TexasGirlTravels

Hello again! My husband and I are searching for a restaurant for New Year's Eve. We were going to eat at the restaurant in our hotel, but it's going to be closed that night. We definitely want to avoid Times Sqaure, but still want to have a fun NYE. We'd like to stay in the midtown area, near Rockefellar Center/St. Patrick's Cathedral, as I'm sure it will be impossible to get a cab anywhere that night. We're also thinking of going to Monkey Bar after dinner. Any suggestions?

GoTravel

New Years Eve I highly suggest you go somewhere nice for a big late lunch (1PM-2PM) somewhere nice like Gramercy Tavern and skip dining out that night.

NYE is amateur night. Restaurants will have set menus at overblown prices and service will be sketchy.

Gekko

Find a small restaurant for New Year's Eve .. most restaurants "offer" prix fixe menus, some with 'open bar', for a huge amount of money.

Maybe call Le Gigot, for example, on Cornelia Street.

Bars, too, usually have a BIG cover charge and then open bar. For example, you might pay $100 to get in but drink 'free' from 9pm - 1am. Anywhere you're considering going, DEFINITELY call ahead to see what they're offering.

It terms of cost/value, midtown is the absolute WORST place ... the crowd takes amateur night to a new level, and the restaurants/bars know it.

I'm sorry if this info is discouraging, but New Year's Eve in Manhattan is quite a challenge unless you're willing (and you plan early enough) to spend BIG bucks.


(Perhaps share your ages & budget, and more suggestions can be offered.)

mclaurie

Go to Opentable.com and have a look at what's available. There are loads of options. Lever House is open and they haven't posted a special menu. It's normally pricey, but you didn't say you were on a strict budget. Brasserie 8 1/2 (listed on OPentable as midtown east but actually just west of Fifth Ave.) has a prix fixe for $95/person that looks pretty good. It's not far from Central Park where there'll be fireworks at midnight. Fun and not nearly as crazy as Times Square. While it's true midtown tends to attract only tourists on that night, there are some decent options. Check reviews on menupages.com

I don't know what the Monkey bar will be like on NYE. If you're staying in the hotel, why not. Otherwise I wouldn't consider it a destination type place. Bill's Gay 90's across the street might be fun and will probably have live piano.

mclaurie

The Campbell Apartments (inside Grand Central) and/or the Carnegie Club would be worth stopping for a drink. Just phone to make sure they're open.
http://www.hospitalityholdings.com/

TexasGirlTravels

Thank you all for the suggestions! The reason we want to stick to midtown is because our hotel is in that area. We're in our mid-20s, and since this is our honeymoon we're willing to pay more for a good restaurant. Not the ridiculous prices I've been seeing (one place has $500-$100/person cover-just to stand inside!), but we're not a strict budget. I like the idea of eating a late lunch, which means we could venture away from midtown a bit and then walk back in the late afternoon. I just do not want to get stuck in the Times Square crowds. We're tourists, but we're not THAT touristy! (o:

Gekko

Oh ... you're in your 20's!

Check out this great party:

www.newyearsnation.com

I HIGHLY suggest it ... it attracts a great crowd of young professionals & has a strict limit on attendees ... short waits for drinks, premium bar ... you'll meet fun people and have a great time!

GoTravel

If don't want to get stuck in Times Square crowds, don't go anywhere near after about 1PM.

TexasGirlTravels

Just read your post, mclaurie. Brasserie 8 1/2 sounds wonderful! The menu looks fantastic, and fireworks over Central Park would be great, especially if the crowds are smaller there. It looks like it would be a pretty short walk from the restaurant.

mclaurie

Gekko's suggestion may be more in keeping with your age group but yes, Braserie 8 1/2 is quite near the park.

Gekko

The New Year's Nation party doesn't start until 9pm, but excellent food is served ....

I'd suggest dinner at 7-7:30pm, then go to the New Year's Nation party (where you could have dessert).

Or you could have a nice late lunch and enjoy dinner at the party (but it's buffet, not a served sit-down dinner).

The venue, Eugene, is really cool.

TexasGirlTravels

Now I have a few questions about the New Year's Nation party and the fireworks in Central Park! (Thank you all for being patient with me!) How crowded does it get? Would it be worth it to pay $100 more for the VIP tickets? Also, how difficult will it be to get back to midtown? DH and I are pretty low key, and I can see us getting tired of the crowd after awhile. I checked out the website, and it looks like an amazing party, but the fireworks in Central Park might be more our style. How far into the park would we need to go for the fireworks, or can you see them from pretty much anywhere? Are there any areas of the park you would suggest NOT going to that late at night?

Again, thank you all so much for your help!

Gekko

Depending on the weather, the fireworks in the park can be a nightmare. You'll be outside, obviously, for a LONG time ... if it's cold and/or snowy, you're in for a world of hurt. If you go, just stick with the crowds and you'll be perfectly safe.

Regarding the NYN party, it gets comfortably crowded, as a good party should. NYN has a rule about 1 bartender per 75 guests, so the lines for drinks are very reasonable. Paying for a VIP ticket is ideal if you want to sit & chill ... and I believe the VIP section has its own food areas as well.

Eugene is on West 24th Street not far from midtown. I'd take a subway after the party.

ekscrunchy

Look into dinner at San Domenico, a classic Italian place on Central Park South.

stormygirl

If I'm reading the site correctly the drinks and all are included in the price for the new years nation party?

Gekko

Correct ... one price, all you can eat & drink ... it's actually a great deal, particularly in NYC on NYE.

And the bar is top shelf.

Enjoy!