by james f. on Sadly I have become a somewhat jaded New Yorker. I hear let's hang out in the meatpacking district and I immediately think : long lines, high covers , and arbitrary door policies; all for the privilege to hang out with people I would normally avoid. So imagine my surprise to actually enjoy The Park on my two visits there. I didn't notice any popped collars or trashy looking women, the crowd here is pretty young, attractive and cool(...... how did I get in??). No cover? On a Saturday? In meatpacking area? I'm pleasantly surprised. The door policy will probably piss off some guys but seems fair. Basically your party has to have at least one girl for each guy. Solo guys or groups of guys alone probably won't be let in. It sucks for a boys night out, but it does keep it from being a sausage party. The doormen were quite hospitable, not really friendly, but not the near psychotic, steroid enraged bouncers of many area clubs. Once inside there are multiple bars, a outdoor seating area/ lounge and upstairs dance floor. I ventured upstairs and found it dark and pretty crowded but I was fond of the outdoor balconies. Not bad in small doses, but not where I'd spend my night. The downstairs bar and lounge area was less claustrophobic and had faster service at the bar. For a club in meatpacking district drink prices seemed reasonable: $7 for a Hoegaarden and $9 for a strong rum & coke. My only real dislike was the only restrooms I could find were in the basement. They were clean, it just seemed a club this size would have more restrooms. The Park = only place I'd venture to i meatpacking district.
by Salena Ozane on WARNING! This is not a vegan's paradise. This is a place that only those who are wasted can find greasy food at 4 am. If you go here sober I am honestly shocked. I went here drunk many times over the last decade, and got dry toast because I was blasted, with equally blasted friends, and it was beyond late and we needed something to eat. And it was awesome. Mostly because everyone else there is in the same shape you are in, if not worse. But one time, early in the morning, while waiting for a friend, I went here. I was stone sober from the night before's events (do not ask) and a friend and I were waiting impatiently for a phone call from the friend and nothing else around was open. It's bizarre being there at 6-7 am. The people are completely different. They are there to actually eat. It was a weird and surreal experience that I hope not to see again. A friend of mine, a prominent local DJ who is wheelchair-bound, said he has been pretty much ejected from the place the last few times he has been there and that makes me very angry. They yelled at him and said he was blocking up the thoroughfare but what the hell else can he do when there is no handicapped seating areas? Because of that I will probably never go there again. I will forage through the spoiled crap I have in my fridge before I see this place again.
