Don't Blow it NYC: 10 Ways to Enjoy Your Sizzling Summer Nights

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Neighborhood: All Over
Address: Various
Website: ohmyrockness.com

See an up-and-coming band before they hit it big, or in other cases, breakup and go on to become substitute teachers or something. Whatever. The good folks over at Oh My Rockness constantly update their site with listings to see indie bands playing for under $10 a ticket, or in some cases, totally free. Go see a show. Treat yo’self.

Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Address: Broadway at 60th St.
Website: jalc.org

A night at the jazz club can seem expensive—for good reason. However, Dizzy’s, the swanky jazz club located inside of the Time Warner Center has late-night sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at a discounted price—$5 cover and a cheaper menu than usual to boot. Go and enjoy yourself some jazz. You can recite Ty Dolla $ign lyrics once you get back outside. I get it. I’m the same way.

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 58 N 3rd St.
Website: monkeytown3.com

If you’re itching for a unique experience—particularly one of the dating persuasion—you should hit Monkey Town. This is how it works: For two separate seatings (7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.), 32 guests enter a suspended white cube of screens (they have to duck to get in) where they are treated to two hours and 15 minutes of works from various video artists while eating a multicourse meal cooked by some of the top chefs of the city. Sometimes guests will even be treated to live art and live music in the intimate seating. The cheapest night is Sunday ($50), but the ticket price on any night includes admission, your meal, your wine and/or beer pairing, and gratuity. Okay, it sounds a little premium cable channel program backdrop (or very Williamsburg, same difference), but it sounds cool so try it, why don’t you?

Neighborhood: Columbus Circle
Address: Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park, at the intersection of Broadway, Central Park South 59th Street, and Central Park West)
Website: times-up.org

The ride is a little under 10 miles and allows guests to experience Central Park in a different way than you would in the middle of the day where it’s far more packed. You’ll see the bonds and waterways. It begins around 10 p.m. finishes a little before midnight. Summer dates are July 4, August 1, and September 5.

Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues
Website: thehighline.org

The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on the city’s West Side, running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues. It’s open all day, but take a night stroll so you can partake in the food provided by several of the vendors between West 15th and West 18th Streets and whatever adult sips you can catch along the way. Then after 11 p.m. when it closes, go bar hop. Depending on where you stop your stroll, you’ll be provided with several options. You can head over to the official site to find which entrance works best for you.

Neighborhood: All Over
Address: Various
Website: aaa.org

Make your K-12 science teachers proud by checking out all the stars above you by way of the high-powered telescopes of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York. Every week, the organization offers sessions beginning at dusk throughout the five boroughs, so call your girl, pack a picnic, and make it a night to remember.

Neighborhood: Washington Heights
Address: 348 Dyckman St.
Website: lamarinanyc.com

La Marina is known as more of a day spot, but the view of the George Washington Bridge and the Palisades across the Hudson River are no less stunning at night. You go here to take in the views and the booze. Isn’t that what summer is all about? Yes. Obviously. Duh.

Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 1000 5th Ave.
Website: metmuseum.org

You don’t have to pay the “suggested” admission price of $25 to get into the Met during the day or night, but know that on Saturday nights, the museum is open late and has live music without the crowds and the noise they tend to bring. Not to be outdone, MoMA offers summer night events, too including concerts, readings, and other live performances.

Neighborhood: Downtown Brooklyn
Address: 187 Columbia St.
Website: almarestaurant.com

Have some Mexican food while you sit back and watch a New York sunset live from Downtown BK’s Waterfront District. Tip: Since it boasts of its “World Famous Rooftop Dining,” you might want to make a reservation. Also: Bring me back the lamb and fish tacos, please.

Neighborhood: LES
Address: 125 East 11th St.
Website: websterhall.com

For those who miss the ’90s, the new weekly house party promises to be “the biggest weekly hip-hop event NYC has ever seen.” Each of the venue’s four floors feature a different sound. The party runs from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. For men, tickets run for $15 before midnight with the RSVP and $25 after. However, it’s always “Ladies Night,” so women get in for free. Apparently, though, anyone sporting a flattop will be able to skip the line and get in free. Remember that.