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Party Earth Review A luscious swath of green just behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is an activity-filled mecca for people of all ages and interests. Young professionals and local office workers take over the hundreds of patio... ... read full review
Between 40th and 42nd Street just east of Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
B, D, F, M, 7: 42nd Street-Bryant Park-6th Avenue; 7: 5th Avenue-Bryant Park-42nd Street
212-768-4242
Daily 7am–close (between 7 and 11pm depending on season)
Midtown, New York –
A luscious swath of green just behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is an activity-filled mecca for people of all ages and interests.
Young professionals and local office workers take over the hundreds of patio tables on sunny afternoons to people-watch over lunch, as students stretch out on the grass to read amid the odd yoga or tai chi class.
Tree-lined slate paths and terraces provide cover for visitors and savvy urbanites gathered at the chess tables or strolling along the manicured walkways during the day, while evenings and weekends see everything from nine-to-fivers playing pétanque or relaxing by the fire pit at the rustic Southwest Porch, to twenty- and thirty-somethings settling in with their picnic blankets and wine for HBO’s Summer Film Festival screenings.
Those who prefer cold weather will want to stop by in the winter when the lawn transforms into a massive free ice skating rink, or grab a bite at Celsius, the rink-side restaurant with terrific views of the skaters.
Host to frequent poetry readings, writing classes, and even knitting circles, Bryant Park has managed to create an intimate community in the heart of one of the busiest urban centers in the world.
Business people and midtown office workers on weekday afternoons, and students, young professionals, and tourists on evenings and weekends, all ages.
Activities always available include chess, pétanque, ping pong, and a carousel. Organized events include tai chi and yoga on the lawn, free knitting lessons, and tournaments for chess, backgammon, and pétanque.
Cultural activities include writing workshops, poetry readings, musical performances, a reading room, and game nights. Ice skating on the pond from the end of October to February. Over one hundred holiday shopping kiosks selling specialty items from around the world open in the winter.
Summer events include Broadway in the Park featuring Broadway and Off-Broadway casts performing hit musical numbers, and the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival for open-air movie screenings. Free Wi-Fi.
Restaurants include The Bryant Park Grill and Roof Terrace for American cuisine, Bryant Park Café, The Southwest Porch, and Celsius and its Ice Bites snack shop (winter only). ’wichcraft food kiosks by chef Tom Colicchio serve soups, salads, and sandwiches.
The Bryant Park Grill: appetizers $9–$17, entrées $24–$40.
Bryant Park Café: entrées $13.75–$22, wine $8–$16, margaritas $10/glass or $35/pitcher, cocktails $10–$13. The Southwest Porch: snacks $3–$10, beer $7, wine $8, cocktails $9.
‘wichcraft kiosks: sandwiches $6.95–$9.75, salads $4.95–$9.50.
Celsius: entrées $9–$18. Ice Bites: snacks $2–$5.50. Ice skating free, skate rental $13. Chess $3/hour, backgammon $4/hour. Le Carrousel $2/ride. Most activities free.
Anything goes: jeans, suits, sneakers, heels.
Any sunny afternoon or for one of the many special events. Weekends are typically crowded with people unwinding after a hard work week.
Times Square one block west offers Broadway shows and some of the best people-watching in the city.
Bryant Park User Reviews