Friday 5: 5 Little Things I'm Looking Forward To On Our Next NYC Visit

5 Little Things I'm Looking Forward To

On Our Next NYC Visit

After 40 plus years of visits to The Big Apple, I've pretty much done all of the touristy things, and they don't really interest me too much anymore, either. But that doesn't mean I don't get excited for every trip I make. Now, it's the little things that bring me joy beyond my main reason for going - seeing shows! Here are 5 that I'm looking forward to for my upcoming visit:

People watching at the Marriott Marquis

I get a kick out of (and a good bit of nostalgia, too) watching people coming and going in the theater district. Watching tourists be tourists is fun. The Marriott Marquis offers a couple of great spots to do just that. There's the 8th Floor lobby with tons of seating to watch guests check in, check out and wait. It's amazing to just sit and listen. Plans for the day, talking about a show they are seeing, trying to figure out how to get there... and many times in a variety of languages! (Of course, it's the nicest place in the area to, uh, refresh... IYKYK!) If the weather's nice, or if it's raining, the breezeway connecting 45th and 46th Streets is also great for people watching. Here's also a great place to see folks lined up to see Hamilton. The excitement is palpable in these patrons, young and old. I especially get a smile out of it when I zero in on a kid who would normally NOT be caught dead at a musical, and is trying with everything they have not to show any signs of excitement. But it is written all over them despite their best efforts.

Checking out the new One Shubert Alley

Sure the tiny closet that is the original is still there, nestled between the stage doors of the Booth and Shubert, and I can remember when that was the only Broadway-specific shop around. Now there are others (and some have come and gone, too), including a bigger one now on Broadway next to the Winter Garden. We will have to stop by and check it out. It'll be nice to have more space to move!

Chicken soup at the Carnegie Diner

Not to be confused with the Carnegie Deli, the Diner is on 8th Avenue, near Wicked/Just in Time on 50th, and Chicago/The Book of Mormon on 49th. We love to go there and sit at the bar and eat. They mix a hell of a drink - heavy pours all around, and the food is really good, with huge portions. But it is their chicken soup that has made it a regular stop for us. Flavorful broth, lots of chicken and veggie chunks and rice comes together in the perfect comfort food, and served with a crusty bread perfect for dipping. We end the visit with a delicious dessert (there are lots to choose from), and our wallets aren't completely empty, either! Highly recommend!

Grabbing a drink at a local bar

Speaking of good drinks and people watching, there are several area bars we like going to for a night cap. This trip The Glass House Tavern (47th Street, next to Six) and Hurley's (next door to the Longacre Theatre and across the street from Hadestown) are the likely candidates and we like them both. The drinks are great, the clientele is a fun mix of theatergoers and locals - always a good sign. And both are great places to see show folk, too!

Revisiting New World Stages

Man, time flies! We haven't been to a show in the New World Stages complex in years. I get a kick out of the urban vibe of the place. It's a cross between an art gallery and a Cineplex. What is fun is the community feeling one gets down there underground and away from the midtown hustle bustle, with everyone there with the same purpose: seeing a show. Seeing Heathers there will have a special nostalgia since we saw the original production there over a decade ago.

What are the "little things" you like to do when you make a theater trip into the city? Let us know!

 

Going Solo in New York City

My most recent theater excursion to the Big Apple ended up being a solo trip at the last minute. While it wasn't the first time I've gone alone, it was the first time I was there for a whole weekend by myself. It was an experience, I learned a lot, and I thought I'd share.

Going Solo in New York City

GETTING THERE: The trip started with catching Amtrak in Baltimore. It was packed - the station announced single seats only in advance of the train's arrival. So had I been traveling with my usual partner in crime, we wouldn't have been able to sit together, anyway. But I tell you what, the two and a half hour trip with no one to talk to feels like an eternity! The guy next to me was thoroughly engrossed in a movie and had his ear pods in, so chatting him up wasn't an option.

Thank goodness my usual companion was available to text with, and he helped me navigate the subway. Now, dear reader, you might wonder how a 40+ year veteran of New York trips could possibly need help getting on the subway between Moynihan Station and the Times Square area. Well, I wanted to make a specific stop, and I was a little off kilter having to fend for myself.

THINGS I LEARNED:

• Even though I live alone and work from home - I spend a lot of time alone, I realized I am not good having no one to talk to when I'm excited for a trip!
• Another realization that I'm not proud of is that despite hundreds of trips on the New York subway, I really don't pay attention that closely to which trains I take, and rely on whoever I'm with to pick the right one. I need to work on that...

STAYING THERE: Of course, your mileage may vary, but when I got to my hotel and told them I'd be alone, they gave me a room with a king sized bed instead of one with 2 doubles. Very comfortable! Another perk of solo travel is being able to sleep in and stay up as late as I wanted. 

SOMETHING I LEARNED:

• You don't know if upgrades are possible unless you ask. I guess that's true no matter how many in your party, and maybe they took pity on me...

EATING THERE: One good thing about going to New York by yourself is that you get full say on where, when and what you eat! Another benefit is that no one even blinks when you say, "Party of one!" Around where I live, I think I'd feel pretty uncomfortable at a sit down restaurant by myself, but in the Big Apple, they are ready to accommodate you with a table or a place at the bar. 

THINGS I LEARNED:

• It may be in my head, but every meal I had came with the best service. Not too bothersome, but always attentive.
• Sitting at the bar gives you more to do than sitting at a table alone. There's TV to watch (sometimes), or you can watch the bartender make drinks - one of my favorite things to do. It is relaxing. And then there's your fellow patrons, many of whom are more than willing to chat!
• One downside is that there's no one to talk about the show you've just seen. I love post-show critiquing. 
• One upside is that there's a fair chance that others at the bar have just seen the same show - especially when you go to a bar that is near the theater you just left! It happened just that way twice on this trip. It is interesting to hear others' opinions, even (or maybe especially) when they don't agree with mine.

PRO TIP(S):

There are about a billion places to eat and drink in the theater district. Here are the places I ate that were all just as great alone as they are when I'm with someone.

• Pre-show dinner (top): Junior's (either location in the area) though this time I ate at the one on Broadway. Close to most theaters, this location is closest to the Winter Garden, and a brief walk to my first show that weekend, Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco. This location also offers more counter space for single diners, with both space at the bar and at a long, high-top counter.
• Post-matinee meal (bottom, left): The Glass House Tavern, directly across from the Barrymore, where I had just seen Our Town. I always enjoy the lower-level bar area. The atmosphere is great, the bartenders are...generous...and they have a terrific bar food menu, with a decent variety (the burgers are excellent!).
• Sunday dinner (bottom, right): Hurley's, home to multiple seating levels, including twin bars that are very long with tons of seating. They are also generous with their pours, and their pub menu has a great variety of things, with equally generous portions. I can recommend both the fish and chips and the Shepard's pie!

GOING TO THE SHOW:

Well, in some ways, solo or with a group, theater going is the same. After all, you can't talk to each other during the performance. But there is something special about sharing a live experience with a friend or loved one. And boy, intermissions are long when there's no one to talk to!

PRO-TIP:

• If you find yourself with extra tickets at the last minute, I can highly recommend using the Theatr app. It's easy to put your ticket up for sale, and it is safe - no money issues on my end. It's also great for snagging last minute tickets for yourself, often at a substantial discount. A win-win, if you ask me!
• Side-note: I sat next to three purchasers of my extra tickets, and they were all nice. Plus, it was a great conversation starter!

Would I do it again? Maybe. But it sure is more fun with someone to share it with.

Have you ever done a solo trip to see shows? I'd love to hear your thoughts and "insider" tips!

THE FRIDAY 5: Theater District Watering Holes

JEFF'S TOP 5

THEATRE DISTRICT WATERING HOLES

Over the years, Mike and I have been known to enjoy an adult beverage or three during our Broadway binge trips. We like to try new places, but tend to go with the familiar.  Here are our 5 favorites in the theatre district.  Most are also restaurants, and we do eat at these places, but this list is based on the drinks, not the food. Both of us separately graded about 10 of our favorite places on ambiance, quality of drinks, value, location relative to the Times Square area.  Here's how the tally shook out:

5. MOTHER BURGER (329 W. 49th Street) 

This place is small, but it is CHEAP, and not just for NYC. That's why this place got the highest score for value. I love the red sangria, and they have some great frozen drinks, as well. Not a bad burger, either... Great for a matinee day or pre-show drink (only open late on Fridays and Saturdays). Close to: Avenue Q (and anything at New World Stages - it is literally over the space!), Wicked, Once On This Island, The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Bruce Springsteen on Broadway, A Bronx Tale, Angels in America, Waitress, The Band's Visit

4. IRON BAR (713 8th Avenue) 

This place feels both comfortable and trendy, and always seems packed, but we've never waited for a seat or table.  It is pretty pricey, but what you get is high quality.  Mike recommends the tasty, but small margaritas, and I enjoy their strong rum and Cokes.  What this place has in spades is hours (open daily 12PM - 4AM) and location.  Close to: Kinky Boots, The Phantom of the Opera, Anastasia, Hello, Dolly!, Lobby Hero and Frozen

3. JUNIOR'S (1515 Broadway, but you access it from 45th Street and Shubert Alley)

Here's another place high on the location scale.  The food here is really the star - their cheesecake is world-famous. The menu and the portions are enormous, and it isn't too expensive, but not cheap, either.  This is also the most family-friendly place on the list, so it might surprise you that thee drinks are pretty terrific.  They serve a big margarita, and I've had an equally large rum and Coke and screwdriver there over the years. Get in line - the wait is rarely as long as they tell you it will be, and you can eat at the bar if available. But again, location, location, location! Close to: The Lion King, The Boys in the Band, Come From Away, Three Tall Women, The Iceman Cometh, Carousel and Dear Evan Hansen

2. CHEVY'S (249 West 42nd Street)

Okay, so a chain Mexican restaurant might not be high on your list in the first place, but we love it there, because the food is decent, and the drinks are high quality.  Margaritas by the pitcher or glass, other exciting specialty drinks and very well poured classics - the bartenders here are great.  Go early, go late, we never have to wait long, and they encourage you to linger!  Upstairs is quieter, but sometimes the hustle bustle downstairs and at the bar can be a blast, too.  Close to: The American Airlines Theatre, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Aladdin, Beautiful, Pretty Woman

1. REUNION (357 West 44th Street)

This place is small, and close to 9th Avenue, but you can't miss it.  There's a giant surfboard and life guard chair and lots of colorful lights to tell you where it is.  It is in the basement of its building - be careful going up and down the steps! It looks small, but holds a lot of people comfortably.  They have a small menu of things to eat, including interestingly stuffed hot dogs.  Hit this place for happy hour and it is super cheap.  Off happy hour isn't that much more.  We've tried a variety of their drinks and they are all good and very nicely poured.  Reunion scored highest in ambiance - take the time to read all the signs! And the location is great if you want to be close to the Broadway action, but not overwhelmed by it.  It's also close to some great eats. Close to: Kinky Boots, The Phantom of the Opera, Frozen, Lobby Hero, Hello, Dolly! and Schmackery's (for cookies), Two Boots Pizza (for gourmet slices) and 5 Napkin Burger (for...burgers).

HONORABLE MENTION: THE BROADWAY LOUNGE AT THE MARRIOTT MARQUIS (1535 Broadway - on the 8th floor)

We just discovered this place on our most recent trip, since we treated ourselves and stayed there.  But we'd go back.  It's a nice, bright open place, with a great view of Times Square.  As you might guess, it's pricey, but not too outrageous.  We had excellent service at both the bar and in the lounge seating area.  Large drink menu and decent sized menu of eats. (Try the house made chips and dip - maybe the best onion dip I've ever had!) Close to: Escape to Margaritaville, Hamilton, Summer, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Parisian Woman, School of Rock, The Band's Visit, Waitress