New York/drinking age/Christmas madness!

[MintyCedric]

DD turns 21 and I turn 50 next September and it’s long been the plan to go to New York for a few days by way of a celebration.

Unfortunately due to her being third year at uni by then and the fact I work in a school, we only have two options…

April…at which point she’ll still only be twenty. As far as I can gather she can still drink alcohol if I’ve purchased it, but I’m a bit concerned that it might be a pain in the arse in some places. Obviously it’s not vital and we’re not going for a piss up, but food, cocktails and jazz bars will be a big part of the trip and having to stick to Diet Coke is hardly celebratory!

The other option is to squeeze in five days right before Christmas…leaving when I finish work on 19th December and flying back on 23rd to arrive home Christmas Eve, but from what I’ve seen online it’s likely to be hell on wheels for crowds in NY then.

If anyone has any pearls of wisdom on either of the above issues, I’d be massively grateful. We’ve not been abroad together since before than pandemic and have had a really shit few years so would rather not put it off until 2026!

She won't be served in bars & restaurants, sorry.

I went into an “offie” in America on my 60th birthday to buy a bottle of wine. Refused service because I left my ID at home.

Just to manage expectations - Third year of a degree - the work ramps right up. DD would have been stressed to the hilt to take 5 days out of studying.

@Bigearringsbigsmile universities don't have half term. Reading week is usually filled with completing assignments, and the Christmas break is the same, plus revising for exams in January and starting a dissertation.

A supermarket cashier refused at first to sell me alcohol as I might serve some to my stepkids, aged 19 & 20) who were with me, when we got back to our hired holiday home! After some promising, and sending the kids to the car, she relented.

We took no notice once we were back at the house, but I must admit to being shocked at how far it was taken.

If you're planning on celebrating in bars, wait till your daughter is 21. And take ID. Otherwise, don't take her to the shops to buy it.

Thanks so much everyone.

We definitely won’t be breaking any laws or taking time out of her studies so it looks like it’ll be a Christmas trip.

I’ll have a chat with her but she’s pretty good at organising her time/studies so I think she’ll be ok with taking a few days out in the run up to Christmas.

@WagWoofWalkMeeoow assuming my mum (she’ll be 86 by then) is still trucking we will definitely need to be back as we’ve no other family at all. I’m expecting a bit of push back even squeezing in the few days before tbh.

So…if anyone has any great tips about Christmas in New York…bring em on!

Former New Yorker here, ID checks generally are quite strict in New York. She won't be able to drink in restaurants/bars, even if you buy it. They will check her ID. And yes, some places, like music venues/jazz clubs, may not let her in the door without being over 21.

Me personally, I would avoid just before Christmas, but depends what you're after. If you really want to do the Christmas 'thing' and you can be content with crowds and more annoyance to soak in the atmosphere, do Christmas stuff, shopping, etc. then there will be lots to do. But you really have to be into it, I think. I used to avoid all the midtown/tourist places around that time of year as was just too intense for me.

If it was me, I'd go in spring after her birthday. Spring in New York is lovely. You can do more outdoor stuff, more walking around, and she'll be 21.

@MintyCedric

Well, your Mum is well worth coming back for (if you have a good relationship),

IF I was your Mum, I'd rather you stayed & enjoyed it with DD for as long as you could. I love Christmas, but don't mind spending it alone and doing something on another day.

Anyway, I hope you both have a brilliant time!!