3 reviewed party hostels · from €29.57/night · Hostelworld rated
New York doesn’t sleep, and neither do its party hostels. Take Hi NYC Hostel on the Upper West Side: every Thursday, they run a free bar crawl that kicks off at their in-house bar before hitting nearby spots like The Dead Rabbit, a stone’s throw from the hostel. Over in Gramercy, Freehand New York City mixes private rooms with a social scene centred around its ground-floor bar, where backpackers and locals mingle over $6 cocktails.
The hostel scene here is small but loud. Most places cluster in Manhattan, so you’re never more than a 20-minute subway ride from the next rooftop party or underground club. Expect dorms with built-in bars, organised pub crawls, and a crowd that’s as likely to be travelling solo as it is to be celebrating a 30th birthday.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
A great fun hostel with incredibly social vibe and unbeatable location. It features awesome communal areas, including Manhattan's largest private outdoor patio and a theatre room where they have regular improv, comedy and variety shows. There are also regular activities organised every day, like pub crawls, nightclubbing events, themed parties and more. Super friendly atmosphere.
Social hostel with a superb location right on the heart of Manhattan. Featuring a great outdoor courtyard, a dining room and a lounge. Free breakfast every morning and free "All You Can Eat" pizza every Wednesday.
The Local NYC is a fantastic party hostel that offers comfortable rooms, fantastic common spaces, and an incredible staff that ensures guests have a memorable experience. Its standout feature is its incredible common space, which includes a roof terrace with stunning views of the city, a bar where guests can grab a drink and meet other travellers, and much more. It's an excellent choice for travellers looking to have a fun and unforgettable experience in New York City.
Organised nights out with a local guide
This pub crawl visits four of the city’s best bars and clubs in one night, with exclusive drink deals and free shots at every stop. Entry fees and fast-track club access are included, so you won’t waste time queueing. The crawl runs every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and the crowd is a mix of travellers and locals looking to party.
A guided history tour meets pub crawl, taking you through some of the city’s oldest bars while sharing stories about New York’s past. The crawl avoids tourist traps like Times Square and focuses on hidden gems in neighbourhoods like the East Village and Lower East Side. Drinks aren’t included, but the tour offers discounts at each stop.
How New York's nightlife zones break down
The epicentre of New York’s dive bar scene. Streets like Ludlow and Orchard are lined with places like The Dead Rabbit and Bar Goto, where you can find $5 beers and $10 cocktails. The area is also home to some of the city’s best late-night eats, like Vanessa’s Dumpling House. It’s loud, crowded, and unapologetically grungy.
Brooklyn’s answer to Manhattan’s nightlife, but with a more local feel. Bedford Avenue is the main drag, packed with bars, clubs, and music venues like Output and Bembe. The crowd is younger and more alternative, and the vibe is less touristy. It’s a 10-minute subway ride from Manhattan, but it feels like a world away.
A quieter neighbourhood with a mix of upscale bars and backpacker-friendly spots. Freehand New York City is here, along with places like The Garret and Bar Goto. It’s a good base if you want to be close to the action but not in the middle of it. The area is also home to some great parks, like Gramercy Park, which is perfect for a daytime recovery session.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
The starting point for Hi NYC’s free Thursday bar crawls. The hostel bar is basic but cheap: $4 beers and $6 mixed drinks. It fills up by 9pm with backpackers and travellers looking to pre-game before heading into the city. Expect beer pong, shot deals, and a playlist that leans towards pop and hip-hop.
A short walk from Hi NYC, this pub is famous for its Irish coffee and historic cocktails. The ground-floor taproom is rowdy and packed by 10pm, while the upstairs bar is quieter and more cocktail-focused. Drinks start at $12, but the atmosphere makes it worth it. Go early to avoid a queue.
A Bushwick institution that feels like a circus-meets-nightclub. The venue hosts themed parties, aerial performances, and DJ sets that go until 6am on weekends. Entry is usually $20–30, but the experience is unforgettable. Dress creatively: this isn’t a place for jeans and a T-shirt.
A former warehouse turned electronic music hub in Williamsburg. The sound system is legendary, and the crowd is serious about their techno and house. Entry is $10–20, but it’s free before midnight on weekdays. The outdoor patio is a great spot to catch your breath between sets.
A hidden bar above the Washington Square Diner, accessible via a secret staircase. It’s small, so it gets packed quickly, but the $8 cocktails during happy hour (4–8pm) are a steal. The crowd is a mix of NYU students and young professionals, and the playlist is a solid mix of indie and throwback hits.
A Latin bar in Williamsburg that’s all about salsa, reggaeton, and rum cocktails. The dance floor is tiny but always packed, and the crowd is a mix of locals and travellers. Entry is free before 11pm, and drinks start at $10. If you don’t know how to salsa, don’t worry: someone will teach you.
A rooftop bar and club on the 18th floor of The Standard hotel in the Meatpacking District. The views of the Hudson River are stunning, and the crowd is a mix of tourists and fashion types. Entry is free before 11pm, but drinks are pricey: expect to pay $16 for a cocktail. The music is a mix of house, disco, and pop.
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