• From: Frederick County, MD
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 857

Topic: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

Hey all.  I'm a New York newbie and taking a trip from Maryland next Monday night to go see Liquid Tension Experiment (an amazing progressive rock instrumental tour-de-force made up of 3/4's of the band Dream Theater and the infamous Tony Levin of King Crimson, Peter Gabriel on bass) for one of only a handful of 10-yr reunion dates.  I've never been to the club and would love some input from those who have about how the easiest way to get there is from New Jersey, where to park to avoid getting mugged or having my car broken into, price isn't really an issue, and maybe a decent place to get a bite beforehand (my show is the 2nd one of the night, beginning at 11:00 pm).  I'd also consider taking a train/subway into town from NJ if that's a better option, as long as I won't get stuck in town.

Post any thoughts/feedback here or email me via the link to the left of the post if you would be so kind.  Thanks in advance.

CarljMD

Takers get the honey, givers sing the blues
  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
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Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

Not a New Yorker Carl but had a little experience there last Thanksgiving. You can park at Newark Aiport and take the PATH train into town that drops you off at 33rd Street. Take a cab to BB's I think it is on 44th. A couple of Okies walked all aroung the Times Square area where BB's is and never felt we were soon to be a victim of a mugging. I'm sure there are many other options and opinions but that is how we got into town and had no problems.

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  • From: Minnesota
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Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

We spent a week in NYC last summer and I would take Jim's advice - take a train or subway into Manhattan and then a cab if necessary. Most travel experts will tell you not to drive in Manhattan, especially the Times Square area, and I whole-heartedly agree with that.

A great help for our trip was the message board on Frommer's travel guide for New York: http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX?14@@.ee6b36e
A question similar to yours has probably been asked there already or you can register and ask the question yourself.

  • Registered: 2008-04-02
  • Posts: 671

Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

If your not familiar with Manhattan driving would probally be very stressful for you. I agree with the other posts-take some kind of public transportation. If its possible why not make a weekend out of it and get a room. Manhattan is one of the coolest places in the world to visit.
You could spend a week in the Metropolitan Museum of Art alone. Did you ever hang out in Soho, or the Village? Very cool.

Do people out there still think they are going to be attacked or have something terrible happen to them just because they want to go to New York City?

Well have fun at the show and......Don't forget your gun,
Jack

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Jack Loves Patty Loves Joe
  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
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Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

fuzzy wuzzy wrote:

Do people out there still think they are going to be attacked or have something terrible happen to them just because they want to go to New York City?

Well have fun at the show and......Don't forget your gun,
Jack

Of course we did. After we spent a few days there we quit looking over our shoulders smile. Never felt uneasy on the subway although we never rode them after midnight.

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  • Registered: 2008-04-02
  • Posts: 671

Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

jim m wrote:
fuzzy wuzzy wrote:

Do people out there still think they are going to be attacked or have something terrible happen to them just because they want to go to New York City?

Well have fun at the show and......Don't forget your gun,
Jack

Of course we did. After we spent a few days there we quit looking over our shoulders smile. Never felt uneasy on the subway although we never rode them after midnight.

Sounds like you had fun Jim.

Carl, BB's is within easy walking distance of the Path train @ 33rd st.

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Jack Loves Patty Loves Joe

7 Reply by gsj (edited by gsj 2008-06-20 17:08:10)

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  • From: North Essex, England
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Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

Bow when you enter.

Leave backwards. One should never present one's back to royalty....it's considered bad form wink

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

gsj wrote:

Bow when you enter.

Leave backwards. One should never present one's back to royalty....it's considered bad form wink

Well done!

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

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  • From: Orange County, NY
  • Registered: 2007-08-19
  • Posts: 574

Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

Sounds like it'll be a great night!  I'm originally from NYC and this is what I would do.  Drive right into the Times Square area via the Lincoln Tunnel, leaving plenty of time before the show. 

Park in any parking garage you find, preferrably before you hit 8th Ave.  Crosstown traffic is a you-know-what.  I've never had a problem in any garage in Manhattan.  Don't even think about trying to find street parking, isn't going to happen.  lol

Wander around until you find a place you'd like to eat...there's plenty around.  Here's a link to some restaurants:

http://timessquare.com/Dining/

I never had a problem driving in Manhattan.  Monday night traffic shouldn't be bad...even if it is, you're in the comfort of your own car as opposed to being at the mercy of public transportation.  Like I said, just leave plenty of time beforehand.  wink

I'm so tempted to make that show myself.

If heartaches were nickels
I'd be the richest fool alive
  • From: Cliftonville Kent England
  • Registered: 2006-07-30
  • Posts: 2,150

Re: Tips on visiting BB Kings Blues Club, NYC

Hi Carl , Stayed in Manhatten Last October and Saw Joe & The Boys at BB's on 42nd Street , Was Really Easy to find , Mindy is right there's loads of Multi Storey Car Parks around that part of Town and just millions of places to eat , i chose Katz's Diner in SoHo ( where Harry met sally orgasm scene was Filmed ) Great Traditional New York Deli  Real New York Feel "Recommended" , also Restaurant at top of Rockerfeller Center for best views over New York & there's a Really Cool Hard Rock Cafe there too with great Music Memorabilia & Food .... From New Jersey you could get a train into Penn St Station and Then Just a Short Walk to BB's Get there early and go to bar inside and get a ticket for preferred seating for show

Good Luck Carl and Enjoy The Show

...................................... Michael

ps , love that John Petrucci , he's Dynamite

Joe Bonamassa .......  His Greatest 3 Videos ... IMMHO   After Much Deliberation
3rd ...... Mountain Time / Rockpalast       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h01xa6NMsJo
2nd ...... Sloe Gin       /  Vienna            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRASS8O8ZnE           
1st ....... Blues Deluxe / The Borderline    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnl3E_KLxYg