The back story 1
Jazz in New York.
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The back story
Jazz in New York: the back story
From the Village Vanguard’s basement to Dizzy’s Club above Columbus Circle: where to hear jazz in the city that shaped it.
33 of the best · New York City
Bars, Rooftops and Jazz Clubs in New York
Bemelmans and the King Cole Bar, speakeasies such as PDT, rooftops above Midtown, the Village Vanguard and the Blue Note.
Our 33 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in New York
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love New York.
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Under Ludwig Bemelmans’ murals
Bemelmans Bar
The Carlyle’s cocktail bar, with whimsical Central Park murals by Ludwig Bemelmans and live piano.
35 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021Explore View on map
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Taproom and parlour
The Dead Rabbit
An Irish bar on Water Street with a taproom downstairs and a cocktail parlour upstairs.
30 Water St, New York, NY 10004Explore View on map
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Since 1935
Village Vanguard
The basement jazz club on Seventh Avenue South that opened in 1935.
178 Seventh Ave South, New York, NY 10014Explore View on map
The full list: Bars & Jazz, A–Z
Show 32 of 33 places on a map
Neighbourhood
Hotel bars 4
Classic cocktails.
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Under Ludwig Bemelmans’ murals
Bemelmans Bar
The Carlyle’s cocktail bar, with whimsical Central Park murals by Ludwig Bemelmans and live piano.
35 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021Explore View on map
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Where the Bloody Mary came to America
King Cole Bar
The St. Regis’s bar under the Maxfield Parrish mural of Old King Cole.
The St Regis New York, 2 E. 55th St, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map
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Back at the Waldorf
Peacock Alley
The Waldorf Astoria’s famous meeting place, returned to the restored hotel for dining and cocktails.
301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map
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A tycoon’s office in Grand Central
The Campbell
A cocktail bar in the restored 1920s office of John W. Campbell, inside Grand Central Terminal.
Grand Central Terminal, 15 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map
Cocktail bars 8
Speakeasies and more.
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No menu, just ask
Attaboy
A candlelit Lower East Side bar from former Milk & Honey bartenders, where drinks are made to your taste.
134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002Explore View on map
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Aperitivo on Grove Street
Bar Pisellino
A small Italian aperitivo bar on Grove Street.
52 Grove Street, New York, NY 10014Explore View on map
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Serious drinks on East 6th Street
Death & Co
An East Village cocktail bar on East 6th Street, known for carefully made drinks.
433 E. 6th St, New York, NY 10009Explore View on map
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Inventive cocktails
Double Chicken Please
A Lower East Side cocktail bar on Allen Street.
115 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002Explore View on map
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A Hudson Street favourite
Employees Only
A West Village cocktail bar and restaurant on Hudson Street.
510 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014Explore View on map
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Enter through a phone booth
PDT
“Please Don’t Tell”: a speakeasy you enter through a vintage phone booth in a hot-dog shop on St Marks Place.
113 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10009Explore View on map
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Ring the doorbell
Raines Law Room
A Prohibition-style cocktail lounge on West 17th Street: ring the bell to get in.
48 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011Explore View on map
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Taproom and parlour
The Dead Rabbit
An Irish bar on Water Street with a taproom downstairs and a cocktail parlour upstairs.
30 Water St, New York, NY 10004Explore View on map
Rooftops & views 5
High above the city.
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Empire State views
230 Fifth
A large indoor and outdoor rooftop bar on Fifth Avenue with views of the Empire State Building.
230 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10001Explore View on map
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65 floors up
Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room
A cocktail bar on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Fl, New York, NY 10112Explore View on map
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Fifteen floors above Orchard Street
Mr. Purple
A rooftop bar on the 15th floor at 180 Orchard Street.
180 Orchard Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10002Explore View on map
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High in 70 Pine Street
Overstory
A cocktail bar high in the Art Deco tower at 70 Pine Street, with views over Lower Manhattan.
70 Pine Street, New York, NY 10005Explore View on map
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On top of the Moxy
The Ready Rooftop
A rooftop bar on the Moxy East Village, East 11th Street.
112 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10003Explore View on map
Jazz & cabaret 7
Music every night.
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Named after Charlie Parker
Birdland
The jazz and supper club on West 44th Street, named after Charlie “Bird” Parker.
315 W. 44th St, New York, NY 10036Explore View on map
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Since 1981
Blue Note
The Greenwich Village jazz club on West 3rd Street, presenting jazz since 1981.
131 W. 3rd St, New York, NY 10012Explore View on map
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Cabaret through the season
Café Carlyle
The Carlyle’s intimate cabaret room, with performers through the autumn and winter season.
35 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021Explore View on map
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Views over Central Park
Dizzy’s Club
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s club on the fifth floor at Columbus Circle, with a window over Central Park.
Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th St, 5th fl, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map
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Late-night jazz
Smalls Jazz Club
A tiny basement club on West 10th Street with jazz late into the night.
183 W. 10th St, New York, NY 10014Explore View on map
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Seven nights a week
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
A jazz supper club on upper Broadway, with music seven nights a week.
2751 Broadway, New York, NY 10025Explore View on map
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Since 1935
Village Vanguard
The basement jazz club on Seventh Avenue South that opened in 1935.
178 Seventh Ave South, New York, NY 10014Explore View on map
Historic taverns 3
Old New York.
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More than 150 years old
McSorley’s Old Ale House
An East Village ale house on East 7th Street, more than 150 years old.
15 E. 7th St, New York, NY 10003Explore View on map
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An Irving Place classic
Pete’s Tavern
A historic tavern at East 18th Street and Irving Place.
129 East 18th Street, New York, NY 10003Explore View on map
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Dylan Thomas’s local
White Horse Tavern
A West Village tavern at Hudson and West 11th Streets, long associated with Dylan Thomas.
567 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014Explore View on map
Music venues 5
Concerts and clubs.
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A historic rock room
Beacon Theatre
A historic three-tiered theatre at 2124 Broadway.
2124 Broadway, New York, NY 10023Explore View on map
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New bands on Delancey
Bowery Ballroom
A Lower East Side music venue on Delancey Street for up-and-coming bands.
6 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002Explore View on map
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A Tenth Avenue club
Marquee New York
A nightclub on Tenth Avenue in Chelsea, from TAO Group Hospitality.
289 Tenth Ave, New York, NY 10001Explore View on map
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Home of the Rockettes
Radio City Music Hall
The Art Deco music hall on Sixth Avenue, home of the Christmas Spectacular.
1260 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10020Explore View on map
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A landmarked hall
Webster Hall
The landmarked East Village hall on East 11th Street, for concerts and club nights.
125 E. 11th St, New York, NY 10003Explore View on map
You must be 21 to drink alcohol in New York; bring photo ID. Jazz clubs usually have a cover charge and a food or drink minimum.
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