It’s almost here! Phish‘s annual New Year’s Eve run is fast approaching, with night one coming up tomorrow. With so much to do in New York City, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do while on your way to Madison Square Garden. Well, fear not, as we have put together an essential list of pre-show suggestions, with everything from concerts, restaurants, and sightseeing that’s guaranteed to provide some proper pre-show fun. There’s a little something for everyone in here, so make sure to check it out and get a better idea of what to do before Phish hits that famous MSG stage at 8:00pm each evening.
Without further adieu, here’s our list of the top things to do in NYC pre-Phish during the New Year’s Run!
1. PhanArt
PhanArt has become one of the most reliable pre-show hangs in the Phish scene. The fan-made-art event series is your go-to place to enjoy art centered around Phish, the Grateful Dead, Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits and more of your favorite bands. PhanArt is perfect for the hardcore art collector as well as the casual browser and is a perfect place to meet your friends pre-show this NYE run. This year, PhanArt is putting on two events, one at the Hotel Penn, located across the street from Madison Square Garden on 12/29, and another event at American Beauty NYC on 12/30, located just two blocks away from MSG and which will feature two sets of music from up-and-coming jam band Formula 5. Access to both PhanArt events is 100% free!
2. The Pennsy NYC
The Pennsy is a new-ish food court located on the ground floor of Madison Square Garden, just outside the main entrance of the venue. It features an eclectic collection of established food vendors, with plenty of variety available to match your food interest. The Pennsy has attracted go-to NYC food icons like Mario Batali and Mary Giuliani, Pat LaFrieda, and Marc Forgione to create a unique food court experience. There are options for meat lovers and vegetarians, with an emphasis on fresh food and fast casual dining. There’s a pretty vibrant bar scene at The Pennsy and there’s always music blasting, making it a perfect place to grab a quick drink and a delicious quick bite before heading inside to rage with Phish.
3. Holly Bowling
At this point, Holly Bowling needs no introduction. Her gorgeous, swirling covers of Phish and the Grateful Dead have shown a different and more intricate side to the music we all love. There is simply nothing like hearing a classical piano mashup of “Fly Famous Mockingbird” and “Bird Song”, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Bowling’s musical prowess. Bowling will bring her unique covers to The Cutting Room for two pre-shows on 12/30 and 12/31, giving you two chances to catch this awesome presentation of Phish and Dead songs. Bowling will be paying tribute to Phish’s Billy Breathes on 12/30, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Holly Bowling performing “Fly Famous Mockingbird” at The Cutting Room on 8/18/2015
4. The High Line
The High Line has become one of the best tourist attractions in New York City in recent years. Spanning from the Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on the city’s West Side, it provides unparalleled views of the Hudson River, unique perspectives of the city’s famous skyscrapers, and a variety of art and plant life to explore. The park essentially cuts through the city’s skyline, and it ends just a few short blocks away from Madison Square Garden. It may be cold, but if the weather is right and the sun is shining, there is no better place to explore pre-show than the High Line.
5. Dead Sessions
The Dead Sessions collective brings the purest Grateful Dead energy possible to every show. They are a rotating cast of musical characters that make it their job to pay tribute to the Dead in the best possible way. You never know who might show up to play with the Dead Sessions band, which will be playing a pre-party and a post-Phish late night show at American Beauty NYC on 12/29.
Watch Dead Sessions perform a full set at The Port City Music Hall in Portland, Maine on 5/2/14
6. Madison Square Garden-Area Bars
Madison Square Garden is the premier event center in New York City, and as a result, it is surrounded by quality bars that are perfect for pre-show hangs. Stout, American Whiskey, Blarney Stone Pub, Blarney Rock Pub, and Feile are just a few examples of the many watering holes in the area of MSG. The bars around the Garden will be slammed each night before Phish takes the stage, and many of the bars usually play Phish music and DVDs to satisfy the masses of phans that descend on the area each night. American Beauty NYC will also be open pre-show every day, with their front bar open to the public, even if you don’t want to see any live music.
7. Keens Steakhouse
Keens Steakhouse is a New York City classic. Open since 1885, the famous steakhouse is home to the largest collection of smoking pipes in the world. Formerly the home of the “Pipe Club”, everyone from Albert Einstein to Babe Ruth and President Theodore Roosevelt were members, and their pipes, as well as thousands of others, still adorn the ceiling of this old-fashioned establishment. Keens is also famous for their excellent cuts of meat; specifically, the Mutton Chop has been a favorite at the restaurant since the 1930s. The place is a true relic of the past, and, if you can take the hit to your wallet, it’s worth checking out. It’s located only a few short blocks away from Madison Square Garden and makes for an awesome pre-show meal experience. Fun fact: there’s a shrine to Abraham Lincoln at Keens!
8. The Empire State Building
What’s more NYC than the Empire State Building? Arguably the most iconic building in the city (possibly the world?), the Empire State Building’s Observation Deck boasts unbeatable views of the impressive New York City skyline. The lines may be long, and it may be a bit touristy, but if you haven’t been to the top of the Empire State Building, it’s worth doing at least once in your life.
9. Stella Blue’s Band
Since their formation in 2009, the Stella Blues Band has been crushing the Grateful Dead cover band circuit. Given the first residency at Garcia’s at the Capitol Theater, they have showcased a vibrant ability to channel the Dead. The band creates one of the most reliable Dead experiences in the scene, and they will be providing the ultimate pre-show entertainment at American Beauty NYC on 12/31.
Stella Blue’s Band performing “Scarlet Begonias” > “Slipknot!” > “Franklin’s Tower” at Brooklyn Bowl on 2/4/2015
10. The Breslin
April Bloomfield’s gastropub experience, located at the Ace Hotel, provides one of the most unique dining experiences in the area around the Garden. The place is famous for it’s Lamb Burger, but the entire menu is interesting from top to bottom. The Breslin boasts a great list of beers and cocktails, and any restaurant that has an entire menu dedicated to puddings is at least worth consideration.
For more information on the pre-Phish shows mentioned in this article, head the official Phish After Parties website.