C as in Charlie
Noho
At C as in Charlie, the party kicks off the moment you step inside. Guests are greeted with a complimentary sake shot, a cheerful nod to the Korean concept of Jeong—which roughly translates to a sense of kinship. Nothing says “Welcome!” quite like free alcohol. And the sentiment is even embodied in the management—the joint is helmed by three Korean friends from Atlanta.
While diners indulge in popcorn chicken and baby back ribs, the real entertainment awaits in the restroom. A projector displays a man intoning prime numbers, adding an oddball touch to the visit and some awkward eye-contact. Using the loo can be a communal activity too!
Sushi on Me
Jackson Heights (the Williamsburg location is great, but far less animated)
This cash-only, bottomless-sake spot in Queens opens up to a sign reading “Enjoy your fucking dinner,” and that you will. Chef Tangjantuk leads the charge with his singular spirit, shouting playful obscenities as he serves up the “fucking nigiri,” and orders you to “drink your fucking sake.”
Amid the jazz performances (nightly Thursday through Sunday) and the playful banter experience between chef and diner, guests are encouraged to raise their glasses and toast every few minutes, forging connections with the strangers who quickly become friends by the end of the night. The meal kicks off with fresh sashimi, followed by over 10 courses of nigiri, and ends with a hand roll that tastes like pure bliss amidst sake-fueled haze.
Kenka
East Village
At first glance, Kenka on St. Marks looks like your typical late-night izakaya—if your typical izakaya were decorated with pornographic posters and a statue of a beaver. But upon reading the menu, things take a turn for the absurd. Among the more extreme options like "bull penis," "BBQ intestines," and "raw beef liver," there are some surprises Kenka doesn’t quite advertise.
Take, for instance, the unassuming takoyaki. While most of the fried balls are filled with the standard minced octopus meat, one diner will enjoy a mouthful of wasabi instead. Consider it Kenka’s version of Russian roulette. To soothe the burn, the Sapporo drafts here are a shockingly cheap $1.50.
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert. After finishing off some adventurous meats and combustible snacks, there is a DIY cotton candy machine where brave diners can spin their own sugary treat to go.
The Dinner Detective
Tribeca
When small talk runs dry and you're hungry for something more, the Dinner Detective delivers a high-stakes guessing game disguised as a three-course meal. Participants are placed right in the middle of a murder mystery that unfolds between bites. Unlike a standard whodunit, anyone could be a suspect—whether it’s the waiter, the person sitting nearby, or even yourself, so it’s essential to stay sharp between mouthfuls of salmon or roasted chicken. As clues drop and tensions rise, the enigma deepens, thanks to prop guns, sudden blackouts, and unexpected twists. Pro tip: For added entertainment, there’s an option to frame someone in your party as a prime suspect.
BATSU!
East Village
A Japanese comedic staple, batsu turns losing into a hilarious game of humiliating punishment. Seven thousand miles from their origin, behind an unassuming door in the East Village, New Yorkers can savor this torture with a side of sushi and sake bombs (you might be noticing a trend here). There is no need to be a sadist to appreciate the show at BATSU!—though it might help.
Once orders are placed, warriors take on absurd challenges to avoid the dreaded “Gong of Punishment.” BATSU!’s penalties include nose hair plucking, paintball shots on bare skin, and electric shocks. Pro tip: For those eager to participate, VIP tickets are a must. These ticket holders don hachimaki bandanas to show they’re ready to dive into the madness and signal to the Sake Ninja for bottomless pours.
Raoul’s
Soho
While Raoul’s is famous for its steak au poivre and fluffy beignets, the French restaurant has kept one juicy little secret. On Thursdays and Fridays, as you’re making your way to the restroom, the lovely Avril Brenig sits by the stairs, offering $50 tarot card readings in 15-minute sessions. Need a break from a tedious date or an endless work rant? Take a detour and let her soothe your nerves. Or heighten them? Depends on what the fortunes have in store.
Dinner Party
Clinton Hill
In 2021, six friends with a shared vision created Dinner Party, a restaurant designed to replicate the homiest of meals. Their apartment-like space, reopening in Clinton Hill on Nov. 1, emphasizes the importance of good company alongside good food. Whether guests are sitting at communal tables with strangers or in their own group, the goal is for everyone to feel as though they are dining among friends.
The menu, changing weekly, is a tribute to home-cooked meals, drawing on influences from French, Italian, and Californian cuisine. Items on the menu often include fresh pastas, roasted meats, and seasonal vegetables.
Stoned Pizza
East Village/Bronx
The decriminalization of weed in New York has led to all kinds of creative ways to indulge. In the East Village, $120 at Stoned Pizza gets you all-you-can-eat pizza, each pie infused with a carefully measured dose of cannabis. Alternatively, in the Bronx, pizza is offered by the slice. The staff act as medical sherpas and guide customers through their experience.
As for the pizza, they have classic pepperoni alongside their own creations like the “Stoner’s Delight,” loaded with cheese, bacon, and spicy honey. Cannabis-infused garlic knots and wings are also available. By the time dessert arrives—brownies and cookies with a light infusion—the restaurant has become a shared experience. Nothing bonds people quite like good food, good vibes, and, well, getting high together.
BONUS: Marjorie Eliot's Parlor Entertainment
Harlem
Don't come to Marjorie's hungry, as finger food is the most sustenance you'll get here, but do prepare to have your cultural appetite filled. Every Sunday for the past 32 years, Marjorie Eliot has opened her apartment for jazz performances in her Harlem living room. Free and open to all, each performance has a rotating lineup of musicians with Marjorie on the piano, often including acclaimed names in the jazz world.
