New York is home to hundreds of bars and clubs, but why settle for boring?
There are lots of amazing things to do in New York and if you are looking for something really special and different you can find it in the city which never sleeps. You just need some help for how to find the hidden gems on the nightlife scene.
Check out our list of unique bars un NYC you really need to visit at least once.
1. Otto’s Shrunken Head Bar
Address: 538 E 14th St, New York, NY 10009
Located in East Village, New York is a fun little discovery for anyone who would enjoy something different, which offers an array of entertainment that isn’t just suited to the decor style of Hawaii. Complete with Pin-Up posters, goldfish bowl lamps and a predictable but charming Bamboo Bar, Otto’s offers surprising entertainment.
There isn’t only live music — ranging from jazz to punk rock performances — but also literary readings and spoken word/poetry readings and also the odd film screening, for those film buffs that enjoy a cultured drink with a Hawaiian shirt.
Otto’s also offers Burlesque shows for which there is no cover charge, in fact, there is never a cover charge.
So for something a little bit different with entertainment catered for almost everyone go to Otto’s – Hawaiian shirts not mandatory!
2. Jakyll & Hyde
Address: 91 7th AVENUE South, NY 10014 (Between West 4th Street and Barrow Street)
This is a restaurant and bar definitely made for the slightly macabre or quite possibly the ever-so-slightly disturbed! Jakyll and Hyde is a spooky experience to say the least, filled with bizarre pictures with eyes that move and actors dressed in period costumes wandering like lost souls with stories to tell for your listening pleasure.
There isn’t just one bar to choose from either! There are five bars each located on one of its five floors all have world class beers and ales for even the most travelled beer drinker. Food is available to be ordered on all floors and is just as entertaining as their ghoulish actors, with titles on the menu such as “The Mummy” which is a sirloin steak burger bandaged in your choice of cheese. This is definitely one of the most fun places to eat in NYC.
All this plus the constant live performances from the collected memorabilia which comes to life and entertains you while you dine, or take a look at the genuine Egyptian mummy on show!
Located at 91 7th Avenue, near Central Park, this is definitely something to behold but as their website says – be careful “anything can happen at Jakyll & Hydes”.
3. Apotheke Chinatown
Address: 9 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013
Elegant and beautifully decorated this is clearly a cocktail bar with a difference; the difference being their collection of old medicine bottles collected from around the world. The influence of 19th century apothecary and absinthe dens is quite apparent in this place.
The decor is classic and homely, the atmosphere is friendly and unique entertainment is available via the mixologists on hand at the marble performance bar to mix your drinks.
Of course if an evening out isn’t your scene then there are always the mixing classes the bar holds to teach people the art of cocktail mixing performance. These classes are held in the bar itself during the day and also are available for group parties. When you complete the course of mixology you will receive a gift of a cocktail mixing kit.
Maybe not for those who like a cocktail in a band t-shirt but worth a visit to witness the only existing cocktail apothecary.
4. The Rains Law Room
Address: 113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
The attraction to this upper class restaurant and bar is its floor plan it has a lounge room, a kitchen, a parlour and a garden area for those who smoke.
The interior design is very sophisticated with tasteful eccentricity, in the lounge room which takes its decorative style from a 19th century English town house, guests can make themselves comfortable in front of a wood-burning fireplace and request a waiter via an electric bell.
The parlour offers a literal veil of privacy in their elegant banquette seating booths with a translucent curtain which can either be open or closed so you have the choice to just sit and observe the rest of the bar or be seen by it.
Of course, if you’re waiting for a table and find no seat to get comfortable in, the kitchen is a stunningly beautiful and homely place to wait and mingle. A marble centre counter piece, tin ceiling and tiled floor the kitchen is a place to relax and watch the magic of the cocktail mixers.
If you prefer to be outside, the garden area lies beyond the kitchen with a seating area, candles lit at night and a herb/vegetable garden, the contents of which are used in some drink mixtures.
All you have to do is make your way to 48 west 17th street between 5th and 6th avenue and ring the doorbell and await assistance.
5. PDT (Please Don’t Tell) Bar
Address: 113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
Please don’t tell indeed! The bizarre entrance alone is enough to over excite someone with a mundane existence. On a very normal street in East Village, lies a very strange hot dog restaurant named Crif Dogs in here there is a vintage phone booth which is the entrance to Please Don’t Tell.
In PDT you will find a very “speakeasy” kind of atmosphere and a cocktail bar; don’t worry food is permitted to be ordered from Crif Dogs next door and permitted to be eaten in PDT.
Aside from the too-cool-for-school entrance there is a very friendly and low key relaxed evening waiting to be enjoyed here. There are a couple of bizarre taxidermy animal heads mounted on the wall, including a moose and a bear in a hat. There are bar stools or booths to make yourself comfortable in to enjoy the wonderful choice of cocktails.
Please Don’t Tell bar requires you to make a reservation and advises you to phone at 3pm to maximise your chances of pretending to be James Bond for the evening. Any visit to New York should surely include a visit to this unique speakeasy!
Do you have any favourite bars in New York City you would like to recommend? Let us know.
