By: Amy Rosner By: Amy Rosner | August 28, 2023 | Food & Drink Feature
It’s your 25th birthday, and you want to celebrate big. A boring old apartment party simply won’t suffice. No city knows how to throw a blowout party quite like NYC, and these bars do it better than anyone else. Check out our recommendations for the best bars to rent out for your birthday in New York City.
See Also: Where To Have Your Birthday Dinner In NYC
112 E. 11th St. / 212.888.1095 / Website
Described as “sultry and seductive,” this velvet-laced speakeasy is the perfect spot to celebrate your big day. Nestled in the Moxy Hotel, Little Sister Lounge is where all the cool kids are partying these days. Including Drake, evidently. This underground bar is on the map, but it’s not anywhere near cliche. But be fair warned, you'll have to flash a pretty penny and know the right names to rent this hot spot.
189 W. 10th St. / 646.687.4609 / Website
Located in the heart of the West Village, this laid-back gastropub is a great place to start your night off strong, and gives great access to the West Village once you're ready to mobilize. Due West was designed for the chill girl who likes beer. You’re not into anything frilly, but you know a good time when you see it. And for all you espresso martini girlies, the bartenders here know how to handle their Kahlúa.
107 Eldridge St. / 212.257.4072 / Website
This 1970s-inspired basement bar is best suited for the girl who knows all the trends but wouldn’t dare wear them. Especially not on her birthday! Known for its vintage decor and Instagram-famous pool table, The Flower Shop has delicious drinks, fun music, and cool-girl vibes. If you’re just as addicted to gin martinis as we are, there’s no better place to have your birthday. We’ll have another round, extra dirty, please.
249 Eldridge St. / 212.777.5153 / Website
You should have your birthday at Rumpus Room is absolutely for the party animal, particularly because it's animal-themed. This hip nightspot is definitely the clubbiest spot on this list, making it the perfect choice for those who like to go all out on their birthday. We recommend renting out the entire space, because it turns into a scene and a half on weekdays.
271 11th Ave. / 212.981.6188 / Website
Designed for large groups, this upbeat cocktail bar is a great place to celebrate with 74 of your closest friends. Described as a “New York bar with a southern accent,” Porchlight is the perfect blend of hip and cozy. Southern girlies who now self-identify as Yankee's this one's for you.
133 7th Ave. S. / 212.675.6220 / Website
A West Village bar with an East Village soul, Galway Hooker Bar is a 4-story pub that has never failed us. Each floor has a slightly different vibe, resulting in a dependably fun mix of people. A consistently good time, Galway Hooker is always a safe bet for your big night.
Multiple locations / Website
Created for the girl who would rather drink a Cosmo than a vodka soda, Raines Law Room is the definition of modern luxury. Simply put, this plush prohibition-inspired lounge is synonymous with all things chic. And if you’re looking for a fire birthday Instagram post, Raines Law Room is one of the most aesthetically pleasing spots in all of Manhattan.
174 8th Ave. / 646.868.8422 / Website
This tropical bar is created for the girl who wants to have it all: the poshness of a lounge, combined with the upbeat vibes of a neighborhood bar. The epitome of the best of both worlds, Jungle Bird is perfect for a classy, yet incredibly fun, birthday party. The upstairs space has both tables and a dance floor, allowing your guests to dance the night away, or catch up with an old friend over a delicious margarita.
205 Chrystie St. / 212.673.2400 / Website
One of our favorite spots in New York City, Rochelle’s is always the right answer. The space is nothing crazy, but it’s the music that takes this downtown spot from fun to an absolute banger. If you like to dance like nobody’s watching, while belting your heart out to "Evacuate The Dance Floor" and "Build Me Up Buttercup," then Rochelle’s is the place for you. We’ve never had a night here that didn’t end in amazing memories, infectious smiles and, of course, a slice of Joe’s in hand.
152 Ludlow St. / Website
Serena Kerrigan had her birthday here, so naturally, we want to have our birthday here, too. This Ludlow Street hot spot has a notoriously difficult bouncer, so why not rent it out for you and all your friends? Just say the birthday girl’s name at the door, and you’ll get automatic access to the VIP den otherwise known as the basement of Kind Regards. The black and white checkered floors give the bar a vintage vibe, making an excellent birthday aesthetic.
Photography by: Bernard Bodo / Getty Images