Bars and Cafes in Meatpacking District (New York City)

Hogs & Heifers

New York City can be a very strange place indeed. How else do you explain a Southern dive bar that catered to Meatpacking District truck drivers being transformed into a celebrity infested hot spot? The likes of Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid may not be dancing on the bar anymore, but there are plenty of young downtowners; and “Bridge and Tunnelers” from New Jersey still coming here.

Fressen

This Meatpacking District hotspot serves excellent organic cuisine, but most people are really here for the scene. It is a great spot to go and mingle among the beautiful people. The incredibly slick décor, which includes minimalist concrete walls and bronze doors, was created from a space that was formerly a meat locker. Menu standouts include grilled fish and chicken dishes, all accented by the trendiest of greens. And everything is served up with an ample dose of downtown attitude. If you cannot get a table, the bar offers a similar experience.

Ara Wine Bar

Ara is a far cry from New York's crazy night life. Visit this relatively undiscovered wine bar for a peaceful, relaxing evening. The comfortable and brightly lit interior is the perfect place for friends to meet up after a hectic day at work, and chat over a few glasses of pinot noir. Try Muscato D'Asti - the exclusive dessert wine of Ara, and order a few snacks to go with it. Apart from wine, the bar also offers visitors champagne and beer.

APT

Located in the Meatpacking District, APT featured as New York's Best Bar in the Zagat 2001 Guide. Walk in through heavy metal doors and find yourself a comfortable seat on one of the long tables in the warmly-lit basement.This is a very drinks-and-starters place, and ideal for a night out with close friends. Make sure to order a round of popular Pimm's Cup shots, it's the fastest way to get a buzz! Be warned, however if you drink too much, be prepared to use the not-so-impressive restroom!

Hiro Lounge

Located in the Maritime Hotel (The), the Hiro Lounge is a quiet, intimate venue ideal for private functions.Equipped with a DJ booth and a large bar, it can be hired for private occasions such as cocktail receptions, fashion shows, conferences,live music performances and product launches.The cocktails served here are out of this world, and your event is sure to be a success. Reservations are highly recommended, especially if you are planning a big do.

Soho House Restaurant & Bar

Nobody knows where Soho House took its name from. Located in the Meatpacking District of New York City, the bar and restaurant are housed in the Soho House Hotel, and offer fine dining and drinking to its guests. Tourists and locals treat themselves to delicious contemporary dishes in the hotel's elegant restaurant. If you are here for a quick bite, simply order the special Soho House Cheeseburger, and munch on it as you simultaneously capture beautiful views of downtown Manhattan on your camera. Move over to the hotel's posh bar, sprawl on spongy sofas and chat with family and friends over few glasses of exotic cocktails. The restaurant also offers full meals.

Tenjune

As described by its owners, Tenjune is a high energy ultra lounge which focuses on luxury, customer satisfaction and a totally snazzy appeal. A space that houses three totally different areas with different vibes, satiating all nightlife desires. The ambiance is quite tastefully created with soft velvet seating, wooden flooring, marble walls and a DJ booth strategically placed in the center of the dance floor to keep the energy level high throughout. Next to the dance space is the semi-private zone, which looks inviting in its grand purple hues. A large white marble fireplace, cushy carpets and loose furniture for flexible seating are some of the highlights of this zone. Tenjune also caters to private dinners and corporate buffets.

One

Sensual and warm, One beckons you into its candle-lit confines. This restaurant and lounge woos you and your honey with its great ambience, groovy music and tasty American cuisine. Add some sizzle to your date with drinks from the champagne bar, while you take in the fashionable crowd and atmosphere. A separate communal dining lounge and a VIP area ensure that there are plenty of seating options. One is trendy, romantic and open till the naughty wee hours; dating just got hotter!

Pop Burger

With four dining areas each more chic than the last, a full bar staffed by expert mixologists, and a menu that is trend-settingly spartan, it is easy to understand why this ostensible burger joint is more high-end nightlife than greasy spoon. That said, the menu itself is a short-but-sweet ode to classic diner fare. Burgers are of the "mini" variety and served by the pair. A few sides and a couple desserts round out the food menu. The drink menu is another story—a number of specialty cocktails top a list that includes tons of draught beer, plenty of wine, nearly a dozen single malt scotches and more than a few small-batch bourbons. Enjoy your bites and libations at the bar, at the counter, in the lounge or in the pool room, all of which are marvels of architecture and design.

Buddha Bar NYC

Since the success of the original restaurant in Paris was too much to contain in one place, the management decided to spread the flavor to the Big Apple. Headed by chef Matsuoka, the place serves Japanese naturally, but also offers a French cuisine to the guests. The reason behind the name is the big black Buddha set in a prominent place inside the restaurant. Dinner is enjoyed usually to the songs spun by the in-house DJ. Don't choke on the sushi if you happen to spot Lenny Kravitz here.

Nero Vino Bar Cucina

The Meatpacking district is transforming into this neighborhood with an increasing amount of chic restaurants and Nero Vino Bar Cucina is one of them. Authentic Italian cuisine is just what you'll find here. Prompt service, a dynamic wine list and the popular Skirt Steak is what keep the patrons returning for more. What's more, the owner gives personal attention to his guests and in case of something disappointing, is readily willing to compensate.

SOL

Upon entering SOL, the first thing you notice is that it is a very, very big club. Some of that feeling may arise from the high ceilings and the sky roof, but still, SOL is, in fact, big. 700 people can cram within its gaudy walls to listen and dance to a mix of house, hip-hop, and Latin music pulsing out of towering speakers. People who come to SOL tend to be of a younger, exhibitionist set that matches well with the technicolor lighting and decor that's more reminiscent of Miami Beach than of the drab shores of the Hudson. It's all pretty tacky, but that's alright every once and a while.