I am taking my very mature (for 17) 17 year old to NYC for a three day weekend in April. I am pretty set with all of our plans and reservations but am struggling with a nightlife plan. What can we do after dinner or a play in the way of entertainment? I was thinking of a caberet for that great, intimate cabaret experience but I wonder if a 17 year old be allowed entry? If so, can anyone suggest an appropriate cabaret venue or performer? Alternatively, how about other ideas for nightlife for us to enjoy?
Thanks

What music are they interested in? Go to a place where the emphasis is on the quality of the music, not so much the scene. I read The Knitting Factory was a good place for multiple genres. Any other suggestions, Big Applers?

I took my 14 year old nephew to his first jazz club experience at The Iridium on Broadway at West 51st Street just 2 weeks ago on a Saturday night. We went to the first set at 8:00PM and it lasted about an hour. He loved it. By the way, I was pleasantly surprised by the food. We arrived early for dinner before the show and it was quite good. He had the 12 oz. Angus burger with caramelized onions and fries and I had the chicken paillard. Not bad at all. Next door is Ellen's (50's style) Stardust Diner which usually hosts a nightly variety show of some sort. I did call ahead and ask about age requirements.

Are you planning on attending a broadway musical? Even though they're not huge musical theatre fans, our teens loved RENT, Phantom and Into the Woods.

We do have ticks to both Rent, and, on a little lighter note, Wonderful Town. I saw Rent years ago- soon after it premiered, and loved it. I was looking for something like The Fantastiks that ended its forty-some year run at the Sullivan Street Playhouse a couple of years ago to compliment Rent. A knowledgable friend recommended Wonderful Town as just the light, upbeat fare I was after.

One fun thing might be Friday evening at the planetarium at the Museum of Natural History - they have jazz and tapas appetizers, drinks and a it's a fun scene - a later dinner afterwards at a good Upper West Side restaurant would top off a fun night. Check it out at www.amnh.org There's also a laser light show in the evenings. The Carlyle hotel of course is famous for it's cabaret - but that's a pretty old-fashioned, moneyed, crowd (with a pricy cover sharge, too) But they might have an artist she might like. I'd call and check on the age requirement, tho. Or you could check out Stomp or Blue Man Group, then explore the east Village and have an ethnic dinner, if she's into a little wilder scene. And maybe check out a urban college, experience?