New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [124]
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
Raucous sketch comedy, audience-initiated improv, and classic stand-up take turns onstage here at the city’s absolute capital for alternative comedy. There are even classes available; the Upright Citizens bill their program as the world’s largest improv school, where you can catch indie comic darlings like SNL’s Amy Poehler or Human Giant’s Rob Huebel. | 307 W. 26th St., between 8th and 9th Aves., Chelsea | 10001 | 212/366–9176 | www.uprightcitizens.org | Subway: C, E to 23rd St.
Gay Nightlife
Barracuda.
The drag shows are what lure a mostly male crowd to this cute, casual, comfortable neighborhood hangout, far less pretentious than some of its grander Chelsea neighbors. | 275 W. 22nd St., between 7th and 8th Aves., Chelsea | 10011 | 212/645–8613 | Subway: C, E to 23rd St.
Big Apple Ranch.
Taking Brokeback Mountain style to the dance floor, the Ranch lets you unleash your inner “cowboy dancer” every Saturday night, with half-hour two-step lessons at 8 pm, line dancing at 8:30 pm, and then a down-home country-and-western dance party. Make sure the DJ plays some Hank Williams, just to keep things honest (and remember these immortal words from Hank: “I don’t need nobody standing by me in a barfight ‘cept for my mama with a broken bottle in her hand”). | Dance Manhattan,39 W. 19th St., 5th fl., between 5th and 6th Aves., Chelsea | 10011 | 212/358–5752 | www.bigappleranch.com | Subway: F, R, M to 23rd St.; 1 to 18th St.
Gym Sports Bar.
At New York’s first gay sports bar, the plentiful flat-screen TVs and cheap Budweisers draw athletic enthusiasts of every stripe, from athlete to armchair. Nobly enough, the bar sponsors—and frequently hosts parties for—a number of local gay sports teams. The only problem: couldn’t they have thought up a more savory name for the place? | 167 8th Ave., at W. 18th St., Chelsea | 10011 | 212/337–2439 | www.gymsportsbar.com | Subway: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.
Splash Bar New York.
At this large, perennially crowded Chelsea bar–club, beefy go-go boys vie for attention with equally buff bartenders who, for some reason (can’t the management afford uniforms?) don’t have on much more than underwear. The daily happy hour, with campy music videos on three huge screens, is a hit. Our only caveat: late-night covers can be high. | 50 W. 17th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Chelsea | 10011 | 212/691–0073 | www.splashbar.com | Subway: 6 to Astor Pl.
GRAMERCY
Bars
The Ace Hotel.
A hot spot for the digital set, the lobby and adjoining restaurant spaces—the Breslin and the John Dory—have been packed since they’ve opened at this Pacific Northwest import. If your bearded hipster friend came into some cash, it would look like the lobby here, with reclaimed wood tables, beer signs, and beautiful folks in oversize eyeglasses. | 20 W. 29th St., between Broadway and 5th Ave. Gramercy | 10001 | 212/679–2222 | www.acehotel.com | Subway: R to 28th St.
Cibar.
Descend into the warm pink-and-peach womb of this candlelight martini lounge for eclectic music spun by eccentric DJs. Or else make your way to the sublime bamboo garden for a more partyesque groove. | 56 Irving Pl., between E. 17th and E. 18th Sts., Gramercy | 10003 | 212/460–5656 | www.cibarlounge.com | Subway: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St./Union Sq.
Flatiron Lounge.
Here resident mixologists rely on the freshest (and sometimes most exotic) ingredients available. The cocktail menu changes often, but if you’re stumped, tell the bartenders what you like and they’ll happily invent a new concoction on the spot. | 37 W. 19th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Flatiron | 10011 | 212/727–7741.
Old Town Bar & Restaurant.
The proudly unpretentious bi-level Old Town is redolent of old New York, and why not—it’s been around since 1892. Tavern-style grub, mahogany everywhere, and atmosphere,