The Monster

The Monster sits at 80 Grove Street, just a few doors down from the Stonewall Inn in the West Village. It’s been running since the 1970s, which makes it one of the older spots in the neighborhood. The vibe splits into two distinct levels. Upstairs, a piano bar draws regulars who aren’t afraid to belt out show tunes. Downstairs, a compact dance floor handles the DJ sets and occasional drag performances. It’s not the polished, tourist-heavy scene you’ll find on nearby streets; the crowd skews local and varies widely in age. Hours run from 16:00 on weekdays and 15:00 on weekends, closing at 04:00 every night. Prices stay reasonable for Manhattan, which goes a long way in this part of the city. Google users rate it 3.9 out of 5 across roughly 570 reviews, consistently highlighting the friendly staff and the quality of the piano nights.