After-work drinks in New York: How to turn a business trip into a city break
If you’re in Midtown on business, you can round off your working day with a stroll down Fifth Avenue, a meal at a restaurant or an evening at the theatre. In the Financial District (FiDi), you can stroll through historic streets amongst striking skyscrapers after work and experience the fascinating contrast between bustling Manhattan and older New York. If your working day ends in another neighbourhood, simply stay there: a drink with a view of the skyline and a short stroll will turn it into a special New York evening too.
The Cloud One New York-Downtown in the Financial District is a convenient base. The 9/11 Memorial and the World Trade Centre complex are right next door; the One World Observatory, Wall Street and Battery Park are also within walking distance. This means you can round off your evening with a stroll through Lower Manhattan and a view of the skyline, without having to travel all the way across the city first.
Why is New York particularly well suited to bleisure?
Because New York brings together business, culture, food, parks, waterfronts and nightlife in iconic neighbourhoods. If you want to avoid long journeys, and take into account crowded streets during rush hour as well as experiences that require a booking, a free evening is the perfect time to make the most of the concentration of attractions and the diversity of the different neighbourhoods.
Business appointments may take you to different parts of the city: in Downtown/Lower Manhattan, historic sites, skyscrapers and waterfront areas come together; the Financial District (FiDi) around Wall Street is part of this. Midtown, in the heart of Manhattan, brings together striking landmarks and the theatre district with its musicals, whilst Hudson Yards combines modern office space, culture and dining, and Chelsea is renowned for its galleries and cafés. Depending on the venue, Brooklyn is also an option – a borough in its own right with a wide variety of neighbourhoods. It’s best to round off your working day wherever your final appointment takes place. That way, you’ll have more time to explore the neighbourhood rather than spending it travelling from A to B.
New York is the place for you if …
- … you have a specific final destination in mind and limit your planning to that neighbourhood.
- … you have at least 60–90 minutes of free time in between other commitments or after work.
- … you can sort out tickets, time slots or bookings in advance.
- … you’ve got a plan in place in case of bad weather.
Which New York neighbourhood is best suited to my evenings after work?
That depends on when your last appointment finishes and which after-work or sightseeing event you can reach from there on foot or via a straightforward underground journey.
| Typical business occasion | Best short activity | Dinner/drinks atmosphere | Indoor option | Recommended minimum time required | Connection to The Cloud One New York-Downtown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FiDi / Downtown | Banks, financial services firms, law firms and corporate offices around Wall Street and the World Trade Centre. | Take a stroll through ‘The Battery’ park, along the harbour and with views of the Upper Bay. | Fraunces Tavern: This historic tavern, dating back to 1762, serves hearty classics such as fish and chips and offers a wide selection of whisky, beer and cider. | National Museum of the American Indian in the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, right next to The Battery. Admission is free; please check opening times. | 60–90 minutes | 10–15 minutes’ walk |
| Midtown | Corporate headquarters, law firms, financial services providers, and media and technology companies. | Stroll through Grand Central Terminal and take a look at the famous Main Concourse – the main hall. | Grand Brasserie: An upmarket brasserie atmosphere with French cuisine and cocktails in Grand Central’s impressive Vanderbilt Hall. | – | 90–120 minutes | approx. 25 minutes: from Grand Central, take the southbound Line 4 to Fulton St. |
| Chelsea / Hudson Yards | Corporate offices, trade fair and conference facilities around the Javits Centre, as well as cultural and event venues. | Walk along a section of the High Line and take in the views of the West Side along the way. | Chelsea Market: a food hall with a wide selection of international street food. | Pier 57, including Chelsea Market (covered food hall) and a public leisure area. | 60–90 minutes | Approx. 40 mins: from Pier 57 to 14 St (8 Av) station, taking the A or C train towards Downtown to Fulton St. |
| SoHo / Lower East Side | SoHo: design, creative businesses, offices and retail. Lower East Side: local shops and restaurants. | SoHo: admire the cast-iron architecture with its cast-iron façades around Greene and Broome Street. Lower East Side: along Orchard Street, past historic tenement blocks and the Tenement Museum. | Francesco SoHo: Italian bistro and bakery serving coffee and sandwiches during the day, and pasta, Italian tapas, crispy Padellino pizza and natural wines in the evening. | The Tenement Museum provides information on the history of the first US immigrants. | 30 minutes each | approx. 25 mins: from Prince St station, take an R train towards Downtown to Cortlandt St. |
| Downtown Brooklyn / DUMBO | Universities and institutions, the tech and creative industries, as well as consultancy, architecture and engineering firms. | Take a stroll through the DUMBO section of Brooklyn Bridge Park and enjoy the view across the East River towards Manhattan. | Bluestone Lane: a café serving brunch classics and offering a bar menu – including espresso cocktails, beer and wine. | The Time Out Market at the Empire Stores is an indoor food hall. | 30–60 minutes | Approx. 30 mins: from High St station, take the A train towards Manhattan to Fulton St. |
FiDi / Downtown: Lower Manhattan, centred around what is now the World Trade Centre, is characterised by landmarks such as the 9/11 Memorial, the Oculus and One World Trade Centre. Amidst glass-clad office towers and historic streets, modern metropolitan architecture meets New York’s rich history in FiDi. The neighbourhood feels bustling, urban and imposing, but has long since evolved from a purely financial district into a diverse part of Downtown Manhattan.
Midtown: This is where New York shows perhaps its best-known side: loud, fast-paced, spectacular and always on the move. The Empire State Building, Times Square and the Rockefeller Centre characterise the neighbourhood just as much as the towering skyscrapers and the constant hustle and bustle on the streets.
Chelsea / Hudson Yards: Here you’ll find creative downtown flair alongside modern New York: art galleries and former industrial architecture meet spectacular new buildings and skyscrapers. The High Line, Chelsea Market and the Edge observation deck are among the neighbourhood’s highlights.
SoHo / Lower East Side: Historic brick and cast-iron façades characterise the neighbourhood just as much as the boutiques, galleries and a diverse dining scene. The streets of SoHo, the lively Orchard Street and the Tenement Museum – which tells the story of the neighbourhood’s immigration history – are all well worth a stroll.
Downtown Brooklyn / DUMBO: Here, Brooklyn presents itself as urban, creative and with a touch of industrial charm: DUMBO boasts brick façades, cobbled streets and views of the Manhattan skyline, whilst Downtown Brooklyn offers a much livelier big-city atmosphere. Highlights include Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Bridge and the famous Washington Street with views of the Manhattan Bridge.
Tip: One neighbourhood, one evening
. Plan your evening as close as possible to your final destination: during rush hour, even a short journey can take longer. Book popular restaurants or shows in advance and check your route back to the hotel. Comfortable shoes are a must, as you’ll soon be clocking up quite a few steps in New York.
What does a typical ‘bleisure’ day in New York look like?
A working day full of New York moments. We’ve put together three scenarios for you.
Route scenario 1: Appointments in FiDi/Downtown
| Time slot | A key moment in one’s career | A suitable break | Neighbourhood/Route | Ticket/Booking | Plan B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast & planning the day 8.00–9.00 am | The Cloud One New York-Downtown | Breakfast and planning the day at the hotel | FiDi/Downtown | No | Breakfast at a nearby café |
| Subway to the appointment / co-working space 9.00–9.15 am | Working from a co-working space, such as WeWork or Industrious | A short walk through the neighbourhood (5 to 15 mins) to the co-working space or meeting | FiDi/Downtown | Yes | Working from a hotel room |
| Short lunch/coffee break 12.00–13.00 | Break between meetings / remote appointments | Take a stroll around the WTC site and down Wall Street to Stone Street, bagel in hand. | FiDi/Downtown | No | Lunch at a restaurant on Stone Street, such as the ‘Stone Street Tavern’ |
| 90 mins after-work drinks 5.00–6.30 pm | End of the working day | The Battery: a stroll through the park along the harbour with views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. | FiDi/Downtown | No | The Oculus, the covered WTC atrium |
| Dinner 6.30–8.00 pm | End of the day | Dinner at Fraunces Tavern: This historic tavern, dating back to 1762, serves hearty classics such as fish and chips and offers a wide selection of whisky, beer and cider. | FiDi/Downtown | Highly recommended | Impromptu dinner at Motel One |
| Hotel bar / lounge 8.00 pm | Return to the hotel | A drink and a relaxing end to the evening | FiDi/Downtown | No | – |
Route scenario 2: Appointments in Midtown
| Time slot | A key moment in one’s career | The right time out | Neighbourhood/Route | Ticket/Booking | Plan B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast & planning the day 8.00–9.00 am | The Cloud One New York-Downtown or breakfast near the first appointment | Breakfast and planning for the day at the hotel or at the ‘Best Bagel and Coffee’ café | Midtown | No | – |
| Journey to the appointment 9.00–9.40 am | Journey to the meeting or co-working space: World Trade Center station, then take the E train towards Queens without changing trains to 42nd St–Port Authority | 42nd St: walk from Port Authority station to one of the Broadway plazas and experience the typical Midtown hustle and bustle at Times Square | Midtown | No | – |
| Short lunch/coffee break 12.00–13.00 | Break between meetings | A typical New York lunch, e.g. at ‘Gayle’s Broadway Rose’. Here, singing waitstaff entertain guests with Broadway songs right at their tables. | Midtown | recommended | – |
| 60–90 mins. After-work drinks 5.00–6.30 pm | End of the working day | After-work drinks above the rooftops: enjoy the view of the skyline whilst sipping a cocktail at a rooftop bar. Particularly lovely: the ‘Vintage Green Rooftop’ with views of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. | Midtown | Recommended | – |
| Dinner 6.30–8.00 pm | End the day | Dinner at the ‘Grand Central Oyster Bar’, right beneath the striking arches of Grand Central Station | Midtown | Highly recommended | Impromptu dinner at Motel One |
| Finish the evening at One Lounge or the hotel bar at 9.00 pm | Return to the hotel | A drink and a relaxed end to the evening | FiDi | no | – |
Route scenario 3: Appointments in Chelsea/Hudson Yards
| Time slot | A key moment in one’s career | The right time out | Neighbourhood/Route | Ticket/Booking | Plan B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast & planning the day 8.00–9.00 am | The Cloud One New York-Downtown | Breakfast and planning the day at the hotel or in a nearby café ‘xxx’ | FiDi / Downtown | No | – |
| Journey to the appointment 9.00–9.40 am | Journey by Underground to the meeting / co-working space in Chelsea: Jay Suites Chelsea, in Hudson Yards: Studio | Take the Underground from Rector St station on Line 1 heading uptown to 14th St, then a 15-minute walk to Chelsea Market | Chelsea/Hudson Yards | No | Underground |
| Short lunch/coffee break 12.00–13.00 | Break between meetings | Located near the High Line and Chelsea Market: the ‘Cookshop’ restaurant, serving seasonal American cuisine. | Chelsea/Hudson Yards | Highly recommended | – |
| 60–90 mins after-work drinks 5.00–6.30 pm | End of the working day | A stroll along the High Line: the former elevated railway line runs through Chelsea towards Hudson Yards; there are access points in the area around Chelsea Market. | Chelsea/Hudson Yards | Yes | Whitney Museum of American Art at the southern end of the High Line |
| Dinner 6.30–8.00 pm | End of the day | Dinner above the rooftops of New York at ‘Peak with Priceless’: contemporary American cuisine with spectacular views of New York. | Chelsea/Hudson Yards | Highly recommended | Impromptu dinner at Motel One |
| Finish the evening in the One Lounge or the hotel bar at 9.00 pm | Return to the hotel | A drink and a relaxed end to the evening | City / Tower Hill | No | – |
What are the best after-work experiences in New York?
New York offers plenty of ways to round off the working day on an exciting note. Here are our top 10 after-work ideas for experiencing a taste of New York alongside your business appointments:
A stroll through FiDi to Battery Park or the Hudson River
After work, it’s easy to explore Downtown Manhattan on foot: from the street canyons of the Financial District towards Battery Park and on to the waterfront. There, the view opens up onto New York Harbour and the skyline – a lovely contrast to the hustle and bustle of business in FiDi.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Neighbourhood: Financial District / Downtown
Budget: free
of charge Booking: No
Bad-weather alternative: 9/11 Museum
Brooklyn Bridge or DUMBO
A stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge combines a bit of exercise with a true New York classic. If you have enough time, carry on to DUMBO and enjoy the view of Manhattan from the Brooklyn side. If you’re short on time, you should plan your return journey straight away, perhaps taking the Underground from Brooklyn back to Manhattan.
Time required: 90 minutes to 2 hours
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan / DUMBO
Budget: free of charge
Booking: No
Bad-weather alternative: Oculus (striking building, transport hub and shopping complex)
Sunset
viewpoint: Seeing New York from above is one of the most impressive ways to round off the day, especially at sunset. Depending on the timing of your last appointment, options include Edge in Hudson Yards or a viewpoint in Midtown; you should book in advance for your preferred time slot.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Neighbourhood: Hudson Yards or Midtown
Budget: upmarket, around $50–100
Booking required? Yes
Bad-weather alternative: cocktail bar or hotel bar with a view
The High Line and Chelsea/Hudson Yards
The former elevated railway line of the High Line runs above the streets through Chelsea to Hudson Yards, combining green spaces, urban architecture and views of Manhattan. After an appointment in Chelsea, a stroll along the High Line is a great option, which can easily be combined with a meal or a drink in Hudson Yards afterwards.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Neighbourhood: Chelsea / Hudson Yards
Budget: free (restaurant or bar costs may apply)
Booking: No (restaurant or bar may require booking)
Bad-weather alternative: Chelsea Market or The Shed (modern cultural centre in Hudson Yards)
A short visit to a museum or gallery
If you’d rather enjoy some art than go sightseeing after meetings, you’ll find plenty of galleries in Chelsea; a quick visit to a museum is also a good option. Check the current evening opening times, as these can vary depending on the venue and day of the week.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Neighbourhood: Chelsea / Midtown
Budget: medium budget: up to approx. $50
Booking? Depends on the museum/exhibition
Bad-weather alternative: -
Jazz, Broadway or a small live event
A concert, jazz set or a Broadway show can quickly turn a free evening into a genuine New York experience. If you’re short on time, instead of a major production, look for a smaller live event near your last appointment.
Time required: 2–3 hours
Neighbourhood: Midtown / Greenwich Village, depending on the event
Budget: medium to high: $50 to $100
Booking? Yes, usually recommended
Bad-weather alternative: -
Running route along the Hudson or East River
Got your running shoes with you? A run along the Hudson or East River combines exercise with views of the skyline and the water, and is also ideal if you’re out on your own. It’s best to choose the specific route depending on which side of Manhattan your working day ends on.
Time required: 45–90 minutes
Neighbourhood: West Side / Downtown, depending on the route
Budget: free
Booking required? No
Bad-weather alternative: hotel gym or indoor fitness
Food hall, deli or local neighbourhood dinner
New York is a great place to get to know through its food, and it doesn’t have to be a fancy dinner. Food halls, classic delis or a restaurant in the neighbourhood of your last meeting make for a relaxed end to the day without having to travel all the way across Manhattan.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Neighbourhood: flexible
Budget: from budget to upmarket: $25 to $100
Booking: Not required for food halls/delis, recommended
for restaurants Bad-weather alternative: already indoors
Rooftop/cocktail bar or after-work drink
A drink amongst the skyscrapers or with a view of the skyline quickly brings that New York atmosphere to a short evening out. The Midtown and Hudson Yards neighbourhoods are ideal for rounding off the day after your last business meeting with a drink and a view.
Time required: 60–90 minutes
Neighbourhood: Midtown / Hudson Yards
Budget: medium to high-end: $50 to $100
Booking: Recommended
for popular rooftops Bad-weather alternative: Indoor cocktail bar or hotel bar
Bar/lounge or deli at The Cloud One New York-Downtown
If you’re too tired to travel far after a long day at work, you can round off the evening right at The Cloud One New York-Downtown. The deli, lounge and bar are ideal for a quick drink or snack – without having to travel far across Manhattan.
Time required: 30–60 minutes
Neighbourhood: Financial District / Downtown
Budget: mid-range Price range: approx. $25–50
Booking: No
Bad-weather alternative: -
Which hotel is best for a business trip to New York?
Anyone who has business in the Financial District or, more generally, in Downtown Manhattan, will find The Cloud One New York-Downtown a strategically convenient base. The hotel is situated on Greenwich Street, right next to the World Trade Centre Memorial, and offers access to several underground lines via the nearby WTC station. This makes it easy to combine business appointments with a programme of leisure activities in Downtown.
| Hotel | Needs on a business trip | Verified hotel proof point | After-work benefits | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cloud One New York-Downtown | Stay in the heart of FiDi, work from your room or a nearby co-working space, and get to appointments with ease; located right next to the WTC Memorial, with the WTC station serving several underground lines | Free Wi-Fi, workbenches in the lounge, desks in every room, flexible catering options (all-day deli), secure luggage storage before check-in or after check-out | Short distances within FiDi, the WTC Memorial, Battery Park and the Hudson River; a relaxed end to the day in the lounge, bar or deli; other neighbourhoods accessible via the WTC station |
