Ice Skating in NYC at the Standard Hotel New York
We have mixed feelings about the Standard Hotel, located smack in the middle of the Meatpacking District. Yes, the Standard Hotel and its New York hot spots–bars, clubs, restaurants, roof decks, beer gardens, etc.–tend to attract the sort of wannabe high-rolling party-people that can make the neighborhood insufferable at times. But we do love the architecture and design of the place; and it is nicely integrated with the High Line, one of our favorite destinations in the city; and, honestly, every time we've patronized one of the Standard's establishments–notably the roof deck bar and creperie, as well as the namesake Standard Grill–the staff couldn't have been more warm and welcoming. And now, another example: the Standard Hotel Ice Skating Rink, heading into the stretch run of its second season, and where we went, and kind of had a blast, for the first time just last week.
The first thing you should know about the Standard Hotel NYC Ice Skating Rink is that it's tiny. As in 3,000 square-feet tiny. As in three-or-four-long-strides-and-make-a-left tiny. This is not an ice skarting NYC rink on which to get a workout, or practice your double axels. But unlike a few other smallish pop-up rinks around town (at the W in Battery Partk City, for example), the ice at the Standard Hotel New York rink is real, not synthetic, and it's well-maintained, and as slick as you would want it to be. Plus–and fortunately, given its size–whenever we've walked by (which is often) or skated upon (which is once) the Standard Ice Skating Rink, it's been delightfully uncrowded.
Of course, many people come to the Standard Hotel Ice Skating Rink, do a couple of laps around the ice, and then settle into the outdoor, heavily heat-lamped terrace for snacks and treats from the Kaffeehaus, including warm, often boozy beverages (crushed candy cane hot chocolate with a spike of bourbon, anyone?) as well as soup, sweet or savory crepes, and desserty waffles. There are even blankets provided, under which some serious cuddling can done. And though it's not free to skate at the Standard Hotel Rink, your $12 admission plus $3 rentals is still cheaper than an evening at the "free" rink in Bryant Park can be, what with the $14 skate rental price and $7 bag check up there. All in all, definitely worth checking out before it closes mid-March.
The Standard Hotel Ice Skating Rink details
The Standard Hotel Ice Skating Rink is located on the corner of Washington and West 13th Streets, right in front of the main (cool-yellow-doored) entrance to the hotel. The Standard Rink is open on Monday through Thursday, and on Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight, from 12:00 noon until 1:00 a.m. on Friday, and from 9:00 until 1:00 on Saturday. For more information, please see the Standard Hotel website, here.
Posted in NYC Events | Tagged Ice Skating NYC • Standard Hotel NYC • Standard Hotel NYC ice skating • Standard ice skating • The Standard Hotel New York
