Hosting an Eventin New York: A Quick Overview of the Five Boroughs
While aimless exploration can be a fun way to discover NYC, we’ve put together a concise guide to help you choose the right borough—or specific neighborhood—for your event.
New York City is composed of five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx. Each has its own unique character, reflected in countless neighborhoods with their own distinctive atmospheres. Below is a quick rundown of what each borough offers.
Manhattan
Bordered by the Hudson, Harlem, and East Rivers, Manhattan features many of NYC’s most famous landmarks. Broadway theaters, Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building—the island is synonymous with iconic sights. Teeming with culture, fine dining, vibrant nightlife, and serious business, Manhattan is often considered the city’s beating heart.
Midtown
Central Manhattan encompasses the core business district and the tourist-thronged streets of Times Square. You’ll also find:
Meatpacking District – A legendary nightlife hub overflowing with restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Chelsea – This bohemian enclave draws art enthusiasts with its cultural scene, dance clubs, and gay bars.
Hell’s Kitchen – Known for dive bars, rooftop lounges, jazz clubs, LGBTQ+ hotspots, and global cuisine.
Murray Hill – Popular for its bars along Lexington and Third Avenue, plus casual cafes and Indian eateries.
Upper East Side – Just east of Central Park, this affluent neighborhood flaunts grand architecture and top cultural institutions such as the Met, the Guggenheim, and El Museo del Barrio. If high-end dining and drinking spots are your thing, head straight to Madison Avenue.
Greenwich Village
Famed for its iconic Washington Square Park and historic brownstones, Greenwich Village offers a relaxed feel, plus plentiful options for dining, theater, and live music. It’s also well-connected to Midtown and the Financial District.
Upper West Side
Spanning the western side of Central Park, the Upper West Side exudes old-world charm. Highlights include the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the American Museum of Natural History, and a myriad of cozy brunch spots, bars, and kid-friendly restaurants.
SoHo, TriBeCa & Nolita
These once-industrial districts—dotted with cast-iron buildings, former factories, and cobblestone streets—have been reimagined as hotspots for trendy restaurants and stylish bars.
Little Italy
Framed by TriBeCa, SoHo, and Chinatown, Little Italy is essential for lovers of Italian cuisine. Restaurants, cafes, and bars line Mulberry Street, serving up an authentic taste of Italy.
Chinatown
Here you’ll discover countless Chinese and Southeast Asian restaurants, along with hidden basement bars tucked away on Doyers Street.
Lower East Side & East Village
Former gateways for arriving immigrants, these dynamic neighborhoods boast a kaleidoscope of bars, eateries, and dance clubs, plus a thriving art scene filled with galleries, theaters, and music venues.
Harlem
A predominantly African-American neighborhood rich in history and Beaux Arts brownstones, Harlem brims with delicious soul food, plus lively bars and clubs.
Brooklyn
Eclectic, creative, and steeped in history, Brooklyn is the city’s largest and most populous borough. Linked to Manhattan by the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, it offers a more relaxed setting without sacrificing cultural clout, entertainment, or culinary delights—particularly the legendary New York–style pizza.
Williamsburg
Home to the world’s largest Hasidic Jewish community, Williamsburg also attracts hipsters with craft cocktails, artisanal food, and a thriving arts and music scene.
DUMBO
Known for its cobbled streets and converted warehouses, DUMBO now boasts fashionable cafes, upscale restaurants, and a lively performance and gallery scene.
Bushwick
Another formerly industrial area, Bushwick stands out for its edgy, creative vibe. Think street art, artist studios, specialty coffee shops in converted warehouses, and plenty of bars and nightclubs with global dining options.
Park Slope & Prospect Heights
North and west of Prospect Park, these neighborhoods are popular among young families and professionals. Lush parks, relaxed bars, and eateries thrive around 5th and 7th Avenue, while Vanderbilt and Washington Avenue feature craft cocktail bars and trendy restaurants. Barclays Center hosts major music and sports events.
Greenpoint
A hipster enclave with a large Polish-American community, Greenpoint is teeming with Polish restaurants, stylish bars, and top-notch live music venues. Old warehouses are now galleries and art studios, and the East River waterfront offers stunning Manhattan views.
Downtown Brooklyn
NYC’s third-largest business district, Downtown Brooklyn bustles with office workers and students. Expect Michelin-starred restaurants, casual cafes, and the original Junior’s—famed for its iconic New York cheesecake.
Brooklyn Heights
Near the Brooklyn Bridge lies this upscale neighborhood, known for its tree-lined promenade, postcard-worthy views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, and a robust selection of bars and eateries along Henry Street.
Coney Island
Beloved for Luna Park, a seaside amusement area, Coney Island is a summertime favorite with sandy beaches and a lively boardwalk. Next door is Little Odessa, home to the city’s Russian-speaking community, glitzy nightclubs, and cozy cafes.
Queens
Situated on NYC’s eastern side, Queens is often considered the most culturally diverse borough. Its relaxed, suburban feel, wide-ranging cuisines, and rich arts scene make it a magnet for foodies, nature lovers, art enthusiasts, music fans, and sports aficionados.
Astoria
An easy commute from Midtown Manhattan, Astoria is celebrated for its multicultural vibe and variety of ethnic restaurants—especially Greek tavernas—plus trendy cafes and the open-air Bohemian Beer Garden.
Flushing
Bursting with energy, Flushing is home to Queens’ Chinatown, where you’ll find some of the best Asian restaurants in the city. Flushing Town Hall also hosts jazz concerts that draw music lovers from across NYC.
Sunnyside
Originally an Irish settlement, Sunnyside boasts lush, tree-lined streets and picturesque courtyards. Though now truly multicultural, you can still feel the area’s Irish heritage in the abundant pubs and restaurants.
Long Island City
Once an industrial zone, Long Island City has morphed into a hub of innovative performance venues and galleries, along with stylish bars and eateries offering excellent views of the East River.
Jackson Heights
Famed for its Little India around 74th Street, this diverse locale also features Tibetan, Nepalese, and Latin American restaurants. It’s the site of the annual Queens Pride Parade and Festival.
The Rockaways
Occupying a peninsula in Queens, the Rockaways is a top summer destination accessible via the NYC Water Ferry from Manhattan. Surfers flock to its two beaches, while casual eateries capture laid-back, beach-town vibes.
Corona
Nestled between Flushing and Jackson Heights, Corona is known for its sizable Latin American community, live jazz, and authentic Mexican and Cuban cuisine.
Staten Island
Located at the city’s southern edge and accessible by the free Staten Island Ferry (which passes by the Statue of Liberty), Staten Island is a green refuge of parks, botanical gardens, and beaches. Families and anyone seeking a break from the city’s hustle often gravitate here to enjoy its suburban charm and architectural gems.
Great Kills
A calm neighborhood on Staten Island’s South Shore, Great Kills blends urban and suburban life. About an hour from Manhattan, it has a variety of restaurants and coffee shops.
St. George
St. George features sweeping views of New York Harbor and an easy ferry commute to Manhattan. Its historic district contains architectural treasures like the St. George Theater, which hosts plays, concerts, and comedy shows. The local dining scene is notably diverse.
Richmond Town
Mid-island, you’ll find Historic Richmond Town, showcasing restored buildings from the 17th through the 20th centuries. Alongside sightseeing tours and events like Tavern Concerts or the Richmond County Fair, these historic venues and manicured grounds can be rented for private functions.
Tompkinsville
Nicknamed “Little Sri Lanka” for its large Sri Lankan community, this northeastern Staten Island neighborhood entices with authentic ethnic cuisine, drawing food lovers from around the city.
The Bronx
Stretching north of Manhattan across the Harlem River, The Bronx is known for its iconic baseball team, the New York Yankees, as well as the famous Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, and a proud history as the birthplace of hip hop. Acres of green parks, historic architecture, and Italian eateries add to the borough’s appeal.
Woodlawn
Called “Little Ireland,” Woodlawn is primarily an Irish-American working-class neighborhood where pubs and restaurants proudly display their Celtic heritage, especially along Katonah Avenue.
Belmont
Bordering the Bronx Zoo, Belmont is dubbed The Bronx’s Little Italy. Bustling Arthur Avenue is filled with outstanding Italian restaurants and pizzerias, making it a foodie favorite.
Fordham
Home to Fordham University, this neighborhood is popular with students and visitors alike. Notable attractions include the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, the New York Botanical Garden, and a multitude of Latin American dining spots.
Riverdale
A peaceful, upscale residential area with leafy streets and suburban vibes, Riverdale won’t offer much nightlife but does have a few good bars and restaurants. It’s still an easy commute into Manhattan and perfect for those seeking greenery.
South Bronx
Renowned as hip hop’s birthplace, the South Bronx is also known for Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Documentary Center, and the Grand Concourse—often called the borough’s “Champs-Élysées.” A broad assortment of international cuisines can be found here.
City Island
Positioned in the northeast corner of The Bronx, City Island retains a charming fishing-village atmosphere with waterfront restaurants, yacht clubs, and an overall laid-back vibe.
