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7 Unconventional Nightlife Options in NYC

If you’re bored of ordinary bars, it’s time to shake up your weekend. Gather your friends for an escape room, a round of mini golf, or a trip to a speakeasy next time you’re in the mood for some fun. Or if you’re extra-adventurous, go for all three! Here are 7 ways to spend your evenings in New York City and do something a little different. 

The Escape Game NYC

the escape game nyc the heist

Recover a stolen painting, or break out of a terrifying jail at The Escape Game NYC! New to Midtown East, this escape adventure offers five unique experiences, each lasting 60 minutes. The rooms range in level of difficulty, but all are perfect for groups of friends ready to work together, laugh, and be challenged. The five rooms at the Escape Game are The Heist, Prison Break, Gold Rush, Playground, and Special Ops: Mysterious Market. Book yours today, and you’re in for an exciting weekend full of surprises. 295 Madison Ave., 917-970-1360, theescapegame.com/newyorkcity 

Le Boudoir

Le Boudoir

An opulent drinking experience is all yours at Le Boudoir. This speakeasy is modeled after the Versailles bedroom of Marie Antoinette, with features like red velvet banquettes, gilded mirrors, and luscious craft cocktails. The current cocktail menu features the Madame Menta with rum, coconut milk, and mint, while the complex From Dusk Til Dawn marries chili pepper vodka with Greek yogurt and a squeeze of lime. Come Mondays to the Brooklyn Heights Boudoir for live music. 135 Atlantic Ave., 347-227-8337, boudoirbk.com

Then She Fell

Get a little strange at an immersive theatrical experience in Williamsburg. Then She Fell takes the story of Alice in Wonderland into darker territory, as the piece is set in a former mental ward. Wander through this spooky atmosphere with 14 other audience members, drinking craft cocktails along the way. You’ll curate your own experience, witnessing different theatrical pieces in various rooms throughout the space. Most performances ages 21+, select performances 18+. Through January 19, 2020. 195 Maujer St., thenshefell.com

The Magician

Dan White

Tickets go fast for The Magician, a show staged at the NoMad Hotel for anyone looking to be dazzled. Dan White certainly delivers on that count, as this illusionist has shown on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and when collaborating with David Copperfield and Kanye West. This show occurs just a few times per week, and tickets go on sale at the link below about three weeks before the upcoming dates. The show is staged for small audiences in The Johnston Room, where drinks and snacks are available for purchase. 1170 Broadway, 2nd Fl., nomadupstairs.com

Burp Castle 

Burp Castle

Turn down the volume on your evening out at Burp Castle. This beer nerd’s paradise enforces a quiet culture for all patrons, meaning you can’t talk above a whisper. Seriously: if you’re loud, expect a bartender to shush you. Come meditate with a few traditional Belgian ales at this East Village oddity, and remember there are free Pommes Frites distributed every Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. 41 E 7th St., 212-982-4576, burpcastlenyc.wordpress.com

What I Did For Love at UCB Theatre

Whether your love life’s in shambles or you’re happily shacking up, come to What I Did For Love. At this improv show, a comedy team will interview audience members about their romantic escapades. Then they’ll create a hilarious show on the spot based on what they find out. This show occurs Saturdays at the Upright Citizens Brigade’s downtown satellite, SubCulture. 45 Bleecker St., 212-366-9231, subculture.ucbtheatre.com

Shipwrecked 

Red Hook holds a world of wonders at Shipwrecked, the mini golf course for all ages. Grab a beer with your buddies at the bar on site, then head to this upcycled indoor course in Brooklyn. It’s five people per group, and you’ll be given the ball and putter: all you need is good aim and a sense of friendly competition! There are 18 holes at the mini golf course, as well as escape rooms and a seasonal Tiki Terrace for tropical drinking, at Shipwrecked. 621 Court St., 718-852-4653, shipwreckednyc.com

About the Author

Merrill Lee Girardeau lives and writes in Brooklyn.

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