A night out in New York: rules and safety

Drinking

• Bars and restaurants in New York City may serve alcohol from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Sundays (NYS Liquor Authority).
• You must be 21 to buy alcohol in New York. Carry valid ID (NYC Office of Nightlife).
• Drinking in the street, or anywhere public, is not allowed under city law, Administrative Code §10-125 (NY Courts law library).
• No drinking and no open containers on the subway or buses (MTA rules of conduct, §1050.7).

Cannabis

• Adults 21 and over may use cannabis in New York, at home and in many places where smoking tobacco is allowed (NY Office of Cannabis Management).
• In New York City, smoking or vaping it is not allowed in vehicles (even parked), in restaurants and other businesses, in parks, or at event spaces, and can bring a civil summons (NYC Health).

Looking after each other

The city’s Office of Nightlife advises: plan your ride home before you go out, never leave a drink unattended, stay with your friends, know where the exits are, and carry naloxone (party safety tips).

• Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdoses. It is sold over the counter, free kits are available at participating pharmacies, and there are 24/7 public health vending machines (NYC Health).
• Pills and powders can be tested anonymously at city-listed drug-checking sites (NYC Health).
• Many venues have taken the city’s free overdose-response training under Narcan Behind Every Bar.

On the subway late

• Off-hours, ride in the conductor’s car, in the middle of the train (MTA).
• Every station has Help Point intercoms; call 911 for an emergency, including anyone on the tracks.
• Overnight, many lines run only every 20 minutes and planned work often reroutes trains: check how often your line runs and MTA planned service changes before you rely on it.

Taxis and car services

• Yellow and green taxis can be hailed (or booked in an app). Every other car must be pre-arranged: a driver who approaches you offering a ride is not allowed to (NYC TLC).
• Note the taxi’s medallion number (on the hood, roof light, partition and receipt) for lost property or complaints. A taxi may not refuse a destination in the five boroughs; report refusals to 311 (TLC FAQ).
• Yellow taxi meters start at $3.00 and add a $1.00 overnight surcharge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., plus other surcharges (TLC fares).

Biking home

• From dusk to dawn a bike must have a white headlight and a red taillight (NYC DOT bike rules, NYS VTL §1236). Tonight’s dusk is at 5:20 pm.
• Citi Bike runs 24 hours (NYC 311).

Noise

Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., music from a bar or club may not exceed 42 decibels inside a nearby home, or 7 dB above the background level on the street. Complaints go to 311 (NYC 311, DEP noise code guide). Our map shows where those complaints come from.

The Office of Nightlife

The city office that works with venues, residents and night workers now sits in the Department of Small Business Services. Its page links mediation, safety and harm-reduction resources (nyc.gov).