I've been in a couple

And they were small, dark, and disgusting. They certainly didn't have hundreds of business men from Jersey leaning over tables and railings watching girls dance down neon stairs!
But as I say in another thread, I think its fine if Columbus paints an alterior vision of NYC. It's a musical. It doesn't have to be realistic -- but it does amuse me when they went to the trouble of trying to make the film accurate historically by making it "period" or when they mention how the film will bring the grit back to the piece. I think when people are complaining about the PG 13 rating, this is the sanitation they are speaking of.
Aside from the slight amusement because I saw the "real" thing -- I think for a film the choice is fine.