Top 21 Things to Do in New York When You’re 21
While New York City is chalk full of historic monuments, site seeing and activities for the whole family, it’s also The City that Never Sleeps – known for its electric nightlife for the 21+ crowd. Yes, the city is full of many dime-a-dozen bars and clubs, but it also has some of the best haunts. That said, we’ve compiled an exciting list of the 21 things to do in New York City when you’re 21. Book your flights to New York and enjoy!
- Name Night at No Idea Bar
While most bars in the U.S. have Happy Hour, The No Idea Bar in Manhatten has Name Night. They chose first names at random and post them on a calendar on their website, if your name is listed, you drink for free on that day from 5 to 11pm
- Drink History at McSorley’s Old Ale House
Established in 1854, McSorley’s Old Ale House is the longest continuously opened saloon in New York City – so old that Abe Lincoln even had a beer at McSorley’s! If you’re of age, pop on in, peep the eclectic decorations and enjoy a mug of one of their two historic beers on tap that are simply referred to as light or dark.
- Bocce Ball at Union Hall
Though New York is famous for its unassuming hole-in-the-wall joints, Union Hall is a 5,000 square foot converted warehouse in Brooklyn that acts as a bar, music venue, restaurant, library and of course, indoor bocce ball court.
- Open Bar at The Trash Bar
Instead of booths, The Trash Bar in Brooklyn lets you sit in repurposed car seats without the risk of getting a DUI. Adorned with license plates and auto-industry garb, there’s a free open bar from 8-9pm every night of the week!
- Cheap Beers on the Staten Island Ferry
Because New York is infamous for its expensive drinks, we recommend a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. Of course all ages can ride the Ferry but in addition to the scenery (and the fact that you’re on a boat in the city), the 21+ crowd can enjoy dirt cheap beers for only $3.75. ‘Nough said.
- Enjoy The View from the Marriott Marquis
If you’re looking for a view, the top floor of the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in Time Square is the home of The View – NYC’s only rooftop revolving restaurant and lounge that offers a 360° view of Manhattan.
- People Watching at the Standard Hotel Beer Garden
Everyone likes to people watch but if you walk to the Highline Ballroom and watch the unsuspecting people in the Standard Hotel Beer Garden through the floor to ceiling windows, it’s top-notch entertainment.
- Drink and Game at Barcade
Combining the best of both worlds (the gaming whimsy of a child with an adult’s access to alcohol), Barcade in Brooklyn is a 21+ video arcade that serves craft beer, allowing you to be an intoxicated child while playing all of your favorite games from the past.
- Yankee Tavern
If you don’t have tickets to the Yankee game, the Yankee Tavern, just outside of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, is a comfortably rowdy place to watch the game and enjoy a beer, whether the game is home or away.
- Be a Mad Man at “21” Club
Built in the 1930s, the “21” Club near Madison Avenue is a high-class establishment that was frequented by the type of high-rollers that inspired the Mad Men TV series. Though you might have to go into debt to enjoy it to the fullest, it’s the epitome of East Coast affluence.
- Speak Easy at Chumley’s
Speaking of Mad Men, Chumley’s is a historic pub in the West Village that was formerly a speakeasy during prohibition but is now frequently part of the set for TV’s Mad Men. Even if it is perfectly legal to drink there in the 2000s, you can at least feel like you’re a 1920s gangster!
- Feel Older at Bridge Cafe
Joining the ranks of Chumley’s and McSorley’s as some of New York’s most veteran pubs, Bridge Café, located under the Brooklyn Bridge, was established in 1794! Though it hasn’t been running continuously since then, it’s still a good place to grab a pint of history.
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- Let Loose at Lucky Cheng’s
New York is the home of some of the best “alternative” entertainment and Lucky Cheng’s drag bar is its darling. While it might seem a bit racy, it’s a bustling tourist attraction that rivals the statue of liberty and even the most uptight individual is sure to let loose.
- Have a Manhattan in Manhattan
While you’re in Manhattan, you best have a Manhattan. Of course, it’s not necessarily our place to say which of the hundreds/thousands of bars in New York City makes the end-all Manhattan but, to offer up a suggestion, a little bird told us that the Blue bar in the Algonquin has a nice old bartender with a bow tie that makes ‘em mean.
- Hit the Lanes at Frames
If bocce isn’t your thing, Frames in Midtown Manhattan is a strong alternative. This is not your average bowling alley; it’s a bowling lounge, bistro and bar with private party lounges, interactive media games and one of the best dance clubs in the city!
- Rock Out at The Hi-Fi Bar
For the music lover that doesn’t like the sweat and crowds of a live show, Hi-Fi features a one-of-a-kind El-DJ mp3 jukebox with 2,100 albums and more than 31,000 songs! With that many songs, you’d have to be one extreme music lover to get through them all.
- Get a Burger at Corner Bistro
When it comes to separating itself from the pack of bars in NYC, Corner Bistro doesn’t really on its drinks or atmosphere to bring the crowds, it’s the burgers. Yes, they serve some mighty fine drinks but most any forum would tell you that the Corner Bistro is THE place for burgers in New York.
- Smoke it Up at Circa Tabac
If you’re one of those few smokers that complains about the widespread ban of cigarettes in public places, Circa Tabac is the 21+ spot for you. Through a bizarre loophole, this is a legal place to smoke because it’s a rare establishment that relies on tobacco sales for more than 10% of their business.
- Music & BBQ at Jazz Standard
Although this counts as two separate venues, if you’re in the mood for live music and BBQ, pay a visit to Danny Meyer’s BBQ upstairs and Jazz Standard downstairs – nobody’s ever complained about top-notch jazz and BBQ all in one!
- Experience Chelsea’s Finest at Barracuda
Rounding out the list of “alternative” entertainment suggestions for New York, Barracuda in Chelsea is the second best place to enjoy an evening of danger and drag. Much like Lucky Chen’s, when you’re surrounded by such free spirits, you can’t NOT have a good time.
- Get a Late Night Slice of Pie
Much like the ultimate Manhattan, it would incite a riot if we even attempted to declare the best pizza in New York City, however, if you’re walking home from a long night of 21+ activities, you wouldn’t be disappointed with a late night slice from Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Totonno’s Pizzeria, Di Fara Pizza, John’s Pizzeria or Lombardi’s. Enjoy!
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noew york is a place to be…
What a great list of things to do in NYC when you’re young. The slice of pizza would ‘top’ it all off