Where to stay in NYC close to great nightlife options?

Bowery Hotel in the East Village.

New York City (Manhattan) is a small and you can get to every where in about 20 min (via cab, walking, CitiBike, or subway), so a hotel "near good restaurants" is all of the hotels.

Avoid everything in Times Sq. EVERYTHING.  Any hotel below 60th and above Canal St will be near everything you want. The Financial District Can also be a pain

I think West Village / Chelsea (New York) would be the best option. Maybe Dream Downtown Standard or Gansevoort St if they fit the budget

I suggest Dream New York downtown.

If near nightlife:

Meatpacking District (close to Griffin, Le Bain, 1OAK, Avenue, Electric Room): The Standard New York, Hotel Gansevoort, Dream Downtown

Soho (close to GoldBar, Southside, semi-close to Le Baron NYC): The Nolitan Hotel, Mondrian SoHo, Crosby Street Hotel

If near restaurants / bars:

Flatiron (close to NoMad, Gramercy Tavern, Maialino, Marta, ABC Kitchen and Cocina, Dear Irving, etc.): The NoMad Hotel, The Ace Hotel, Gramercy Park Hotel, Gansevoort Park, Martha Washington