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Safe and Supervised Evening Hot Spots for Teens

1. Teen Nights at Local Museums

Many local museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Arts and Design, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Whitney host teen nights, events, and activities, often organized by peers.

Why it's great for teens: These gatherings are often FREE, organized with input from teens, and feature age-appropriate art projects, immersive multidisciplinary experiences, DJs, and dancing.
Need to know for parents: The events usually take place on select Friday afternoons or evenings and end around 8pm. Check each venue's website and social media accounts for up-to-date information. While parents are not allowed at these events, the museums provide adult supervision. Pre-registration is often required.

The Brooklyn Game Lab offers a safe, fun place where teens can enjoy hours of board game fun. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Game Lab

2. Board Game Cafes

For some analog fun, board game cafes are great nighttime hangout spots for teens. Some popular board game cafes include Brooklyn Strategist, the Brooklyn Game Lab, and Sip & Play in Brooklyn, and the Uncommons and Chaotic Good Cafe in Manhattan.

Why it's great for teens: These board game cafes provide a safe space for teen gatherings, and there's always yummy food and drink options. Fees are very reasonable, and many cafes offer student prices. Teens can reserve in advance with their friends or attend walk-in hours to get matched with other players.
Need to know for parents: Some cafes, like Uncommons, require kids under 14 to attend with an adult. Parents should be aware that these cafes do serve beer and wine.

3. YMCA Centers

Local YMCAs host Teen Night Out, a new comprehensive youth development program that offers FREE, fun, high-quality, and youth-informed workshops, activities, and class options for youth ages 13-18 years old.

Why it's great for teens: Teens can go to play pool, pingpong, video games, a variety of sports, make art, learn computer coding, get homework help and college application assistance, or hang out with their peers.
Need to know for parents: Contact your local branch to learn about specific Teen Center hours and offerings, which vary by location. Registration usually has to be done in person with a parent or guardian present.

Teen-Friendly Performances and Live Sporting Events

4. Affordable Theater and Music

NYC is the perfect city for teens interested in attending Broadway shows, music performances, and live theater. Teens can score cheap tickets to theater and music performances by applying for a Theatre Development Fund membership. Teens can also purchase discounted tickets to Broadway shows and Lincoln Center performances via their rush policies. During the summer, there are many FREE concerts and music festivals for musically inclined teens, like Central Park's SummerStage concerts.

Why it's great for teens: With so many options in NYC, teens are bound to find some kind of performance or show that matches their interests. Attending a performance helps teens to bond with each other, and parents know exactly where their teen is for the night.
Need to know for parents: Most teen-friendly performances do not require adult supervision. Alcohol may be served at many of the venues.

5. Teen-Friendly Comedy

Teens who love comedy and theater should check out Accomplice the Show, an interactive and immersive show, which blends a walking tour, scavenger hunt, improv comedy, and adventure theater into each performance. If your teen loves to perform, the Upright Citizens Brigade holds improv night for all levels every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Why it's great for teens: Live performances, whether attending or performing, offer creative teens an outlet for their passion and the chance to meet teens with similar interests.
Need to know for parents: Accomplice the Show is recommended for teens ages 13 and up.

6. Magic Shows

Another great option for live performance is magic shows. While many magic shows are either for young kids or for those ages 21 and up, there are several shows that hit that sweet spot for teens. Monday Night Magic, one of New York’s longest-running off-Broadway magic shows, features world-class magicians in an intimate setting. Local dad and magician Daniel Morales puts on A Night of Magic in Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Magic Shop. The show caters to adults and kids ages 13 and older.

Why it's great for teens: No matter your age, magic shows delight and make for an exciting evening.
Need to know for parents: Some magic shows that are open to teens may serve alcohol. Check each website for details.

7. Live Sporting Events

New York is home to at least five large-scale sports stadiums, hosting baseball, football, basketball, and ice hockey. Whether your teen is a fan of the Knicks, Nets, Liberty, Mets, Yankees, Jets, Giants, or Rangers, they'll have a lot of fun attending a sporting event with their friends.

Why it's great for teens: Sports events build camaraderie and helps teens to let off some steam by cheering for their favorite teams.
Need to know for parents: While sports events can be expensive, your teen can obtain discounts for certain sporting events with an IDNYC card.

RELATED: 17Fun Things To Do After Dark with Kids

Luna Park is an all-ages playground and teens can have plenty of fun there on summer days and nights. Photo by Jody Mercier

Interactive Fun: Escape Rooms, Arcades, and More

8. Luna Park – Coney Island

Teens looking for the quintessential NYC summer night out head to Luna Park for its thrilling rides, games, and many attractions. On Friday summer nights, fireworks light up the sky over Coney Island.

Why it's great for teens: Luna Park offers thrills galore for teens. After screaming their heads off on the roller coasters, teens can grab a Nathan's hot dog and stroll the boardwalk.
Need to know for parents: While Coney Island is very safe for teens, it's good to set some ground rules about sticking together and letting friends know where they are going.

9. Escape Rooms

For teens looking to do something active with their friends after hours, there's a slew of escape rooms in NYC where teens can work together to solve puzzles. My teen and her friends enjoyed getting blasted with paint at Beat the Bomb. Other escape rooms favored by teens include Mission Escape Games, Skyscape, and the Escape Game NYC.

Why it's great for teens: Escape rooms give teens a chance to engage in some friendly competition while having fun trying to solve challenging puzzles.
Need to know for parents: Feed teens before they go, as escape rooms generally do not offer food options. Check to see whether your teen's group can play solo or will be paired with strangers.

10. Arcades

Arcade rooms are also another great activity for teens looking to blow off some steam. For classic arcade games, teens like the Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center, while Dave & Busters offers the ultimate gaming experience. Teens who want to play virtual reality games can head to Tidal Force VR, which offers the most state-of-the-art VR technology.

Why it's great for teens: Many teens enjoy playing arcade and video games with their friends, and, when done in moderation, gaming can provide stress relief for many stressed-out teens.
Need to know for parents: The money spent on arcade games can definitely add up, so make sure to give your teen a time limit and a budget.

11. Bowling Alleys

For teens looking for retro fun, have them head to a bowling alley with their friends. While many bowling centers, like Lucky Strike Chelsea Piers and Bowl 360, have arcade games in addition to bowling, there are still some more traditional bowling alleys around, including Melody Lanes in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and Jib Lanes in Flushing, Queens.

Why it's great for teens: Bowling encourages conversation and laughter while playing a challenging game.
Need to know for parents: Reservations are a good idea at the more popular lanes. Check the age requirements; some spots are 21+ in the evenings!

12. Roller Skating

For a unique teen night out, send teens to Xanadu for a groovin' time. The only year-round indoor roller rink in NYC, it melds thumpin' music with roller skating. With a rotating roster of DJs at the helm, the vibes are fresh, hip, and exciting. The seasonal roller rink at Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park also has fun theme nights like Legends of Hip Hop Skate or K-Pop Skate night.

Why it's great for teens: Not only is roller skating good exercise, but it's a great way for teens to socialize.
Need to know for parents: At Xanadu, teens 16 and 17 require an adult waiver while those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Low-Key After-Dark Activities

13. Book Clubs

Book groups are the perfect option for teens who prefer quieter activities. Check your local library or bookstore for book groups. Many bookstores, like Greenlight Book Store in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, offer Young Adult book groups. Or, have them start their own book group with their friends and host them at home.

Why it's great for teens: Book clubs help teens meet other like-minded teens and share insights into their favorite books.

13. Movie Theaters

One of my teen's favorite night-out activities is to go out and watch a movie with a friend or two. They enjoy going to theaters like Nitehawk Cinemas or Alamo Drafthouse where they can eat tasty snacks or full meals while enjoying the movie.

Why it's great for teens: Going to an actual theater to watch a movie enhances the experience and makes it feel like a special night out.
Need to know for parents: Some theaters, like the Alamo Drafthouse, require teens under 18 to be accompanied by an adult, but we find this rule is rarely enforced. To be safe, have your teens stick to PG-13 movies if they're going on their own.

14. Netflix Party

If your teen wants to stay in but still have fun, arrange to have a Netflix party with a few friends, snacks, and the most comfy PJs.

Why it's great for teens: Teens can still have a social life without "going out." Whether watching movies, playing board games, or eating dinner, hanging out with friends at the house provides a safe and quiet atmosphere to decompress, socialize, and strengthen friendships.

Navigating NYC at Night: Tips for Teens and Parents

Are there any age restrictions for certain after-dark activities?
Most of the activities we've discussed do not have any age restrictions. Some of the live performances, like Accomplice the Show, might recommend an age minimum. Check with the venue or show to make sure your teen can attend by themselves.

How can my teen get around NYC safely at night?
Most teens are very adept at navigating the subway system. If you're not comfortable with your teen taking the subway at night, have them use a ride-hailing app like Uber or Lyft. Uber has teen accounts that allow parents to track their teens when they're in the car. Have your teen with travel in a group or with a friend.

How can I ensure my teen is responsible and safe while out at night?
The most important way to make sure your teen is responsible and safe is to communicate with them, know where they're going, and who they're with. Before they go out, be clear about curfews and other rules they should follow.