I don't wanna be a homebody while away from home
March 10, 2010 11:01 AM Subscribe
My wife and I will be taking a trip to New York City next week and don't really know what to do with ourselves after dinner. Please keep us from watching late night TV in our hotel room!
We have the daytime covered—museums that we haven't been to before and shopping that we can't get back home—It's just the nightlife that we have a problem with.
The both of us are quite introverted; we don't like clubs or loud bars and would rather not wade through large crowds without a sensible reward on the other side. I would love to see some sort of show/performance/concert/comedy but have no idea where to start.
Is there anything unmissable that will be going on next week (specifically the 17th-21st)? How about any great regular events that we can catch?
We are also a little on the poor side, so free or dirt cheap is definitely preferable.
Also, tips for daytime activities are welcome if you think it sounds like something we would like. We have been to New York before, so we sort of know what we are doing.
We have the daytime covered—museums that we haven't been to before and shopping that we can't get back home—It's just the nightlife that we have a problem with.
The both of us are quite introverted; we don't like clubs or loud bars and would rather not wade through large crowds without a sensible reward on the other side. I would love to see some sort of show/performance/concert/comedy but have no idea where to start.
Is there anything unmissable that will be going on next week (specifically the 17th-21st)? How about any great regular events that we can catch?
We are also a little on the poor side, so free or dirt cheap is definitely preferable.
Also, tips for daytime activities are welcome if you think it sounds like something we would like. We have been to New York before, so we sort of know what we are doing.
John Zorn is playing the Stone on the 20th. You can look him up on YouTube. Great improv jazz sax. Tickets at the Stone are $10. There is no bar, there is one bathroom, behind the stage (so you have to wait until after the show) but a lot of avante garde acts play this fun spot on the lower east side.
posted by caddis at 11:11 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by caddis at 11:11 AM on March 10, 2010
If not the Upright Citizen's Brigade, both Magnet Theater, and the PIT are worthy alternatives.
posted by josher71 at 11:13 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by josher71 at 11:13 AM on March 10, 2010
Response by poster: Right now we will be in Brooklyn, less than a mile from the Brooklyn Bridge, though we may switch to a hotel in Manhattan if we can get a great last minute deal.
posted by AtomicBee at 11:14 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by AtomicBee at 11:14 AM on March 10, 2010
Th Moth, if it fits into your schedule, will be an unforgettable night. A lot of the story slams are at Brooklyn's Southpaw, which is basically a dive music venue but great for these slams.
I would go to ANY Moth event that I could get into.
posted by Danf at 11:18 AM on March 10, 2010
I would go to ANY Moth event that I could get into.
posted by Danf at 11:18 AM on March 10, 2010
On Friday evenings after 7pm the Morgan Library & Museum is free. It's not late late night, but it's really worth spending a couple of hours there, and having a late dinner after that.
On a clear night, the Staten Island Ferry is great - it's free, takes about half an hour to cross from Manhattan to Staten Island, then you get off, wait for the next ferry and come back again - with a fantastic view of one of the most beautiful nighttime cities in the world and an amazing photo opportunity if you're keen photographers. The last ferry departs Staten Island at 11.30pm so don't leave it too late.
The Ferry is also a great daytime trip with an excellent view of the Statue of Liberty.
posted by essexjan at 11:21 AM on March 10, 2010 [2 favorites]
On a clear night, the Staten Island Ferry is great - it's free, takes about half an hour to cross from Manhattan to Staten Island, then you get off, wait for the next ferry and come back again - with a fantastic view of one of the most beautiful nighttime cities in the world and an amazing photo opportunity if you're keen photographers. The last ferry departs Staten Island at 11.30pm so don't leave it too late.
The Ferry is also a great daytime trip with an excellent view of the Statue of Liberty.
posted by essexjan at 11:21 AM on March 10, 2010 [2 favorites]
Re above comment, here is the Moth event that fits your visit:
Thursday, March 18, 2010
NY Moth StorySLAM
Green
at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby Street
7:00 Doors / 7:30 Stories Begin
$7 tickets at the door
Get there plenty early. . .from Brooklyn, looks like the orange or yellow line over to whatever stop is nearest to Houston and B'way.
posted by Danf at 11:25 AM on March 10, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
NY Moth StorySLAM
Green
at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby Street
7:00 Doors / 7:30 Stories Begin
$7 tickets at the door
Get there plenty early. . .from Brooklyn, looks like the orange or yellow line over to whatever stop is nearest to Houston and B'way.
posted by Danf at 11:25 AM on March 10, 2010
Marie's Crisis is super fun. :-)
If it's nice, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge after dinner would be wonderful.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:27 AM on March 10, 2010
If it's nice, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge after dinner would be wonderful.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:27 AM on March 10, 2010
I would love to see some sort of show/performance/concert/comedy but have no idea where to start.
It sounds very tourist-y, but the TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day discount tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
It may be hard to get availability for one of the "big name" shows but the prices for the Off-Broadway shows are cheaper and they are more likely to be available. This is not "free" or "dirt cheap" by any stretch of the imagination but it is definitely cheaper than the box office prices.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 11:30 AM on March 10, 2010
It sounds very tourist-y, but the TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day discount tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
It may be hard to get availability for one of the "big name" shows but the prices for the Off-Broadway shows are cheaper and they are more likely to be available. This is not "free" or "dirt cheap" by any stretch of the imagination but it is definitely cheaper than the box office prices.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 11:30 AM on March 10, 2010
Pick up a Time Out New York magazine when you arrive and look through it to see if any events interest you. It shouldn't be difficult at all to find non-club/bar evening events worth checking out and that are inexpensive. Last night, for instance, I went to Secret Science Club in Brooklyn and had a beer while listening to two lectures on how the brain processes fear. It was free. Definitely check out something at UCB, their shows are always inexpensive and usually worth the $5 or whatever. The 92nd St. Y often has interesting lectures or interviews. I also second the Moth, but get there early if they aren't selling tickets before hand.
posted by Falconetti at 12:43 PM on March 10, 2010
posted by Falconetti at 12:43 PM on March 10, 2010
Best answer: It sounds like you'll be around my neighborhood.
So, can I recommend The Floating Kabarette at Galapagos in DUMBO (under the Brooklyn Bridge)
Or there are always interesting shows at the Bell House or at BAM
posted by Unred at 2:53 PM on March 10, 2010
So, can I recommend The Floating Kabarette at Galapagos in DUMBO (under the Brooklyn Bridge)
Or there are always interesting shows at the Bell House or at BAM
posted by Unred at 2:53 PM on March 10, 2010
Nthing Timeout NY.
Also, I give this answer every month, but nonsense NYC email list has great stuff.
posted by lalochezia at 2:54 PM on March 10, 2010
Also, I give this answer every month, but nonsense NYC email list has great stuff.
posted by lalochezia at 2:54 PM on March 10, 2010
Response by poster: The Upright Citizen's Brigade and the Floating Kabarette were both great and well worth the price (free). I'm sure the other suggestions were great too, but those are the two that we had time for and we were not disappointed.
posted by AtomicBee at 9:33 AM on March 23, 2010
posted by AtomicBee at 9:33 AM on March 23, 2010
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posted by ColdChef at 11:04 AM on March 10, 2010 [2 favorites]