Eating outdoors in New York in October?

[Kitsune]

Posted: 9/7/21 at 11:45pm

After two years away from New York, my partner and I have a trip planned for late October. We're both vaccinated, and are fortunate not to have any pre-existing conditions. That being said, we're also cognizant of the risks of Delta, even for vaccinated people.

We're comfortable doing indoor activities with masks, but eating indoors makes us nervous. 

If we're willing to do advance planning, is it reasonable to think we can find outdoor dining options? In the Bay Area, lots of places have parklets and patio seating with space heaters. Is it similar in the theater district, or is late October just too cold?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/8/21 at 12:29am

I say go for it if you’re too afraid to eat indoors. I ate outdoors a few times in the dead of winter last year and felt perfectly fine.

And by the way, please move this thread to the Off-Topic boards, Kitsune.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/8/21 at 12:38am

You should be fine. Restaurant row has outdoor eating and I would suspect there are places on 9th. I am assuming you are asking about the theater district because you are wanting to find a place to eat nearby before or after a show.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 9/8/21 at 12:59am

You don't really need to do much or any advance planning unless you want. Tons of places, especially on 46th St and on 9th Ave but really almost every street. Also October is not that cold. Halloween is often pretty balmy. And everyone will have heat when it is needed. As said above, many of us ate outside through the frigid winter. 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 9/8/21 at 9:49am

Yes, October will definitely be fine for eating outdoors--most places have heaters that will keep you nice and warm.  It will be interesting to see if there's as much outdoor dining in December and January this year--remember last year there was no indoor dining so there was no other choice, but now with staffing issues what they are and having the option for indoors, I could see some of these restaurants getting rid of their outdoor spaces.  But October will certainly still be fine.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/8/21 at 10:04am

I’ve eaten outdoors in NY in October not even during covid and it’s generally fine. Just have a jacket just in case! An evening in NY in October is likely still going to be warmer than a foggy night in Hayes Valley or at Oracle Park in the summer. (Having just come from a trip to the Bay Area last month, I will say I thought NY’s masking was good, until I saw HOW good it could be in the Bay Area… so just know that. But who knows what things will be like in a month.)