If there's one thing New York City is known for, it's the nightlife. Why else would it be called "the city that never sleeps"?
From hipster havens in the Lower East Side to the celeb-studded Meatpacking District, bars in New York range from dive-y to über exclusive.
Zagat recently released its 2012/13 New York City Nightlife guide, with reviews of over 1,000 lounges, clubs, dives, and watering holes—and we have the breakdown of the top 10 spots.
Did your favorite make the list?
Zagat ranks restaurants on a 30-point scale based on food, decór, and service. Ratings of 26 to 30 are considered "extraordinary to perfection," according to the company.
#10 Louis 649
Atmosphere: 27
Decor: 26
Service: 26
Billed as "your neighborhood bar," Louis 649 is beloved for its well-made cocktails and low-priced drinks. Though no longer featuring live jazz, you're still likely to see the house pit bull Hamsa.
#9 Cafe Carlyle
Atmosphere: 27
Decor: 25
Service: 26
Located on the ground floor of the Carlyle Hotel, this UES upscale cafe is all about old-school New York glamour. It was the haunt of the late Bobby Short, and boasts Woody Allen (yes, that Woody Allen) most Mondays on the clarinet.
#8 Plaza Athénée Bar Seine
Atmosphere: 27
Decor: 27
Service: 24
This amber-lit lounge has a decadent Moroccan-feel with leather floor, plush armchairs, and rich velvet curtains. Located in the five-star Plaza Athénée Hotel, the quiet atmosphere has been touted as perfect for a romantic evening.
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