Finding an entertaining and connective date spot can be a challenge, even in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
I am always looking for something unique and new to both of us, so we can have a memorable experience. When I am looking for this perfect date, I am looking for something “to do”, but oftentimes that becomes a performance or a dance party where you don’t really get to interact with your special someone. If you are looking to make an impression and get to know someone in an unexpected setting, look no more than Sleep No More. I had the pleasure of taking someone special on a date to Sleep No More this past Monday. It was the perfect mix of mysterious and sexy with the opportunity to chat and interact with one another. My date and I had a 7:00 pm reservation on a Monday night. I gave him the address to the McKittrick Hotel and no further details but to dress as though he was going to a posh party.
We met outside where a line formed around the hotel like a hot nightclub. I approached him in line and told him to follow me. I had booked us tickets for the “Oz’s list” experience, which I highly recommend if you are going. It allows for front-of-the-line access to enter the hotel and streamline through coat check and all the other needed formalities to get to the fun part. This experience instantly opens your date night with a feeling of elevation. When you are a guest of Oz, you are guaranteed a reserved table in the beautiful Manderley Bar.
We were greeted warmly at the entrance and told to look for Pearl inside. We found Pearl who was more lovely than her name, and she seated my date and I at a cozy table by the stage.
The Manderley Bar is absolutely stunning; it exudes timelessness and mystery with an attentive staff and an imaginative cocktail menu. My date and I opted for a delicious absinthe cocktail to initiate our journey into the immersive land of Sleep No More. Our cocktail came quick and cool. As we sipped our absinthe we were serenaded by the sound of live jazz at the perfect volume. We were surrounded by soft sounds and still able to curl up to speak to one another. After our first (of more to come) cocktail we made our way into the Sleep No More experience.
Our server told us she would have our table reserved for the evening if at any point we wanted to return for another cocktail or to reconnect before returning to the mysterious land of Sleep No More.
Sleep No More is a beautiful parallel for the nonlinear theory on space and time. The experience has no proper order to be experienced. Each experience inside is unique to the individual. You are entirely free to roam wherever you inner compass desires at your own pace. Your choices are endless and tailored to your mood. You can follow one character from room to room as you experience the story from their eyes (or as I like to think of what they choose to show you). You can also move fully independently and at your own pace, taking breaks for a delicious cocktail and to discuss the mystery with date, personally, that is what I did. It was the perfect combination of experiencing something new with someone and having the much-needed time to get to know each other and share what excited us most about the experience inside.
After three hours which seemed like one of sliding between the realms of the Manderley Bar and The Sleep No More experience, we headed over to The Gallows for dinner on the rooftop. The setting at Gallows is uniquely green for New York and romantic with soft lighting and city views. The food is fantastic. My partner in fun for the evening had the burger while I chose the grilled salmon. We were both beyond pleased with our dishes and eager to talk more about Sleep No More.
The Manderley Bar, Sleep No More, and The Gallows made for a seamless evening of spontaneity and connectivity leaving us both feeling enchanted by the experience and each other.
