All Of It with Alison Stewart – “New Years In NYC (Beyond Times Square)”

Date: December 30, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart, WNYC
Guest: Nadia Chaudhury (Editor, Eater Northeast)

Episode Overview

This lively episode of All Of It explores New Year's Eve in New York City—offering creative, diverse, and last-minute ideas for celebrating, whether you're feeling homebody vibes, seeking a splashy night out, or something deliciously in-between. Host Alison Stewart is joined by Nadia Chaudhury of Eater Northeast, who shares a broad spectrum of food, party, and relaxation options (at all budgets), while listeners call in with their own memorable and alternative traditions. The tone is practical, festive, and refreshingly honest about managing NYE expectations in a city legendary for its celebrations.

Managing New Year's Eve Expectations

[00:38 – 01:53]

• Keep expectations in check:
  • Nadia: “It's better to have low expectations and not to expect some sort of mind blowing transformation revelation that will happen come midnight.” (01:10)
  • Her own plan: After moving back to New York, Nadia feels the pressure to "do it up big," but typically prefers to stay in.
• Host Alison on home celebrations: Encourages listeners that staying in can be just as celebratory, especially with a small group.

At-Home Celebrations: Festive, But Low-Key

[01:53 – 03:14]

• Dress up, even at home:
  • Nadia: “Dress up whenever you can. Honestly, even if it’s not New Year’s Eve—we’re working from home.” (01:53)
• Menu tips:
  • Advise guests to eat before arriving; snacky foods and drinks work best so the focus can be on mingling.
  • “Don’t come to a New Year’s Eve party, expecting to have a full dinner…snacky things are honestly the best.” (02:22)
• Movie night & background vibes:
  • Nadia singles out Phantom Thread as a top New Year's Eve film (“one of the ultimate NYE movies,” 02:54), and notes New Year’s has overlooked holiday movie potential.

Going Out: Bars, Dining, and Dancing

[03:16 – 06:57]

• Local bars like Paradise Lost (East Village):
  • Golf-themed; "open till 8am”—great for NYE-to-NYD revelry. (03:29)
  • Practical tip: “Call ahead to see if they are actually doing anything for New Year's Eve and whether or not there will be a cover.” (03:29)
• Japanese-style Listening Bar - Mr. Mellow:
  • “Very friendly…no cover, they're doing DJ sets. Very easy, very pleasant.” (04:45)
• Dolores (New Mexican restaurant in Bed-Stuy):
  • A la carte menu, fun vibe, and hosting the Spanish “12 grapes at midnight” tradition for luck. (05:07)
• Glass of free bubbles: Many venues will offer this at midnight—“be prepared for that as well.” (05:44)
• Dance party options:
  • Jupiter Disco (Bushwick): “Dance party. 40 bucks advance, $45 at the door. Sparkly outfits recommended—yes, sparkling, glam, pearls, etc.” (06:19, 06:45)
  • Robin concert in Brooklyn (sold out, but noted as a choice pick).

Listeners' Creative Traditions

[07:03 – 09:25]

• Danny (Princeton, NJ): The "Reverse NYC"—enjoying the city during the day (shows, lunch) and escaping before crowds grow. “We get home as everybody's piling in...It's very satisfying.” (07:52)
• Marilyn (Chelsea): A contemplative, inward evening—yoga, kirtan, silent reflection at SOUK Yoga Studio until midnight. “Enter the new year together with…people who’ve gone through this epic exercise of going in.” (08:53)
• Text: Caviar & Tadig at home: One listener shares plans for a cozy night with caviar, homemade Persian rice, and champagne.

Special Restaurant Experiences

[09:35 – 11:20]

• Marquette (North Chelsea):
  • "European by way of Caribbean flavors;" chef India Doris was Michelin’s young chef for the Northeast this year.
  • NYE pre-fixe menu ($125), notably the peri peri chicken.
  • Casual option: Argyle, a new downstairs cocktail bar. “Award-winning chef who knows what she's doing...beautiful space.” (09:40)
• Strange Delight (Fort Greene, Brooklyn):
  • New Orleans-leaning menu (“po boys and seafood…so festive”).
  • Offers both dinner and a party (“the party comes with karaoke—what better way to enter New Year's Eve with singing with strangers?”). (10:40)
• Midnight karaoke song ritual: Listeners and guests debate the perfect karaoke song to ring in the year.

Times Square: Braving & Dodging the Ball Drop

[11:53 – 13:22]

• Ed (East Village): Unique perspective—attending a private party overlooking Times Square, skipping the crowds but getting the view.
• Alison’s TV coverage stories:
  • “If I ever say yes again, you are to drag me from the phone,” she recalls, but also shares the joy of witnessing live proposals. (12:23)
• Nadia’s take: Never done the outdoor ball drop herself—“I feel like it would be fun to do at least once in your life. But also I don't like the cold.” (12:57)

More Listener Suggestions & Traditions

[13:27 – 15:37]

• Carolina (Scarsdale):
  • Performing jazz at new Lower East Side club, The Jazz Genius, with Antonio Chaka Trio—“some of the finest musicians in New York City.” (13:27)
• Games and At-Home Countdown Parties:
  • Declining crowd sizes over the years prompt nostalgic memories—“We even lowered a mini mirrored ball and counted down to midnight.” (14:02)
• Natalie (Westchester):
  • Suggests Ben Gibbard’s "New Year"—perfectly timed to hit “So this is the new year and I don't feel any different” at midnight. (14:33)
  • Nadia: “Thank you for reminding me about that song…made my cat dance to it…” (15:20)
• More on dancing cats: Lighthearted banter ensues. (15:36)

Splurge-Worthy Dinners and Bar Parties

[15:41 – 17:56]

• Chateau Royale (Greenwich Village):
  • Operated by the team behind Libertine.
  • Open bar and dinner/cocktails for $300: “If you have the money…a fun, fancy treat-yourself sort of experience with many Parisian vibes.” (15:56)
• Listener text: “New Year’s Olympics” of silly games with friends—a highlight tradition. (16:34)
• Barkbawa (Caribbean, by Momofuku's Paul Carmichael):
  • Named Eater NY’s best new restaurant (2025).
  • “Fun Caribbean food, relaxed…bar party, no cover…bopping music, champagne, special cocktails, snacks after midnight…[it’ll] turn into a fun dance house party with the most fun delicious food and drinks.” (16:50)

Notable Quotes

• On expectations:
  • Nadia: “Don't expect some sort of mind blowing transformation revelation that will happen come midnight.” (01:10)
• On dressing up:
  • Nadia: “Dress up whenever you can. Honestly, even if it’s not New Year’s Eve—we’re working from home.” (01:53)
• On unique plans:
  • Danny: “We get home, it's great. We light a fire in the fireplace, turn on the tv, and it's like, been there, done that, and it's very satisfying.” (07:52)
• On music:
  • Natalie: “'So this is the new year, and I don't feel any different'...is like a beautiful way to enter the year every single year.” (14:33)
  • Nadia: “I've come back from New Year’s Eve and like played that song out loud and made my cat dance to it.” (15:20)
• On splurges:
  • Nadia: “It's a lot, but if you have the money, it's worth…it’s a fun, fancy treat-yourself sort of experience with many Parisian vibes.” (15:56)

Episode Takeaways

• Diverse options for New Year’s in NYC: At-home snacks and movies, festive bars with no cover, splashy tasting-menu dinners, and special traditions at every level.
• Find (or set) your own vibe: Whether contemplative, glamorous, social, or low-key, there’s no one right way to celebrate.
• Cherish local gems: From Japanese listening bars to New Orleans-inspired karaoke—support neighborhood spots, many of which add NYE flair.
• Listener ingenuity shines: Creative plans—reverse timing, games, daytime museum visits—highlight New Yorkers' knack for reimagining classic occasions.
• Music is magic: The right NYE song can set the mood, unite a crowd, or prompt a (possibly reluctant) cat to dance into the New Year.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• 00:38 – Managing Expectations & At-Home Festivities
• 03:16 – Night Out: Bars, Dancing, & Dining
• 07:03 – Listener Traditions: Reverse NYC, Yoga & More
• 09:40 – Special Restaurant Experiences
• 11:53 – Times Square, Ball Drop, & Behind-the-Scenes Stories
• 13:27 – More Listener Traditions (Jazz Clubs, Games, Music)
• 15:56 – Splurge Dinners & Late-Night Parties

Tone: Upbeat, humorous, honest, and inclusive—a real celebration of NYC’s everyone-invited approach to beginnings.

Perfect For: Anyone looking for inspiration to make the most of New Year’s in New York, with warmth, wit, and a dash of glam—minus the pressure.