A Night Out in the Big Apple

All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity

So I'm in my 20s, living in one of the greatest cities on Earth. Of course I am going to go out to a lounge or bar on occasion, if not every weekend!! And what better reason for celebration then family coming all the way from Cali to visit!! They stayed for a long weekend  and they did a lot of site seeing typical of tourists...Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Brooklyn Bridge, etc. As a tourist though, you can't come to New York and NOT experience the night life. As a proud New Yorker, I wasn't going to let them.

I decided on Taj II which is located in  the Flat Iron District. For those of you who haven't been to Manhattan, it is divided by neighborhood and/or location. (For example, central Manhattan which is literally in the center of Manhattan on a map, is considered Midtown.) Chelsea, Meatpacking District, Upper West Side, are others you may have heard. Anyway, the "Flat Iron District" is known for its' restaurants, bars, and nightlife. It's trendy and there is always something going on if your first option doesn't work out. As you walk the streets the view of the Empire State Building is ever present reminding you of where you are and adding to the excitement. Even as a New Yorker for all these years I'm in awe when I see it. It puts me in the best mood. 

Unfortunately, Taj II was not where we decided on because waiting on the line was just too long. So we decided on a place we went to celebrate a friend's birthday not to long ago. It was down the block and that's where we went. One thing about NY clubs/lounges is that they often change name and if they are really popular they don't. The lounge is now called "Motivo" which was not what it was called last time we went. There was a $25 entrance fee for women and $30 entrance fee for men. I know, expensive!!! NY Tip: If you are planning a trip to NY see if you can find a party promoter, get on the guestlist, or search the website for event coupons. We had them for Taj but not for this lounge as it was unexpected. 

As we waited for them to check our IDs we can hear the music from outside. It was great so we knew it would be a good night. As soon as we entered, you could feel the energy of the crowd.  There was a big dance floor to your right where many were dancing. We walked past and headed straight for the bar. Drinks in NY are expensive $10-$15 per drink. Luckily we "pre-gamed" and saved a few dollars. We ordered one drink, headed to the top floor and started the party. Drinking, dancing, iphone pics, instagram posts, joking, laughing.... for 4 hours straight! I didn't stop the whole night. The good thing is once you start drinking amd feeling the vibe, the energy takes over. You don't feel tired, your legs don't hurt, and your heels don't even bother you. The crowd was great, no one annoying. The people who did speak to us were fun and respectful so it was welcomed. As for my family from Cali, they had an amazing time. They loved the vibe, the energy of the crowd and said it was everything the expected plus more. We left the lounge at 3:30, some of us stumbling, some of us half asleep carrying each other. 

The nightlife experience of New York is best remembered the next day. Even if you are hung over, you rarely say 'that was so boring'. Even if you don't remember what you did, you remember it was an amazing time. And thanks to technology....the pictures are the most fun to look at the next day. Memories come back that you forgot and the fun is recaptured. Nightlife in New York City is always an adventure. Even when you have it planned, you don't really know where you are going to end up, who you are going to meet, and what's going to go down. Plans turn into spontaneity. Drunken nights turn into hungover mornings. Anything can happen in the Big Apple. But one thing is true, you never regret it! 

Another memory added to the many! I Love NY!

Love, 

Miss_NYCity

Let's talk about it!!!! Share your experiences with the NYC nightlife. Comments, questions, and opinions are always welcomed!!!

The New York Attitude

All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity

Whether you are a native New Yorker, a new resident, or a tourist you've heard of the coined expression "New York Attitude." So what really is considered a "New York Attitude?" Can anyone have this said "attitude" or are they qualities that only a native can possess? Well, I'm a native New Yorker and I'm here to explain.

For starters, I would hate for people unfamiliar with New York to actually believe when people say "all New Yorkers have a bad attitude." This couldn't be further from the truth. So let's put it in perspective. Anyone living in New York, native or not, has a lot to deal with. For one, we are always sharing extremely close spaces with hundreds even thousands of strangers. If you don't believe me, get on any train, bus, or car during rush hour. If you are on the train or bus there is about a 99.9% guarantee that you are sitting or standing shoulder to shoulder with some complete stranger.Whether standing or sitting, a stop before you are about to get off you are trying to figure out how you are going to get past the people that are standing, literally, everywhere. Often times, you have two bags in your hand and end up hitting someone with them.

It doesn't get any better if you are a driver. Traffic, traffic, traffic everywhere. You usually have to leave an hour before you need to be somewhere even though without traffic it would normally take you 15 minutes to get there. Then, you wind up circling around for a parking spot that doesn't involve meters or alternate side parking which takes another 20 minutes. You decide to park by a  meter and then end up getting a ticket because your time ran out and you didn't get to your car on time. Every New Yorker has some where to be, something on their mind and everyone is busy or in a rush. So if you happen to be driving the speed limit with or without traffic, you are probably going to get beeped or yelled at. If the traffic light turns green and you wait more than one second to accelerate you will get beeped, yelled at and if you're extra special you'll get the finger. I cannot tell you how many times I have found myself in an argument with another driver who is acting crazy and taking it out on me and my driving because they are the ones that are late. Okay, okay I'll admit it...I also yell at other drives when they are driving slow and I'm in a rush, oops.

Then there are the pedestrians. They walk everywhere. Although jay walking is illegal, no one really cares because there is power in numbers. The light can be green but if you have a swarm of 100 people crossing, you aren't moving your vehicle. So there you are stuck in the middle of a huge avenue trying to make a left and there are people walking in front of you or behind you. When the light changes and the people are gone the cars appear. They cut you off and then yell at you for being in the middle of the road. But you're confused because you actually did the right thing so you yell back to defend yourself. If you are a native New York driver, you are used to the yellow taxis who will cut you off any chance they get so you give them extra room. Annoying but you're used to it. What pisses you more off is the black cab, who drives 20mph braking every two feet because they have no clue where they are going. They will turn a corner without signaling and that will send you over the edge for the day.

Aside from the traffic and fast pace, it is a 'melting pot' of cultures, beliefs, gender/sexual preferences, and opinions. On a daily basis, you are interacting with people whose beliefs and opinions are very much different from your own. Most New Yorkers are very open to these differences but sadly there are still people who live in New York who are not. Not only do they reject it, they aren't afraid to tell you how they feel or show you by their facial expressions. One time, I was shopping at a shoe store on 34th Street in Manhattan. I tried on a pair of shoes and was looking in the mirror at my feet. A woman actually had the nerve to tell me "those are ugly, I hope you don't plan on buying them." My response, was something similar to "curse word, curse word, what's it any of your business?!"

Last but not least....... yes every state has their fair share of crazy...and by 'crazy' I mean people. However, it seems to be New Yorkers are extra exposed to the craziness because of the daily interactions with so many people. Living and growing up in New York, I have seen it all. I have experienced the pedophiles who have tried to lure me in their car. I've had people follow me. I've seen men masturbate while looking at me from a distance. I've even had a perfect stranger slap my butt in broad day light in the middle of the street!

I guess now maybe you can understand why we have an "attitude."

So I'd like to think of most New Yorkers as friendly, helpful, and kind (there are always exceptions). However, we aren't going to show it. We are not going to show you our kindness.  You will rarely catch us walking around with smiles on our faces, and if you smile at us, we probably won't smile back. If you are a stranger saying good morning to us we will probably ignore you or look at you like your crazy. Unless we know you and by "knowing you" I mean we see you everyday. And if you are going to stop and talk to us you better talk fast because we are in a rush. We don't mean to be rude, but we just don't have time for it. We mean well but don't show it. It's not that we want to be this way but we have to be. If you are a stranger we have no idea what your intentions are and we aren't going to give you the open invitation. We may come off cold but deep down we aren't. We may come off arrogant but we are probably in a rush or having a bad day. We may give you a dirty look but the look probably wasn't directed towards you.  We have very thick skin because we have to. If you let every little interaction that's upsetting get the best of you, you won't survive New York ever. That is what separates a real New Yorker from some one who is from out of town. Once you have lived in New York for a couple of years, you will develop these skills and blend well with the "natives."

It's a big city. A lot is going on both good and bad. We are usually on the defense. But all in all we are kind. If you don't believe me ask any New Yorker for directions. I bet they will go above and beyond to explain to you what bus you need to take, or what street you need to make a left turn at. Ask any New Yorker where's the best Italian restaurant nearby or which is their favorite place to visit. They'd be happy to share. When things fall in New York, everyone feels the pain. When it gets rough, we stand together. Everyone is willing to lend a helping hand for their neighbor and we pull through it together. September 11th, 2001 and natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy are all proof. So although we do have an attitude, it's for a reason. We are a great city. Just don't be so sensitive if a New Yorker acts up with you, it probably has nothing to do with you. There are more positive things out here then negative, this is just how we survive it.

With Love + NY Attitude,
-Miss_NYCity

Let's talk about it!!! Leave your questions, comments, and opinions below.

A Letter to New York City

All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity

Dear New York,

You are crazy, overpopulated, and distracting. You are filled with millions of people who visit from thousands of places around the world. You have created a substantial blend of cultures. A city like no other. Occasionally, I get yelled at by fellow New Yorkers who are frustrated from the stress that the city streets bring. On other occasions, I am the one yelling. Whether it's on the bus, train, or car there is always something new brewing. It may be the people, it might be a sign, a performance on the train or a new food invention. One thing you never are is boring. 

As much as I hate rush hour traffic...as much as I can't stand the way my mind and body has been pre-programmed to severe multitasking and rushing, you are home. You are a magnet to people all over the world. Your fast pace, your bright lights, your skyline. Everyone wants to come once in their life to get a taste of the New York experience. A taste of this culture, a taste of the fast pace, bright lights, and food. People wish to move here to make you home. People move here and make you home. There is a strength that you give people. A desire, a lust, a love, a home. You are one of a kind. 

You weren't built over night and you wouldn't be you if it weren't for the multitude of immigrants who first came through New York Harbor. It is these people who were the beginning to an amazing culture and city. I want to thank you for being so different. So welcoming. So unbiased. So cultured. So open. It is because of you, that I am me.

To a strong, beautiful city.

I love you!

-Miss_NYCity