30 to Midnight

Table 8, Cooper Square Hotel, East Village

Wednesday, 10pm

Table 8, Cooper Square Hotel
25 Cooper Sq. (6th St.), Manhattan

Guess everyone was outside taking their picture by the funky entrance to the hotel, instead of at the bar. Actually, we don't have to guess because that's what we saw when we investigated Table 8. True, there were a few people, seemingly AI, milling about, but the bar itself was vacant. Strange. Not enough data to be scientific, but unscientifically we have to call this place AI. Future visit required. 

Reader Says: Frying Pan, Chelsea; Don't Do It

Thanks to Mike for writing in to let us know to avoid The Frying Pan (Pier 66, Manhattan). He says:

Frying Pan is Age InAppropriate. It's way too crowded. You have to push to get to the back. And it's all young kids, like some doofy analyst class.

Cabrito, West Village

Friday, 6:55pm

Cabrito
50 Carmine St. (Bedford), Manhattan

Early happy hour ends at 7pm at Cabrito (at bar and tables). By 7:20pm what what previously crowded-Age Appropriate-standing room only becomes empty, waiting for 8pm when the crowd again arrives.
It's like this every night, bartender says. And mostly Age Appropriate too, though not for the Late Night happy hour (11pm-2am, Thursday-Sunday) which is mostly (but not wholly) Age InAppropriate.
What we most enjoyed while enjoying our Rajas con Crema was watching a group of four boys (the only AIs in the house) do two shots each in five minutes between finishing dinner and walking out the door. 

Nothing Good Happens After 11:39pm

...it's not also easy to go out on Saturday nights. If not for our commitment to you, dear readers, most Saturdays we'd be on the couch with popcorn, pilsner, and premium cable. Or maybe there'd be pinot. Either way, we agree with Bartender Luce who says, "If people are smart, like our regulars, the people we like, they're home cooking or at movies on Saturday nights."
Why? "Because the City gets invaded."

More difficult than going out on a Saturday is staying out to Midnight. It's not that we 30-somethings aren't fun, it's just that we like our fun completed early enough to get a full-night's sleep so we can wake up clear-headed and have fun the following day (and the day after).

That's why we at 30toMidnight could not protest when on a recent Saturday a researcher bailed at 11:39pm.
"Are you sure it's okay?" she asked, honestly concerned, two blocks from home at the time.
Of course it's okay. We wanted to go home too, but we had 21 minutes (or so) to go...

Village Tavern, West Village

Saturday, 11:00pm

Village Tavern
46 Bedford St. (Leroy St.), Manhattan

The last time (well, one time) we were here, Sara thought she might be entering a relationship with a Colombian oligarch. He was smart, had a killer accent, and no intention of engaging in anything moral with our sweet heroine. These days we are at least ten years older than any potential partners at the Village Tavern on a Saturday night, but it's still an enjoyable bar, mostly in daylight if AA is your care.

Bleecker Heights Tavern (Magic Hat? Five Guys Bar?), West Village

Saturday, 10:30pm

Bleecker Heights Tavern
296 Bleecker St. (7th Ave. South), Manhattan

If we knew the name of this place we'd tell you. A call to the Five Guys below provided no clarity ("Hey, Julius, what's the name of the bar upstairs? No, the one upstairs. Upstairs"). We're going with Bleecker-Heights-Tavern-Magic-Hat-Five-Guys where the bartender told us, "It's usually kind of older in here, like 25 to 35."
We didn't even see anyone as old as 25 when we stopped in, but we did enjoy the cool view of Seventh Avenue South.

Water Taxi Beach, Long Island City, Queens

Sunday, 2pm

Water Taxi Beach, Queens
2 Borden Ave. (Second St.), Long Island City

We think swimmable or at least accessible water is a major component of the beach, but admit it's much easier (one 7-train stop from Manhattan) to get to Long Island City than to, say, Rockaway Beach. And sangria doesn't hurt either. Though sunseekers skewed young at the Water Taxi Beach this Sunday, we can report that the scene was gender-balanced and mostly Age Appropriate, even if that means tolerating techno and those who attempt to move to it. Warning: Also unlike the actual beach, you may not bring your own food and drink here. 

The Half Pint, Greenwich Village

Friday, 9:30pm

The Half Pint
76 W. 3rd St. (Thompson), Manhattan

Sara: Are you carding everyone who comes in here because we're in NYU territory?
Bouncer: Yup.
Sara: Doesn't look that young in here.
Bouncer: Not yet.
Sara: When does it change?
Bouncer: 'Bout Midnight.

Not surprisingly, midnight comes early 'round here. By 10pm, Michael Collins Irish WHiskey promoters were passing out green, white and black leis, and AI's were wearing them like capes. On the other side of the bar (table area) there were salt&pepper-haired men speaking in lovely accents, ignoring the children. We like them; they smile at us; we discuss the 200ish beer menu with them; it's all good, but we know summer is more tolerable than schoolyear in these parts. August 23 begins New Student Orientation.

Reader Says: Sala, Peter's

Another reader writes in with suggestions...

Check out Sala on the Bowery. Plenty of AAs. I hit it every six weeks or so - when I am downtown. Good tapas. Two for one happy hour works for me. Late night scene in a downstairs lounge.
Peter's on 68th and Columbus is another prime spot. Decent vibes, good juke box - and it's not a wine bar. Not a frat scene at all.

We've always said that restaurants (like Sala) are usually full off AA's. Thanks for reminding us there are AA places in the Village. And, Peter's, wow, we have not been there in years, but are certain the Upper West Side is a bastion of Age Appropriateness. We'll go back soon, like when we're craving a hard boiled egg (do they still do that?).

DBGB Kitchen & Bar, East Village

Wednesday, 10:30pm

DBGB Kitchen & Bar
299 Bowery (1st St.), Manhattan

Girls, girls, girls...at tables, at bar, outside, all around. Yes, folks, Daniel Boulud's latest project appeals to us women (soups, salads, and encased meat; what's not to love?). It's an Age Appropriate crowd, confirms Bartender who smiles when we ask if it's always so female-dominated). It is. "Really?" asks my 35-year-old male Researcher, impressed by the imbalance of gender. "Is that it? Girls just want food?" Well, yes. The stomach is the way to our hearts too. And we'd like more of the regular menu at the bar, please.