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Midtown Crawl

Midtown is bursting with life on any night of the week. It’s an even mix of locals and tourists so you can spot who is who based on who is looking straight up at the billboards and skyscrapers. There is a lot to do within just a few blocks. You can always find quick eats, make yourself a personal bar crawl, or find an intimate spot for two on a rooftop or in a dimly lit restaurant. This particular guide is a fusion I often crave which includes Asian cuisine spots and something to make you laugh. For this guide make sure to look your finest.

Louis S.

Louis was born and raised in Detroit. After attending college at Syracuse, he moved to the city to work in the entertainment industry including roles at MTV and Nickelodeon. He is an exercise enthusiast and wellness nut! You can catch him riding his bike along the Hudson in the morning and boxing at night. He is an avid user of Snapchat, and although he can’t sing he remains active in the creative and business side of music industry as well!

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Japanese restaurant

(646) 692-9115 website

321 W 44th St #103, New York, NY 10036

The evening starts at Gyu Kaku which is a Japanese BBQ spot. It’s similar to Korean BBQ except here you get to be the chef and cook on the little grill which is centered on your table. It’s easier than it sounds and the servers are there to assist you if need be. I always ask the server for their top three recommendations, however, I highly recommend Kobe Short Rib, Skirt Steak and the Beef Tongue. I’m a big fan of seafood so I always ask for shrimp as well. If you’re a heavy eater like my friends you will want to order this as a first round, and plan for two to five more meat options on top of this. If there’s only two of you then my initial order is a perfect amount. Definitely order one of their cocktails which are fair priced, or go the Japanese drinking route and get a Sapporo with a large order of hot sake (rice wine). It’s a delicious mix! No matter how full you get you’re going to want to order their Green Tea Mille Crepe dessert, which is from the famous NYC cake shop Lady M.

Birdland Jazz Club

Classic Theater District jazz club with roomy red environs, a large bar & Cajun-influenced food.

(212) 581-3080 website

315 W 44th St Suite 5402, New York, NY 10036

Next door is the Birdland Jazz Club. Here you’ll find all different types of entertainment. From comedy shows to YouTube stars... From performances to magic shows… Check the website to see what’s coming up. You can either order your tickets online or purchase them at the door. I recommend attending an event that Jim Caruso is hosting. He’s a charismatic character and someone you should get to know after the show!

Hakkasan

Cavernous outpost of a London-based chain showcasing modern Cantonese cuisine in a slick setting.

$$$

(212) 776-1818 website

311 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036

Hakkasan- the main reason you dressed up tonight. It’s an upscale Cantonese restaurant that is hidden behind a large entrance. You wouldn’t even know this place was there. There are no windows and you can barely tell the door from the building. I recommend this place specifically for their famous mixologists and top notch drinks. They have a large range of food and drinks to choose from and the interior decor is something you will want to experience.

The architecture and lighting is very posh. The restaurant’s interior was featured in an episode of NBC’s The Blacklist. If you love smoky drinks and want to snap something for your social media I recommend their Smoky Negroni. If smokey drinks are not your thing, I definitely recommend the Lychee Martini.