Welcome to Bar of the Week, a running series from TV and City that highlights New York’s best spots for drinks, vibes, and just the right amount of chaos.
Each week, we spotlight one bar. Sometimes it’s a cozy cocktail lounge. Sometimes it’s a sprawling beer hall. Sometimes it’s a barely-marked door behind a fake hardware store. We don’t try to cover every bar in the city. Just the ones we actually go to. The ones we’d take a friend, a first date, or someone visiting who asks, “So where do you usually hang out?”
These aren’t curated for algorithms or chasing clout. They’re the bars that make up New York. One week at a time.
🎱 Bar of the Week: Slate
📍 Location: 54 W 21st Street, Flatiron District
🚇 Nearest Subway: 23rd Street (F, M, N, R)
Vibe: A massive adult playground that shifts from casual hangout to full-on party zone depending on the hour.
🎯 Why We Love It
There are two kinds of Slate customers. The first walks down the stairs like a regular person. The second takes the giant slide. You know which one you should be.
Slate NY is one of the most unique bars in Manhattan because it doesn’t limit itself. Located just a few blocks from Madison Square Park, this 16,000-square-foot, two-level Flatiron venue functions as a bar, a lounge, and a nightclub all in one. The layout opens up into a sprawling, high-ceilinged space with game tables, flashing lights, multiple bars, and seating for both groups and solo wanderers.
The atmosphere depends entirely on when you visit. Weeknights and early evenings feel relaxed, with friends playing games and grabbing drinks without pressure. On Saturday nights and during holiday weekends, the scene flips. There’s a cover charge, bouncers at the door, and a full-on club vibe with DJs, bottle service, and dance floor energy.
🕹️ What to Do
Slate is built for entertainment. You’ll find pool tables, ping pong, pop-a-shot hoops, arcade machines, skee-ball, and even a small bowling alley. There’s also an unexpected hit: Jumbo Uno cards. They’re exactly what they sound like, and somehow they make the game feel twice as competitive and four times as silly. Whether you’re deep into a game or just spectating while sipping a drink, the space stays engaging.
If one area gets crowded, there’s always something else to do nearby. That makes it easy to keep the momentum going without standing around wondering what comes next.
🍹 What to Order
Slate’s drinks are fun and unfussy. Highlights include the “Slate Sipper,” the “Sneaky Pete,” and the “Ginger Paloma.” If you’re more in the mood for something cool and easy, the frozen drinks hit the spot. And if you’re there early enough, the happy hour beer specials make it one of the better-value bars in the area.
This isn’t the kind of bar where you ask your server about the terroir of the mezcal. It’s the kind of place where you toast your friends after a ping pong victory and keep the good vibes going.
🗽 Why It’s a TV and City Pick
Slate thrives on variety. It’s the rare place where your group chat can meet up without splitting between different plans. Someone can play games, someone can grab drinks, someone can dance—and all of it can happen in the same night, under the same roof. In a city full of niche bars with narrow appeal, Slate is a one-stop nightlife shop that still feels playful and fresh every time.
TV and City 