Upper West Side
Nightlife on the Upper West Side tends to be split between dive-bar playgrounds for 20-somethings and classier watering holes
to which these young professionals eventually graduate. Though it can’t claim the cutting-edge sophistication of downtown,
Upper West Side nightlife is relaxed and plentiful.
- Dive 75, 101 W 75th St. (☎212-362-7518; www.divebarnyc.com), between Columbus and Amsterdam Ave. S 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St. This cozy bar offers all the joys of your favorite dive without the unusable bathroom. Locals lounge
on comfy couches—watching TV, enjoying the pop-rock jukebox, eating from the bowl of candy on every table, and pondering the
eerily glowing fish tank. A stack of board games sits in the corner, and people take games like Scrabble seriously. Happy
hour 5-7pm; Bud $2.50, $1 off mixed drinks. Open M-Th 5pm-4am, F 2:30pm-4am, Sa-Su noon-4am.
- Shalel Lounge, 65 W 70th St. (☎212-873-2300), between Central Park West and Columbus Ave. S B, C to 72nd St.; 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St. This subterranean jewel, beneath eatery Metsovo, oozes romance. Bead-draped nooks,
lightly tinkling waterfalls, dim votive lighting, and a chic international crowd create a definite mystique. On weekends,
a Moroccan band plays softly in the background. Wine $9. Martinis $12. Malt liquors $12. Open M-Th and Su 6pm-2am, F-Sa 6pm-3am.
- The Dead Poet, 450 Amsterdam Ave. (☎212-595-5670), at 81st St. S 1 to W 79th St. Photos, quotes, and books from well-known wordsmiths line the walls of this cozy, dimly lit tavern. You can
even sign out books to take home. Thankfully, the place doesn’t take itself too seriously, and the diversions aren’t all highbrow:
pool, darts, and sports on TV keep the laid-back crowd entertained. Signature drinks include the Emily Dickinson (tart pink
lemonade with lemon rum, triple sec, and grenadine) and the Oscar Wilde, (spirited apple sour martini). Drink 500 pints of
Guinness and you get your own plaque on the wall. Happy hour M-F 4-8pm with $4 pints. Call for daily drink specials from 8pm-midnight.
Open M-Sa 8am-4am, Su noon-4am. $15 credit card min.
- West 79th Street Boat Basin Cafe, W 79th St. (☎212-496-5542; www.boatbasincafe.com) at the Hudson River. S 1 at 79th St. Follow 79th St. to a rotunda near the water’s edge, and climb downstairs. Open only in the summer, and then
only when the weather’s nice, this relaxed and friendly outdoor bar has the feel of a family picnic. Frequented by neighborhood
softball teams and locals with dogs, this bar is the perfect place to eat a burger, drink a beer, and watch the sun set over
the Hudson River. Burgers and sandwiches $8-15. Beer, wine and frozen drinks $5-7. Brunch served Sa-Su 11am-3pm. Happy hour
M-F 4-7pm; $2 off any drink at the bar. Open M-F noon-11pm, Sa 11am-11pm, Su 11am-10pm. If the weather is uncertain, call
ahead to see if they’re open.
- Citrus Bar and Grill, 320 Amsterdam Ave. (☎212-595-0500; www.josiesnyc.com), at 75th St. S 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St. This upscale restaurant and bar, lit in a host of citrus hues, promises “Latin fare, Asian flair” and
caters to an upscale under-30 crowd. The food (shrimp dumplings $9; coriander and 3-pepper crusted yellowfin tuna $23) is
delicious, the margaritas made with fresh purees of exotic fruits are enticing ($9-11 per glass, $32-38 per liter), and the
vast tequila selection will satisfy even the most snobbish shot-taker. Streetside outdoor seating in warm weather. Open M
5:30-11pm, Tu-Th 5:30pm-midnight, F-Sa 5:30pm-1am, Su 11:30am-11pm.
- Yogi’s, 2156 Broadway (☎212-873-9852), between 76th and 75th St. S 1 to 79th St. Midriff-baring bartenders pour seriously cheap alcohol (mugs of beer $1.50-2.50, pitchers $5-7, shots from
$3) at this neighborhood dive, where bras and a giant picture of Elvis hang from the bar. Crowds of 20-somethings enjoy the
constant stream of country twanging from the stereo. Open daily 11:30am-4am.
- Bin 71, 237 Columbus Ave. (☎212-362-5446; www.bin71.com), at 71st St. S 1, 2, 3, B, C to 72nd St. This tiny wine bar draws after-work crowds that spill onto the sidewalk every night. Wear comfy
shoes; you’ll probably be standing. Over 100 wines are available by the bottle ($24-500); most glasses cost around $10-12.
The beer selection is decent, and the Mediterranean and Spanish tapas offerings (grilled portobellos with prosciutto; $6)
are excellent. Open M-Tu 4:30pm-1:30am, W-Su noon-2am.
Overview
