The best way to find the hottest nightlife venue is to ask a local as new places seem to be popping up every week. Greenwich Village, the city’s Latin Quarter, is a good place to start, and Chelsea also has a great selection of clubs. Williamsburg’s Bedford Avenue hosts smaller music bars, and touristy Times Square boasts the Rooftop Bar (Hotel Metro, 5th Avenue, New York), famous for great views.

Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood bars offer an Irish/Italian vibe, a change from the usual hipster/yuppie scene. The Kettle Black pub (8622, 3rd Avenue, New York) offers an unbeatable happy hour deal, fantastic burgers and football on flat screens. For a complete contrast, Madame X (W.Houston Street, Greenwich Village, New York) has a bordello-style atmosphere and outdoor heaters for winter drinkers.

Vintage Art Deco vibes and amazing cocktails greet drinkers at Chelsea’s Flatiron Lounge (37 W 19th Street, New York), while the artists’ hub of B.E.S. (559 W 22nd Street, New York), has designer cocktails and good food in a gellery setting. Video game geeks will love Williamsburg’s Barcade (388, Union Avenue, New York) for its 30 vintage games and 25 varieties of beer, while the Turkey’s Nest (94, Bedford Ave, New York), is a trip back in time to a grittier period. Pubs and bars in New York can stay open as late as 4:00 a.m. for serious night owls