One of the most wonderful things about New York City is the numerous nightlife options it offers. From special speakeasy bars to quiet cafes, there is no shortage of choices that fit your tastes and interests. There are also numerous themed restaurants inspired by the classic American diner, Oscar Wilde, and the macabre. Check out our top-rated New York City themed bars now.
It’s no secret that dining out in New York City can get a little expensive. Show your appreciation for your city friends by purchasing them a virtual GiftYa card. You can customize the amount of money you put on the card and even add your own personal message. The next time your friend are out and about in the Big Apple, they can use their GiftYa card at their favorite restaurants.
Beetle House
308 E 6th Street, East Village
Ghoulish Fun and Inventive Drinks Are Featured at This NYC Bar Inspired by Tim Burton
Celebrate Halloween year-round at the famous Beetle House in New York City. Inspired by the gothic and macabre works of Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock, and Bram Stoker, this themed restaurant will transport you to an entire world away. At this safe space, everyone is welcome to celebrate their love for the strange and the dark.
Start off your night with a delicious cocktail. Dining with a friend? Share the Big Fish Bowl filled with coconut rum, vodka, gin, and pineapple juice. The Beetle’s Juice, made with tequila, muddled blackberry, and cranberry juice, is another popular drink. The bartender serving you will not only be a skilled mixologist but an actor trained to give you the full experience of the macabre.
“You gotta make a trip there at least to say you did if you're into themed bars & restaurants, especially those inspired by horror cultures & fantastical magic or a fan of Tim Burton, Bram Stoker, and Edgar Allen Poe! Beetle House has a year-round Halloween theme with great food & specialty drinks as well as costumed entertainment.” - Yelp Review
Jekyll and Hyde Club
91 7th Ave S, West Village
Gothic Restaurant Located in the West Village
Embark on a spooky adventure at the world-famous Jekyll and Hyde Club. Featuring live entertainment accompanied by spooky special, effects Jekyll and Hyde offers an unforgettable experience for all visitors.
Guests can select a delicious meal out of the restaurant’s 62 options. Some of their most popular menu items include the Create-Your-Own-Monster burgers, The Mummy, and Frankenstein’s Favorite. A wide selection of draught beers and elegant cocktails is also available for guests. As you dine, you will encounter an abundance of bizarre characters such as Claw the Gargoyle and Tobias the Werewolf.
“This place ROCKS. You aren't going to find another restaurant as campy and fun as Jekyll & Hyde. The actors are top-notch and the food is good bar food. They've got french fries and burgers and booze- what else do you really need?” - Yelp Review
Sugar N Coal
63-12 Broadway, Woodside
Whimsical NYC Restaurant Featuring Premium Dessert and Comfort Food
Sugar N Coal offers a wide selection of decadent desserts accompanied by premium hookah. Located in Woodside, Sugar N Coal offers mouthwatering options including the S’mores Shake, Strawberry Shortcake, and Make Your Own Waffle or Crepe. The popular NYC restaurant also offers comfort food such as cajun waffle fries, shrimp tacos, and chicken quesadilla.
“Sugar n Coal really delivers delicious dessert & quality hookah! I've been a regular at their first location on Woodhaven Blvd & it's nice to see their expansion. This place is conveniently located near the train station, 2 minutes away from 65th Street on the M/R.” - Yelp Review
Jupiter Disco
1237 Flushing Ave, East Williamsburg
Disco-Themed Bar in Bushwick Featuring Live Music
Transport yourself back to a retro, sci-fi world at Jupiter Disco. At this neon-lit restaurant, guests can enjoy creative cocktails and inventive dishes. Throughout the restaurant and menu, you will easily notice the sci-fi, techno atmosphere. Their uniquely named cocktails such as the Song of Innocence and Nevermind the Scenery it’s Only Bleeding will awe and excite you. Jupiter Disco typically hosts live music on the weekends and private events throughout the year as well.
“Finally, a place I can love to dance to. Really incredible sound system that looks alien or from the future. The menu is reminiscent of The Matrix and I love it. The mix of nu-disco with the older and lesser-known disco is amazing on Fridays and Saturdays.” - Yelp Review
House of Wax
445 Albee Square W, Downtown Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bar Known for its Macabre Cocktails
Located in Downtown Brooklyn, the House of Wax offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. At the House of Wax, the macabre and twisted meets upscale dining. Visitors can enjoy a fine selection of beverages from the restaurant’s full-service bar and also view an exhibit filled with wax figures of some of the most famous, and infamous celebrities of our time.
Try an inventive cocktail like the Butcher of Hanover, which is made from Fernet Branca, Carpano Antica Formula, Lemon, IPA, and Angostura. The Horse’s Neck, which was adapted from Harry Johnson’s Bartenders’ Manual, is another must-have cocktail. White and red wine, rose, and craft beers are also featured on the menu. As for the food, House of Wax offers shareable plates including fried pickles and baked pretzels.
Most of the objects put on display at the House of Wax are inspired by a once-popular exhibition called Castan’s Panopticum. The exhibit, which was active in Berlin from 1869 to 1922, featured a wide assortment of wax models. Come see the morbid wax models for yourself.
“There's plenty of death masks, wax figures, anatomical curiosities, and more weird/morbid stuff arranged on the walls, as well as a killer (get it?) draft beer list of more than 30 beers. Bartenders are chill and will let you sample something before you get it.” - Yelp Review
Trailer Park Lounge & Grill
271 W 23rd St, Chelsea
Bustling Bar Offering Vintage American Food
Located in the Chelsea neighborhood, Trailer Park Lounge brings a vintage roadhouse vibe into one of the biggest cities in the country. Visitors can fill their stomachs with classic American meals including burgers, tatertator tots, and fries. Some of its most popular dishes also include the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, Sloppy Joe, Nachos, and Sweet Potato Fries. For a temporary escape from the city, Trailer Park Lounge is your go-to destination.
“The sign outside is a retro-styled and gives you a hint of what you're in for. The door to get in and transport you into this hilariously themed bar. There's a trailer on the back wall. There's a green awning above the bar, there's a bathtub full of ice and beers in it that the bartenders actively use. The bartenders are absolutely amazing here. They are attentive every single time I wanted a drink.” - Yelp Review
Oscar Wilde
45 W 27th St, between the Avenue of the Americans & Broadway Flatiron
Victorian-Style Restaurant Serving Classic Cocktails and American Food
Named after the famous Irish playwright himself, Oscar Wilde pays homage to the writer’s prolific story. From the porcelain floor to the stained glass imported from Milan, every inch of the restaurant is inspired by the glamour and sophistication of his era. Guests can stop by for afternoon tea or brunch every Saturday for Wilde Saturdays. Oscar Wilde also hosts popular NYC DJ’s on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Guests can start their meals off with enticing cocktails creatively named Smokey Wilde Dove or Lord Henry’s Vice. An extensive lunch and dinner menu filled with dishes such as Crispy Calamari and the Oscar Wilde Burger are also available.
“Imagine this, you walk into a historical restaurant where the ceilings are high, marble fireplace, stained glass windows, classical marble sculptures, and 40 different lighting fixtures. Your greeted by a lovely hostess and then led to the bar where the bartender is waiting to serve you with great pleasure. Yup! Welcome to Oscar Wilde! The ambiance here is just PERFECT!” - Yelp Review
New York City is home to some of the most extravagant and creative themed bars in the country. It would take months to finish dining at all of them. Which ones have you visited so far? Tell us what you thought of them in the comments!
Trae Bodge
Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.
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