49 Grove
49 Grove St. (Bleecker St. & 7th Ave. South) Map it

14 Reviews Location: West Village Venue Type: Bar Music: Dance, House, Top 40, Rock, 80s

Vibe: You want your birthday party to be just that: “YOUR!”birthday party.  And that means ditching the after-work cocktail crowd, and finding a spot that is all about you and your guests, and specifically a spot that doesn’t shoot dirty looks when you start popping bottles or singing happy birthday.  Enter 49 Grove, an upscale lounge that brings a perfect mix of class, style, intimacy and revelry to the New York party scene.  Voted Best Lounge of 2008 By CitySearch for its comfort, service and ambiance 49 Grove is the perfect place for “YOUR!”

Tags: Underground, Very Cool, Sexy Lounge, Plenty of Seating

Anchor Bar
310 Spring Street (Hudston & Greenwich Sts) Map it

6 Reviews Location: SoHo Venue Type: Bar Music: Hip Hop, Rock, 80's

Vibe: Although owned and operated by a publicist and 2 designers, fight off the sarcastic smirk sneaking onto your face.  Voted New York City’s best bar/lounge of 2007 by Paper Magazine, The Anchor is an ideal setting for your next birthday party, corporate event, or just a weekend spot to get tipsy with one of SoHo’s most appealing clientele.   

Spot: Decorated in a somewhat nautical, somewhat

Tags: Live Music, Late-Night Scene, Specialty Cocktails, Dance Floor, Bars, DJ, Dive, Clubs

Aspen Downtown
30 W 22nd St (btwn 5th and 6th ave) Map it

8 Reviews Location: Flatiron District Venue Type: Restaurant/Lounge Music: Hip-Hop, Rock, 80's

Vibe: Many times, a party results in hazy confusion as to where exactly you are when you wake up (not to mention who’s snoring next to you). In this case, the confusion may start before the haze. A gorgeous mountain getaway (minus the mountain) in New York’s FlatIron district, Greg Brier (Groovejet) and NYC nightlife vet, designer Steve Lewis (Limelight, Marquee) combined talents to pull off the faux-escape Aspen provides. Whether the party you’re planning is a peaceful midweek gathering or a weekend no-holds-barred

Tags: Date Spot, Group Dining, Bar Scene, Swanky Lounge

Aspen Social Club
157 W 47th St (btwn 6th and 7th ave) Map it

4 Reviews Location: Midtown West Venue Type: Bar Music: Hip-Hop, Rock, 80's

Vibe: Aspen Social Club channels the same lodge-like atmosphere of its Flatiron sister establishment (Aspen), with a bit more flair for eye-catching. Midtown’s version of the Colorado getaway for private and birthday parties, Aspen Social Club is a perfect spot to pretend you’re out of New York for just long enough to miss drunken arguments with the homeless.

Spot: This futuristic snowy-white and wood cabin

Tags: Lounge, Swanky Bar, Hotel Bar, Pickup Spot, Restaurant

Bar 13
35 E. 13th St (@ University Place) Map it

2 Reviews Location: East Village Venue Type: Bar Music: Hip Hop Rock and 80s

Up the stairs and around the way we go. Bar 13 should scare some away with the unlucky number embedded in the title, but oh contraire, it does the exact opposite. Flocks of booze loving singles and collegiate super-stars occupy this three floor drinking destination that takes pride in its super cool "rooftop bar." Space could get a little tight, so make sure to have your dancing shoes on because moving may be tough and shaking ya groove thang is very necessary. A bar that stands true to its colors and appreciates the novelty of a birthday party, Bar 13 is a solid pick for some downtown

Tags: Rooftop Bar, Late-Night Scene, Speciality Cocktails, Bar Scene, Dancing

Bar 29
405 3rd Avenue (b/n 28th and 29th) Map it

3 Reviews Location: Murray Hill Venue Type: Bar Music: Top 40's, Hip-Hop, Rock, 80's and Jukebox

Vibe:  Your friends aren't exactly black-tie clad, but they're definitely not a bunch of slouchy-and-brooding Taylor Momsens either.  Luckily, Bar 29 finds a better-than-average middle ground that's ideal for an NYC birthday party that's no-nonsense and contemporary without being obnoxiously swanky or pretentiously lo-fi.

Spot: Obviously, the party starts and ends at Bar 29's 25-foot bar. Dark wood abounds and well-placed low lighting gives the space a classy yet comfortable atmosphere.  Tons of HD plasmas keep the sports fans content, and the pool table,

Tags: Bar, No Cover, Outdoor, Jukebox, LCD's

Bar Twelve
206 E. 34th St. (@ 3rd Ave) Map it

5 Reviews Location: Murray Hill Venue Type: Bar Music: Hip-Hop, Rock, 80's

Vibe: You would never insult your team by catching only their Sportcenter highlights, but you’d never insult your friends by throwing a less than legendary birthday party. So what’s the solution when your birthday party falls on the same night as your team’s big game? New York City’s Bar Twelve, where you get sports, big beats, and, of course, a good drinking atmosphere (beer pong encouraged), all under one roof (they only ask you take a shower and leave your jersey and sweat pants at home).

Tags: Food Served, Happy Hour, Sports Bar, After Work, Outdoor Seating

Barna @ Hotel Giraffe
365 Park Avenue South (@ 26th St) Map it

1 Reviews Location: Murray Hill Venue Type: Bar Music: Hip Hop, Rock, 80's

Vibe: If you want your party fast, flamboyant, and a bit European, this is your stop.  Located in the basement of Hotel Giraffe, the crowd is a mix of posh European hotel guests and New York City’s Euro-influenced club goers, and the vibe finds a balance of fashion, inebriation, and class. 

Spot:  With cinderblock archways,

Tags: Group Dining, Bar Scene, Live Music, Dancing

Boucarou
64 East 1st. St (between 1st and 2nd Aves) Map it

1 Reviews Location: East Village Venue Type: Bar Music: House, Hip Hop, Rock, 80's

Vibe: Birthday parties are a great time to ditch Brooklyn, plaid, and copious amounts of PBR for something a little swankier.  Enter New York City’s Boucarou, where the atmosphere’s so classy you’ll forget you’re supposed to act like you’re unimpressed. 

Spot: The Lower East Side’s venue for comfortable innovation,

Tags: Swanky Bars, People Watching, Group Dining, Pickup Spot

Carnival
110 University Pl. @ 13th St Map it

3 Reviews Location: Greenwich Village Venue Type: Bar Music: Hip-Hop, Rock and 80's

Vibe: Ah, childhood memories under the big top: the colorful wardrobes, the big personalities, the, uh... weird excess of “little people.”  Well, they aren’t all great memories, but Carnival found a way to recollect only the good ones.  With their signature Dunk Tank drink (2 gallons of Rum, Vodka, Gin and Fruit Juice- meant to be shared!), waitresses splashing around in an actual Dunk Tank, and over a dozen boardwalk games; a birthday party at Carnival will make you feel like a kid again! (with alcohol, of course!)

Tags: Large, Games, Great Music, High Ceilings, Unique