Living in New York City doesn’t get boring. Its nightlife is as varied and full of options as its daytime activities.
The seven most famous New York City Nightclubs are Le Bain, 1 Oak, Paul’s Cocktail Lounge, House of Yes, Avant Gardner, Fleur Room, and Webster Hall. All of these locations offer different types of entertainment. These establishments are part of the city’s history.
Join us as we explore these New York City nightclubs in more depth. We’ll also take a look at the celebrity nightlife hangouts.
What’s the Hottest Club in New York City?
The hottest club in New York City is Public, the subterranean nightclub of the Public Hotel. Founded by Ian Schrager, who co-founded Studio 54 in the 1970s, the Public is the newest trend when it comes to nightlife in the city.
Found at 215 Christie Street, the Public has attracted loyal crowds through the massive acts that perform there, like Parson James and Patti Smith, who headlined the club’s inaugural event.
The Public is designed with minimalism in mind, but it does not skimp on luxury. You will find many of New York City’s finest there.
What Nightclubs Do Celebrities Go to In New York City?
Celebrities enjoy their anonymity, but when they go out to New York City’s nightclubs, they go out to the very best. Here are some of the places where you might encounter some familiar faces:
- Soho House. This exclusive members-only club has a seemingly infinite waiting list, but you can be a member’s guest for the night. If you can’t go through the exhaustive application process, you can always hang around just outside the club. There will plenty of paparazzi waiting for a shot too. You can find Soho House at 29-35 9th Avenue.
- The 40/40 Club. Co-owned by world-famous rapper and Mr. Beyonce himself, Jay-Z, the 40/40 always draws a crowd of celebrities. If you’re looking to catch a glimpse, you may be disappointed, because the club has plenty of VIP rooms to offer privacy to its guests. The 40/40 is at 6 W 25th St.
- This two-story lounge club is known for hosting some of the biggest events for celebrities. Kim Kardashian has had big parties here, and private concerts by internationally famous acts like the Black Eyed Peas are a common occurrence. You’ll find AVENUE at 16 10th Ave.
- Gansevoort Park Rooftop. The Gansevoort is another Kardashian-approved location. This hotel has a nightclub and lounge that spread over three levels. You will find famous faces here if you at the biggest events. The Gansevoort is at 420 Park Ave S.
- Electric Room. This club is a top-rating favorite for everyone, but celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Robert Pattinson are regulars. It’s recommended to make reservations and to arrive before midnight. You’ll find the Electric Room at Dream Downtime lower level, 355 W 16th St.
The 7 Most Famous New York City Nightclubs?
The seven most famous New York City Nightclubs feature highly in every list about nightlife in the city. These locations are all top-tier and they guarantee unforgettable nights out.
Le Bain
The iconic Le Bain can be found at the very top of The Standard High Line at 848 Washington St. This club is a penthouse location that also offers access to a rooftop bar. There is an indoor pool that gives the club its name. You’ll find the pool right next to the DJ booth and in the summertime, you can even enjoy its delights.
Le Bain is an iconic LGBTQ+ friendly space that celebrates the culture every Thursday night. On Tuesdays, the legendary event producer Susanne Bartsch throws the crowd-pleasing ‘On Top’ party.
Events at Le Bain are memorable and they usually spread out onto the rooftop lawn. Up high on the 19th floor, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking views of Manhattan everywhere you turn.
1 Oak
1 Oak, found at 453 W 17th St in Chelsea, lives up to the catchphrase behind its name: one of a kind. The club opened in 2008, co-founded by Richie Akiva and Scott Sartiano, and has since survived the tough New York City nightlife market. Internationally famous DJs are on rotation every week at 1 Oak, where you’ll also find VIP rooms and luxurious design.
Celebrities can always be found here, but the club is known for having one of the strictest doors in the city. If you do manage to make it inside, this is the place to be seen in New York City, so make sure you make the most of it. Some of the most famous faces who’ve appeared at 1 Oak are Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Lenny Kravitz, Gigi Hadid, Halsey, Mary J. Blige, and Alexander Wang.
Paul’s Cocktail Lounge
Initially called Paul’s Baby Grand, you’ll find Paul’s Cocktail Lounge at 2 6th Ave within the Roxy Hotel in TriBeCa. Founded by DJ and nightlife expert Paul Sevigny, the Cocktail Lounge is an experience for the senses.
With floral designs and chandeliers everywhere, every corner seems made to be photographed, but make some plans because smartphones aren’t allowed on the premises. The smartphone ban and the extremely difficult door ensure a constant stream of celebrities can be found enjoying the perks of the nightlife here.
Paul Sevigny is also known as actress Chloe Sevigny’s brother. Chloe designed the staff uniforms, taking inspiration from Latin Palm Beach. The nightlife entrepreneur made nostalgia part of the charm of the Cocktail Lounge when he designed it. The club space evokes the lost charm of a New York City of times past, with crafted cocktails that look like artworks being served on silver platters.
Paul’s Cocktail Lounge has a top-tier rotation of internationally acclaimed DJs, as well as plenty of international guests and famous faces everywhere you turn. If you’d like to try your luck at the door, make sure not to arrive before 11 pm or after 1 am. Getting past the door will be easier if you have some solid connections.
House of Yes
You’ll find House of Yes, locally known as Brooklyn’s wildest club, at 2 Wyckoff Ave in Bushwick. This experimental, eccentric, and highly-creative nightclub was founded in 2015 by artist duo Kae Burke and Anya Sapozhnikova, as well as their partners Justin Ahiyon and Ilan Telmont. The club has enjoyed a constant stream of success ever since, making itself known as a unique and trendy location in the heart of Brooklyn.
The concept behind the House of Yes nightclub was inspired by the circus theatre experience of Burke and Sapozhnikova. Initially, House of Yes was the name of a space the two artists created to showcase art.
House of Yes is known for its unique themed parties and its support for the LGBTQ+ community. Events at the House of Yes can include burlesque performances, aerialists, circus acts, DJs, marching bands, tarot card readers, and highly creative scenes.
Elaborate costumes are obligatory and part of the dress code. Some of the themed events at the House of Yes have been House of Love, Bad Behavior, Ancient Aliens, and Prohibition Disco. House of Yes is an unmissable opportunity to experience a completely different take on a nightclub.
Fridays and Saturdays are the days when the bigger parties take place, but you’ll find events there almost every day, from cabaret shows to poetry nights.
Avant Gardner
Avant Gardner, found at 140 Stewart Avenue in East Williamsburg, is a sprawling event space that stretches over 80,000 square feet. Their audio and visual technology is unparalleled in the city, which offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for partygoers.
The Avant Gardner is composed of a few different locations that all blend into one main event: The Great Hall, The King’s Hall, The Brooklyn Mirage, and The Lost Circus.
Events at Avant Gardner push the boundaries of tradition by offering experimental and highly immersive shows. Avant Gardner can host up to 6,200 attendees, and its multitude of individual spaces create opportunities for many different shows or one massive concert or performance.
Avant Gardner is known as a great place to experience EDM, house, and techno music, with international DJs flocking to this one-of-a-kind event space. The light shows at the club are unmissable and unforgettable.
Fleur Room
The Fleur Room is a botanical-themed bar and nightclub found at 105 W 28th St., on the 35th floor of the Moxy Hotel. This is the highest nightclub in New York City, and offers direct view to the Empire State Building. Fleur Room was founded by famous nightlife entrepreneur Angelo Bianchi alongside the TAO Group.
The rooftop club was designed by the Rockwell Group, which took inspiration from the Tao Downtown in New York City and the Dream Hotel in Los Angeles. There are casual spaces and dancefloor spaces that emulate the ‘old school’ parties in New York City’s heyday.
Celebrities can frequently be found on the premises, with the likes of Chace Crawford, Idris Elba, and Mick Jagger selecting the Fleur Room as one of their regular haunts when in the city.
The staff uniforms at the Fleur Room match the floral design and the bouquets strewn around the location. A vintage disco ball brought from the Los Angeles nightclub Vertigo, which enjoyed its time in the spotlight in the 1980s, is a centerpiece in one of the rooms. If you’re looking for a classy and floral time out with a hint of nostalgia, this is your place.
Webster Hall
The venue of Webster Hall, found at 125 East 11th Street in Manhattan, dates back to the 1800s. In 2008, it opened as a nightclub and concert venue known for its iconic Art Deco design. The venue has played host to acts such as Madonna and Mick Jagger.
In 2019, the club reopened after two years of renovations, with Jay-Z headlining the first concert in the updated venue. The Webster Hall offers an impressive amount of space to guests. It has a Grand Ballroom for events such as concerts, as well as a nightclub area that opens from Thursday to Saturday. In total, you will find five areas dedicated to performances, as well as two extra dance rooms, and two lounges.
The history of Webster Hall is still present in its design after it was updated to modern standards. If you’re looking for some old-time charm, this is the place to visit.
How Many Nightclubs Are In New York City?
According to New York City’s government report from 2018, there are currently over 25,000 nightlife establishments across the city.
Conclusion
New York City has an extensive amount of popular nightclubs, but these seven choices are frequently mentioned on all the top-rated lists. From the most historic to the most modern, you’ll encounter something that fits your tastes for party locations. Visiting these nightclubs is just one of the many things you can do in New York in 3 days.
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