(Photo: Courtesy of 72)

• 72

  74 Warren St., nr. Church St.; 212-571-7290; 7eventytwo.org

  You’d think teenagers in the city would want for nothing, hangout-wise. But think about it. The bars won’t have them, diners kick you out after an hour or so, concerts are too expensive or take place at 21-and-up venues, and museums aren’t open late. Which brings us to 72, a combination performance space– art gallery–suburban-basement-style hangout conceived by teachers at Tribeca’s Church Street School of Art and Music. On Friday nights, the 13-to-17 crowd can watch bands battle for applause; see old and newish movies (the documentary Catfish screened recently); or take in an art show. Cliques from local high schools mix and mingle in a space that would please even helicopter parents. (Bags are searched for booze and drugs at the door.) A semester membership of $400 gives teens access to two workshops of their choice, open studios, and all events. Otherwise, they can pay $8 for Friday-night events. No parents allowed.

From the 2012 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine