Our Guide to the Best Nightlife Spots in the Lower East Side

Looking to break your recycled nightlife routines? Are you new to the area and looking for the best place to grab a late-night bite? Consider this list of locally-acclaimed bars and restaurants to make your search easier:

Live Axe

If you’re looking to blow off some steam, visit Manhattan’s only destination for adrenaline-pumping axe throwing, Live Axe! Designed with a Viking-theme, the 10,000 square foot, two-story space offers guests a 75-minute axe throwing experience under the watchful eye of trained “Cage Captains.”

Seasoned in the ancient art of axe throwing, our Axeperts will teach you how to throw like a true Viking. They’ll discuss safety, axe throwing techniques, and the rules of the game. Gather a group of extreme sports enthusiasts and compete in one of the 10 lanes!

Almost anyone can throw an axe in three simple steps. First, with both feet pointing towards the target, place your left foot in front and right food behind the battle line, assuming you’re right-handed. Then, grip the handle using your dominant hand, and wrap your other hand around it. Draw the axe over your head until it rests between your shoulder blades. When you’re ready to wield, shift your weight to your front foot, release the axe and watch it hit the bullseye!

If you try it and find your true Viking calling, consider joining the axe throwing league! League members meet once a week for eight weeks, throwing 40 competitive throws during the first seven, leading to the final week’s fierce warrior battle: the Championship Tournament. By joining, you’re also eligible to qualify for the National Axe Throwing Championship to show off your axe-wielding talents to the country.

Designed to inspire connection and a sense of accomplishment, Live Axe offers visitors an urban, artistic venue to eat, drink, and throw. Even if axe throwing isn’t your thing, or if you forget to make a reservation, just throw back a drink or two and indulge in the innovative menu at SoHo’s only Viking-themed lounge.

Other Lower East Side Hot Spots to Check Out

Katz’s Delicatessen

Ask any local where to get the best pastrami, and you’ll get the same answer: Katz’s Delicatessen. Katz’s, established in 1888, was a community tradition and focal point for millions of immigrant families throughout the 1900s. This family-owned deli still offers the original, legendary staples of sandwiches, platters, and meats.

Maintaining their reputation as a community staple, enjoy delicious menu items like:

• Katz’s pastrami sandwich: A fresh, juicy, hand-carved pastrami, promised to be one of the largest and best sandwiches you’ll ever have.
• Round knish: A traditional Jewish indulgence, a knish is a dough-based snack that is typically baked and covered in a filling. At Katz’s, you have the choice of potato, broccoli, spinach, or kasha.
• Reuben sandwich: A well-known staple, this sandwich is a delicious layering of corned beef, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. Dying to try their famous pastrami? Opt to switch out the corned beef!

The Bowery Ballroom

The Lower East Side is well-known for its trendy, hipster dive bars and shops. The Bowery Ballroom is a nightlife grunge destination for contemporary music enthusiasts to view the brightest stars of the genre.

There are three floors for guests to venture before, during, and after the sets, and each floor has its own bar with a wide selection of on-tap and bottled beers, wine, and spirits. Each floor also has an up-close view of the live music, making the audience feel like they’re in the thick of the action!

Shows usually begin an hour after the venue opens, so take this time to grab a few drinks and enjoy the authentic, grungy atmosphere of the venue before the headliner takes the stage. Afterward, take to the streets, grab a bite to eat, and keep the night alive!

The Flower Shop

A trendy dive-bar, The Flower Shop is a restaurant and bar consisting of an upstairs dining room and a lower-level lounge. This 70s-themed destination is great if you’re looking for somewhere to partake in great conversation.

When visiting, you can expect menu items like:

• Fish and chips: Fresh, line-caught cod paired with tartar sauce and mushy peas, accented with malt vinegar.
• Fried buttermilk chicken: Organic, hormone-free chicken, humanely raised on family farms in the Amish country, fried and served with spicy honey.
• Bucatini and meatballs: A heavenly plate of bucatini pasta, Ste-Warn Farms beef, and pomodoro sauce, topped with fresh parmesan and olive oil.

After dinner, take some time to enjoy a glass of wine or specialty cocktail in the lounge, or snag a pool table and challenge your friends to a game.

Max Fish

Max Fish is recognized as one of the first bars to open in the Lower East Side, making it one of the most iconic bars in the area. They recently relocated to their current, larger event space to accommodate live music and monthly art shows. Trendy and low-key, this is a great destination if you’re looking to get the sought-after Manhattan experience.

Indulge in budget-friendly drinks, groove to electronic music, or get the chance to meet one of the many celebrities Max Fish is known to host at this dive-bar. Spot famous interior decor, like the cigarette-shaped light fixture or the old, beat-up pool table.

Release Your Inner Viking at Live Axe

Are you planning a visit to Manhattan or looking to add a sense of adventure to your usual weekend routine? Visit Live Axe to inspire connection and a sense of accomplishment through the ancient art of axe throwing at our modern, artistic NYC lounge.

Book your reservation today and relieve the day’s stress and anxiety at the only Viking-theme venue of its kind! Need some privacy to fully release your inner warrior? We get it. Whether you’re planning to celebrate a birthday, engagement, bachelor or bachelorette party or looking for the ultimate team-building exercise with your coworkers, we offer private and corporate events for an unforgettable experience.