Relaxing day in Manhattan?
December 22, 2015 10:06 AM   Subscribe

Due to holiday schedules, I have one day to catch up with a close friend in Manhattan on Dec. 26. We'll be there 10 or 11am until 8 or 9pm. Any suggestions? Detail inside.

I'm looking for good places to sit and talk with the potential for food, drinks, and people watching.

Possibilities (specific suggestions wanted):
Somewhere with a slow drawn out brunch where we wouldn't drive people crazy by staying too long.
Lounge or hotel bar with lounge seating with nice drinks and food.
Day room at a hotel with room service and window watching.
Other ideas?

Definitely not:
Spa/salon/massage
Outdoor/hiking

Any other ideas? Price range is pretty flexible, up to about $250 give or take.
posted by mercredi to Travel & Transportation around New York, NY (5 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: In the afternoon, do a holiday high tea at the Crosby St Hotel in Soho for $52 ea and you can stay for a while. It's really pretty and relaxing, and tea service is fun.
posted by rmless at 10:30 AM on December 22, 2015


Best answer: The Ace Hotel, 29th and Broadway. Comfy hotel lobby with bar, food, and coffee. It may be crowded, but anywhere worth recommending is going to be crowded in Manhattan the day after Christmas.
posted by tremspeed at 10:30 AM on December 22, 2015


Best answer: Ah, one of my favorite subjects: day drinking...

The NoMad Restaurant does an upscale-ish brunch with excellent and pricey cocktails. I have definitely lingered there for a few hours on occasion. You can reserve on OpenTable.com right now for brunch if you wish.

Afterwards you can decamp to the Elephant Bar (connected to the restaurant) or the NoMad Bar that they also have around the corner (separate space from the Elephant Bar). You can also try to get into the Library Room but it's often full/busy. The NoMad & its staff have won multiple Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. The NoMad Bar also serves brunch usually but it is not well advertised (call to confirm).

It probably won't be as busy as the Ace Hotel (and their restaurant, the Breslin), which is also a good option. Other choices for leisurely day drinking of cocktails & hanging out:
- Mother's Ruin (a bit more divey/casual, usually has live music during brunch)
- The Happiest Hour (tropical vibe)
- Dante (especially if you like negronis, negroni hour is 4-7pm)
- Dead Rabbit (Tap Room on the 1st floor, it's small but cozy, get the Irish coffee)
posted by kathryn at 10:59 AM on December 22, 2015 [4 favorites]


Stay away from or near the department stores.
posted by brujita at 12:12 PM on December 22, 2015


Response by poster: All great ideas, thanks guys. I'll report back on what we do. (And yes, brujita, we're avoiding shopping like the plague.)
posted by mercredi at 5:36 PM on December 22, 2015


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