A total of 220 bars across the city have been given the ultimate gift from the State Liquor Authority: All-night New Year's Eve operating permits.
The list of bars—available in PDF form here—encompasses four of the five boroughs, with 142 establishments in Manhattan, 22 in Brooklyn, 23 in the Bronx, 34 in Queens and...none on Staten Island. Sorry Staten Island!
Venues given the permits to operate until 8 a.m. on January 1 were selected on the basis of "timely filing of the application, licensee’s disciplinary history (including pending charges) and whether, given the nature of the event, the licensee has adequate facilities and security plans in place," the SLA reported on its website.
Clubs like Pacha and Williamsburg's Output will be open late, as will more rural selections like Greenwood Park in South Slope and more puzzling selections like Lit Lounge in the East Village. Who else? Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, SoHo Grand, Playwright Tavern, 40/40 Club—the list goes on. Also extended is the party at Sleep No More, which, conveniently, is an open bar if you're willing to pony up the dough for tickets.
How strict was the SLA, really? Not very—despite a bottle flight that erupted last year between two patrons at Washington Heights' Tette Club, the spot remains on the list.
