Looking for the best things to do in NYC at night? Well, you’re in the right place!
New York is a vibrant, eclectic, and teeming city with activities by day, and when the sun goes down, it transforms into a city that never sleeps!
From iconic skyline views atop swanky rooftop bars to laughs at comedy clubs to karaoke sessions in K-town to live music at legendary jazz joints, New York City truly offers something for every taste once the sun dips below the horizon.
Get ready to explore 23 of the most exciting, only-in-NYC things you absolutely must experience after dark in the city that never sleeps.
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1. Take in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Show
Theater lovers, listen up! When it comes to describing a night out in the Big Apple, there’s no way better than seeing a show on Broadway!
Yes, the show is expensive but the experience is going to be unforgettable and perfect for an incredibly romantic night in New York City!
From smash hits like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Wicked to long-running classics like Phantom of the Opera and Chicago, Broadway houses the hottest musicals and plays in Times Square’s Theater District.
There are over 40 official Broadway theaters so there’s bound to be a showing of something enticing that you can spend your night in New York City watching.
Off-Broadway shows also shine with edgier, more intimate productions presented in smaller venues throughout Greenwich Village, Midtown, and beyond. Legendary spots like the Lucille Lortel, New York Theatre Workshop, and Public Theater mustn’t be missed for unbeatable energy and talent!
2. Go Bar Hopping
No other city holds a candle to the Big Apple when it comes to toasting the town. New York City is home to the most expansive array of fine cocktails, ales, wines, and lagers, and they’re all waiting for you to sample!
Wait no more, put on your drinking shoes, and go bar-hopping across New York’s iconic nightlife neighborhoods.
In the East Village, bounce between dive bars, punk rock dives, and hidden speakeasies. On the Lower East Side, mix and mingle over craft cocktails at upscale lounges.
In the West Village, sing your heart out between historic pubs. You can choose to sample brews at Brooklyn’s hipster havens in Williamsburg if you like!
Want something more upscale? Bar crawl through the swanky cocktail bars of the Upper East Side. Oh, and don’t forget classic ones like the Divey Subway Inn, the historic Ear Inn, and the legendary Stonewall Inn.
We promise you the drinks and the ambiance is going to win your heart!
Wherever you imbibe, brace yourself for a long, buzzy night of bar-hopping through NYC’s incredible after-hours drinking scene.
3. Head To A Late Night Food Joint
In a city that never sleeps like New York, finding food at all hours is easy as big apple pie! No matter how late or early you want to grab a bite, there’s always a place in New York for you.
And some places that stay open, not just late, but 24 hours a day!
Chow down on gargantuan sandwiches at Katz’s Delicatessen or vegan fare at CHLOE after partying all night. How about a slice of classic pizza?
Then Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is a stunning place to visit! Iconic Ukrainian restaurant Veselka satisfies comfort food cravings around the clock in the East Village.
With businesses catering to night owls and early risers, NYC offers prime people-watching and tasty treats at all hours!
4. Visit A Rooftop Bar
There is always something so iconic about being on a rooftop bar, and in New York City, things can get even greater!
The lights hit differently, the city resonates differently and most importantly you see yourself differently.
So, dress to impress for dramatic views from hot spots like Magic Hour at Moxy Hotel, 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, or Mr. Purple atop Hotel Indigo Lower East Side!
For unreal views of the Manhattan skyline across the river, pay a visit to The Springs in Greenpoint!
In case you’re more into casual vibes and friendly service, head to spaces like The Cantina Rooftop and Sky Room near Times Square.
End the night right by soaking in the glittering NYC views at swanky lounges like Rare View near Central Park or Rooftop Reds in Brooklyn.
🍸 Experience the best rooftop bars in NYC with this guided tour!
5. Watch Taping of Late Night Shows
Seeing a live TV taping is one of the best free things to do in NYC, and is also a great way to meet your favorite celebrities!
There is a wide array of shows for you to choose from, from late-night talk shows, to comedy shows, and more.
Try getting a ticket to join NYC’s famous late-night talk shows starring Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, and more!
At 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you can sit in the audience sipping cocktails as Jimmy Fallon plays outrageous games with celebrity guests on The Tonight Show.
Or head to the Ed Sullivan Theater to watch Stephen Colbert crack jokes and parody current events on the Late Show stage. Nearby, Late Night with Seth Meyers films at 30 Rock with SNL-style comedy segments.
Other shows like Desus & Mero, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Daily Show, and Watch What Happens Live also tape free episodes in NYC. With its late-night comedy stars, New York gives you front-row seats to the funny business.
Bear in mind that it is totally free to attend a live tapping, and there would be some competition to get your tickets. Each show has its own ticket request method, so don’t forget to check them beforehand!
6. Go For Some Laugh At A Comedy Club
For belly laughs after dark, NYC’s stand-up comedy clubs are the hottest tickets in town!
If you’d like some entertainment in the West Village, swing by Comedy Cellar, the best comedy club in New York City, which has been visited by nearly every popular comedian currently performing!
Or you can try out new spots like Carolines on Broadway and Gotham Comedy Club in Chelsea. For edgier alt-comedy, head to small clubs like The Stand, Eastville Comedy Club, and The Lantern.
There’s also Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre featuring hilarious improv and sketch troupes. Many venues offer discounted tickets or drink deals for late-night shows.
As such, you never know who to expect on stage, but you’re guaranteed to have a good time because those spots above always attract top-notch talent!
Needless to say, this is one of the best things to do at night in New York City for anyone in search of non-stop laughs into the wee hours.
7. Jazz and Live Music Venues
As the sun sets, New York’s world-famous jazz clubs spring to life with the soulful sounds of improvised music.
If you’re a music lover, don’t hesitate to join some jazz and live music venues in New York City! Those spots are just perfect for a night of toe-tapping, or even an alternative date night idea, you can never go wrong with a little saxophone!
Hit institutions like the Blue Note in Greenwich Village, Smalls Jazz Club in the West Village, and Birdland Theater in Hell’s Kitchen to catch jazz legends in an intimate setting.
For something more casual, head to classic late-night venues like Terra Blues, The Bitter End, and The Django for local talents.
Many hole-in-the-wall spots feature jazz jams for free too!
8. Sing Your Heart Out At A Karaoke Bar
Love to sing and drink?
Well hop right in, we know exactly the place! Koreatown is a great place to let loose and belt out your favorite pop songs at their lively karaoke bars.
Here near Herald Square, you’ll be singing in private karaoke rooms equipped with food services at mega venues like Shout House, Melody, M2, and Pungnammun.
Oh, and don’t be shy to sing in front of the crowd at Vibe Bar, Baby Grand, and Arlene’s Grocery Downtown too!
For LGBT-friendly karaoke, Midtown’s Marie’s Crisis and Pieces Bar are fab options.
With songbooks boasting every genre, enthusiastic crowds, and liquid courage on tap, New York’s karaoke nightlife hits all the right notes.
9. Dance Clubs and Late Night Lounges
One of the things we always suggest people do in NYC when the sun comes down is to dance the night away!
Put on your best outfit and be ready to burn off some energy tearing up the dance floor at New York’s bumping clubs until 4 am!
Find a place with loud music, and good drinks, and let your feet do the talking.
For hip-hop and Top 40 remixes, don’t miss 1OAK, Up and Down, and Emé.
The gay club scenes sizzle at places like the grand Copacabana and East Village mainstay The Cock.
For a ritzy, boujee vibe, club the night away at upscale late-night lounges like Catch, Le Bain, or PhD at Dream Midtown.
And don’t skip some massive hot spots like Marquee, Avant Gardner, and Schimanski in Brooklyn for EDM and techno music!
In the city that never sleeps, the beat goes on all night long!
10. Nightlife Tours
Exploring New York wouldn’t be completed without a trip to an organized pub crawl, haunted tour, or sightseeing excursion after dark.
And you’re going to explore them all in those Nightlife Tours in this Big Apple city! Embark on a spirited West Village pub crawl hitting legendary literary watering holes like the White Horse Tavern and Chumley’s.
Or follow in Carrie Bradshaw’s stilettos on a Sex and The City hotspots tour.
See the city’s spooky side on a ghost tour through Greenwich Village and Chinatown.
For iconic views, join a scenic evening bus tour to take in the glittering city lights, we bet you’ll be mesmerized!
With an experienced local guide leading the revelry, nighttime tours make experiencing NYC after hours easy and fun, sometimes unexpecting too!
11. Attend a Late Night TV Show Taping
Fun fact is, most of the live recordings you can sign up for are late-night New York City talk shows.
It’s kind of bizarre seeing your favorite shows being taped, to be honest, but we promise you, this experience is totally worth it! Hope the SNL cast cracks each other up when filming the iconic sketch comedy series Saturday nights at 30 Rock.
Or head to Brooklyn to watch John Oliver hilariously dissect current events and politics on his HBO show Last Week Tonight.
Other NYC-based late-night shows like Desus & Mero, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and The Amber Ruffin Show also tape in front of live audiences, such an experience that ain’t like any other!
It’s no doubt one of the best things to do in New York City at night. Most tapings are free, you just need to apply in advance and hang tight on a waitlist.
12. Arcades and Games
Get your game on at New York’s adult arcades, pinball bars, and old-school gaming dens that are just perfect for the whole family to hang out at night together!
You can also choose to level up your bar crawl at Barcade with classic cabinets alongside craft beers or challenge friends to shuffleboard, skeeball, and pop-a-shot at Royal Palms in Brooklyn.
For classic games, drop quarters at Chinatown Fair or the Neon Retro arcade in Tribeca.
Test your skills in Midtown at Pocket, a ping pong social club with table tennis, billiards, and more.
With neon lights, flashy sounds, and friendly competition, NYC’s gaming spots never fail us with its lively nighttime entertainment!
13. Evening Sightseeing Cruises
What is more romantic than taking in breathtaking city views on a sightseeing cruise after dark?
Since there’s no shortage of companies offering cruises, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the right vessel and package for you.
Choose to watch the sunset behind the Statue of Liberty, then stay on deck as the Manhattan skyline begins to twinkle while sipping on your favorite cocktails.
Luxury cruises like those from Classic Harbor Line offer a more sophisticated onboard experience. Or rock out during a live music cruise on the Rocks Off boat.
Gliding past NYC’s glittering skyline on a smooth river ride makes for a magical nighttime excursion.
Some offer dinner options as well, while others focus purely on enjoying the incredible views as the sun goes down. Whichever route you decide to go down, make sure to book in advance – these tickets tend to sell out quickly!
14. Museum Events and Exhibitions
Many of New York’s famous museums come alive at night with special extended hours, cocktail parties, live music, and unique programming.
Highlights include the Whitney Museum which stays open Fridays until 10 pm with art-making workshops and performances, the Met remains open till 9 pm on the weekends while the lesser-known (yet fascinating) International Center of Photography Museum is open until 9 pm on Thursdays!
Check out MoMA’s summer Courtyard Nights series features live bands and DJs as well!
Other institutions like the Morgan Library & Museum and Cooper Hewitt Design Museum host evening talks and events too.
Looking for something at even later weekend hours? Provocative yet highly educational, the Museum of Sex keeps its doors open till midnight!
Have fun exploring!
15. Escape Rooms
Escape from crowded bars and enjoy a good, old-fashioned challenge in one of New York’s thrilling escape rooms, popular late-night group activities!
Definitely one of the coolest things to do in New York at night! Choose a game theme like bank heist, murder mystery, or haunted house then scramble to solve puzzles.
You’ll find groups of friends or even strangers working together to crack codes, muster up some wit and quick thinking, and solve a series of challenges and puzzles to “escape” from a locked room within 60 minutes.
Top-rated rooms in NYC include The Escape Game, Mission Escape Games, and Escape Room NYC. For extra scary challenges after dark, try horror-themed rooms like Blood Manor or Steampunk Haunted House.
These rooms are sure to get your heart racing as you try frantically to put all the clues together!
16. Take in a Movie at an Iconic Theater
Experience of a film in NYC has always been incredible and unparalleled. And taking in a movie at an iconic cinema after hours can be even more mesmerizing!
Grab tickets to late-night screenings at institutions like the beautifully preserved Paris Theater, Angelika Film Center, or Metrograph on the Lower East Side.
Catch cult classics at Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn which pairs craft beer and chef-prepared meals with current indie flicks.
Or see avant-garde, experimental cinema at Anthology Film Archives, featuring directors like Ken Jacobs and material from their Essential Cinema collection.
For cinephiles, New York’s beloved art house theaters deliver one-of-a-kind movie-going after sunset. When it comes to watching a movie, the possibilities are vast.
Every night seems to bring a new release and countless places to see it, so spend some time picking your favorite one!
17. Nighttime Photography Tours
If capturing iconic New York City landmarks under the glow of twinkling lights at night sounds great, then you need to try the Nighttime Photography Tours now!
Unlike any other usual tour, the nighttime photography tours are going to take you to immerse the sunrise to sunset views from spots like DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge to get epic contrasting shots!
You’ll also get a chance to visit brightly lit landmarks from the Flatiron Building to the Empire State Building with help snapping photos from expert guides!
Don’t worry about the tools or how to do it, as the tour also provides you with tripods, pre-scout locations, and photography lessons for stunning low-light shots during the magical “blue hour.”
How cool is this!
18. Book a Night Tour of a Famous Landmark
Daytime visits to famous landmarks are absolute treats, but if you want to escape the usual crowd and want to experience New York’s iconic landmarks in a whole new light, don’t miss this special after-hours night tour with us!
Take in panoramic sunset-to-midnight views from Top of the Rock’s Observation Deck high above Rockefeller Plaza. Gaze at the glittering city skyline from the Empire State Building’s open-air 86th-floor deck at night.
Or check out the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island after the day crowds depart on an amazing sunset ferry tour.
By moonlight, New York’s monuments become even more striking and memorable.
Just a tip, for the best of both worlds, arrive just before sunset as the city transitions from natural light to a sea of shining bright lights, it’s a spectacle you’ll never forget.
19. Go for a Late Night Bike Ride
We mean, why not? Here, you’ll have a chance to see a quieter, calmer side of the city after hours when hoping on this CitiBike for a nighttime bike ride. Such a perfect way to see the sights while exercising!
Cruise along the Brooklyn Bridge under the lights and moonlight with stunning views of the Financial District and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Or take a spin through Central Park – it stays open until 1 am – for a peaceful pedal far from the daytime crowds.
Wherever you choose to cycle, a late-night bike ride lets you experience New York’s natural beauty and fresh air amid the urban jungle.
Oh, we just love to see all the stars in the sky and buildings lit up around us like magic!
Plus the park is quieter and as long as you stick to safe places you will be fine!
🚲 Explore NYC with these Bike Tours!
20. Head to a Hookah Lounge
If you’re in New York, why not plan some time out to visit some of the most stunning hookah lounges here?
Hookah is another popular pastime that won’t leave you with a raging hangover, which is also known as water pipes or nargiles, and features tasty smokable flavored tobacco.
In case you’re new to hookah, don’t worry as most places are really helpful in guiding you through how to use the hookah pipes!
Chill out in comfy seating amid atmospheric lighting downtown at lounges like Babel Cafe East Village, Hookah Place, or Karma Kafe.
Or visit popular Midtown spots like Le Souk Hookah Lounge, Fumo, and Bongo East. These smoke-friendly spaces offer a laidback vibe for enjoying the social ritual of hookah into the wee hours.
Just to remind you, these hookahs are built for the crowd, and are meant to be shared for groups of friends so don’t hesitate to call up your buddies!
21. Stroll Through a Late Night Food Market
Exploring a night market is one of the best things to do in New York City at night!
Can you imagine the amount of food, drinks, art, and live performances right at your fingertips under the same roof? Insane!
Explore New York’s vibrant late-night food markets for global cuisine as the city grabs a midnight snack with all authentic savory food or chilled sweet treats.
Chelsea Market stays open until 10 pm, with eateries like Tacombi and Los Tacos No. 1 serving street-style Mexican fare. In Nolita, trendy newcomer DeKalb Market Hall offers pizza, ramen, cocktails, and more in the evenings.
Or head uptown to La Marqueta in East Harlem for authentic Mexican tamales, churros, and more.
When those late-night cravings hit, these bustling indoor markets dish out quick bites.
The best part is to catch whatever live performance is happening and soak in the beauty of New York City’s nighttime, don’t miss it!
22. Late Night Shopping
As New Yorkers that love a good shopping spree, we can assure you that the shopping areas in NYC are endless, and they get more exciting when the sun goes down!
So, let’s shop until you drop at these New York’s late-night retail hot spots!
Times Square stores like modern Hershey’s and M&M’s World stay open for souvenir shopping until midnight or later.
Grab discounted Broadway goods at gift shops near theater row open after shows let out. In Herald Square, Macy’s closes at 11 pm during the week for evening fashion splurges.
Even subway newsstands and Duane Reades stay open late citywide when you need a snack or supplies after hours!
23. Hang out in a Hip Late Night Bookstore
In a city that never sleeps, many bookworm-friendly stores stay open into the night. Reading in the daytime might feel normal to us all, but immersing ourselves in the quiet, peaceful ambiance of the bookstore till midnight is a whole different story!
Browse current titles and literary knickknacks until 11 pm at Midtown’s iconic Strand Book Store or Astoria Bookshop.
Down in Nolita, McNally Jackson has an impressive magazine section and cafe buzzing past bedtime.
At Spoonbill & Sugartown in Williamsburg, shop indie lit and art books with a latte from the espresso counter.
Wait no more night owls, New York has plenty of choices to comfort you at all hours!
And that’s a wrap! We hope all the suggestions above have given you a little taste of what New York City nightlife has to offer.
From laughing until it hurts at comedy shows to singing your heart out in karaoke bars to drinking and dancing as DJs spin until dawn, New York really does have something for everyone!
Take advantage of it all, stay up until it’s morning, and have fun!