Hey, I'm heading up to NYC for an album signing and I want to be very early in line, so I'm taking the last bus out the night before and should roll in at 1AM. For someone under 21, any suggestions on stuff that will be open?

Try Grand Central Station.
Look like you waiting on a train.
Bring a book.
After they throw you out,train it
chinatown.

What neighborhood?
How much money can you spend?

You better hope the weather is good.

Other than an all night restaurant (there are loads listed on menupages.com) I can't think of anything.

some restaurants in korean town in midtown near Macy department store open 24 hours also.

don't go to chinatown like one poster suggested. It rolls up early in the evening.

should you just start waiting in line at tht time?

Come down to the Greenwich Village area. If you are comin ginto the port authority you can take the A, C, or E trains to west 4th. The area around Bleecker between 6th Av (where the subway exit is) and LaGuardia Place are pretty lively (NYU neighborhood). Many of the small shops and cafes are open late. I think there may also be some 24 hr coffee shops in the area.

I like Esperanto, a cafe on Macdougal Street in Greenwich Village. It's open 24 hours.

www.esperantocafe.com

As far as midtown goes, there's the Tick Tock diner on 8th and 34th--also 24 hours.

I'm not sure about the rest of NY, but Wo Hop at 17 Mott Street is most certainly open late at night. My club going days are long gone but I'm sure this place still packs them in at 3 or 4 in the morning.

Here's a link to a NY Times article on late night options:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/dining/18lbox.html

The area around Union Square is also awake at that hour. I've walked from Gramercy park, through Union Square and all the way down to Greenwich Village at that hour. Lots of other folks on the sidewalks, many restaurants/diners/cafes open.

Also...if you happen to have a love for all things Apple...

The Apple store on 5th Ave. at 59th is 24 hours...

The Apple Store hours at that location is a great thing to know. Usually you can also get free internet access in apple stores as well.

Le Express on Park in the 20's is open 24 hours and they have coffee

bring an alarm clock and get a room at the vanderbilt Y- 49th & lexxington - under 50.00 a night.