Lower East Side, New York, NY

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Lower East Side, New York.
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The Lower East Side has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a mostly poor immigrant neighborhood and New York’s center of Jewish culture. While a slew of synagogues and historic Jewish sites remain, the neighborhood is now known more for its edgy shops and uproarious nightlife.

By day, the winding streets are full of gritty, successful artists and trendy shoppers alike checking out the offerings at the many artisanal restaurants, vegan bakeries, and delis or browsing for deals at the numerous vintage stores on Orchard and Ludlow.

But at night, some of the loudest, craziest, wildest, and most drunken bars in Manhattan spring to life in the Lower East Side, drawing crowds of edgy punks and rocker-chic girls to the myriad venues crammed into a five-block radius, where partiers might witness the next White Stripes or hottest international DJ.

Although live music blasts out of jam-packed indie haunts late into the night, the crowds don’t go home once the set ends – they just move on to the all-night booze and dance fests at the bars along Stanton and Broome Streets.

The Lower East Side may have roots as a poor ethnic enclave, but the only remaining vestige of its past is the melting pot of partiers looking to drink until dawn.

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What to Do on the Lower East Side

20s / 30s / Beer / Casual / Crowded

The Meatball Shop - Italian Restaurant in New York.
Nj A.

Reviewed by Nj A.

"The Meatball Shop is NYC’s best-kept secret… well not really. This restaurant fuses the atmosphere of the old romantic Italian restaurants and the fun ..." more

84 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

All Ages / All Types / Beer / Jeans

Boulton & Watt - Gastropub | New American Restaurant in New York.
Jaclyn W.

Reviewed by Jaclyn W.

"My Take: Any venue that can make me fall in love with a pickleback shot is a winner in my book. I hate pickles. I hate picklebacks. I love Bolt ..." more

5 Avenue A
New York, NY 10009

Liked By:

20s / 30s / Casual / Concerts / Dance

Arlene's Grocery - Bar | Live Music Venue | Lounge in New York.

Party Earth Review Considering the bright yellow grocer’s sign offering fast delivery, one might think Arlene’s Grocery is just that, instead of the famous Lower East Side music landmark ... more

95 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

Artists / Baseball Caps / Beer

The Whiskey Ward - Whiskey Bar in New York.

Party Earth Review Lovers of whiskey and Old West-themed bars have struck gold at The Whiskey Ward, a Lower East Side dive that takes its extensive drinks menu very seriously. A pool table and a jukebox ... more

121 Essex Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

70s Music / Ambient Jazz / Artsy

Experimental Cocktail Club - Cocktail Bar | Speakeasy in New York.

Party Earth Review Savvy travelers – and savvy readers of Party Earth – are already familiar with Experimental Cocktail Club, a cutting-edge haunt for intricate cocktails that opened to ... more

191 Chrystie Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

20s / Beer / Budget-friendly / Dive

Barramundi - Dive Bar in New York.
Jaclyn W.

Reviewed by Jaclyn W.

"My Take: I do not understand all the hype behind this bar. If you told me it was for their second level, 2nd Floor on Clinton, then I would unders ..." more

67 Clinton Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

30s / 80s Music / Artists / DJ / Dance

Above Allen - Hotel Bar | Lounge in New York.

Party Earth Review There’s no beating around the bush when it comes to getting into Above Allen – patrons either have the look or they don’t. Those who do make it past the double doormen will find themselves ... more

Thompson Hotel, 190 Allen Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

30s / Bar / Bar Food / Burgers / DJ

Pianos - Bar | Live Music Venue | Lounge in New York.

Party Earth Review A staple of Lower East Side nightlife, Pianos hosts a steady lineup of up-and-coming indie artists that keeps its diverse clientele coming back again and again. The main bar sports ... more

158 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

20s / 30s / 40s / Beer & Wine Only

trē - Italian Restaurant in New York.
Selina L.

Reviewed by Selina L.

"I've indulged in Tre's endless mimosa/bellini brunch multiple times, and I have no intention of stopping anytime soon. The restaurant itself is small ..." more

173 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

Alternative Music / Ambient / DJ

Nurse Bettie - Bar in New York.

Party Earth Review Celebrating the sultry pin-ups of the past with understated – and perhaps even dive-like – elegance, Nurse Bettie is a vintage burlesque bar that caters to modern day vamps and their ... more

106 Norfolk Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

20s / Ambient / Beer / Brunch / Casual

Macondo - Latin American Restaurant | Tapas Bar in New York.
Jaclyn W.

Reviewed by Jaclyn W.

"My Take: Macondo is a brunch staple in the Lower East Side and East Village. When you are seeking an alternative to the Sunburnt Cow and all other ..." more

157 East Houston Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:

20s / 30s / 40s / Artists / Bar / Café

Clandestino - Bar | Café in New York.

Party Earth Review Situated on the narrow end of Canal Street not swallowed up by the insanity of Chinatown, Clandestino is a charming neighborhood bar and café that offers a cozy retreat for a creative ... more

35 Canal Street
New York, NY 10002

Liked By:
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More things to do on the Lower East Side:

See all things to do on the Lower East Side →

Where to Go on the Lower East Side

  • * The Box 20s / 30s / 40s / Affluent
  • * Chloe 81 20s / 30s / Affluent / Artsy / Bar
  • * Pianos 30s / Bar / Bar Food

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