NYC Part II - Entertainment & Nightlife

One of the greatest things about New York is that there is so much stuff to do all the time. Granted, I love Ann Arbor, and it has a lot to offer in the way of theatre (and theater), symphony, comedy clubs, bars, etc. But where else other than New York can you get all that times 1000 PLUS still pick up a slice of world-class pizza or eat delicious Gray's Papaya hot dogs after 3am? Not many awesome places. I tell you that much.
Another one of my favorite things to do while in New York is go places I haven't been before. This trip Seth gave Brad and I a lovely recommendation to check out the Otherroom in the West Village. What a great idea. I fell in love with this place instantaneously. Unpretentious, mostly hidden from sight (and therefore large crowds), great wine, great beers, and even greater indie rock. The bartender reminded me of Sam from Top Chef Season 3, and I was just all around completely relaxed here. Reminded me of a night at home with good friend and good conversation, but with a better atmosphere than I know how to create on my own. Don't worry; I took notes.
Next on the list of entertainment in NYC is concerts galore. It just so happens that I went to two while I was there; Franz Ferdinand at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn and of Montreal at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan proper. Franz was my favorite. It was because this was almost a "secret" show at a really small venue. Maybe 300 people tops? Given that, we were really close to the stage no matter where we stood. And the sound was fantastic. The accoustics at the Roseland were pretty terrible compartively. However, of Montreal puts on a lot of crazy stage antics, including the lead singer coming on stage in gold and purple hot pants riding a live horse (see below) and completing his set wearing a suit of shaving cream. At least I was entertained.

Franzey FranzCrazy of Montreal antics

Not to be missed on the list of fun things to do in NYC, are people watching in both Washington Square Park down by NYU, and Central Park. I mean come on, no trip to New York is ever complete without at least one quick visit to Central Park, right? This time did not disappoint either. The walk around Washington Square Park yielded even greater than anticipated results though; Seth got involved in a magic sword show! Mostly it was some crazy guy dressed in swordsman garb mouthing off about the power of his wooden sword that would cut not one, but two oranges. Miraculous right? Well, not so much. At least we got to be this dudes "good people." Perhaps someday we'll actually find the video he was taping of himself performing the whole stunt on YouTube.

I am magic

Throw me some oranges you crazy Jew

Central Park was also great, but in a different sort of way. I love to just walk around Central Park, letting my mind wander, seeing people from all walks of life, catching the roller dancers, and watching the performers near Bethesda fountain. You really must check it out for yourself.

Parkety Park Park

Finally, I debated about whether to put Vol De Nuit in the next post about delicious things I ate while in NYC, but decided instead that Vol deserved a spot in the list of places to be entertained. Mostly because I could spend endless hours here, never running out of delicious Belgian beers to try while lounging around on a couch and munching the best pommes frites EVER. Seriously, they were that good. This place is really that righteous.

Belgian trapist ales make you big and strong!Lindemans = BossChillin' Belgian styleCan we see why I love the frites?

So that's it kids, my take (or at least that in which I partook) for entertainment & nightlife during my week in NYC. Keep yourself plugged in by the end of the week for my final post about all the fantastic stuff I ate while in the city. (yes, I did blow my diet, and yes, it was worth the extra 2 lbs I came back sporting).