NYC - Limo & Dinner out with group of Teens

My whole family is from Manhattan so I've done a lot of group meals out there. But, 15 is a lot of people, so I'm not really sure where that's going to be a snap to reserve. I would just call and ask if they'd accommodate you. Also, it's NYC so the real question is, what's your approximate budget per person? A few obvious ones that come to mind:

• P.J. Clarke's
• Café China
• Balthazar
• Keens
• Up Thai
• Rubirosa
• Pies 'n' Thighs (the new one in Park Slope)
• John's of Bleecker Street

Budget options:

• Fred's
• Pio Pio

Again, not sure if those places can seat 15 people at your desired time, etc. The Frying Pan is a fun place to have a big lunch or dinner, but you're probably not a big enough group for there.

In terms of photos to take... Battery park, the Charging Bull, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Central Park, Empire State Building, Grand Central, IDK. Limo tour of NYC wouldn't really be up my alley personally.

Awesome, thanks! We are there 5 full days, so the limo is just an extra evening fancy we think the teen girls will enjoy!

I've always loved taking NYC visitors around by the various ferries, water taxis, etc. There are a lot of unobstructed views of the skyline and fun ways to get from point A to B. So, maybe that's another fun idea. It would be fun to take the ferry to Red Hook and go to Brooklyn Crab, for example. Or take the ferry to Smorgasburg in Williamsburg.

In terms of rooftops, I also thought about that a little bit. I think having a full dinner on a rooftop is going to be more of a corporate event type thing where they're gauging you. I think maybe I'd look at the Yotel rooftop in HK, because that's pretty reasonably priced for the bar portion.

Yes, that's a great idea too! Thank you!

Would there be a good option for not quite a full dinner for rooftop? Drinks and desserts? (Somewhere teen-friendly)

The rooftop was a request, but I am also thinking it may be hard to fit the bill with the full dinner.

I lived in NYC over 20 years ago and I go visit every couple of years, and I'm struggling to think of a regular restaurant that would accommodate such a large group. You almost need a private room. I do remember going to a large birthday party at Dos Caminos (an upscale Mexican restaurant). They used to have a few restaurants in the city but not sure where they are anymore. I'm not up to date on "new" restaurants.

(I loved Pio Pio but the one closer to where I lived was so tiny).

Rooftop bars will have an age restriction especially at night. I loved 230 Fifth (I think that's the name) but I would reach out to confirm age restriction or if there is designated time allowed - maybe for lunch?

For fun places to take photos (for teens), I'm thinking: Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, Grand Central, Vessel at Hudson Yards, lions at the main NYC Library at Bryan Park, stairs of the Met Museum (which is next door to Central Park). While on the UES, cute street on UES (I'm thinking mid 60s St between Fifth Avenue and Lexington). Central Park is gigantic and you would need somewhere that is close enough to the street. Maybe Fifth Avenue at E75th, or on 59th Street.

I think a group of teens would love to visit SUMMIT observation deck. My daughter enjoyed it much more than Top of the Rock at Rockefeller. It wasn't cheap but it was fun (and lots of photo opportunities in there!).

Ps. I like the idea of a water taxi/ferry someone recommended.

EDITED: 230-fifth allows minors with parents but before 7pm. It was brand new when I was there in 2007 and they seem to have expanded quite a bit. Check them out. https://230-fifth.com/info/

YES! I think 230 Fifth might fit the bill perfectly. We could do that and have the limo pick us up there. I'll reach out to them. We can also break our party up at different tables if need be.

Thanks for the stop suggestions. We do have SUMMIT One on the list for a different day. Looks so fun - glad to hear that it is.

I hope the trip goes well - NYC is a fantastic place. Where are you all coming from?
I know you moms want to make decisions but ask some of the girls - I'm sure they have a few locations in mind for cool photos. And I think you'll be hitting up many different places throughout your stay too.
For Central Park, this is the map I share with friends when they ask me where things are located in the park. It gives you a general sense of the size and location of some famous spots. https://assets.centralparknyc.org/pdfs/maps/Central_Park_Map.pdf

Our daughter is a huge fan of Dos Caminos near Times Square

Our daughter is a huge fan of Dos Caminos near Times Square

Glad to hear Dos Caminos is still around and popular. When I lived in NYC around 2005, we used to go to the (original?) one in Soho but I know that one is closed now. The birthday party I attended was around 2010 at the restaurant in Midtown but not Times Square.

I know Carmine around Broadway is used to large parties and it's a family-style Italian restaurant. I ended up there with my daughter by accident and they wouldn't make the portion smaller for the 2 of us as all plates are family style. But it's not upscale and you would need to make reservation for that large group.

Another option are the restaurants in Time Square used to large parties like Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp, etc. But very touristy!