Guide · updated Oct 23, 2026 · venue facts checked Oct 18, 2026
Under 21 in NYC: which bars and clubs let you in
In New York you must be 21 to buy or drink alcohol. Whether you can walk in under 21 is up to each venue. Of the 29 venues we've checked, 7 let some under-21s in, at some times, with conditions.
- The law: no one may sell or give alcohol to anyone under 21 (NY ABC Law §65), and under-21s may not possess it intending to drink (§65-c).
- Entry age is each venue's own policy, and it often changes by night or event. Read the conditions, then check the event listing.
- Bring a physical government photo ID. 3 of the venues we have checked say a non-US ID must be a passport; see each venue page.
Venues that admit some under-21s
| Venue | Who gets in (as checked) |
|---|---|
| 230 Fifth Rooftop NoMad / Flatiron | 21+ Fri–Sat after 7pm; under-21s allowed with their own parent at other times; government ID required |
| Elsewhere Bushwick | 16+ to 21+ depending on event; under-16 never admitted. Scannable US government photo ID or passport required (internationals: passport only); no expired IDs or photocopies |
| House of Yes Bushwick | 21+ with government photo ID (except events marked All Ages) |
| Knockdown Center Maspeth | Varies by event (mostly 21+, some 18+); valid photo ID required |
| Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge Times Square / Garment District | 21+ except weekend brunch (Sat-Sun 11:30am-3pm, all ages); physical government ID, non-US ID needs a passport |
| The Dead Rabbit Financial District | 21+ in the Parlor; under-21s are allowed in the Taproom before 9pm only with a parent or guardian, seated at a table |
| Westlight Williamsburg | All ages until 6pm; 21+ after 6pm daily |
Everywhere else we've checked
These say 21 or older, or haven't published an age.
| Venue | Age |
|---|---|
| Attaboy | 21+, valid physical government-issued ID required |
| Beauty & Essex | Not found yet |
| Bossa Nova Civic Club | 21+ with driver's license, non-driver ID or passport1 source |
| Death & Co | Not found yet |
| Employees Only | Proper ID required at the door, no exceptions; minimum age not statedunconfirmed |
| Good Room | 21+1 source |
| Harriet's Rooftop | Not found yet |
| Le Bain | 21+ |
| Marquee New York | 21+1 source |
| Mr. Purple | Not found yet |
| Musica Club NYC status unclear | 21+ with valid government ID |
| Nebula | 21+ |
| Nowadays | Not found yet |
| Ophelia Lounge | Not found yet |
| Pacha New York | 21+ with valid ID |
| Paragon | Not found yet |
| PHD Rooftop Lounge | 21+ with photo ID1 source |
| Please Don't Tell (PDT) | Not found yet |
| Public Records | Not found yet |
| Somewhere Nowhere | 21+ (government ID required) |
| The Back Room | 21+ Sun–Thu; 25+ Fri–Sat |
| The Box | 21+1 source |
Each venue's age policy links to its sources on the venue page. Law text checked Oct 23, 2026. This isn't legal advice.