Manhattan: a twentysomething’s paradise; an all-consuming hotbed of bars, restaurants, cafés, late-night eats, and oh, so much more! So, what do you do when faced with such a plethora of options that you just want to hop into the first dive bar you see? Well, that’s actually not a bad idea either. But, in any case, we’re here to help with some of our favorite Gen Y spots in the city.
Our Favorite Eats
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| The London Atrium Suite’s dining area is designed for formal or casual in-room dining for up to four. |
Amazing places to eat are a dime a dozen in Manhattan, and you can pretty much sink your teeth into any genre of cuisine you crave. The Meatball Shop downtown is hands down one of our favorite spots to kick back and enjoy a clever twist on an old favorite. Customize your meal with your provided dry-erase menu and marker. We especially love the sliders you can mix and match—think spicy pork meatball with Parmesan cream sauce. Oh, and did we mention homemade cookie sandwiches? You can even mismatch the top and bottom cookies.
Behold—one great reason to fight the Time Square crowds: Hagi—a ridiculously good Japanese sake bar hidden among a vast array of flashing lights and tourists yielding cameras. Grab a few friends and feast on Japanese-style BBQ and traditional dishes. Our Picks: Pork with cabbage, grilled yellowtail collar, wasabi dumplings and chicken meatballs. And of course, you should wash it all down with a pitcher of Sapporo and sake of your choice.
If you’re craving a southern-style meal, we strongly suggest Jacob’s Pickles. As the name permits, there’s no shortage of pickled vegetables at this unique eatery. But what we really love are the southern-inspired meals that make you feel right at home. Order the honey chicken and pickles southern biscuit sandwich with a side of cheese grits (yes, it’s a mouthful) and your taste buds will thank you, we promise. They also offer craft beer flights and unique cocktails like the Spicy Brine Margarita with jalapeño tequila and spicy pickle brine.
Happy Hour and Beyond
Whether you’re looking for a place to start the night or end the work day, we’ve got you covered. One of our favorite happy hour spots is Gyu-Kaku. The midtown location has half-price Japanese BBQ and drink specials (99 cent Kirin anyone?) all day Monday to Wednesday. We definitely recommend trying the Coca-Cola-braised pork Gyu-Bun and the lychee martini.
Blind Tiger is our West Village favorite thanks to the chilled-out ambiance, but mostly because of the extensive draught list. Beer and cheese lovers will delight in free cheese samplings at the bar every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
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| The Greenwich Hotel‘s drawing room. Designed by Robert DeNiro, The Greenwich is more like a classy home than a hotel. |
If you insist on stumbling into a dive bar, we suggest checking out the not-so-“divey” bars of the Jake’s Dilemma variety. Jakes on the Upper West Side has a library-lounge in the back, where you can catch up on your reading—or play a game of beer pong. You can also find its sister bars (nycbestbar.com) around the city, namely The Gin Mill, Off the Wagon and The Stumble Inn. For you gamers out there, Fat Cat is a hip West Village jazz bar offering pool, ping pong, chess, and more. It’s a laid-back pool hall with nightly jam sessions—what more could you ask for?
Shopping
Bypass the department stores and head to Bleecker Street. Between Eighth Avenue and Christopher Street you’ll find boutique shopping and the likes of Michael Kors, Jo Malone, Burberry and Ralph Lauren. We love Bookmarc, Marc Jacob’s book store offering a selection of art, fashion and music titles, along with designer totes and desk supplies. Hint: Make your way across the street for a cupcake from the iconic Magnolia Bakery.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to check out Chelsea Market, where you can snag a variety of culinary goods. You can also head to Union Square for some retail therapy. Tip: The Union Square Holiday Market, open annually between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, is perfect for a dose of holiday spirit. For indoor shopping, head to South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan for usual run-of-the-mill stores. Panoramic views of the harbor are worth the trip.
Where to Stay
For Gen Y, boutique hotels are a trendy luxury option. The London NYC is set in the bustling heart of New York. Walk to a Broadway show—perhaps after dinner at Hagi—and return to a sophisticated, modern suite. We are obsessed with the 1,400 square-foot Atrium Suite offering panoramic views of Central Park, the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. Gordon Ramsay serves up French-inspired cuisine, and you can even interact with his culinary team at the Chef’s Table, where guests dine in The London NYC’s multimillion-dollar kitchen. Luxury travel advisors can reach out to sales executive Marianne McCann ([email protected]; 212-468-8823).
The Greenwich Hotel, Robert DeNiro’s charming creation, will make you feel right at home. Situated in one of the city’s most desirable areas, the hotel puts you in close proximity to shops, galleries and restaurants. Amenities include a private courtyard and drawing room, Shibui Spa and fitness center, as well as a lantern-lit swimming pool and lounge. A Penthouse stay comes with extra amenities, including roundtrip airport transfer and two personal training or poolside yoga sessions. We hear Tom Cruise and Kate Hudson were recently spotted here. Tip: For ultimate luxury, book the N. Moore Duplex Penthouse. It’s fitted with a fireplace, sauna and steam room. Luxury travel advisors can contact Director of Sales and Marketing Katy Horne ([email protected]; 646-203-0022) for inquiries.