Relax in NYC: On the Cheap

New York City has many choices for having a great evening with friends. If your friends are between jobs or you just aren't interested in being part of some trendy scene, but you still want to have a great time - go to Bar None.

MONEY First, there was no cover. I don't know for sure if it's like that every night, but the Wednesday night we went it was free. The drinks-cheap. I know I drank a lot. I know I bought a lot of people drinks. I even bought strangers drinks. When I woke up the next day and checked my bank account, there was still money in it. That's a great sign.

DRINKS Yes, the drinks are cheap. They are also very good. I don't spend money on drinks if they aren't enjoyable.  

THE "SCENE" Some people were wearing dry-clean only clothes, and some people probably didn't know what a washing machine was. Anything and everything was acceptable. All age groups were represented and all music styles were available. Everyone was laid back. It was an amazing environment that I've never seen in my hometown. People who seem to have no reason hanging out in the same bar were happily hanging out in the same bar. There was also a celebrity there. No one bothered him, because that's just the way it is. Overall, I felt that Bar None exemplified a cheap and relaxing NYC evening experience. It was comfortable, unpretentious and enjoyable. I'm scared to even post this message because I want Bar None to feel the same the next time I'm in the city.

I know what you are probably thinking. How can someone consider the South Street Seaport a relaxing, cheap option in NYC? Well, allow me a moment to explain.

What is South Street Seaport?

South Street Seaport is filled with history and is now a tourist destination. Tourists came here because the area is home to some of New York cities oldest buildings. Renovations have encouraged more tourist visits because there is now a mall, restaurants, museums, and boat tours. Besides the mall, it is reminiscent of Old New York. The added value of South Street Seaport is that there are street performers and its on the East River location makes it an ideal place to catch the Brooklyn Skyline.

Museum and Shop

South Street Seaport Museum Family fun giving visitors a look back into NY's history. Admission: $8 adults; $6 students/seniors with ID; $4 children 5-12; children under 5 and Museum Members free. On Mondays, admission for adults is $5, seniors and students $3, and children age 5-12, $1.

Shop. There are typical mall stores like Bath and Body Works or Abercrombie and Fitch. There are also New York focused boutiques where NYC themed art is for sale. There is a little bit for everyone

Why is it cheap? How is it relaxing?

Here's where I offer advice. If you go into the shops and window shop your way right past all the stores and food places, there's a deck with a bunch of deck chairs where you can sit to your heart's content. Here you get a great view of Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Bridge. The deck chairs are comfortable and this is probably one of the best places to catch up on some reading, take in the sites or just RELAX. And it is absolutely free.

Last bit of advice: FOOD
NYC is known for its great restaurants. I would have to say that South Street Seaport is not a place to eat. Like any mall in America, the food options are boring and highly priced. I did eat at the Irish pub and was highly disappointed. The sandwich was two pieces of wonder bread with about 1 1/2 inches of the saltiest turkey I've ever tasted piled inside. Mayonnaise rounded out the sandwich. No lettuce, no tomato. Every bite of this sandwich burned my mouth. It was that salty. As a side item, I choose potato salad. The potato salad was diced potatoes with mayo. White bread, white turkey, mayo and potatoes. There was no color to this dish and absolutely no flavor but salt. Please look elsewhere for your food, don't make the same mistake I did.

I recommend this area to anyone who really loves NYC and wants to see it in the closest resemblance to its history available today.

The Fat Black Pussycat is a more trendy option that is also economical.

The Scene

For those interested in the historical aspect of the club, the front room is the place to go. It is rumored that Bob Dylan wrote Blowin' in the Wind here. There are pictures from the past on the walls. I barely remember this room, it was nice. My experience led me past the front room to the very dimly lit lounge. The lounge was a perfect place for me and about 10 other people to sit on large velvet couches and chairs surrounding a table. I didn't even know if the place was crowded because we felt so cozy in our little group. The music was relaxing which made the whole mood comfortable. The lounge was very dark. Moroccan lamps provided the light and dark red, dark brown and dark black seemed to be the color of the evening. People were constantly walking by happy to take your order. When ever I got up to use the restroom, I noticed that the place was crowded. Either we were seated in an ideal location (towards the back) or the bar-owners knew a lot about bar-layout dynamics, but it just didn't feel crowded. The dress code is very simple. Look nice. No baggy clothes, pjs, t-shirts, sports clothes, sneakers or hats.

There is also a club downstairs. I didn't make it down there. From what I read, it requires an admission fee and is actually separate from the main bar.

The Drinks

The drinks were good and affordable. They have Happy Hour weekdays from 4-8pm. Their 10 oz. drinks (martinis and mixed drinks) are only $8. You can go to their website and join their mailing list to get free drinks and special. They also have something called 1/2 price drink reservations. Reserve this online and you can get half priced drinks.

Overall

It has the essence of a NYC bar. It is welcoming and unpretentious. It is comfortable. There is something for everyone. It's affordable and has great drinks, what else can you want?