A date plan
Hangout · Chinatown · Chill
A low-key Chinatown evening that hits all the right notes — a rowdy group dinner, a dimly lit bar with games, and a classic scoop crawl to cap the night.
Chinatown · $$ · Cantonese restaurant · Asian restaurant
Uncle Lou is the kind of Cantonese spot that feels like a party already started without you — festive, roomy, and built for groups. Order the dim sum spread and let the lazy Susan do the heavy lifting. The casual, communal vibe makes it perfect for a crew that just wants to dig in and catch up.
~1 min walk (0.1 mi). From Uncle Lou on Mulberry, head south and hang a left on Bayard — Mott Street will be on your right. The walk takes you right through the heart of Chinatown, so keep an eye out for the produce stands and herbal shops still buzzing in the evening.
Chinatown · $$$ · Cocktail bar
Basement is exactly what it sounds like — a dimly lit underground bar on Mott Street where the vibe is loose and the options are plentiful. Beer pong, dice, and darts mean you're not just drinking, you're actually doing something. It's the rare cocktail bar that encourages you to get a little competitive.
~1 min walk (0.0 mi). Basement is on Mott St, and the Ice Cream Factory is just a block away on Bayard — practically door-to-door. Perfect for stumbling out of the bar and immediately making a group decision about flavors.
Chinatown · $ · Ice cream shop
No Chinatown night is complete without a stop at the Ice Cream Factory — a neighborhood institution since 1978. Skip the vanilla and go straight for the lychee, taro, or red bean; the exotic flavors are the whole point. It's a tiny shop with a big personality, and the line moves fast enough that it never feels like a wait.