New Year's in Times Square

[djmcmath]

So last July, a friend of mine called and said he had hotel rooms in NYC for New Years, and that he was collecting a group. A dozen of us met up to hang out in Times Square for the big event -- what an adventure!

Or so we thought, anyway. Here's some facts:

1 - Police shut down TS at about noon. Little pens, 50 or so feet on a side set up all down the street. If you ask nicely, you can still get into a pen by 3:30, but I'm not sure that they didn't less us in simply because we had sailors in uniform in our group.

2 - There is nothing in the pens except people, and whatever you've brought with you. Mind you that backpacks are officially verboten per the security regulations, so what you bring with you is extremely limited. There's no vendors -- no food, no drink, nothing -- and no restrooms.

3 - It's cold, on a phenomenal scale. I'm a skier from way back, and I've spent quite a bit of time in sub-zero temps. But if you're just standing around in sub-zero (wind-chill) for 12 hours, it's going to suck pretty bad.

So by about 5:30, my wife was freezing her ketushka off, so I directed a tactical withdrawal to the nearest Irish Pub, about a block away, outside the police barricades. The rest of the group was disappointed, but, like Napoleon's troops in Russia, I had to admit that we were poorly prepared for the weather (inadequate alcohol was definitely a problem!) and that we must depart.

We closed out our bar tab by 8, but my wife (who is more of a drinker than I am) was still drunk enough by 11 to be standing on a table singing La Marseillaise. Not that I'm complaining, of course, people were buying me drinks for her singing!

So lesson learned: do New Years somewhere warm. Like Rio, or Vegas, or something. But not New York!

Cheers, and a slightly hung-over Happy New Year to all!

Dan

[Zeke]

Sounds like it's definitely not worth the trouble. Vegas is pretty cold outside this time of year. I'm not sure you would have fared better. Rio sounds a lot warmer!

[jwasbury]

I work in the Reuters building right smack in the middle of all that mayhem (42nd and 7th). I can tell you that pretty much everyone who lives and works here avoids Times Square like the plague throughout the entire year, but especially on New Years Eve. My hats off to ya for giving it a go though. Which Irish pub did you end up at?

[gtc]

When we were watching it on TV, we were surprised how quickly Times Square cleared out. Hearing your account, it's not surprising now that people would want to get the heck out of there ASAP.

[djmcmath]

It was the Pig and Whistle, on 48th, I think. Nice enough place, friendly waitress, nice view of the street.

A clarification: I'm a lightweight, compared to my wife, and the drinks after we closed out our tab were plentiful, on other kind people's tabs.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

I must say, I'm envious. I've always wanted to go to NYC, and seeing the new year there would definitely be a great memory.

[widgeon13]

You couldn't pay me enough money to go to TS on new years eve, nothing magical about freezing one's a$$ off with a bunch of other folks but then again I was in bed at 10PM.

The beach in Anguilla would be more to my liking.

[djmcmath]

Ok, having done it, I've determined that it's the sort of thing you at least attempt once. Definitely 100% never ever will I do that again.

Now, if I was in a hotel or club right on TS, you know, so I could see the ball drop and the crowd from someplace warm -- that would be fun.

Dan

[304065]

Next time remember the five P's and bring a hip flask.

That said, the OAT was so low this year that I couldn't help but feel bad for the stalwarts who stuck it out. . . virtually everyone here in town stays home or goes to private parties.

Sounds like a good save with the Irish Pub, there are many good ones, amazing you were able to get a seat at all. . .credit the low OAT.

[ramonesfreak]

better to be in mcsorleys sitting or standing next to the fireplace with 12 dark beers

[304065]

Originally Posted by srandallf

better to be in mcsorleys sitting or standing next to the fireplace with 12 dark beers

If you can get into McSorleys. I can, but I fit the profile

You mean the stove, the one in the front room, in the words of Joe Mitchell "identical to the ones in elevated railway stations." Been a while since THOSE were in operation.

There is no finer saloon in the USA than McSorley's Old Ale House, 15 East 7th St.

[ramonesfreak]

yes sir. thats it. personally dont care for it when ya gotta stand because too many people. best to get there at 11am sharp when they open, and sit there till 5pm and watch it fill up from a good vantage point in a chair, having beers by the armful handed to you in comfort. glorious bliss. miss those days

[ramonesfreak]

my hand and the stove, not long ago


there i sit, 14 years ago


and my table, not long ago



cheers

[Aurel]

I am 1h in train from Penn station, so it would be easy for me to do New Years eve in Times square if I wanted to, but I really don`t see why I would freeze my ass in the cold waiting for a ball to fall doing nothing in a crowd of a few hundred thousand people. Did I mention I don`t like crowds and standing in the cold?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by srandallf

my hand and the stove, not long ago


there i sit, 14 years ago


and my table, not long ago



cheers

Now I feel like a beer. We have an old Pot Belly stove like that at the house on our property in upstate NY Man can it put out some heat!!!!

[Wickd89]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

You couldn't pay me enough money to go to TS on new years eve, nothing magical about freezing one's a$$ off with a bunch of other folks but then again I was in bed at 10PM.

The beach in Anguilla would be more to my liking.

Not freezing your butt off.. And no not get me wrong, I love warm weather..
I did New Years Eve when I lived in NJ in Bergen County and it was great. Now I was not in the TS pit, but we were close enough to enjoy the count down.

Like anything, if you are prepared the weather doesn't really effect you. We dressed for cold weather (thermals, gloves, hats, scarves), and therefore enjoyed the cold night on our face...

[Flatbutt1]

I never did understand the allure of standing there for up to 9 hours, no food,no drink, no toilet. I had a very nice sushi dinner at Danny's and finished the celebration at the Count Basie theatre (Red Bank NJ) watching Southside Johnny in concert.

[Aurel]

Originally Posted by Flatbutt1

I never did understand the allure of standing there for up to 9 hours, no food,no drink, no toilet. I had a very nice sushi dinner at Danny's and finished the celebration at the Count Basie theatre (Red Bank NJ) watching Southside Johnny in concert.

Hey I live in Red Bank! Good choice for the celebration. Count Basie theater is a 10 min walk from my house.

[Flatbutt1]

We'll have to meet at Danny's some time!

[Monza_dh]

You gotta love McSorley's!!

Originally Posted by srandallf

my hand and the stove, not long ago


there i sit, 14 years ago


and my table, not long ago



cheers