NYC Nightlife: Bars and Live-Music Spots to Know
New York nightlife can mean a live set, a cocktail and a snack, or a pub that stays open late. The right choice depends on what you want from the evening—and on details that can change, such as show listings, cover charges and operating hours. These five venues offer different starting points, with details drawn from their official websites.
Some have verified live-music offerings; others are places to go for a drink and a distinct bar setup. Before heading out, check the official link for current information. In particular, a venue’s general music schedule does not confirm a performance on a particular night, and admission terms may vary by show.
Live music and drinks
Barbès Brooklyn
Barbès lists live shows on its official events page. Admission terms vary by show: some listings are donation-based, while others give a set door price, so check the individual event listing. The venue’s general hours are Monday–Friday, 5 p.m.–2 a.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 2 p.m.–3 a.m.; those hours do not confirm a show on a particular date.
- Neighborhood: Check the venue’s website.
- Address: Check the venue’s website.
- Operating notes: Admission varies by show. Check the event listing for the current schedule and price.
- Official site: Barbès events
Baretto at Fasano
Baretto is Fasano’s bar for jazz and bossa nova, located upstairs at Fasano Restaurant. Its official page says it hosts live performances on Friday and Saturday evenings, with an à la carte menu available alongside the music. That recurring schedule is not confirmation of a performance on any specific date.
- Neighborhood: Check the venue’s website.
- Address: 60 E 49th St, New York, NY 10017.
- Operating notes: The page describes Friday and Saturday evening performances; check the venue’s website for a specific date and other visit details.
- Official site: Baretto at Fasano
Bemelmans Bar
Bemelmans Bar is a bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, with live music. The official page describes a pianist’s opening set followed by a jazz trio from 9 p.m. onward, but does not confirm who is playing on a particular date. A cover charge applies from 5:30 p.m.; listed prices vary by artist, from $25–$35 per person for tables and $20–$25 per person at the bar.
- Neighborhood: Check the venue’s website.
- Address: 35 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021.
- Operating notes: A cover charge applies from 5:30 p.m.; the listed range depends on the artist. Check the venue’s website for current performance details.
- Official site: Bemelmans Bar
Bars for a drink and a different pace
The Dead Rabbit
The Dead Rabbit is an Irish pub with a Taproom and a Parlor. The official site lists hours for each space, so check which one suits your plans: the Taproom is open Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–2 a.m., and Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 a.m.; the Parlor is open Tuesday–Saturday, 5 p.m.–1 a.m., and Sunday, 4 p.m.–12 a.m.
- Neighborhood: Check the venue’s website.
- Address: 30 Water Street, New York, NY 10004.
- Operating notes: Taproom and Parlor hours differ, and the Parlor is not listed as open on Monday. Check the venue’s website for current details.
- Official site: The Dead Rabbit
Bar Snack
Bar Snack describes itself as a neighborhood bar serving dressed-up classics, beer, wine and snacks. Its seasonal house daiquiri is available as a single serving, a pitcher or a smaller snaquiri. The official site says the bar is currently walk-in only and does not take groups larger than six on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Neighborhood: Check the venue’s website.
- Address: 92 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003.
- Operating notes: Hours are Sunday–Thursday, 2 p.m.–1 a.m., and Friday–Saturday, 2 p.m.–2 a.m. The bar is walk-in only; groups larger than six are not accommodated on Fridays and Saturdays, according to the site.
- Official site: Bar Snack
How to choose a night out
For an evening organized around a performance, start with the official events or venue page. Barbès directs visitors to individual show listings for admission details, while Baretto and Bemelmans describe recurring live-music offerings without confirming a specific night’s lineup in the supplied information. Verify the date before making plans around a set.
If your priority is a bar rather than a confirmed performance, compare the details each venue publishes. The Dead Rabbit lists separate hours for its Taproom and Parlor, while Bar Snack shares its hours and walk-in policy. Those practical details can shape where you go and when, especially if you are arranging a meet-up or visiting with a group.
Treat venue hours and policies as planning information, not a guarantee that every detail will remain unchanged. Recheck the official site before leaving, and use it to confirm any information not listed here, including neighborhood, age rules, admission where unspecified, and date-specific entertainment. For live music, a venue’s general schedule is a useful lead—but the individual listing is the place to verify the show.
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Cover photo: Bemelmans Bar by Ɱ, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized from the original.