New York City

[Phoenix]

I just found out that I am going to be headed to New York City for a business trip on Oct. 26-29. Unfortunately, the Rangers are going to be out of town (Major bummer).

Would any of you fine New Yorkers be as so kind as to tell me if there are any good local bands that I should see while I am there? Bar suggestions? Anything would be appreciated! I cannot freaking wait!

[Zabka]

where will you be staying in the city?

Also--what kind of scene you looking for? Lots of live shows constantly going on from big headliners to mid-level places, to bars that cycle through 3 bands a night--many of whom are recently signed artists still trying to make some cash. I haven't done that scene in a while, but NYC has a lot of it going on--most of that is downtown (east village, west village, alphabet city). Most of these bars advertise in the village voice. check it out online and see if you can spot any bands you want to see while in town.

If you want more interesting NYC "sightseeing" the appropriate clothes, the ability to spend a few extra bucks, and the patience to deal with velvet ropes is important. The hottest of hot places will be too hard to get into unless you are with women...but there are plenty of others where you may not be celeb spotting, but will be impressive nonetheless.

Finally--that is the weekend before halloween. Lots of halloween parties will be going on. Halloween can be a pretty wild time (and the marathon is usually around then as well) so lots of random people looking for a good time. provide more of your interests and I can try to help--although at my advanced age, some of my sense of such things may be dated.

[Phoenix]

Looks like I will be staying at the Roosevelt Hotel I guess it is on Madison and 45th. (Although I have no clue where that is in the city)

I definately think I am to old for the hip places, but I love the idea of the newly signed artists looking to make some cash. I like the beer and rock kind of clubs. No cosmo martinis for this kid. I don't mind spending money, but I will be in a suti and tie all day so I would love to do blue jeans and a t-shirt at night.

Good call on halloween though. I didn't even think of that. Perhaps I should dress like a hick from Ohio...oh wait...I AM a hick from Ohio.

Any recommendations on a good website to see the New York Clubs? Thanks!

[Zabka]

http://www.villagevoice.com/nycguide/index.php?sid=6

also, citysearch is pretty good for finding stuff.

How old are you? You do realize that the trendy scene starts at 22 yo and that it goes up past 40 for most real trendy places (if you have sick money), but otherwise, 30's is easy so long as you aren't in a sausage pack.

You are staying right in the heart of midtown, near grand central and the met-life building (the one godzilla walks through in that awful movie remake). I used to work there. It is mostly a business district, but there are some decent bars right around you that will offer interesting eye candy. Furthermore, you are right near the subway if you are looking for cheaper modes of transportation. (you will never find cabs in the rain or around 5-7pm in that neighborhood).

We'll have to grab a drink at some point during your stay--although I don't live in the city anymore so will be more limited in my transportation options.

[Phoenix]

I guess I am okay for the scene. I am 33, but a pretty laid back guy in a bar. I definately like good scenery. Perhaps a nice old Irish Pub-style hole-in-the-wall. Those are my kinds of bars.

That would be awesome to meet for a beverage or two. First few rounds are on me.

Thanks for the website. I will check it out and keep you posted as my travels plans are a little more organized. I guess I am supposed to go see the Wedding Singer so that would be decent.

I definately plan on doing the subway thing and I think the only "touristy" thing I would like to do is visit Ground Zero and pay my respects. Well, I don't know if I want to see it per se, but I feel like I should.

[Zabka]

If that's your scene, then you can pretty much wear whatever you want. If you want to do something a little trendier or that might involve dancing around poles, you will need to have non-sneakers on (and jeans need to be reasonable).

The pubs in NY are plentiful---and most are your garden variety pub/jukebox type places with a lot of drunk neighborhood locals. East and West Village will have a bit of a young and more bohemian crowd typically. Soho will have more of a European/trendy crowd. Live music is probably best done in the village somewhere.

Depending on when you are coming through and what your schedule is, I should be able to swing a couple hours.

[Taco_assassin]

Zabka and Phoenix,

You guys should let me knoe when you 2 meet up in the city for drinks. I only live acroos the river in jersey, and it would be cool to meet some of my DSA brothers

[Phoenix]

That would be awesome.

It looks like I am going to have Friday afternoon off, so we can even get an early start Friday 27th if that works for you guys.

Since I am happy in almost every bar if there is a particular establishment that works for you I am game!

[Zabka]

Kamui, Ratix? you guys up for this?

Kamui, I don't recall if you are of age yet.

Taco, that would be alot of fun. I'll have to figure it out--lot will depend on if I land my next job by then.

[Grejo]

i'm heading over to new york in march for the saint patricks day parade. some of you that live there should go check it out and i'll hold up a DSA sign or something lol.


I'll be in the parade btw

[RaTix]

Pubs.. Drinking.. Pole Dancers... DSA Gathering.. Hell yeah im in. Nothing like getting drunk and wondering around the city. If we head to the village, we gotta make sure Zabka doesnt try to bring us into those bars with the pretty little rainbow flags hanging in the window though. lol.

[Kamui]

:D im 21.

[Zabka]

Pubs.. Drinking.. Pole Dancers... DSA Gathering.. Hell yeah im in. Nothing like getting drunk and wondering around the city. If we head to the village, we gotta make sure Zabka doesnt try to bring us into those bars with the pretty little rainbow flags hanging in the window though. lol.

Ratix,

I am unwilling to help you relive the night that you "became a man" by going to one of those bars and meeting Johnnycakes. Then again, I did live in Chelsea for about 3 years. Wow that was a cultural awakening.

This could be fun. Kamui, you just make the age cut! I am now well past the age that I can help somebody underage throw back a couple.

Anyway, I should be able to pull something off. Phoenix, give us more details when you have them as all of us have a bit of travel to get into Manhattan now (having just moved)--Taco from south Jersey, me from North Jersey, Ratix from Westchester, and Kamui from Brooklyn (hooo!)

[Phoenix]

"Johnnycakes"? Is that a Sopranos reference?

I should have my final schedule tomorrow. I don't think I am going to fly back until Sunday morning.

[Zabka]

Yeah, Johnnycakes was a Sopranos reference (and Ratix was Vito Spatafore in the allusion).

The bars with the little rainbow flags he pointed out in his post make a point of being more friendly to other sexual orientations than the average establishment. They aren't necssarily gay bars or restaurants per se, but will usually have a higher ratio. I lived in Chelsea for three years which has a very high concentration of gay couples in the neighborhood. Having grown up in the South, I was a bit homophobic, but have reformed my views considerably since going to college and living in NYC.

Ratix, unfortunately, stays hidden deep in that Emperor's closet.