5 Unique Nights Out In New York
The Underground Rebel Bingo Club
Locations are secret and shared with club members via e-mail
rebelbingo.comThis is so not your grandmother's bingo game. If you like your parties young, loud and raucous, you can request membership to the URB here. This tongue-in-cheek secret international organization throws the wildest parties in New York and Brooklyn, complete with live music, insane dancing and a bingo game reminiscent of a frat party on steroids. The group used to throw parties in a church basement where they happened upon a bingo game, and the rest is history. With the motto, "We know it's wrong. But if feels so right. And they can't stop us," the party-goers at these inexpensive, all-night underground happenings are probably having more fun (of a certain type) than anyone else in NYC. Strictly by invitation only, Rebel Bingo is geared toward the younger crowd.
Rubin Museum of Art / K2 Lounge
150 W. 17th St.
New York, NY 10011
(212) 620-5000
rmanyc.orgPrice: Free to attend
Hours: Friday's 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
If your tastes run toward a gentler scene, you will love Friday nights at the Rubin Museum. One of NYC's lesser-known cultural institutions, the Rubin is dedicated to the art of the Himalayas. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday nights, the elegant, Turkish-palace inspired in-house restaurant, Serai, is transformed into K2 Lounge at the Rubin, complete with a reasonably priced Asian Tapas menu, two-for-one drink specials, thematic gallery tours and a host of monthly resident DJ's serving up music. DJs Small Change, Tyger Lilly and Kamala are especially popular with the crowd, spinning everything from jazz to Brazilian funk. Live musical performances include celebrated favorites from the Museum's own series, Naked Soul and Harlem in the Himalayas. Admission to K2 and the Rubin's Galleries is free and live music performances are under $20. With a 24/7 parking lot right down the block and practically every subway line in NYC within a three-block radius, the Rubin is an elegant, affordable and unique night out on the town.
Trapeze School New York
West Side Highway at Pier 40
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242-8769
newyork.trapezeschool.com
For the extremely adventurous or the very limber, Trapeze School New York offers two-hour, evening classes on its rooftop starting at sunset, all summer long. Breathtaking views of the Pier from the ornately-lit roof makes this one of New York's most beautiful, hidden spots. If learning the flying trapeze is on your bucket list, this is the place to find skilled, professional trainers committed to providing a safe and fun environment. Equipment is state-of-the-art, and classes are available for all levels including first-timers, but reservations are required. Expect to shell out between $50-$70 for the opportunity to soar 23-feet above the ground. Parties for 10 or more can be booked in advance, and start times are 5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
Pegasus Flight
Linden Municipal Airport (LDJ)
1101 West Edgar Rd.
Hangar 500 Linden, NJ 07036
(888) PEGA-FLT
pegasusflight.com
If you wish to fly even higher, nothing compares to an evening helicopter ride over New York City. And if neither finances nor altitude are an obstacle, make this your most unique night ever by booking a private sight-seeing tour that will have you sweeping through the skies over New York's famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Is she the one? Go for the 30-minute Proposal Package. Choose where you will pop the question and then pop the champagne on this romantic ride through the clouds, which includes champagne and flute glasses plus a dozen long-stemmed roses for your newly-betrothed. The cost for two: $465. If, on the other hand, you're still flying solo and loving it, go for the 30-minute night tour for a more affordable $185. Reservations are required and cancellations due to inclement weather may be re-scheduled.
WIERD at Home Sweet Home
131 Chrystie St. #1
New York, NY 10002
(212) 226-5708
wierdrecords.com
homesweethomethebar.com
Hours: Wednesday 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.Come back down to earth at this weekly, Wednesday night blast which showcases very rare, new music. The night features live performances by a wide variety of bands and artists who are well-respected in musical genres like Industrial/Noise, Coldwave, Neofolk and Post-Punk. WIERD is run by artist and DJ Pieter Schoolwerth from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at Home Sweet Home. Ironically-named, HSH deserves its reputation as downtown's diviest dive bar and is a taxidermist's delight. With it's cheap drinks and low-down-and-dirty dance floor, signless Home Sweet Home throbs every Wednesday night to WIERD label bands like Hive Mind, Zola Jesus and The Soft Moon.
