With a number of recent venue closings, re-openings and changes in ownership, the nightlife scene on the Lower East Side’s Chrystie Street is in a period of flux. In past years, efforts have been made to stir up a unique party scene in this area, though only a handful of places have succeeded in creating a lasting presence. Until now, that is! With the opening of some trendy new lounges and speakeasies, plus the stability of a few tried-and-true staple hang-outs, it seems that Chrystie Street is making a big comeback. From those sacred dives that have beat the odds and achieved a loyal following to gutsy newcomers alike, here is a quick guide to navigate the nightlife of this funky little stretch between Canal and Delancey Streets.

--Danielle St. Pierre

Fig 19 Inside a non-descript building, past a sparsely-decorated art gallery and through an unmarked white door is…yup, you guessed it, another speakeasy style bar in NYC. If you’re feeling jaded by the recent Prohibition Era bar resurgence trend, you might be pleasantly surprised by the opulent pocket of old-world charm called Fig 19. The owners of Home Sweet Home recently opened this classier version of their rowdy dive just downstairs. Specialty cocktails, Victorian-style chandeliers and--gasp--elbow room on a Saturday night make this secretive little gem sparkle. But shh, you didn’t hear it from us. Fig 19, 131 ½ Chrystie St. (Bt Delancey & Broome Sts.)

Dixon Place This unique hybrid lounge and performance space has featured some of NYC’s biggest and brightest experimental artists since the mid-80s. Dixon Place has supported the performance art scene for decades, though this downtown location has only been open since 2008. Get cozy and soak up live tunes at the venue’s small lounge area before heading downstairs to support up-and-coming talent at the theater, and you’ll be in for a unique night on the Lower East Side.  Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie St. (Bt. Rivington & Delancey Sts.)

New Beer Distributors Open since 1968, New Beer Distributors is a small and super-friendly family-run beer business. With an impressive and constantly changing selection of rare brews from around the world, as well as domestic beers, New Beer Distributors has one of the largest and most diverse selections of craft beer for sale in the city. An added perk: the store features several taps so you can fill up and re-use a growler. With its huge selection and lenient make-your-own custom six-pack option, New Beer Distributors is definitely worth checking out next time you need to BYOB nearby. New Beer Distributors, 167 Chrystie St. (Bt. Rivington & Delancey Sts.) 212.473.8757

The Box  Disclaimer: This show is probably not fit for your sweet, shy Midwestern friend who’s in town for the weekend. If you’re looking for an outrageous late night romp with a group of friends, check out The Box for one of the rowdiest freak shows in the city. With an eclectic range of 21st century vaudeville-esque performances, this joint has been known to shock even the most seemingly un-shockable New Yorker with its outlandish acts. Table service can get pricey and the door can be a pain on the weekend, but The Box is a must for any true Manhattanite, at least once.  The Box, 189 Chrystie St. (Bt. Stanton & Rivington Sts.) 212.982.9301

Freemans Opened in the fall of 2004, Freemans Restaurant is a cozy, old-world-style American tavern featuring simple, rustic local produce. In keeping with its early-American spirit, Freemans is also a pioneer in the mixology front, constantly adding new specialty concoctions to their drink menu. Stop by their quieter weekend brunch for a slice of old-world NYC or take a seat at the bar to try out one of their unique small batch whiskies. Freemans, 191 Chrystie St. (Bt. The Bowery & Chrystie Sts.) 212.420.0012

INGA Clubbers rejoice! 141 Chrystie Street has been taken over by three stories of flashy dancefloors, serious beats and seductive lounge spaces. INGA is Travis Bass & the Madame Wong/Red Egg team's attempt to usher in an entirely new era of clubbing in downtown Manhattan, and they aren’t messing around. With added touches like a rooftop area opening up next month and an entire floor dedicated to karaoke and more intimate parties, INGA has the potential to become one of the hottest LES spots this summer. INGA, 141 Chrystie St. (Bt. Delancey & Broome Sts.) 212.966.7808

Experimental Cocktail Club (ECC)  Following the success of locations in Paris and London, Frenchman Romée de Goriainoff recently unveiled the LES outpost of his Experimental Cocktail Club. This funky yet civilized Parisian-inspired cocktail den features an artfully selected list of 14 custom-made, complex drinks served up by mixologist Nicolas de Soto. To give you just a taste, the popular "Curious Prescription" is made with reposado tequila, pear eau de vie, manzanilla sherry, lime juice, habanero bitters and homemade salted caramel mezcal syrup. Lost before you got to tequila? All the more reason to stop in for a quirky change of scenery and a creative cocktail.  Experimental Cocktail Club, 191 Chrystie St. @ Rivington St.

Cocktail Bodega In NYC, land of bodegas, it seems you can’t go one block without passing one of these quasi-convenience-stores, but I bet you’ve never seen a Cocktail Bodega. Opening soon is a new cocktail lounge from Matt Levine (owner of LES celebrity hot spot Sons of Essex) that will be serving up liquor-infused smoothies and spiked fresh-squeezed juices for health-conscious late nighters (wait, isn’t that an oxymoron?) In any case, Levine’s newest installment will bring cheap, tasty on-the-go cocktails to the party scene, no matter what time you’re staggering down Chrystie Street this summer. Cocktail Bodega, 205 Chrystie St. @ Stanton St.

Home Sweet Home Ah, Home Sweet Home: A welcoming, low-key nook to rest your weary head and escape from the noise of those rowdy hipster types. Not! With its delightfully kitschy (borderline scary) taxidermy-inspired décor, cheap drinks and grungy basement feel, Home Sweet Home meets the quota for a quintessential LES dive. The music varies every night, from 60s punk rock to 90s hip hop, and you can bet your ass there will be a drunken sweaty mob dancing to whatever’s playing.  Home Sweet Home, 131 Chrystie St. (Bt Delancey & Broome Sts.) 212.226.5708

Chrystie 141 For a Euro-inspired club experience and one of the best pop/electro/hip-hop sets in the city, check out Chrystie 141 next time you want to shake it on a Saturday night. There is a little something for everyone here, from upscale bottle service to football and wings, but the fusion works. With a chill main-level lounge featuring yummy bar bites, five intimate Korean-style karaoke nooks upstairs and a rooftop area, it's no mystery why this club is a go-to party spot any night of the week.  Chrystie 141, 141 Chrystie St.@ Delancey St. 212.966.7808