Neighborhood Guide: Midtown Nightlife

205 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019 (map)

Tucked into an old speakeasy, this delightful champagne bar features more than 100 different kinds of bubbly, so don't be surprised when you get a contact hangover just from reading the menu.

15 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017 (map)

Popular as it's become, this vast lounge inside a corner of Grand Central Terminal always feels like a secret. The 25-foot-high room, which in the 1920s housed the office and reception hall of John W. Campbell, is still a refined gem of a bar, with Jazz Age cocktails, music, and the chance to steal a momentary glimpse of old New York.

251 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036 (map)

Don't let the rundown entrance or surly bouncer keep you from enjoying this urban bar and bi-level lounge. A large, enclosable room (with retractable roof) has plenty of banquettes and private nooks where beautiful New Yorkers and tourists alike can take in the breeze--and the scene.

210 W 55th St (Penthouse), New York, NY 10019 (map)

Impress prospective clients with the fabulous view at the Dream Hotel's rooftop oasis, and make sure it's on the company dime--nothing is cheap here.

244 E 51st St, New York, NY 10022 (map)

A chic downtown vibe resonates at this global cocktail and tapas lounge, which turns full-throttle party as the night wears on. It's almost charming enough to make you forget that your 401K is tanking while you're dropping $15 for specialty cocktails. Almost.

224 W 49th St (2nd Fl at the Time Hotel), New York, NY 10019 (map)

Located on the second floor of The Time Hotel (and accessed by way of a glass elevator), this hidden hot spot is an nice place for a weekday drink and snack, with a swankier scene on busier weekend nights, when the bar area doubles as a dance floor and a DJ spins.

247 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018 (map)

Located within stumbling distance from both Penn Station and the Port Authority, the crowd at this roomy and regal sports lounge is commuter heavy; a friendly, backpack-toting, business-casual bunch. The bar's tasteful lighting and decor also add a little glamor to this dreary, office-laden part of town.

20 W 38th St, New York, NY 10017 (map)

Coopers Red and kangaroo skewers catch a rogue wave into midtown at this Aussie-themed gastropub, which features a selection of authentic beers and eats from the land Down Under.

125 E 54th St, New York, NY 10016 (map)

This fresh spin on the speakeasy aims to keep young professionals in midtown after work ends, with promises of ambience, food and liquor. Mission accomplished.

236 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019 (map)

How about a flight of California chardonnays to leave the day behind? This westside tapas bar brings the wine-tasting experience to a boisterous after-work crowd. It's an elegant spot to drink your office worries away--and then keep drinking, until you've got a whole new set of worries.

334 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036 (map)

Nothing relieves post-work stress quite like the cheery bustle of an Irish pub--except for booze. Luckily, this charming watering hole offers both.