New York by Night: Discover the City’s Trending Nightclubs

Frank Sinatra, the legendary Italian American singer, famously referred to New York as the city that never sleeps. And he was right; the city has an infectious buzz of energy and charm, right from Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens.

New York’s vibrant clubbing culture dates back to the 1920’s, and a century on, the city is still home to some of the country’s most celebrated nightclubs. Today, New York clubs feature a unique blend of dazzling interiors, contemporary music, and new age lighting.

When in New York, be sure to try some of these revered nightclubs:

1 Oak (1 Of  A Kind)

Nestled in the heart of Chelsea on 17th street, 1Oak has endured waves of competition, and trends, outlasting a host of other trendy nightclubs. The club features world famous DJ’s playing every week, elegant accents, and some good music.  1Oak is known for hosting big events such as the MTV Music Awards and Fashion Week. As such, it is not uncommon to run into celebrities like Leonardo Di Carpio, or Hip Hop and R ‘n’ B icons, Jay-Z and Beyoncé.  1 Oak operates from Tuesday to Sunday

Dress code: “uptown and funky” no trainers, no sandals.

Marquee New York

If you are big on laser lighting, go to Marquee. Located on 289 10th Avenue, the space underwent a $3.5M renovation in 2013, reinventing its interiors, music system and lighting. Marquee also features a contemporary assortment of music; on Wednesday, the genre is based on the event, on Friday they play underground house and on Saturday you can check in for a commercial house treat.

Dress code: Upscale and trendy. No baseball caps. No shorts for guys.

Lavo Nightclub

Located in Midtown East, Lavo is both a restaurant and a nightclub. Lavo is well known for its in-house Italian restaurant situated on the upper floor. After dinner, you can head downstairs to its lavish nightclub featuring the latest in sound and lighting technology. Their energetic dance floor is anchored by a modern DJ booth, two full-service bars, and an antique sitting space on the sidelines. The club operates from Thursday to Saturday and predominantly plays House music.

Cielo

Cielo is a state-of-the-art music venue specialising in electronic dance music. This genre includes Tech-House, Trance, Techno, Electronica, and Deep House. Located on 18 Little W. 12th Street in the Meatpacking District, the club has made a name for itself as New York’s top dance destination. Also, Cielo doesn’t offer VIP packages and prides itself in creating the best DJ line up. World famous DJ’s such as David Guetta, Sven Väth, and Luciano, perfected their art at Cielo before taking on the world.

Le Bain

Le Bain rooftop bar is located on the 18th floor of The Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District. Over the past few years, the club has established itself as one of the most sought-after nightclubs in the city, thanks to its panoramic views of the city. You can also party for less here, for example, you can have a good drink for $12. The cocktail prices are also reasonable, and there is no cover charge, which is unlike many trendy New York nightclubs.   Another major highlight is the club pool, open all week for parties. Finally, Le Bain is majorly frequented by locals, and it’s an excellent place to meet some of them and learn about their culture. Le Bain operates from all week.

Output

If you are into the underground music scene, Output is just the place for you. The club affords you a low-key experience compared to other Manhattan spots. The trick about Output though is checking for tickets online beforehand, as the place can get busy especially when the Terrace opens. Output plays underground house and contemporary dance music with an energetic electronic vibe.

Clubbing in New York pro tip: Today, the Williamsburg and Chelsea neighbourhoods are redefining the nightclub scene. You will find students, artists, and musicians frequenting these neighbourhoods, and they are ideal places to meet like-minded revellers.

New York is awash in exciting joints to keep you entertained till dawn. The list above can kick-start your New York nightlife adventure.

Sarah W