How have we never seen such a sight before? Fireman climbed right up (see below; amazing we caught that; too bad about that big blonde noggin in the way). Six stories up. Three buildings evacuated, including someone who was clearly showering (dripping hair, overcoat). We've thought about that. Haven't you?
The Parlour
250 West 86th Street, Manhattan
Weekend afternoon and evenings can mean post-Zog, which you know skews AI, but happy hours and nights here are mostly AA. The food's decent at this Irish Pub and Restaurant, and it's not impossible to get on a pool table. Why does that sound negative? It's not. Go to the Parlour to watch soccer, baseball, etc and hang with Age Appropriate peers.
Nicholas Roerich Museum
319 W 107th St. (West End Ave.), Manhattan
You've been to the Met Roof Garden (and, presumably, the Met itself), but have you visited the Nicholas Roerich Museum? We bet not. Well, go. Even if you never heard of the Russian-born artist until this moment it's a treat to wander the lovely building, regard the hundreds of paintings, and consider Roerich's conviction that art is a path to peace, like world peace, like the world would be a better place if we were more culturally evolved.
In the fall and winter, the museum hosts readings and classical music concerts (generally Sunday, 5pm). It should not surprise you to know these events are Age Appropriate. It should surprise you to know that this June the museum was robbed.
Update: One of the two stolen paintings was returned via mail to the museum the day we ran this post.
Friday, 3pm
St. John the Divine Cathedral
1047 Amsterdam Ave. (110th St.), Manhattan
We love this city, and as much as we poke fun at tourists (and generally attempt to avoid them while appreciating their spent dollars), we sometimes have to play tourist ourselves (outside of bars). The Catherdral of St. John the Divine is one of many incredible local playgrounds. Musical events are generally Age Appropriate here, or everyone acts AA. This is a venue that commands Appropriateness. We like that. Walk through (during an event or not) and you'll know exactly what we mean.
Cathedral open 7am-6pm, Monday-Saturday, 7am-7pm Sunday (6pm in July and August)
Grounds and Gardens open during daylight hours
Saturday, 10pm
P&G Bar
380 Columbus Ave. (78th St.), Manhattan
Not to be confused with the actual P&G Bar (279 Amsterdam Ave. at 73rd St., closed) this P&G bar is the unfortunate reincarnation, now alive and unwell in the former Evelyn Lounge space. Got that? So...it's Age Appropriate in here, but there's also UFC playing on the flat screen TV's against the exposed concrete walls. That's all we're saying, out of respect for the dead (and we don't mean that guy at the end of the bar).
Saturday, 10:15pm
Jake's Dilemma
430 Amsterdam Ave. (81st St.), Manhattan
We’re trying here. We really are. But somehow we engaged with the most Age INappropriate boys on the Upper West Side…and perhaps on the island of Manhattan. It all started on the right track: one sign in the window announced John’s 31st Birthday Party, another directed guests to a Bachelor Party (basement), Pearl Jam was blaring, there were plenty of stools at the bar, an extraordinary beer selection, and the scene was more or less Age Appropriate.
A threesome approached.
Sara: You guys with the bachelor or the birthday?
White T-shirt: We're in the army. (He put his arm around her. It felt good. Too good. Something wasn't right.)
Third Guy: If I give you money can you buy me a beer? The bartender cut me off.
Hmmm. We knew we shouldn't continue, but we had so many questions: How did that happen? (out of control arm-wrestling). Where are your uniforms? (home). How do you know each other (two met the Third that night playing Flippy Cups). And, most importantly, how old are you?
The Third claimed to be 28. He walked away after we teased him about being a farmer from Iowa and refused to buy him that beer. The other two were on a getaway from West Point(!), and had to be back by 7pm the next day. As for their ages, they were—wait for it—19 years old (insert scratching of record here).
Obviously we immediately demanded to see their fake ID's, documents that deemed them Hispanic and born in 1987(!), which Short Guy claimed made him 23.
Short Guy: How old are you? Are you going to ditch us?
Sara: (pulling herself away from White T-shirt) Yes.
Short Guy: How old are you? There’s no way you’re older than 25.
And on that note, we dashed to the door.
Saturday, 9:40pm
Dive 75
101 W. 75th St. (Columbus Ave.), Manhattan.
Nine years ago Sara found $50 at this so-called dive. Not much has changed, though the floors were cash-free. Mellow, Age Appropriate, balanced-gender crowd playing board games, watching baseball, and regarding the fish in the glowing tank. We like.
Saturday, 8:40pm
Bin 71
237 Columbus Ave. (71st St.), Manhattan
We expected the Upper West Side to be a bastion of Age Appropriateness and started our night with a no-brainer: Bin 71. Luckily the air was warm and dry so the outdoor seating was in place, nearly doubling the size of the bar, a sometimes flaw here. As we hit 9pm, single men were replaced by dates and girls, but everyone was in the range of ages we desire. We didn't eat (this time) but know the food (cheese, meats, small things) to be pretty good. And the wine? Bottles offer more variety, but you'll find something in the glass selection too.
