Tips for Enjoying Manhattan’s Night Spots in New York More Safely!

Manhattan in New York City is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Compared to a few decades ago, public safety has greatly improved, and it’s now not much different from tourist areas. Manhattan’s nightlife typically peaks from around 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. So, what precautions should you take to enjoy the night spots? Here are some tips for enjoying Manhattan’s night spots more safely.

1. Night Spots in Manhattan to Be Cautious About After Dark

Although safety in Manhattan has improved, there are still certain night spots you should avoid.

◆ Downtown (Lower Manhattan)

Chinatown, Little Italy, and Soho in southern Manhattan are popular sightseeing areas, but they actually have the third-highest theft rate in New York. If visiting for tourism, enjoy them as much as possible during daylight hours. If you go there at night, exercise extreme caution.

◆ Hell’s Kitchen

The name literally means “Hell’s Kitchen,” and it was once famous as a hideout for gangs. Of course, during the day, it’s no different from other tourist areas, but at night it’s best to avoid entering the area.

◆ Central Park

The atmosphere changes drastically at night, when homeless people and drug addicts gather. Some areas are off-limits after dark, and if a police officer catches you there, you could be fined. Even if it means taking a detour, you should absolutely avoid it at night.

◆ Along the Rivers in Manhattan

On the east and west edges of Manhattan along the rivers are areas with numerous high-rise public housing projects for low-income residents. These are not tourist destinations, so there’s nothing worth visiting there at night.

◆ Harlem

This area lies north of Central Park, above West 125th Street. In particular, between 127th and 131st Streets, there are large housing projects, and you’ll notice a marked difference in the atmosphere compared to the rest of Manhattan.

◆ Port Authority Bus Terminal

Long-distance bus passengers should be extremely careful here, as crimes targeting tourists occur frequently.

◆ Flatiron District

An area lined with classic buildings symbolic of Manhattan. It’s popular with tourists, but because of that, pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and theft are common.

2. Points to Keep in Mind When Moving Around at Night

Since Manhattan is “the city that never sleeps,” many people look forward to its night spots. But the time when you move from the night spot back to your hotel is when you need to be the most careful! The main means of transportation at night are taxis, the subway, and walking, and here’s what you should keep in mind for each:

◆ If Taking a Taxi

Always use a yellow cab. There are constant troubles involving illegal “gypsy cabs” whose drivers approach you with persuasive talk. It’s best to hail a yellow cab or use the Uber ride-hailing app on your smartphone.

◆ If Taking the Subway

The subway in Manhattan is very convenient, with some lines running 24 hours a day. However, when returning from a night spot, always wait in a well-populated area of the platform. If there’s an “Off-hour waiting area,” wait there for added safety. When boarding, choose a car with many passengers. Watch the arriving train and, even if it means running, board the car with the most people. Inside the train, always be aware of your fellow passengers. If the car starts to empty out, or suspicious individuals or potentially dangerous groups of men board, move to another car.

◆ If Walking

Always walk on the side of the street closest to the roadway. Even in popular night spot areas, walking too close to buildings could expose you to the risk of being pulled into an alley. Also, drug addicts under the influence may behave unpredictably, so avoid making eye contact. If you notice a lot of trash or graffiti, or you get an intuitive sense that the area feels unsafe, return to a main street.

◎ Summary

We’ve introduced some night spots in Manhattan that are best avoided, but that doesn’t mean everywhere else is completely safe. Just like in other tourist destinations, it’s still important to be cautious at night. Since your trip to New York’s Manhattan is a special one, make sure you come home with only wonderful memories.