8. Beauty and Essex

Who knew a pawn shop could be so glamorous? Beauty and Essex offers a very full night life experience so be prepared to spend a few hours at this bar. I came here for the first time last summer for dinner at midnight (still living in San Francisco at the time this was quite a shock to the system). A reservation for dinner is a must as the line out front can usually trail a few blocks down Essex street. From the outside you would never expect that the building holds a two-story bar and restaurant with high vaulted ceilings and enormous chandeliers.

The dining room post midnight turns into a nightclub as restaurant goers forgo their booths to dance on the tables and swig champagne—reveling in contemporary Euro techno, Pop, and Hip-Hop music blaring from the DJ booth. If you choose to dine here, I highly recommend the lobster tacos and the short ribs to order as appetizers. The second level is fun for dancing but be warned that it gets really crowded and can become a bit of a muggy space. Also notable, they serve pink champagne in the ladies restroom, which definitely makes the wait more bearable.

146 Essex Street between Rivington Street and Stanton Street