NYC party moments: games, drinks, shows and other recommended adventures
a mini guide to living NYC style — Episode III
Some feel the days of intoxicating New York nightlife are long behind us (see New Yorker) and that New York then was “wilder and more reckless” than what it is today. Fine. I don’t know much about New York’s flyers and clubgoers of the 90s, but I feel like there is still a lot of fun to be had in this city where bars abound. To be fair, I did not participate in a lot of raves — a term I will generally use for any wild party with electronic music in a somewhat underground location— nor did I see the inside of many clubs during my time in the city. I did however venture into one or the other Lower East Side party place, ring-a-doorbell-kinda-bar and even Brooklyn establishment, to give you some of ideas of wild things to do in NYC
The fun stuff: shows, karaokes and more
Sleep no More (McKittrick Hotel, Chelsea): this immersive theater staged in a Chelsea hotel should definitely be on everybody’s list — at least if you’re the adventurous type…and not scared of the dark. Have a drink at the hotel bar, draw your card and then enter the mysterious, enchanting world of Sleep no more and follow its characters around the halls of McKittrick hotel. I will not say too much, get your tickets here
Linda’s Bingo (Fri & Sat @ Le Poisson Rouge — Greenwich Village): if you’re in for a more fun activity, head to the village for an amazing game of Drag Queen Bingo with Linda — every Friday and Saturday 7:30–9:30pm
Fat Cat (West Village): ever found yourself in the middle of the night, really wanting to play a game of pingpong? Well that happens to me all the time and Fat Cat is the perfect spot. Pool, Pong, lots of games and live music… and plenty of potential pingpong opponents to challenge for a match
Open Mic night at Under St.Marks (Tuesdays 9pm-2am, East Village): New York is a place of much creative talent, and open mic nights are great way to see some of the yet-to-be-discovered talent. The Open Mic night @ Under St.Marks takes place every Tuesday and is practically free ($3 donation). If you’re feeling creative, put your name in the hat, if not just watch and enjoy while potentially up-and-coming singers, songwriters, comedians, poets and musicians take the stage for their 7 minute stints
Baby Grand Karaoke (Soho): Karaoke is one of my favorite pastimes. And this place is by far my favorite Karaoke bar in the city. NY Times called it “the cutest Karaoke bar ever” and I would tend to agree: tiny, loud, often packed and with great singers behind the bar. If you’re looking for a more private Karaoke experience, go to one of the Sing Sings or of course to K-Town (heard Maru is great)
The hotel bars
The lobby at the Bowery (Bowery): hotel bars have a special charm. And the lobby at the Bowery has so much of that charm. Famous for celebrity sightings, the Bowery is your go-to spot for a before or after dinner drink in the area
Nomad hotel bar (NoMad): If you’re a bit further uptown, around the 28th street, there are 2 super hip hotels: The Ace and The Nomad. Both of these have hotel bars that are always packed with hip people from around the world. But while the Ace bar resembles a co-working space, the Nomad bar is chic in a good way. Try the Sakura Maru (my favorite cocktail) or the Nod to Nothing and if you’re hungry, the Humm Dog (by 11 Madison Park Chef Daniel Humm) is a great snack, and have the cookies & cream for dessert.
Mr. Purple (Lower East): the lower east side doesn’t only have Ludlow street’s clubs and bars. On the 15th floor of Indigo hotel is this cool bar, which is perfect for a drink on weekday or some actual rooftopping on weekends in the summer
Crosby Street Hotel Bar (Soho): this place is great for a casual drink in the evening in Soho, or even better head there for afternoon tea with a pot of tea (or optional glass of wine) and some delicious scones
The hidden and not-so-hidden bars
Raines Law Room (Union Square): in an age of speakeasy overload — especially in NYC every bar suddenly wants to be a speakeasy — Raines Law Room is refreshingly unpretentious: cozy vibe, old-fashioned armchairs and bar-tenders who seem to be having fun: the perfect location for a before or after dinner cocktail, and definitely one of my NYC favourites
Little Branch (West Village): check out this little Jazz bar in the corner of 7th av and Leroy St. The live band, the waiters behind the bar, the Moscow mules (?!)… it will all take you back in time
Attaboy (Lower East Side): un-presumptuous, tiny and with great cocktails: this is probably my favourite hidden New York Bar. When you find the window of M&H Tailors & Alterations on 134 Eldridge Street, repeatedly knock the door or ring the buzzer on the right, and — if you come early — they should have room for you. There is no drinks menu, simply tell the bar tender what you fancy, and he’ll make you the best mix ever
Angel’s Share (East Village): if you step through the unmarked wooden door inside the Village Yokocho restaurant, you will find yourself in this easy-going village bar, which serves food, good cocktails and has a funny fresco-ish painting behind the bar, that vaguely reminds of Raphael’s angels
Apotheke (Soho): Apotheke is always a great address for a drink. Oftentimes they will also have live music. Check out their events here
Tabu Tiki (Lower East Side): if you’re feeling tiki, head to the rooftop of the Lower East Side Sixty hotel to this tiki rooftop bar. There will most likely always be a crowd, some fun, more or less latin vibes and a good Mojito waiting for you
Freehold (Brooklyn): this place is a Brooklyn phenomeno — cafe-bar-club you name it. They have a nice outside terrace to have drinks, and as the night drags on, the inside will become and more and more like a party… definitely a place to check out
La Esquina (Soho): and then of course there are the Mexicans… La Esquina is a Soho institution, and although of course I’ve never eaten there, I can definitely recommend the place for drinks. It’s all about the way into the bar by the way. Enter the Corner Deli, show the bouncer your ID and then make your way through the Mexican kitchen into the bar to get your margherita
La Pulqueria (Soho): another undergroud Mexican, this place in Doyers Street next to Apotheke (and operated by the same people) serves both great cocktails (if you’re into spicy stuff, try “Some like it hot”) and Mexican delights to go with them
A couple of party spots
China Chalet: by far the best discovery of my NCY clubbing experiences, is this pop-up club in the back of a financial district Chinese diner. Go up the stairs and past the guests in the red velvet sofas and you’ll find yourself in a small smoke-filled party space with live acts and a funky mix of music genres. Check with your cool Brooklyn friends to see if there’s a party there, because they don’t happen every night
Output (Brooklyn): everyone will tell you to go to Output, so probably it’s not even worth me mentioning it here. But here it is, I’ve said it, you should go to Output for at least a party. Get your tickets in advance to avoid being rejected at the door and make sure you don’t lose yourself in the dark corridors between the different dance floors and the oh-so-cool rooftop area
Hotel Chantelle (Lower East Side): as far as Lower East party places are concerned, I really like Hotel Chantelle. It’s fairly easy (for New York that means a lot) to get into and in summer there is a really cool rooftop terrace
Bomba party: Sooner or later one of your Latin friends will introduce you to Bomba. What is Bomba? It’s a Latino party that happens in NYC every month… and it’s definitely worth going to. Check locations and get your tickets here
Party brunch: And finally here’s a New York ritual that those of you who like to party should not miss. This is a way to make your Sundays really fun (and your Mondays potentially really miserable). The 2 party brunches I like are at Felix in Soho and at the Brazilian Williamsburg hotspot Miss Favela. If you have a better option for food, don’t sweat it, simply go there around 6pm for some shots and the party
