New Years in Manhattan?

November 15, 2008 9:45 AM

What should we do for New Years in Manhattan? We're passing through the city on our way back from Panama, and looking for options.

We'd prefer to avoid super-formal parties (where, obviously, we don't know anybody), hyper dance clubs and ridiculously expensive (say, more than $200) dinners.

We were thinking of a nice late dinner somewhere, or maybe a gallery or theatre is running an event that you'd recommend. We're willing to spend a couple hundred bucks. I'd also welcome opinions on the Times Square thing.

posted by dbarefoot to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Times Square is a zoo on an average day... You couldn't pay me a million bucks to go anywhere near there on New Years! You'll have a much better (and more comfortable) time finding a bar or restaurant with a television.
posted by blaneyphoto at 9:53 AM on November 15, 2008

I like to do the 4-mile New York Road Runner's "Fun Run" in Central Park. There are a lot of people, music, free bagels, and the crowd isn't rowdy. Not sure if that's your thing.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 9:54 AM on November 15, 2008

If you want to do Times Square, you are ONLY doing Times Square. You will need to dress for warmth and comfort. Times Square is not compatible with the rest of how you view your evening.

I won't pass judgment but I'll just point out you'll meet people from all over the country and all over the world, but probably not anyone actually from NYC in Times Square that night.

I'd go check on chowhound for dinner recommendations that night. You'd need to make a reservation in advance or wait in line anywhere decent, and you will pay for the privilege.

Here's my suggestion:
Have a late lunch/early dinner somewhere, BEFORE the official New Year's whatever starts at whatever restaurant. Ride the subway to various places in the city, get out and see what people are doing. Just riding the subway that night is going to be an experience.
Around 11pm, head down to the Brooklyn Bridge and start walking across. Find a nice place to stand for midnight. Watch fireworks. Bring noisemakers and hats. Celebrate. Meet people who will be doing the same thing.
Head back into Manhattan and walk up to Chinatown. Go to Wo Hop or anywhere that's open late. You'll wait in line but you'll also meet people. Share a big table with a bunch of folks you don't know.
Walk up to the East Village and find a bar that looks promising. Drink, now that it's after midnight.

If you're into music, there are two great concerts that night you can try looking for tickets for - My Morning Jacket at MSG and Patti Smith at the Bowery Ballroom. i believe both are sold out but you could look around. something will probably turn up.
posted by micawber at 3:05 PM on November 15, 2008

Looks like this question comes up every year!

My only input is to echo anyone telling you to avoid Times Square. It is absolutely no fun that day.
posted by greenland at 3:20 PM on November 15, 2008

Avoid Times Square on NYE. It is unpleasant in just about every way, except for the fact you'll be able to impress people by telling them you went there on new years (except of course, other people who have been there). It is a mob scene. It is loud. It is cold. Everything within blocks of Times Square will be extra expensive. You will not be able to see much of anything.

I'd look for a small restaurant in the village that's holding an event - if I were visiting and wanted to go out that night, that's what I'd do. A gastropub like http://www.thespottedpig.com/ is a good example (no idea if they're doing any events tho - but they're open to 2am regularly, so it's a good bet)
posted by Berkun at 5:23 PM on November 15, 2008

Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

@greenland I did do a search before posting, but clearly I picked the wrong keywords.
posted by dbarefoot at 5:34 PM on November 15, 2008

If you are interested in the Times Square thing, you may want to book a room in a Times Square hotel and either make sure you get a room with a window facing TS or see if you can view it from the hotel's restaurant. Just beware that TS is a madhouse on that day/night, so you'll have a hard time leaving the hotel or going out to grab anything (smokes, fruit, trinkets etc). I think it would be fun to have a warm comfy room and watch it both directly out the window and on TV. If you want to do this, book now, it may already be too late.
posted by cestmoi15 at 9:22 AM on November 16, 2008