This past weekend I took a quick trip to New York City from Florida to celebrate a friend’s graduation and a birthday. JetBlue made it affordable and easy to get directly from one place to another with free WiFi and complimentary snacks. We landed at night; sadly, the fog prevented us from seeing the city lights and delayed our landing. But by the time we made it to our friends, we were ready to let loose and party!

Common Ground was the first place we went as a group. We entered the sidewalk café through a hall made up of vines and leaves, giving the site a dark and mysterious feel. The moment we turned, the room was a club constructed with booths staged around the dance floor and a fully equipped liquor wall behind the bar. The staff was respectful and professional in and out of the venue, meeting everyone’s needs. They cleaned up spills and mopped up a drink when it hit the floor. The bathrooms were monitored and maintained, drinks came quickly and the music selection kept the crowd moving.

This hidden gem first opened in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District in October 2017, located at 63 Gansevoort St. Since then, they opened up locations in Montauk and a pop-up in Tulum, with more venues on the way. The goal is to bring people together to join for happy hour, nightlife or book for an event like we did.

Overall, it was a great spot to come together for a special night; due to the number of people within the room, I was thankful to have a table to relax at in between mingling. The city made me remember what it was like three years ago. It was refreshing to be in a room with so much youth without any restrictions.

Next time you are in NYC, check out Common Ground. It was definitely the highlight of my trip.

— Christyn Pek, business development executive