Eat, drink, dance, shop, and schmooze in the Big Apple this holiday. From swanky bars to mind-blowing sensory experiences, celebrate the season with our curated list of New York’s finest

by Archana Aithal Rose

AWAKEN THE SENSES
An espionage museum or a rooftop winter spa: two Gotham City experiences to escape your mind this season

Looking to stretch and de-stress in the comfort of your own cocoon, set far away from the madding crowds? The winter spa at the William Vale in Brooklyn offers a perfect escape. The hotel’s fourth floor terrace has been transformed into a wellness sanctuary with panoramic-view barrel saunas and deep-soak cedar hot tubs for melting your stress away. thewilliamvale.com

This winter, hop on your Bat mobile, kids, and head to Batman X Spyscape in the city. A hybrid experience awaits eager Batman fans as they wade through the maze of escape rooms and top-secret missions to infiltrate the DC universe. Here, you’ll meet Oracle, who will help you find clues to solve a series of mysteries. spyscape.com/batman

RAISE A GLASS
Flanked by a 270-degree view of Manhattan’s sparkling skyline, celebrity chef José Andres’ recently opened Nubeluz is perched atop the 50th floor of the legendary Ritz-Carlton like a jeweled glass box. Luz (“light” in Spanish) streams in through the bar’s expansive glass windows, accentuating the stylish interior clad in teal and red, an ode to New York’s glamorous past. Savor luscious libations with a view and sample culinary bites, from gourmet grilled cheese to a crudité selection of Spain’s most delectable import, jamón Ibérico. nubeluzbyjose.com

Kick back with a cocktail and see and be seen at New York’s brand new hotspots. In 2021, Freeland Hotel’s Georgia Room and its sophisticated older sibling, Bar Calico, swung open their glass doors to thirsty New Yorkers eager to get back to the party circuit. The two Flatiron nightspots have since been rightfully anointed the hottest bars in the Big Apple. Calico, with its intimate salon setting of plush leather seating and eclectic décor invites guests to sip playfully named cocktails like You’re Making Me Corny and Breakfast in Gaspe, all while basking in the glow of candlelight. The Georgia Room, on the other hand, fashioned after painter Georgia O’Keefe’s work, is a grand opus of elegance and femininity, urging visitors to shimmy into the afterhours under an iridescent disco ball. barcaliconyc.com, georgiaroomnyc.com

SWEET SHOP
Blurring the lines between residential and retail, two townhouse boutiques are easily New York’s best-kept shopping secrets

Fossilized amazonite, butterfly taxidermy, suzani textiles, mounted ostrich eggs, alligator skulls, and a labyrinth of weird and wonderful objects sourced from around the globe welcome shoppers at Creel and Gow’s historic townhouse shop in the UES. If you’re looking to buy an off beat gift for the mad collectors on your holiday list, this little Aladdin’s cave is a veritable treasure trove of extraordinary finds. Creel and Gow’s owners, Jamie Creel and Christopher Gow, have curated a one-of-a-kind shopping experience spanning several rooms, all loaded with eccentric curiosities. After all, you’ll never know you had a penchant for a stuffed peacock until you see one. creelandgow.com

After undergoing a facelift with a posh new address along Upper Manhattan’s Madison Avenue, Fivestory New York has morphed into a bespoke retail spot for ultra-luxurious designer fashion. This brick-and-mortar haven is located within a 4,000-squarefoot, two-story townhouse featuring a well-edited selection of designer wear, décor, accessories, and art. From Chanel to Christian Dior, Proenza Schouler to Prabal Gurung, this fashion mecca offers a uniquely elevated client experience for discerning shoppers. Vintage lovers are also sure to swoon over Fivestory’s curated selection of iconic pieces from the past. fivestoryny.com