A Night Owl’s Guide to the District
Once upon a time, Lower Manhattan had a reputation for shutting down after 5 p.m. But things have changed, and now the district is a 24/7 neighborhood with plenty of after-hours options to satisfy any partier, whether you’re looking for nightclub comedy, karaoke, dancing or just a greasy slice in the wee hours. We rounded up some of the best ways to have fun after dark without having to fight the crowds uptown.
Catch a late-night happy hour
The trick to being out late at night is not just finding the good spots to drink, but finding the spots where you can drink cheaply. We rounded up some of the best late-night happy hours in Lower Manhattan in a list here, including Cedar Local’s post-midnight happy hour special and Da Claudio’s after-dinner deals that start at 8:30 p.m. and run til close.
In addition to that list, check out Harry’s Side Bar (62 Stone St.) for $11 cocktails and bites from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. every night.
Dancing and DJs
Lower Manhattan may not be the busiest clubbing strip of the city, but there are still a few places you can boogie down while downtown. Harry’s Side Bar has live DJs every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight (which pairs well with the late-night happy hour listed above). A celebrity might even pop in.
If more active and organized dancing is what you’re craving, head over to Havana Social (45 Stone St.), where free salsa and bachata dancing classes take place every Friday. Dancing starts at 7 p.m. but if you know anything about salsa dancing, they will keep it going late into the night.
Don’t be laissez faire about the offerings at Laissez Faire (10 Theater Alley), a true downtown club that stays open until 4 a.m. on the weekends, and features live jazz music several nights a week.
Late-night flicks
The after hours scene isn’t just for partying. If you prefer beating the evening rush hours at the movies, you can catch a late-night movie at IPIC Theaters (11 Fulton St.), which typically has lots of shows starting at 10 p.m. The in-seat dining and drink options mean you can still knock back a few without having to get up to go to the bar.
Late-night eats
Mezcali (83 Maiden Ln.) keeps its kitchen open until midnight, while the rest of the bar stays open until 1 a.m., giving you plenty of time to finish your enchiladas del mar, and maybe have one more mezcal for the road.
When you just need a quick slice to get through the night, head to 2 Bros Pizza (72 Nassau St.), which stays open until midnight most nights, and 2 a.m. on the weekends. Joe’s Pizza down the street goes even later, with hours as late as 4 a.m. on certain nights.
Live music
Stone Street has a reputation as one of the city’s liveliest nooks, and that energy is on full display at Ulysses’ (58 Stone St.), the Irish pub that knows how to party. The bar and restaurant has live bands and DJs in its music room up to four nights a week. Keep an eye on the schedule and lineup here.
Sophisticated partiers with a love of history often end up at Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl St.), which regularly features jazz performances and the occasional sing-along show in its piano bar. The performances last until nearly midnight on some days; check out the full schedule here.
If you prefer to be the one to do the singing, you’re still in luck: While the district doesn’t have a dedicated karaoke spot, you can still bust out your best Bruce at Route 66 Smokehouse (46 Stone St.) every Thursday night, running 7 p.m. until late. It’s free to sing, and to help loosen you up, you get a free shot of tequila with your first song.
Late-Night (ish) Comedy
Why trek to a comedy club in the Village just to wait in line? Stone Street Comedy Club (48 Stone St.) brings the laughs upstairs at Beckett’s, featuring acts every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The shows start at 8 p.m. and go until the last laugh.
photo: iStock
