AA meetings in NYC?

September 6, 2011 3:13 PM

12-step tourism: Are there any NYC recovery meetings that are known to be particularly interesting, non-traditional, or fun?

I've recently started going to a meeting that is focused on meditation and recovery. I'm personally kind of against capital-G 'God', and so I've found this meeting to be really engaging.

I'm going to be taking a trip to NYC for pleasure next week (15th through 18th) and because I'm still newly in recovery I want to stop by some meetings while I'm there. My first preference would be a buddhist meeting (I haven't found any online), but anything full of interesting and warm people who don't mind a visiting tourist would be really helpful.

Any ideas?

posted by jpziller to Food & Drink (6 answers total)

Best answer: They're not AA meetings, and I'm not sure if they'd be close to where you are, but these two groups look close to what you've described: Brooklyn 12-step Sangha or The Buddha and Bill W..
posted by korej at 3:57 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

Shambhala Center NYC has open Buddhist-based talks on Tues pm and I think they MAY have something for people in recovery on Sunday nights? Check their website.
posted by bquarters at 7:20 PM on September 6, 2011

I remember a neat meeting for newcomers down near Film Forum on W. Houston. This was many years ago but I know it was held in some sort of upstairs clubhouse, not a church. It was a memorable meeting (and packed with people, which I tend to prefer). If it's still active, the people at the NYC intergroup might be able to figure out which one it is based on the details I remember. The number for NYC is [phone]. In general it's a good idea to call the intergroup office of where you're traveling, since the volunteers answering phones are well suited to give recommendations on local meetings. Happy travels!
posted by wowbobwow at 11:24 PM on September 6, 2011

With some searching I did find that location, which is 220 West Houston Street, 2nd Floor (between 6th Avenue & Varick Street). There are many meetings held there daily, and looks like the newcomer-focused meeting is Thursdays at 8pm.
posted by wowbobwow at 11:45 PM on September 6, 2011

Best answer: Are you in recovery for drugs or alcohol?

When I'm in NYC I always go to the Breakfast Club, which is at 30 E.35th St (btw Park & Madison) at 7.30am, Monday-Friday. It has a solid core of good people there, and it's a meeting that's kind and welcoming to people in their early days. It's standard AA, not a huge amount of God talk but a lot of talk about recovery and living sober.

The disadvantage is that you'll have to get up early. The advantage, though, is that you'll have the whole day ahead of you with a meeting already behind you to set you up for the day. Tell them Jan from Essex sent you and give Ramona a hug from me.
posted by essexjan at 2:12 AM on September 7, 2011 [2 favorites]

Sorry, I've just seen that you headed your question 'AA meetings in NYC'.
posted by essexjan at 2:18 AM on September 7, 2011