My daughter is anxious for any New Yorkers to give her a little advice?

iMy daughter and her friend will be in NYC New Years Eve and the man said they should just wing it for a place to eat and spend the evening. I said you may not get in anywhere then, so she’s kind of in a panic, tried to find everything on google and got a tad frustrated. Maybe someone could give them a steer? She would love a jazz bar. They are at West Pearl hostel in manhattan and thought Little Italy would be fun, too. Thanks for any info and JLeslie you could maybe help them? Canadian girl.