Nightlife

New York’s nightlife scene is like a self-propagating machine—the more you learn what’s going on, the more you discover. There’s so much to see and do in this city after the sun goes down; your biggest problem is probably going to be choosing.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of New York publications to help guide us, which is why you’ll see many a subway rider reading one of the local periodicals to check out what’s coming up. The latest, most comprehensive event, music, and nightlife listings are in Time Out New York (www.timeoutny.com), published every Thursday, listing the week’s theater, dance, comedy, music, and other options. It also notes free and cheap events, has a full gay and lesbian section, and whole separate edition for kids. For a little more selectivity, grab New York magazine (new every Monday) for their latest listings in “Agenda,” or check out the thorough venue and show reviews as well as invaluable reader comments at www.nymag.com.

The free weekly Village Voice (www.villagevoice.com), the city’s legendary alternative weekly, hits newsstands early on Wednesdays, with even more listings online. The arts and entertainment coverage is extensive, and just about every live-music venue advertises its shows here. As the hometown paper, the New York Times (www.nytimes.com), of course, is a staple and consistently offers thoughtful reviews and to-dos in its two-part Friday “Weekend” section. It’s a great source of cabaret, classical, and theater information, with daily listings and forecasts. Another reliable source is the New Yorker (www.newyorker.com), in its weekly “Goings on About Town” section. But no matter what, to find the shows you most want to catch, do check listings and calendars as soon as you get to town, or even before you arrive.

As for bars and lounges, in addition to places listed in this guide, there’s also Shecky’s NYC Nightlife (www.sheckysnightlife.com), a website that’s supercurrent and searchable by some two dozen criteria, from dive to karaoke to swanky and neighborhood bars. Another good online bar source is www.murphguide.com. This website has all the latest happy-hour info by neighborhood and is especially big on Irish pubs—just be wary of being led to noisy sports bars.

To find the latest gay and lesbian goings-on, pick up free copies of Next (www.nextmagazine.com) and GO (www.gomag.com) magazines at the Center (www.gaycenter.org), Bluestockings, or virtually any gay bar in town.

For theater, the folks behind the TKTS Discount Booths operate the Theatre Development Fund (tel. 212/912-9770; www.tdf.org). You can subscribe to a daily newsletter that alerts you to what tickets will be discounted at its three booths. There’s also a full list of Broadway shows at www.ilovenytheater.com, compliments of the Broadway League.

And beware, when it comes to New York nightlife, many cocktail lounges have decided to capitalize on the profit margins behind $20-plus drinks. Usually you’re paying for the atmosphere more than the cocktail. So if that scene isn’t worth blowing your budget, there are plenty of more affordable, friendlier places to try.

New on the Arts/Nightlife Scene This Season

The iconic New York performing-arts complex Lincoln Center marked its 50th anniversary in 2009 with completion of most of its major renovation. But 2012 will bring to a close the last few projects—including the newly constructed Elinor Bunin-Munroe Film Center (opening summer 2011) and the Claire Tow Theater (opening in 2012). Other recent milestones include the rebuilt Columbus Avenue in front of the main plaza, a new restaurant now open outside the Vivian Beaumont Theater, and the reopening of Alice Tully Hall, which earned fanfare and critical acclaim for its pristine acoustics and innovative architecture.

Another NYC landmark venue also is transforming itself for the new millennium: Madison Square Garden in 2010 launched an $850 million renovation that will continue through 2014. Improved areas will open in phases over the coming years, from new seats to concourses with open views.

In Times Square, Bowlmor brought bowling to the Great White Way in 2010. Downtown, the Slipper Room by late 2011 will expand from a modest cabaret into a spacious “French opera-style setting” for its legendary burlesque and other performances.

Across the river in Queens, 2011 brought completion of the 3-year, $67 million Museum of the Moving Image renovation, doubling its size and expanding its screening and exhibit spaces as well as providing film lovers a spectacular place of worship.