It’s your 25th birthday, and you want to celebrate big.
Like Mr. Big style, big.
Am I ever going to find my Mr. Big?
A boring old apartment party simply won’t suffice.
See Also: Where To Have Your Birthday Dinner In NYC
You realize you’re halfway to 50. Gasp!
You’re only going to have your perfectly toned pilates arms for so much longer.
Should I book that botox appointment my mom won’t shut up about?
You’re most definitely going through a quarter-life crisis.
But hey, what better way to avoid all your problems than with a party?
Little Sister LoungeView this post on Instagram
112 E 11th St, Manhattan/Website
Described as “sultry and seductive,” this velvet-laced speakeasy is the perfect spot to celebrate your big day. Nestled in the Moxy Hotel, Little Sister Lounge is where all the cool kids are partying these days. Including Drake, evidently. This underground bar is on the map, but it’s not anywhere near cliche. God forbid somebody described your birthday party as basic! And even worse, you as basic. The horror!
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189 W 10th St, Manhattan/Website
Located in the heart of the West Village, this laid-back gastropub is a great place to start your night off strong. Because let’s be real, after a few hours of birthday shots and obligatory Snapchat stories, you’ll be ready to hop around the village. Due West was designed for the chill girl who likes beer. You’re not into anything frilly, but you know a good time when you see it. And for all you espresso martini girlies, the bartenders here know how to handle their Kahlúa.
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107 Eldridge St, Manhattan/Website
This 1970s-inspired basement bar is best suited for the girl who knows all the trends, but wouldn’t dare wear them. Especially not on her birthday! She’ll probably show up at this Eldridge street hotspot in something that screams “I’m trying but not trying.” Famous for its vintage decor and Instagram-famous pool table, The Flower Shop has delicious drinks, fun music, and cool-girl vibes. If you’re just as addicted to gin martinis as we are, there’s no better place to have your birthday. We’ll have another round, extra dirty, please
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249 Eldridge St, Manhattan/Website
You should have your birthday at Rumpus Room if your name is Jake Cohen, you work for your dad’s Hedge Fund, and you majored in Jewish Geography at Wisconsin. This hip, animal-themed nightspot is definitely the clubbiest spot on this list. AKA, rent out this bar if you hope to end your night over the toilet. We recommend renting out the entire space, because it turns into a scene and a half on weekdays. Besides, you wouldn’t want any plebians *said sarcastically* ruining your special night.
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271 11th Ave, Manhattan/Website
Designed for large groups, this upbeat cocktail bar is a great place to celebrate with 74 of your closest friends. Ugh, do I really need to invite my ex’s cousin’s dog? Probably. After all, you haaaate confrontation. Says every girl ever. Described as a “New York bar with a southern accent,” Porchlight is the perfect blend of hip and cozy. If you went to Vanderbilt or Emory, and are feeling “homesick,” you should definitely have your birthday party here.
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133 7th Ave S, Manhattan/Website
A West Village bar with an East Village soul, Galway Hooker is a great place for the girl who “swears she’s different.” Come on. How “pick me” can you be? In all seriousness, this 4-story pub has never failed us. Each floor has a slightly different vibe, resulting in a somewhat eclectic mix of people. Emphasis on somewhat. All the ZBT boys still gather here on a Friday night to do, well, whatever frat boys do. A consistently good time, Galway Hooker is always a safe bet for your big night.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Created for the girl who would rather drink a cosmo than a vodka soda, Raines Law Room is the definition of modern luxury. Simply put, this plush prohibition-inspired lounge is synonymous with all things chic. AKA, don’t have your birthday party here if your idea of a good time is ripping shots until you can’t remember your name. And if you’re looking for a fire Instagram mins the cheesy “another year older” caption, Raines Law Room is one of the most aesthetically pleasing spots in all of Manhattan.
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174 8th Ave, Manhattan/Website
This tropical bar is created for the girl who wants to have it all: the poshness of a lounge, combined with the upbeat vibes of a neighborhood bar. The epitome of the best of both worlds, *Insert cheesy Hannah Montana reference* Jungle Bird is perfect for a classy, yet incredibly fun, 25th birthday party. The upstairs space has both tables and a dance floor, allowing your guests to dance the night away, or catch up with an old friend over a delicious margarita.
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205 Chrystie St, Manhattan/Website
Our favorite weekend spot in New York City, Rochelle’s is always the right answer. The space is nothing crazy, but it’s the music that takes this downtown spot from fun to an absolute banger. If you like to dance like nobody’s watching, while belting your heart out to Evacuate The Dance Floor and Build Me Up Buttercup, then Rochelle’s is the place for you. We’ve never had a night here that didn’t end in amazing memories, infectious smiles, and of course, a slice of Joe’s in hand.
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152 Ludlow St, Manhattan/Website
Serena Kerrigan had her birthday here, so naturally, we want to have our birthday here, too. This Ludlow street hotspot has a notoriously difficult bouncer, so why not rent it out for you and all your friends? Just say the birthday girl’s name at the door, and you’ll get automatic access to the VIP den otherwise known as the basement of Kind Regards. The black and white checkered floors give the bar a vintage vibe, perfect for the girl who “swears she was born in the wrong era.”
Photography by: Bernard Bodo, Getty
