It’s ever so nice to see the sky not looking quite so bruised as it has been for the last few days.
Standing in the shower this morning, I looked up at my skylight and was a little surprised to see a bit of blue. Hopeful, I propelled my towel-clad self into the living room too look at weather.com for signs that things were improving. Alas, they are not. Come Tuesday, which should have been my champagne and giggles Birthday Pic-a-nic in Central Park, it will still have been raining for
three
straight
days
The Birthday Pic-a-nic idea is thus ruined. And frankly, this makes me pouty. Blind Date Boy (who really does need a better moniker) has suggested wedding tents rather than ditch the idea completely. But that does present a bit of a funding problem and so now I’m looking for suggestions as to alternative locations. Here are my requirements:
Alcohol
Lounginess (If we must be indoors, let us be comfortable)
Manhattan (It's my birthday. I'm not schlepping)
Okay, maybe that’s it. The birthday Pic-a-nic started as a rather intimate affair – a couple dozen folks, some blankets, champagne and Shiv’s tastily reputed potato salad – mostly because I was going to be providing the booze. Moving the event indoors certainly does open up the birthday extravaganza to more debauchery. Being the plus side of the whole catastrophe.
Anyway, suggest away. The winning suggestion will get something really super cool.
On stormy days my sister and I would just spread out our towels in the living room, toss the lamp shades, and pretend we were at the beach. With the armfuls of flowers you'll be receiving (it is your bday after all) and the freedom of privacy, you're surely able to create the great outdoors inside.
Posted by: mingaling at July 15, 2004 10:44 AMThere are some refrigerator boxes that are bigger than my living room. Otherwise, indoor pic-a-nic would have been a great idea.
Posted by: Fish at July 15, 2004 10:48 AMThe Evelyn Lounge, 79th & Columbus
The Fat Black Pussycat, W. 3rd. St. and 6th Ave.
Candela, 15th or 16th off of Union Square
aww, the picnic was a great idea, too bad it won't work out.
some other places i looked at for my b-day that were cool was b-side bar and lounge (4th and bowery) and baramundi (ludlow, between rivington and stanton), or more beer type place, croxley's is pretty nice (ave. b and 2nd?) or if you want more divey, any of the places on amsterdam (or 2nd ave for that matter) in the 80s
Posted by: dahl at July 15, 2004 11:08 AMI'll trade your rain for my 99 degree heat with 85% humidity!
Posted by: Chez at July 15, 2004 11:22 AMHave a plan B and let everyone know that morning - the weather could clear up. Even if in the park, you should never have to provide the booze for your own party. I won't hear of it :)
Posted by: deb at July 15, 2004 11:34 AMHA! But Deb... that's just the way it works! If it were at my apartment, we'd be raiding the liquor supply there.
Okay, Weather Permitting, we are still pic-a-nicing. But I still need a good back up plan.
Some folks have good luck with McDonald's. Have the guests take off their shoes and jump in those neat ball pits. Much hilarity. Also, Chuckie Cheese is wonderful if you don't mind a certain amount of hearing loss and a lot of overpriced pizza and kitsch.
But why must you buy the liquor? You're the birthday girl! Are there no real men left in Big Bad City?
Posted by: Michael at July 15, 2004 12:18 PMlarge umbrellas? a podium in the park? A transportable pagoda (I have one you could borrow but I'm a little far away). Either way, I am sure you will find something fantastic to do, come rain or shine. Happy Birthday for Tuesday!!
Posted by: bella at July 15, 2004 12:22 PMNo suggestions, but if it's any consolation, it's been raining for the last couple of weeks in England...
Posted by: Lisa at July 15, 2004 12:41 PMYou're welcome at my place. I have a huge canvas with blue sky and clouds on it, so it's always a nice day in Hell's Kitchen!
Posted by: Benjamin at July 15, 2004 01:14 PMlucky cheng's--it's not loungey, but a kitchsy drag queen show in manhattan...for dessert, you can order a chocolate shoe..yum!
more low key--fez uptown (above time cafe) is really chill and has some big round booths to fit in friends, plus halfprice bottles of wine on mondays (celebrate a la 21-the moment you turn 26).
also chill on tuesday nights and semi-couchy--art bar, serena, evelyn, or dive 75 (board games and bar in one)
I vote for a picnic in the rain, con bathing suits and drinks with tiny umbrellas. Commence taking turns singing aloud any songs you can think of that have to do with rain. Rinse, repeat. I've never forgotten any occasion that I got wet on purpose. It's what kids do best.
Posted by: Miss Koolaid at July 15, 2004 01:21 PMHow about the 72nd Street boat basin or Pier 9? Indeed, it has to be a place where debauchery is allowed. Otherwise I’d suggest going to Gabriella’s on the west side (Amsterdam) – load up on the Margaritas and yummy fajitas; and then, when you’re too drunk to care about calories, go to Good Enough to Eat for a giant piece of their scrumptious carrot cake. But that’s me.
Posted by: therese at July 15, 2004 03:15 PMHey, my bday is Saturday! Not sure if it will be raining, but we do get 10 straight days of rain sometimes, so your three day streak? pfft!
Posted by: Jager at July 15, 2004 03:57 PMDon't live there, but if I did,I would go online to shop a couple of places such as Tio Pepe @ http://www.tiopepenyc.com/?
Hi Life Bar & Grill @ http://www.hi-life.com/? half price sushi on Monday and Tuesday! Then to Cafe Lao's across the street.
Eat Drink and be Merry @ http://www.privatepartyrooms.com/?
If you really want a biker kind of experience Hogs and Heifers @ http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7200933?cslink=search_name_noncust&ulink=search__searchslot1_520__0_profile_5_1
Okay how obvious is it that I have nothing better to do with my day than search for a place for your birthday soiree in NYC? Hope it turns out well.
I say pic-a-nic in the rain. The pictures will be memories of a fantastic-ly fun and adventurous birthday. It'll be like a super soaker party at the beach, but instead at the park, with no equipment needed!
Posted by: Steph at July 16, 2004 10:47 AMHave everyone kick down a couple bucks and rent one of those big ass MOON-WALKs nothing says birthday fun like bouncing and booze!
Posted by: DREADPIRATE at July 16, 2004 01:46 PMhappy early birthday, fish. mine is monday! :)
Posted by: amber at July 16, 2004 02:07 PMhappy birthday, H. I would gladly open up my living room to the pic-a-nic, but
a. it's as teeny as I imagine yours must be
b. it's in noo-fucking-jersey
I hope you find a lovely place. I'm always partial to a zabar's pic-a-nic in the rain. Three large glasses of bonnie doon vin gris de cigare (cheap and chic!) and you will forget it's even raining.
Kisses and happy birthday!
Posted by: Daniella at July 16, 2004 08:06 PM