Bars in New York

Thinky's Guide to Nightlife in New York City

New York nightlife since the turn of the Millennium is a glamorously laid-back beast.

Once home to some of the world’s most famous mega clubs, the city has mellowed significantly, and become even more extravagant in the process.

Clubland is much smaller than it was in the past. Giant "danceterias" have suffered repeated assaults from the Nightclub Enforcement Task Force, created by Mayor Rudy Giuliani as part of his much-touted "Quality of Life" campaign.

And, night crawlers seem far less interested in clubbing these days: Contemporary cognoscenti refuse to wait in line at Neanderthal-manned velvet ropes, pay eight bucks for a badly made drink, and sardine into to an earsplitting space where conversation is impossible.

The beneficiary of this attitudinal change are cocktail lounges -relaxed, cozy spaces designed with comfy couches and low tables that are perfectly positioned to accommodate small plates of food and wedge-shaped cocktail glasses.

Martinis, Manhattans, Negronis and cosmopolitans are the current avant drinks of choice.

From the Upper West Side to Wall Street, stylish lounges are flourishing in Manhattan and the trend shows no sign of abating. Often attached to a kitchen, lounges are blurring the line between restaurant and bar.

They are places where you are meant to install yourself and imbibe on an expensive roster of retro cocktails. Most lounges are distinguished by their inventive decor, if not clientele; their common themes being extravagance, glamour and decadence.

Quantity has always been New York’s strongest suit. Think about anything you want to do and the city delivers in spades. On any given night there are literally hundreds of places to listen to music, get drunk, dance and be entertained.

Some of the best are listed below.