New Year’s Eve in Times Square? That’s a no-brainer, right? Crowds of people packed like sardines standing for hours just waiting for the magic moment when the Waterford Crystal Ball drops at midnight. Fuhgettabout it! Take it from The Squire; you deserve a better New Years’ Eve experience. And you can have it. How about a bird’s eye view while watching the ball drop at the Knickerbocker Hotel?
What’s The “Knick”? It’s an iconic hotel that first opened its doors in 1906 and welcomed famous guests such as Enrico Caruso, John D. Rockefeller, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The hotel lasted just 15 years until closing as a result of the 18th Amendment’s prohibition of alcohol in 1921. Although the amendment was finally repealed in 1933, the hotel never re-opened. That is, until recently. After 95 years of waiting and a $250 million dollar renovation to the Beaux Arts building, The Knick re-opened its doors last February, 2015.
And to celebrate for the first time in 95 years, the Knickerbocker Hotel is coming back with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party that’s only 150 feet away from the crystal ball seen around the world. Without a New Year’s celebration to their name in nearly 100 years, there’s a good reason why this one in particular is called the Times Square Party of the Century.
Start the night off right at Charlie Palmer’s, a 1920’s Gatsby era restaurant located on the fourth floor. Feel like Jay Gatsby staring into the city lights while Chef Charlie Palmer and Executive Chef Cliff Denny cook up a meal fit for a long night of dinner and dancing. The special menu features Gilded Age dishes like Lobster Thermidor and Beef Wellington, perfect for soaking up all those amazing craft cocktails created by expert mixologist Zach McGrath.
After dinner, guests will move 90 years forward into the hotel’s modern-day rooftop bar, the St. Cloud. From here, guests will be able to see the ball drop from above while enjoying performances by fire dancers and a DJ.
But why stop there? As the saying goes in the sitcom Parks and Recreation, you have to “treat yo’ self” from time to time. Guests can reserve a spot in the Waterford Crystal Lounge at St. Cloud for an even better view of Times Square with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and seating for up to 22 people.
Alternatively, you may want to try The Knick’s skypods (for 12-20 guests) which put you right in the epicenter of all the buzz and hype at 42nd Street and Broadway. The skypod packages range from $70,000 to $110,000 depending on how many nights you want to stay, and include access to every activity and celebration in the hotel. It’s one of those unforgettable New York experiences.
A more modestly priced package for two starts at $2890 and includes exclusive access to The Knickerbocker’s black-tie New Year’s Eve Private Gala. After a long night of celebrating, the package offers a one night stay for two complete with a New Year’s Day brunch to start the year right.
If your New Year’s resolution is to treat yourself like a VIP at least once a year, then The Knickerbocker Hotel has got your back. As was the vision of John Jacob Astor when he founded the hotel, The Knick prides itself on offering the most luxurious accommodations right in the epicenter of Manhattan. 109 years later, who can argue with that?