Even if you are a less-than-legal nightlife seeker, don't you worry: New York City isn't about to keep you from getting your bite of the Big Apple. Depending on the day of the week or ongoing special events, teens can gain entrance to many of New York City's most frequented clubs and dance halls. Though exceptions surely exist, in New York club parlance, "teen" usually refers to 18 and up, so keep your I.D. at the ready (and note that I.D. scanners are all the rage in New York right now). And parents need not worry either: At the following locations, even if they let your kids into the club, they will most definitely be carded at the bar.
Depending on the show, the Bowery Ballroom on Delancey Street on the Lower East Side admits teens ages 16 and up. Once a three-story shoe store, the refurbished Art Deco concert hall level holds 500 and attracts a bevy of experimental and up-and-coming acts. Their club level pumps out a mixture of electronic dance tunes with the occasional indie/alternative rock band performing on the more intimate stage. The Mercury lounge downstairs serves drinks in a relaxed atmosphere and also houses the ticket office (open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 7:00 pm) for the shows upstairs. Note: By 7:00 p.m., the Mercury Lounge is decidedly a bar so buy your tickets in advance or ask an "of age" friend or relation to purchase your tickets for you.
The Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey St.
New York, NY 10002
bowerypresents.com
The Mercury Lounge
217 E. Houston St.
New York, NY 10002
212-260-4700
Conspicuously located on MacDougal Street off of Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village's Café Wha? is where legendary artists from Bob Dylan to Richard Pryor cut their teeth. Many academics consider this historic venue to be ground zero for the '60s Beat Generation. A genuine New York institution, Café Wha? still cultivates budding musical talent and employs three long-standing house bands that play Brazilian jazz and dance to funk to modern rock. The cafe is open to all ages and serves bar grub and cocktails.
Cafe Wha?
115 MacDougal St.
New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-3706
cafewha.com
One in a series of Knitting Factory locations that dot North America, the SoHo version was transplanted to its current Brooklyn home in 2009. The club holds about 300 and, in keeping with tradition, admits partygoers of all ages (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Performance-space decor ranges from grungy to carnivalesque as do the cast of artists and performers---the Knitting Factory does not favor any one genre of performance art and has the reputation for booking big arena acts in more intimate club settings. If you are looking for something softer, the Knitting Factory is known to host acoustic nights as well. Expect to pay at least a $10 cover.
Knitting Factory -- Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Tel: (347) 529-6696
Fax: (347) 529-6295
bk.knittingfactory.com
Famous for showcasing "outside the box" musical acts, trendy newcomers and its historic bohemian architecture complete with kitschy awning, Webster Hall on East 11th Street admits those 19 years old and up on Friday nights. Webster Hall is a combination concert venue and nightclub that panders to a wide variety of musical tastes with four purposefully diverse floors of music. Put on your "clubbing" clothes (sneakers are not a good idea) and expect to pay a modest to hefty cover upon admission. Doors open at 10pm and close at 5am.
Webster Hall
125 E. 11th St.
New York, NY 10003-5301
(212) 353-1600
websterhall.com
