if you walk over to first avenue and go south for a few minutes, you'll hit like 200 restaurants in about 15 blocks. i haven't been to many of the bars in the area, but there are some bro/sports bars that seem decent. i like this place, but i tend to prefer quieter bars. it's def not a "happening" bar.

it's a pretty sweet area overall ... quick walk to central park (if you're a runner, the track/reservoir is right there ... if you're a tennis player, the courts are pretty close too), and if you want to get downtown, the 4/5 trains will be an easy walk for you too at 86th/lexington.

Heh, my brother just moved from 92 between 2nd and 1st. He loved that area for pretty much the reasons tannenj mentioned; tons of restaurants, close to the park, and short walk to the 4/5 trains. Seemed to be quite a few little bars with a younger crowd, mostly sports bar types.

Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to it quite a bit. I'll be working in the mid-50s on 3rd, so 75% of my decision was an easy commute. Good to know the area is a little bit happening.

Good afterwork place if you prefer very big/strong beers and servers in low cut garb:

Bierhaus

I have mixed feelings about this place. The decor and space/layout are pretty solid, and ++beer options (although you can get the same litre mug type stuff way cheaper in Harlem or Queens). But, they have this terrible pop-rock polka band almost every night that plays unbearably loud and makes it impossible to talk to anyone. Plus, it is always chockful of former frat-boy I-banking/biglaw types who generally suck. Overall, I'd love coming into that place if I was already wasted and looking to just get rowdy, but it's def not on the top of my afterwork drink environments.

There's a ton of smaller bars around that area though that would be better if you're looking for a more laid-back drink or two, lotta Irish-y type places on 2nd between 50-55 or so. Just stay away from Turtle Bay unless you're in the mood to get into a fight.

that's my neighborhood - not really much for nightlife, but easy enough to take the subway (6 train) elsewhere

pm me if you have specific questions

a lot of businesses on that stretch of 2nd have closed over the past few years because of construction on the subway. there are still a few sports bars (and a gay bar if that's what you like).

Going to Gramercy Tavern for the first time tonight! Stoked.

Note - you will be about a mile from Lobel's, should pop in there at some point.

I plan on going once. Even though I'm gonna be making way more than I'm worth, I'm a little wary of those prices.

I'm thinking about going to NYC in August. What can I expect from a YMCA (the one in Harlem in particular)? Pretty much only looking for somewhere to sleep. Entrance to the gym is included will they have barbells?

I saw that Gotham Bar & Grill have a fixed priced lunch that looks good, what kind of dress code can you expect for lunch at a 1 star place? Will they laugh at me if I turn up in sandals, shorts and polo shirt?

Can't imagine the YMCA is great and have never heard of anyone staying there. That being said sounds like you are on a budget so not sure if you have too many options.

As for lunch, you are almost 100% getting laughed out especially if there are people having business lunches. No one wants there restaurant to look low class when a bunch of business meetings are going on and someone walks in. At least put on pants and a pair of leather shoes (polo is not great but probably okay).

For lunch at Gotham, I think a Polo w/nicer jeans and shoes would be fine. Dinner definitely needs to be a little dressier.

david burke kitchen - thumbs down

Man, I was just talking with some about his places, every other day I see a groupon for a David Burke place, what's going on there?

i like his fishtail restaurant, but don't recommend it in the summer because it has no a/c

Yeah, I've never purchased a groupon and considered doing the Fishtail one, doh, dropped the ball.

Been to Meatball Shop twice in the last week, still ****ing awesome.

Any recommendations on stuff to do in Brooklyn?

Brooklyn's a very big place, and it isn't always easy to get from place to place within the borough. Where will you be and what types of things are you looking for?

We are staying in Bedford Stuyvesant. Pretty much looking for anything that's fun and cheap. Sport activities, places to hang out and good value restaurants among other things.

Anyone where you could find a pickup softball game? preferably one where you don't have to bring any equipment and it's ok to be bad.

I live in bed-stuy. for food in the hood you might wanna try Do or Dine (NYT review). hipster as hell but fun, with great food. Saraghina if you're looking for pizza or pasta. you can also head down by Pratt; there's a long strip of restaurants and bars on Myrtle ave.

day stuff: prospect park, brooklyn museum (museum is adjacent to the park), coney island. PS 1 is in queens but is a short g ride from bed-stuy and is awesome. brooklyn bridge is obvious and is an easy walk from here. citifield, home of the mets, is about 45 minutes on the train and tickets are cheap because it's the mets. brooklyn flea is a big hipster flea market every weekend in williamsburg. it is both better and worse than it sounds.

nighttime i'm assuming you can handle. go see some concerts if you're into music. there's a million venues in brooklyn and obviously a million more in manhattan. Brooklyn Vegan puts out a big list of shows going on each day, though they don't break it down by manhattan/brooklyn. i don't know how old you are or what kind of music you're into so i'll avoid recommending specific venues.

can't help you with softball, but if you're looking for basketball walk 3 blocks in any direction.

and just to pick on you: bedford stuyvesant? haven't you ever listened to jay-z?

let me know if you're looking for more info.

Thx alot, Not a big fan of Jay-Z so I never heard of the place before we booked the room we are staying in. GF and I are 25 and 26 and neither of us are big music fans but like stand up alot and theater.

Do you know of any local stand up, we don't mind if its open mic or new talent night or anything like that but would prefer no/low entree fee, alot of the places I have been looking at is 15-20$ + 2 drink minimum which seems kind of expensive (cheap euro bastard jokes are ok).

knitting factory is nearby and has a free comedy night every sunday hosted by hannibal buress, who used to write for snl and has been in a bunch of different things. upright citizens brigade is in manhattan but has shows every day of the week, often free and never more than $10. asscat 3000 is their best known show, runs twice on sunday night and often has SNL castmembers participating. I think the earlier show is $5 and the later one is free.

It's great, one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Worth the trip from anywhere.

We had already planned on going to upright citizens brigade and knitting factory looks great as well, thanks alot.