New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [127]
Gay Nightlife
Evolve Bar and Lounge.
Rising from the ashes of a popular gay club on the same site, this glossy, raucous Chelsea-style bar–club gets the Upper East Side rocking, with its sexy-yet-genial staff and its theme nights like Pop-off Thursday, Bulge Friday, and Disco Balls Sunday. | 234 E. 58th St., between 2nd and 3rd Aves., Midtown East | 10022 | 212/355–3395 | www.evolvebarandloungenyc.com | Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R to 59th St./Lexington Ave.
The Townhouse.
It’s the elegant yin to the rowdy yang of Evolve, which is just across the block at East 58th Street. Distinguished mature men from the Upper East Side meet younger would-be versions of themselves at this “gentlemen’s club,” which looks like the home of a blueblood with superb taste. As always the attire is “uptown casual,” if not fancier. | 236 E. 58th St., between 2nd and 3rd Aves., Midtown East | 10022 | 212/754–4649 | www.townhouseny.com | Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R to 59th St.–Lexington Ave.
MIDTOWN WEST
Acoustic and Blues Venues
B. B. King Blues Club & Grill.
This lavish Times Square club is vast and shiny and host to a range of musicians, from the Harlem Gospel Choir to George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars. It’s also where surviving rock legends like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and, yes, the still-relentlessly-touring owner play as well. (If you happen to meet Mr. King here, give our regards to Lucille, his guitar.) | 237 W. 42nd St., between 7th and 8th Aves., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/997–4144 | www.bbkingblues.com | Subway: 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R, S to 42nd St./Port Authority.
Bars
Cellar Bar.
Underneath the Bryant Park Hotel—and a tiled, arched ceiling—is one of the more spectacular spaces in Midtown. As a DJ with a taste for classic R&B spins the night away, a fashion-industry crowd gets up to dance—and spills its collective drink. | 40 W. 40th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Midtown West | 10018 | 212/642–2260 | www.bryantparkhotel.com | Subway: B, D, F, M to 42nd St.; 7 to 5th Ave.
Don’t Tell Mama.
Composer-lyricist hopefuls and established talents show their stuff until 4 am, seven nights a week, at this convivial Theater District cabaret. Extroverts will be tempted by the piano bar’s open-mike policy as well as by the other showroom’s singers, comedians, or drag acts. Those needing a break from the above can find it in the quieter exposed-brick lounge. Our only questions: “Who’s Mama?” and “What exactly is it that we’re not supposed to tell her?” | 343 W. 46th St., between 8th and 9th Aves., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/757–0788 | www.donttellmamanyc.com | Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St./Port Authority.
Hudson Bar.
Not quite as popular as it once was, though its rotating DJs can still hold their own, the Hudson Hotel’s signature bar features a hand-painted ceiling as well as lights shining up from the glass floor. | 356 W. 58th St., between 8th and 9th Aves., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/554–6303 | www.hudsonhotel.com | Subway: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St.
Joe Allen.
Everybody’s en route either to or from a show at this “old reliable” on the boisterous Restaurant Row, celebrated in the musical version ofAll About Eve. Chances are you’ll even spot a Broadway star at the bar or in the dining room. Still, our favorite thing about Joe’s is not the fun show crowd but the hilarious “flop wall,” adorned with posters from musicals that bombed, sometimes spectacularly. (Check out the ones for Paradox Lust, Got To Go Disco, and Dude, which was the unfortunate sequel to Hair.) | 326 W. 46th St., between 8th and 9th Aves., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/581–6464 | www.joeallenrestaurant.com | Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St.
Keens Steakhouse.
Single-malt scotch aficionados will have a delicious dilemma trying to select from Keens’s 200-plus varieties. Given its location just around the corner from Madison Square Garden, this 120-year-old