The Volstead has nightly drink specials, like Mojito Mondays

Hotels in this story

Price Dates

Pod 51 Hotel

Roger Smith Hotel

Although Midtown East may seem like a pretty convenient place to visitors (read: tourists), it’s never been considered a wonderful nightlife area for those who are young, hip, and in the know. Fortunately, The Volstead offers up nice digs — and an even nicer happy hour to go along with them — for when you find yourself in Fanny Pack land (no offense, dear tourists).

In addition to Happy Hour from 4-8 PM offering $6 specialty cocktails ($7 for Absolut), The Volstead offers a special almost every night of the week: Mojito Mondays ($6), Happy Hour all night on Wednesdays, Margarita specials all night on Thursdays ($6), and more. Plus, $15 will get you a plate of sliders and a beer of your choice, which looked like the hot deal of choice last time I went.

The atmosphere is a lot swankier than the prices would have you believe, and although a DJ is spinning most nights, it’s one of those rare miracle places where you can still hear other people speak over the music. There are cozy tables everywhere but even if you get stuck at the bar, there’s ample counter space to hang at and still not feel in the way, at least on a weeknight. It’s close to the 53rd & Lex (on the 6 train) stop too, which I find to be one of the most convenient stations around. Wow, look at that… Midtown actually sounds appealing!

The Volstead

125 E. 54th Street (between Park Ave and Lexington Ave)

[Midtown East]

And if you’re visiting New York, you can stay in these places: Pod Hotel, New York and The Roger Smith Hotel, New York.

–Jill Strominger of Broke-Ass Stuart’s Goddamn Website