The 10 Best Bars & Clubs in Downtown Manhattan (Downtown), New York (NY)

March 19, 2022 Kelli Reichel

Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
Restaurants in New York City

1. Copper & Oak

157 Allen St, New York City, NY 10002-2151 +1 212-460-5546 http://www.copperandoak.com
Excellent
77%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 22 reviews

Copper & Oak

2. McSorley's Old Ale House

15 E 7th St, New York City, NY 10003-8291 +1 212-473-9148 http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,356 reviews

McSorley's Old Ale House

Reviewed By DougS649 - Washington DC, United States

The menu had five items or so, written on a chalkboard. There are two beers available, light and dark. (Both are great, I prefer the dark one.) There was one waiter tending to all of the crude, old, wooden tables. (He was doing an incredible job too!) We loved the place! The walls are all covered with history. This is what we think of '20s speakeasy. Leave the kids at home and enjoy yourself here like they used to in the old days!

3. Cafe Wha?

115 Macdougal St, New York City, NY 10012-1202 +1 212-254-3706 [email protected] http://www.cafewha.com/
Excellent
66%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 536 reviews

Cafe Wha?

Reviewed By vincenzomT1199ZM

Before coming to New York I did a search for locals, among those historians the Coffee Wha is undoubtedly what gave me more emotions and I still have to return before departure .. as one of my American friend says this place is my spa

4. Proletariat

102 Saint Marks Pl, New York City, NY 10009-5811 http://proletariatny.com/
Excellent
61%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Proletariat

5. Fanelli's Cafe

94 Prince St, New York City, NY 10012-3993 +1 212-226-9412 http://places.singleplatform.com/fanelli-m/menu
Excellent
47%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 106 reviews

Fanelli's Cafe

Reviewed By simbo2016 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

This long established cafe/bar is ideal whether it be for a quick bite or a more leisurely lunch .It's also very handy if you just want to pop in for a quick drink with a well stocked bar whilst prowling around Soho. The staff are excellent and offer aware welcome before ensuring that you are seated and served as quickly as possible---it does get very busy ! The food choices are simple but offer excellent vale and quality--the chilli is consistently reliable.

6. Joe's Pub

425 Lafayette St at the Joseph Papp Public Theater, New York City, NY 10003-7021 +1 212-539-8777 http://www.joespub.com/
Excellent
54%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 109 reviews

Joe's Pub

Reviewed By Itinerant_Foodies - Greensboro, United States

Service everywhere was great. There are only great seats here with such a small and intimate venue. We didn’t eat but had drinks to satisfy the minimum and we’re fine with the selection and (high but expectedly so) prices. The performances by Kittel and Co. and Gretchen Parlato Flor we’re both excellent. This is the place to see great art!

7. Mercury Lounge

217 E Houston St, New York City, NY 10002-1021 +1 212-260-4700 http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com/
Excellent
63%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Mercury Lounge

Reviewed By Agnieszka_Dankowska - Warsaw, Poland

I was definitely expecting from NYC a lot of good places with live music. This one was better than my expectations! The best 12$ spent in New York. I’m absolutely in love in two bands I’ve seen there and never heard of before (Melt The Band and Los Elk, I recommend). I was on Saturday. It’s absolutely amazing they had 6 bands playing this day. Until like 4 a.m! You need to visit this place if you’re looking for some great music experience for almost free in very relaxed, not overcrowded and casual atmosphere.

8. The Village Vanguard

178 7th Ave S, New York City, NY 10014-2740 +1 212-255-4037 http://villagevanguard.com/
Excellent
66%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 429 reviews

The Village Vanguard

Reviewed By L2472EBmikeg - Dundee, United Kingdom

Ok first up this is a place I've always wanted to visit as I own several albums that were recorded here. The atmosphere is intimate and friendly, sound perfect and only a one drink minimum required. It is not by any means glamorous or glitzy but would have been disappointed had it been so, as many heritage music venues are now basically tourist traps.

9. Village Underground

130 W 3rd St, New York City, NY 10012-1296 http://www.thevillageunderground.com/history.shtml
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 103 reviews

Village Underground

Reviewed By cmunk1 - London, United Kingdom

Such a brilliant experience! We didn’t have tickets (I would recommend buying beforehand if you can) so we queued for Standby tickets and luckily got in for a 10pm Friday night show and it was phenomenal!! So so funny - we laughed a lot and want to go back again and again!

10. Vinyl

6 Hubert St, New York City, NY 10013-2006 +1 212-343-1379 http://www.ilovevinyl.org/
Excellent
53%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Vinyl

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