St. (5th & 6th Aves.)
New York, NY 10020
212-332-7610

The Sea Grill is one of New York City’s best seafood restaurants. While not on grand display, the restaurant boasts an impressive raw bar, usually featuring a half-dozen choices of clams and oysters, plus perfect jumbo shrimp for a divine shrimp cocktail. Winning appetizers include Sea Grill chowder with lobster, shrimp, and clams; and a wonderful cured salmon belly tartare with fresh dill and black salt. As good as the seafood can be, and as clever as many of the colorful presentations are, none of that really matters in winter, when the dining room overlooks New York’s most romantic and nostalgic scene — the skaters twirling about under the twinkling lights of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. For a major tourist destination, the dining room does not feel all that touristy, especially in the evening when the lights soften and the pace eases.

Clubs/Bars

VAPOR
143 Madison Avenue (Between 31st & 32nd Street)
(212) 686-6999

There’s no need to go all the way downtown for an elegant lounge with great drinks, beautiful people and quality service. Vapor is a 4,000 square foot effective blend of the young, up and coming financial crowd and local hipsters, amidst a backdrop of artistic, minimalist décor and impressive LED lighting that continually changes the mood of the lounge. This brand-new bi-level lounge has three impressive rooms: an elongated front room with vapor snaking from behind the main bar and misting from the bottle-service tables; an impressive V.I.P. room, softened by shrouds of pure mist and featuring a state-of-the art light sequence, and the cozy candle lounge on the lower level creating a romantic and intimate setting. The signature drinks like the Amazon Mist, Persian Cosmopolitan, and Toasted Almond Bellini run $9-$10, and are all real crowd pleasers. Service is unparalleled at Vapor, as it is a high-end, bottle service lounge. In an area in need of nightlife, this new addition is a great start. Whether it be early lounge hours (4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) or late lounge (10:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m.), there is always an attention to detail. Vapor is available for private parties and events as well.

Table 50
643 Broadway
(212) 255-2560

After-work cocktail drinkers help start things jumping and soon this subterranean bar has everyone dancing. Table 50 is considered a bone fide DJ scene so no surprise that everyone from German technos to disco icons grace the club.

Level V
675 Hudson Street
(212) 699-2410

Be prepared to wait in line. But it is worth the wait if you want to mix it up with well-dressed twenty-somethings all here for the rock and hip-hop that fills this high-energy dance floor.

The Delancey Bar & Nightclub
168 Delancey Street
(212) 254-9920

Some of the best young rock bands in the country have played at this three-level rock club. Crowds of band members and DJ’s squeeze into the tight but cool confines with celebrities abound.

Rothko
116 Suffolk Street
(212) 475-7088

Bands like the Killers, Futureheads, and the Secret Machines showcased at this tiny, no-frills club just before they took off. If you want to see a band just before it hits it big, this is the place to come.

Webster Hall
125 E. 11th Street
(212) 353-1600

Bands like Arcade Fire, the fiery Furnaces and the Hives have been wowing a packed house. The sound system is awesome and the talent is incredible. If you want to see a band just after it hits, Webster Hall is where to go.

B.B. King’s
243 W. 42nd Street
(212) 997-4144

This blues-and-soul institution in Times Square gets a heavyweight metal lineup. Everyone from Dillinger Escape Plan to death-metal acts like Satyricon and King Diamond have played here.

Slate
54 West 21st (Near 6th Avenue)
(212) 989-0096

Grab a cheese-stuffed burger and play a little pool. This hall is known for trendy comfort food in an untrendy setting.




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