42BELOW NYC Providing Unique New York City Fun During U.S. Open

It’s U.S. Open time, and that means New York City is once again the place to be.

Every year, the U.S. Open brings hundreds of thousands of tennis fans to New York City, with spectators arriving from all corners of the world to enjoy one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. 

The 2026 U.S. Open begins with Fan Week on Sunday, August 23, and runs for three weeks up until the final day on Sunday, September 13. The tennis buzz around the City is unlike any other, and presents an incredible opportunity to enjoy the final weeks of summer. 

But with soaring ticket prices just to get inside the USTA National Tennis Center grounds, not to mention rising costs of drinks and food, as well as the massive crowds, many people look for alternative ways to enjoy themselves in New York City during these three weeks of tennis. 

With that, 42BELOW NYC, the City’s new “IT” fun zone in Midtown South is serving up an array of indoor and outdoor activities to stay active, entertained and well-fed. If you don’t have a ticket to that day’s U.S. Open matches, the weather isn’t cooperating, or you need a place to go at night after spending a day at the Open, 42BELOW NYC has you covered. 42BELOW NYC represents the beautiful diversity of the City overall, and the emerging cultures that exist both in the City but also with so many international players and fans coming in for the U.S. Open. 

From pickleball across from Penn Station to Koreatown karaoke, hidden speakeasies, and some of the city’s best bookstores, 42BELOW offers a full day (and night) of backup plans for tennis fans.

GET COMPETITIVE: WHO WANTS TO WATCH WHEN YOU CAN PLAY

Can’t get to Flushing? Keep the competitive spirit alive without leaving Midtown:

• Life Time PENN 1,  235 W 33rd St, Seven indoor pickleball courts directly across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, with open play, clinics, and private court rentals. One of the largest dedicated pickleball facilities in the city
• City Pickle, 1501 Broadway, Book time at one of the seven courts (equipment rental available), then enjoy the restaurant, full bar and countless amenities at NYC newest iconic indoor location. 

SING IT OUT: KOREATOWN KARAOKE

Whether you’re celebrating a win or drowning the sorrows of a five-set loss, 42BELOW’s Koreatown strip on West 32nd Street is one of the city’s great karaoke destinations:

• Space Karaoke Bar & Lounge; 34 W 32nd St, Ten private, soundproof rooms eleven floors above 32nd Street, with BYOB and bottle-service options
• 32 Karaoke, 32 W 32nd St, A neighborhood mainstay with song libraries in English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese 

IF IT RAINS: GET LOST IN A BOOK OR A STORE

When the skies open up over Flushing Meadows, duck into one of 42BELOW’s best indoor escapes:

• Kinokuniya Bookstore, 1073 6th Ave,  The flagship U.S. location of the Japanese bookseller, spans three floors of English titles, manga, art books, and stationery.
• The Drama Bookstore, 266 W 39th St., Founded in 1917, it was revitalized by Lin-Manuel Miranda and others in 2020. Its café, a spiraling overhead book sculpture, and collection of plays, scripts, books on acting you will be captivated for hours.
• Hommage Vintage, 306 W 38th St., curated unique clothing and accessories – rap tees, Harley-Davidson & Ralph Lauren apparel (with rental through private appointments). Dressers from FX, Netflix and Broadway shows, stylists for NBA and NFL players and American Singer/rapper Lauryn Hill have all chosen from here.

EAT & DRINK LIKE AN INSIDER

No trip to 42BELOW is complete without a table at one of the spots locals and industry insiders are raving about and keep coming back to. The food is top tier and while the U.S. Open is known for the Honey Deuce cocktail, these places offer an array of delicious cocktails of their own:

New Culinary Experience

• Shaver Hall, 425 Fifth Avenue, Created in the former flagship Lord & Taylor, the 35,000 sq. ft. global food hall has chef-curated eateries, craft cocktails, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options. 

Hidden Bars & Cocktails

• Bang Bang — A hidden speakeasy tucked behind a noodle shop, no sign out front; 13 E 30th St
• The Skylark — Rooftop cocktail bar 30 stories above 7th Ave; 200 W 39th St
• Dear Irving on Hudson — Rooftop lounge with skyline views; 310 W 40th St

Casual, Quick & Healthy

• Markette — All-day café serving breakfast, lunch, and coffee for a quick refuel; 30 W 30th St
• King’s Street Coffee — Neighborhood coffee shop good for a between-matches pit stop; 26 W 33rd St
• Roberta’s — Casual, crowd-friendly pizza with plenty of room for groups; 1 Penn Plaza

Steakhouses & Power Dining

• Keens Steakhouse — Historic NY chophouse famous for mutton chops, martinis, and old-school charm; 72 W 36th St
• The Dynamo Room — Sophisticated grill room near MSG, suited for lunch, pregame drinks, or dinner; 2 Penn Plaza
• Blue Ribbon Sushi & Steak — High-quality sushi and steak near MSG; 1 Penn Plaza

Pre-Theater Classics

• The Mermaid Inn — Reliable, unpretentious seafood; 127 W 43rd St
• Joe Allen — Classic burgers and old New York charm, generations-old pre-show tradition; 326 W 46th St

42BELOW is the perfect spot for locals and tourists alike. With a diverse selection of activities, food and more, there’s something for all U.S. Open fans.