New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [129]
Comedy Clubs
Caroline’s on Broadway.
This high-gloss club presents established names as well as comedians on the edge of stardom. Janeane Garofalo, David Alan Grier, Colin Quinn, and Gilbert Gottfried have headlined. | 1626 Broadway, between W. 49th and W. 50th Sts., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/757–4100 | www.carolines.com | Subway: N, R to 49th St.; 1 to 50th St.
Chicago City Limits.
This crew touts itself as performing in the longest-running improv show in the city. The shows, heavy on audience participation, take place Wednesday through Saturday and seldom fail to whip visitors into what the comics might call a “phun phrenzy.” | 318 W. 53rd St., between 8th and 9th Aves., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/888–5233 | www.chicagocitylimits.com | Subway: C, E to 50th St.
Dance Clubs and DJ Venues
Pacha.
Maybe you’ve been to the exclusive Pacha clubs in Buenos Aires, Ibiza, and London. Congratulations. But the jewel in the crown of the Pacha empire may well be here. Assuming you pass muster to enter, you’ll find four stories’ worth of high-tech fittings (blinding lights, go-go girls, humungous sound), plus celeb DJs, celeb customers, even celeb bathroom attendants. (OK, maybe not that last part.) | 618 W. 46th St., between 11th and 12th Aves., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/209–7500 | www.pachanyc.com | Subway: C, E to 50th St.
Gay Nightlife
Posh.
Lest you think that Hell’s Kitchen has no fine gay lounges, Posh has walls covered in fine canvases by local artists, trophies over the bar, ample room for kibitzing and dancing, plenty of neon decor, and hours that are “4 pm to 4 am GUARANTEED.” Who says nothing is certain anymore in these confusing times? | 405 W. 51st St., at 9th Ave., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/957–2222 | www.poshbarnyc.com | Subway: C, E to 50th St.
Therapy.
With slate floors, wood-paneled walls, and a small stone-filled pond, the decor at this spacious lounge in Hell’s Kitchen is as upscale as its mostly male clientele, which includes older uptown professionals as well as the twentysomething hipsters who love them (and vice versa). Hungry? Look no further than the solid menu of small dishes. | 348 W. 52nd. St., between 8th and 9th Aves., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/397–1700 | www.therapy-nyc.com | Subway: C, E to 50th St.
Jazz Venues
Birdland.
This place gets its name from bebop saxophone great Charlie “Yardbird” (or just “Bird”) Parker, so expect serious musicians such as John Pizzarelli, the Dave Holland Sextet, and Chico O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra (on Sunday night). The dining room serves moderately priced American fare with a Cajun accent. If you sit at the bar, your cover charge includes a drink. | 315 W. 44th St., between 8th and 9th Aves., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/581–3080 | www.birdlandjazz.com | Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St./Port Authority.
Iridium.
This cozy, top-drawer club is a sure bet for big-name talent like the David Murray Black Saint Quartet and Michael Wolff. The sight lines are good, and the sound system was designed with the help of Les Paul, the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, who used to play here every Monday night. The rest of the week sees a mix of artists like Chuck Mangione and the Eddie Daniels Band. | 1650 Broadway, at W. 51st St., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/582–2121 | www.iridiumjazzclub.com | Subway: 1 to 50th St.; N, R to 49th St.
Connolly’s.
This Cheers-like tri-level Irish pub often hosts the terrific Irish rock-and-roots hybrid Black 47 on Saturday night. Top off your night with a shepherd’s pie. They rock here; one bite and you’re really in the spirit. | 121 W. 45th St., between Broadway and 6th Ave., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/597–5126 | www.connollyspubandrestaurant.com | Subway: