Fashion Institute of Technology - Nightlife

It’s a huge club with many rooms and different types of music played, but it is mainly a techno/house club. This venue was once a church that has been turned into a modern club with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. There are VIP balconies that overlook the dance floor and many small rooms for lounging in if you are tired of dancing. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are the best nights to go. Themes and specials vary every week.

Lotus is not an easy door to get past on most nights. But if you know someone, make sure you put this on the top of your list of hangouts. It’s urban, hip, and extremely trendy. Even better, before 11 p.m., Lotus is also a pan-Asian restaurant, so go early for the complete experience.

Once you find the non-descript doors leading to APT, you’ll find a decked-out place that will make you wish your apartment were just as cool as this club. This lounge is comprised of different rooms, each with a different swanky feel and vibe. APT is well known for its long list of New York City’s finest DJs rocking the downstairs areas.

Once you get past the velvet rope, door staff, and entryway constructed of cinder blocks, pat yourself on the back for being cool enough to do so and join the crowd of A-list, well-connected, gorgeous party-goers. You won’t find a conventional dance floor, but the DJs here mix hip-hop with samples of early ‘90s nostalgia. Reserve a table and come early, because by the time midnight roles around, this place is packed.

Opened in 2004, this elegant and architecturally acclaimed nightclub has already been host to a multitude of celebrities from Bruce Willis to the Olsen sisters. Drinks are pricey, but being in this scene makes it worth it.

The China Club first came into existence as a music industry hangout, where some of the world’s biggest stars often performed in impromptu jam sessions. Once inside, you will see pictures on the walls of everyone—from Eric Clapton to Justin Timberlake—who has frequented this famous hot spot. This club is well known for its Monday night scene and is located near Times Square.

This bed-themed restaurant also doubles as a nightclub. Guests eating dinner are requested to slip on specially designed slippers to join their friends on the unique bed platforms.

This club has sister locations in Miami and Chicago. You will experience well-known DJs, expensive drinks, go-go dancers, and a lot of people having a really good time. Some interesting aspects are the art gallery and a white subway-tiled tunnel that leads club-goers into the main room. If you are cool enough, you’ll find a way to the second level, where the VIP lounges are located.

This is what we in New York City call a mega-club. Each of the four floors is geared toward a different crowd with a different type of music. This place is huge! Although there is a pricey cover, and the drinks are typical (expensive and not too big), this is one club that everyone should experience.

A hip crowd hangs out here. There are plastic skulls lining the wall and the ceilings, with some of the best choices of jukebox music in New York City. It can be a little expensive, but definitely worth it.

A younger, professional crowd frequents this bar for the open-air seating or the vintage-style armchairs and sofas. Short-skirted waitresses deliver Mediterranean-inspired drinks and snacks from the hotel’s Italian bistro. It can get pricey, but the scene here is unrivaled.

Down the Hatch is an undergrad haven, where NYU boys come to shout, drink (and spill) beer, and let off steam. If you’re looking for an evening where you don’t stumble home with beer in your hair and ketchup on your shirt, stay away. If, however, you’re looking to capture a little frat-party fun, this just might be your scene.

If you love music and belly dancing, this is the place for you. But if you don’t like the smell of smoke, don’t go here; there are hookahs, and people smoke flavored tobacco out of them. The drinks are reasonable, and the service is above average.

Most people dress up and make it a point to go up to the roof deck and check out the view of the city. There are specialty drinks made here, but they can get pricey—stick to more traditional drinks and your wallet might have some money left in it when you leave.

The Park is taxi-garage-turned-restaurant/bar. Here, you may feel like you are in a ski lodge because of the scenery and architecture of this venue. The Park is home to one of the city’s most expansive and popular outdoor patios. A 30-foot tree sits in the middle of the dining room and the maitre d’ likes to sport red-laced sneakers with his suit. The VIP hot tub on the roof is the place to be—if you can get up there!

This bar is the local watering hole for nearby NYU students. There is a loud and friendly feel to this place that makes you think you are at a campus keg party. There are 14 beers on tap, darts, foosball, and a pool table. This two-story bar is usually packed. The jukebox tends to blast ‘80s music, and when there is a DJ, he takes requests.

This is where everyone at FIT who lives in the dorms goes for cheap drinks close to school. Tempest is a dive bar, but they usually let FIT students in with just showing their school ID, so underage drinking is not a problem here. Men come here from all over Manhattan, looking to meet FIT girls.

There is plenty to do if you are underage in New York City. First off, this city is the home of fake IDs. (But I didn’t tell you that!) If you are not lucky enough to score an ID, check out Avalon and Webster Hall. These clubs are huge, and people come from all over just to party at them. Also, the clubs and organizations at FIT throw all kinds of free parties and events throughout the school year. But, since there is no alcohol served at them, they are usually never packed. Check out the Student Life Office for a monthly calendar highlighting each month’s events.