What should I do this Friday night in NYC?

November 7, 2007 2:52 PM

NYC filter: I'm visiting a friend in the city this weekend and due to her work schedule, I'm going to end up being by myself on Friday night. I don't make it down to New York that often, so I'd really like to do something fun, but I've already contacted my other friends who live in the area and I've come up empty. So I'm querying the hive mind: What should I do?

A few additional details:
- I'm a mid-twenties guy, if that matters.
- My friend lives in Brooklyn (Crown Heights), but I can go anywhere that's reasonably subway accessible.
- I'm open to anything that's fun, interesting, and that I won't feel too weird going to/doing alone. I was thinking along the lines of a show, an interesting speaker, a museum that’s open late, or perhaps a one-off volunteer opportunity, but don’t let that restrict you in your suggestions.
- The time block I'm looking to fill is between 5 pm and midnight, with perhaps a break for dinner at some point.

Thanks in advance!

posted by dyslexictraveler to travel & transportation (20 comments total)

Set up a Mefi meetup?
posted by veronitron at 2:54 PM on November 7, 2007

Go to MeTa and schedule a meet-up.
posted by caddis at 2:55 PM on November 7, 2007

Go see a Broadway show! It's required, as far as I'm concerned. Get yourself over to the TKTS booth and buy a ticket for something that looks fun. Have a bowl of matzo ball soup at the Cafe Edison (47th btw Broadway and 8th) before you see the show.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:02 PM on November 7, 2007 [1 favorite]

Go see: new media/digital art shows, maybe involving a cello and film, listen to some wordless music, some new music/jazz, a contemporary production of One Thousand and One Nights or dance to Spank Rock, listen to some stories or watch some politically-charged theater.
posted by suedehead at 3:06 PM on November 7, 2007

Ah, that second link should be to this show at monkeytown.
posted by suedehead at 3:08 PM on November 7, 2007

There's an unconfirmed rumor that some (cough) young folks are playing Union Hall that night. I'd be there if I wasn't already going to Mum at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle.
posted by yeti at 3:17 PM on November 7, 2007

I asked a similar question last year (see the 'after the jump' part of the question.) I found those answers useful!
posted by Kololo at 4:09 PM on November 7, 2007

This was made for my own trip to NYC this coming weekend. Perhaps it will be useful for you as well.
posted by luriete at 4:23 PM on November 7, 2007

The New York Comedy Festival.
posted by Bookhouse at 4:53 PM on November 7, 2007

Spend your time searching the askme archive for things to do in NYC.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:31 PM on November 7, 2007

Freaky! Are you coming to visit me?! I didn't clean!

The MOMA has some late hour thing on Friday evenings...they stay open late and entry is free, and it's quite a happening thing. They sometimes have movies.
posted by kenzi23 at 5:56 PM on November 7, 2007

Gosh, New York City on a Friday night. That's a tough order.
posted by rhizome at 6:09 PM on November 7, 2007

If you have the cash check out this place called WD-50. Wish I could go...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/06/science/06food.html?ex=1352091600&en=4aef8967a58288fb&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
posted by bkeene12 at 7:48 PM on November 7, 2007

Those "young folks" played a secret show at Union Hall before, so it might be worth it to check it out. Considering I live one second away from that bar and go there often, maybe I'll see you there.
posted by Falconetti at 8:49 PM on November 7, 2007

Seconding yeti and suedehead's choices.

MOMA is "pay what you wish" every Friday evening from 4pm to 8pm. To me, it ends far too early!

WD-50 is good but not great. I love their desserts though; you can order them at the bar. That said, it's on the pricey side for portion size.

Please read Newyorkology.com, it's my indispensible resource for what's going on in NYC.

See also events listings on: Thrillist.com, New York Times' UrbanEye, Flavorpill, New York Magazine's Agenda, Manhattan User's Guide. I'd also look through the New Yorker's highly curated event listings (grab a copy of this week's magazine and flip through the first dozen or so pages); Time Out NY has a larger listing. The NY Times also does a few decent ones. Here's also a citywide events calendar from city government. Gothamist.com also does a regular "Pencil This In" entry that lists that night's events, oftentimes free.

luriete, that's some awesome research there. If you're going to PDT (that's the name of the fancy bar inside of Crif Dogs) call ahead, you can reserve tables after 3 or 4pm (same day), otherwise the bar is first come, first served. There's no standing inside PDT, so definitely call ahead, even if it's 15 minutes. Have fun at Craft and ask for Vanessa as your server if she's there that night! She's awesome. I like Oriental Garden for dim sum myself (or Chinatown Brasserie if I'm feeling splurgy). Dim Sum Go Go (horrible name) actually has a good number of vegetarian dim sum items, too. Oh, and make sure you stop at the chocolate shop (Michel Cluizel) inside of ABC Carpet and home. Note also: Teresa's has closed, Ssam Bar is open until 2am and the former "late night" menu service now starts at 5pm, Chumley's is closed for renovations after a wall collapsed. McHale's has also closed. I think db bistro moderne beats Nice Matin with a fancier, foie gras burger, and Patsy's of East Harlem is probably the best Manhattan pizza. And Angon on the 6th went seriously downhill after a chef left a while ago.
posted by kathryn at 10:04 PM on November 7, 2007

If I had a free Friday night in New York I'd drop by the Village and try to find some live music worth listening to. Terra Blues, the 55 Bar, Kenny's Castaway, the Baggot Inn, or somewhere in the neighborhood. You can pay a small cover, nurse a beer or two, and enjoy the music. Or if you're not enjoying it you can take a 3 minute walk and find music you do enjoy, next door.

Wind up with a Magnolia cupcake or some of the atrocious late-night pizza at Pizza Booth.
posted by ikkyu2 at 10:48 PM on November 7, 2007

MOMA has movies every day but Tuesday.
posted by brujita at 11:21 PM on November 7, 2007

Screw pizza booth. Take the train out to Di Fara.

Eat & drink your way across town. New Green Bo. Fatty Crab. Pegu Club.

I can't believe McHale's is closed. Damn. How long until Chumley's reopens, anyone know?
posted by luriete at 9:45 AM on November 8, 2007

Mmmmm, Di Fara. Very parmesan-y though, your tastes may not skew that way. I love the artichoke pie.

Chumley's is nowhere close to reopening. They keep announcing dates, and missing them.
posted by kathryn at 12:07 PM on November 8, 2007

It's probably way too late for you to see this, but in case it's not: the Met (the art museum) is open till 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. If you like art it's the best time to go because it's pretty quiet and you can actually see things.
posted by min at 11:41 AM on November 9, 2007