New York is known as the city that never sleeps, but if you are like me and enjoy going to bed at a reasonable hour, there are still many ways to enjoy a Saturday night in Manhattan. I recently discovered some unique activities to try with friends that go beyond the typical night out and are perfect for the anti-night-owl. If you enjoy exploring New York’s music, art, and food scene as well as having relaxing nights in with friends, I recommend trying the following:
Dinner and a movie at Village East by Angelika:
A hidden gem located in the heart of the East Village, this movie theater is a stunning feature that has us wondering if we’re still in the U.S. The theater is on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater’s best screening room, the Jaffe Art Theater, has remarkable décor and an ornate gold ceiling. With the latest movies available to watch including the “The Lost City” and “The French Dispatch,” the theater often shows older, classic movies. The theater is usually empty, which makes viewings here a surreal experience. If you are looking for a post-movie meal, try Mudspot for a delicious breakfast for dinner!
See a concert at the Bowery Ballroom:
The Bowery Ballroom is the perfect concert venue as it is quaint, has great acoustics, and is beautifully decorated. I saw Maude Latour here last week and walked right into the venue without having to wait in line. The concert was lively, and the convenience of the venue allowed me to be in bed by 11, which is a win for me! Ticket prices vary based on the acts, but most shows on their website will cost you no more than $25. If you are looking for a meal before the show, Klong has great Thai food and gets incredibly busy later in the night so going pre-concert is a great opportunity to skip the long waits.
“Late Night” Pierogies at Veselka:
Veselka is a warm and homey Ukrainian spot in the East Village serving mouthwatering pierogies and Jewish-Ukrainian food. The no-frills space is always bustling and the perfect spot to enjoy a long, cozy meal with friends. While wandering down crowd-packed Saint Marks Pl. looking for a place to get dessert, my friends and I almost gave up our search when we spotted Veselka.
The atmosphere was lively even at 9:30 pm, and I got to enjoy a leisurely second dinner of pierogis, latkes, and cake in great company. It ended up being the highlight of my weekend. If you want to know if Veselka is the real deal, I traveled to Poland this fall, and Veselka’s pierogies are just as good, if not better than the ones I had in Krakow. You must end your night with the Medovyk Cake, a Ukrainian specialty dessert. You will go to bed full and happy with dreams of Medovyk cake.
Live taping of a Late-Night show at NBC Studios:
I had never heard of the website, 1IOTA before last week, but it is now responsible for the coolest thing I have done in the city. The website allows you to enter yourself in ticket lotteries for the live filming of late-night shows such as Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon. My friends and I were lucky enough to score three free tickets to a Seth Meyers filming last week. Seth was super friendly and answered lots of questions from the audience and revealed to us that his favorite celebrity guest was Rihanna, as it should be. The NBC team likes to put the younger people in the front, so we got to sit in the front row. It was truly a surreal experience. You can put yourself on multiple waitlists on the 1IOTA website, and I have heard it is not uncommon to receive tickets to at least one show if you are persistent. Also, don’t be thrown off by the “Late Night” titles as the shows are usually filmed around 3 pm. I recommend grabbing lunch in the food hall of NBC Studios before the filming and ending the day with a stop at the Rockefeller Center Magnolia Bakery to enjoy some banana pudding for a full NYC experience.
Rumble Boxing Class:
Grab a friend or two and try taking a boxing class at Rumble’s NOHO studio for a unique and stress-relieving way to spend your Saturday night! I was intimidated to try boxing before I tried Rumble’s 45-minute class, but the instructors are helpful, and it is very beginner-friendly. The music is blasting, the energy is high, and you and your friends can blissfully punch out any stress left over from a busy week. They offer classes throughout the evening, and they have a buy one class get one free offer for $34. Try grabbing a pre-workout juice or smoothie at Pressed Juicery down the street before your class to fully enjoy this self-care experience!
Joe’s Pizza Takeout on The Couch:
There is nothing better than enjoying a hot slice of Joe’s pizza from the comfort of your couch. After a busy week, a great way to spend a Saturday night is with a box of Joe’s, some quality T.V, and great company. Last week, my friends and I picked up a large cheese pizza to devour as we watched the Grammys and enjoyed a relaxing night. You can get your pizza delivered if you don’t want to leave your apartment, but there is something fun about walking down 6th Ave with a giant Joe’s pizza box as people gaze at you with envy. Just don’t forget to bring cash as Joe’s is old-school and doesn’t take credit cards!
It might seem abnormal to be a 20-year-old who prefers early nights over the typical college all-nighter, but I have been surprised by the number of students who have told me they feel the same way. I was also shocked by the positive responses I have received from friends while discussing non-party-related weekend activities. The Covid pandemic has drained our social batteries, which has made many students more inclined to relaxing weekend activities rather than late-night events. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you prefer these types of nights and know that you are not alone! Now, grab some friends, try out one of my recommendations, and get your beauty sleep!