Meet and Drink Before St. Paddy's Day Show

[Eric V]

I'll start.... where will we meet-up this year? I wasn't there last year, but it sounds like a few of you already have some ideas for this year. So then, What Say You?

[mrdarcey]

How close do you want to be to the show? Assuming people want to be in one place the whole time.

[KathleenwithaK]

I would prefer to be walking distance. Do you have a suggestion for that?

[dublinrambler]

i guess theres 2 threads for this same subject? Your nbest bet would have to be : http://www.olunneys.com/

[philipchevron]

Anyone who craves more than liquid nourishment could do worse than Bar Americain, just down the street from Roseland at 52nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. I had an excellent lunch there today, their burger is terrific. Booking advisable, it's a popular joint.

[Mick Molloy]

Bar Americain,

so did they also have filet americain?

[philipchevron]

Bar Americain,

so did they also have filet americain?

http://www.baramericain.com/index.html

[Mick Molloy]

Is it just me whio thinks that is quite expensive

[mrdarcey]

Is it just me whio thinks that is quite expensive

Welcome to NYC. Pity the poor fools here who have to make fuckin' rent.

My suggestion...well originally I was going to say the Upper East Side, as that is where the parade route ends up, and it has some quite decent pubs.

But then I remembered Hell's Kitchen is right around the corner from the Roseland.

Try here:
http://nymag.com/search/dblistings-sear ... ighborhood

it should be sorted by neighbourhood. Look for Hell's Kitchen or Midtown West. I'd avoid Times Square at all costs, though it is in the same area.

[Eric V]

Anyone else finding it overwhelming looking for a hotel? I'm doing the normal searches and finding there is a whole huge racket online selling hotel packages to show-goers and tourists. I just need a safe place to sleet with two beds. Hell, between myself and the guy who I think is going with me (wife out log time friend in) I think we could handle sleeping in the park pulling 50% security ... that's military talk for one guy sleeps while the other guy keeps watch. I'll be in this room for sleeping only, I think, since my wife nixed the hookers idea I had. Anyways, those of you who are in the know -- and NYC is new to me -- please advise. Thank you very much. If all else fails, I will throw lots of money at the situation and everything will be fine -- I'm going to see the Pogues and the Tossers, in New York, on St. Patricks day.

[Heather]

I'm going to see the Pogues and the Tossers, in New York, on St. Patricks day.

Oh I'm so jealous, I always miss the best things.

[philipchevron]

Anyone else finding it overwhelming looking for a hotel? I'm doing the normal searches and finding there is a whole huge racket online selling hotel packages to show-goers and tourists. I just need a safe place to sleet with two beds. Hell, between myself and the guy who I think is going with me (wife out log time friend in) I think we could handle sleeping in the park pulling 50% security ... that's military talk for one guy sleeps while the other guy keeps watch. I'll be in this room for sleeping only, I think, since my wife nixed the hookers idea I had. Anyways, those of you who are in the know -- and NYC is new to me -- please advise. Thank you very much. If all else fails, I will throw lots of money at the situation and everything will be fine -- I'm going to see the Pogues and the Tossers, in New York, on St. Patricks day.

Eric, try expedia.com and enter your requirements as directed. You should get dozens of results, from hostels to luxury dives. Bear in mind that Expedia will list them in Expedia's preferred order, which is not necessarily yours, but you can quickly change this by clicking the options for listing by price (cheapest first), number of stars, location etc.

Whatever else you do, do NOT fall for the online scams which invite you to pay, say $50 a night on the understanding that you will be given, sight unseen, the best hotel room avaalable. You will NOT stay at the Plaza, you WILL stay in a room over a Chinese Laundry on the West Side Highway with sticky carpets on the floor (of the hotel room, not the road).

I use Expedia all the time and find them painless. With them, you gets what you pays for.

[Eric V]

Thanks Philip. I've heard that its not a good idea to stay in a two star hotel in NYC because they are tiny and full of bed bugs, and you have to share a bathroom. Then, bumping up to three stars, they are $200+. Looks like I'll be splurging.

[nepa]

Eric,
Another hint - stay west of 5th Avenue. The parade begins at 11 am, if you're driving or walking around midtown it will be hard to cross 5th Ave.

[Eric V]

Eric,
if you're driving ..... around midtown .....

No fuckin way!

But thanks. Yes, I was planning on staying fairly close to the Roseland Ballroom so I don't have far to walk back to my room.