The nightlife in New York City is, in one word, awesome. New York is an enormous, densely populated city, and these people need things to do, so the city has delivered that and then some. A good place to start when it comes to deciding where to go and what to do is Time Out magazine, available at all the newstands and listing a lot of what is happening in this vibrant city.
Whether it be a bar, nightclub, restaurant, cinema, gig, theatre or one of a thousand and one other things, New York offers it. Below are a couple of specific examples of places to go, but as already stated, check out what's available at the time and make a trip to New York that one in a million experience.
Broadway A name synonymous with the theatre and live performance. Shows here are normally classified in three parts - Broadway, off Broadway and off off Broadway. The major high profile shows are Broadway, the lesser ones or perhaps more intellectual would be off Broadway whilst the smallest and sometimes more esoteric would be off off Broadway.
CBGB's A home for live music since 1973, CBGB's has long been associated with new music, giving it a place to be heard. It is also acknowledged as being the birthplace and spiritual home of American punk rock. Bands such as Television, the Ramones and Blondie, plus many many others made their way in the musical world with this as their base. Anyone with an ounce of musical understanding must visit CBGB's.