Weekend hangout spots on the Upper West Side

A weekend hangout on the Upper West Side goes best near the 1, 2, 3 or C, because the B doesn't run on weekends. Pick the activity first, then a spot a short walk from the line most of the group rides. Maybe two friends live uptown, one rides the 2 from Brooklyn and another crosses Central Park by bus from the Upper East Side.

This post lists eight places for a Saturday or Sunday, then covers which trains run. It is part of our guide to the Upper West Side.

Where can friends spend a weekend hangout on the Upper West Side?

Start with food, add the museum if it rains, and end at a bar. Each walk is from the station named, and the hours are Google's weekend hours.

• Levain Bakery, for a quick first stop. A bakery on West 74th Street, about a 3-minute walk from the 72 St station on the 1, 2 and 3. Google lists it as inexpensive and open from 7 a.m.
• Sarabeth's, for an early breakfast. A restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 4-minute walk from the 79 St station on the 1, open from 8 a.m. Google lists it as taking reservations, good for groups and moderately priced.
• TESSA, for a booked lunch. A restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 5-minute walk from the 79 St station, open from 11 a.m. Google lists it as taking reservations, good for groups and moderately priced.
• Barney Greengrass, for a weekend breakfast. A breakfast restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 3-minute walk from the 86 St station on the 1, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Google lists it as not taking reservations and expensive.
• Jacob's Pickles, for a big table. A restaurant on Columbus Avenue, about a 7-minute walk from the 96 St station on the C. It opens at 9 a.m., and Google lists it as taking reservations and good for groups.
• The American Museum of Natural History, for a rainy afternoon. A museum on Central Park West, about a 6-minute walk from the 81 St station on the C. Google lists it as open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• The Dead Poet, for an afternoon pint. An Irish pub on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 5-minute walk from the 79 St station, open from noon. Google lists it as good for groups and not taking reservations.
• Dive 75, for a bar with no booking. A bar on West 75th Street, about a 7-minute walk from the 72 St station, open from 2 p.m. Google lists it as good for groups and not taking reservations.

Our picks on the Upper West Side

Chosen by the Where2Meet team. Photos, ratings and addresses load live from Google Maps.

• Levain Bakery

  A bakery on West 74th Street, about a 3-minute walk from the 72 St station on the 1, 2 and 3. Google lists it as inexpensive.

• Sarabeth's Upper West Side

  A restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 4-minute walk from the 79 St station on the 1. Google lists it as taking reservations and good for groups.

• TESSA

  A restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 5-minute walk from the 79 St station on the 1. Google lists it as taking reservations and good for groups.

• Barney Greengrass

  A breakfast restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 3-minute walk from the 86 St station on the 1. Google lists it as not taking reservations.

• Jacob's Pickles

  A restaurant on Columbus Avenue, about a 7-minute walk from the 96 St station on the C. Google lists it as taking reservations and good for groups.

• American Museum of Natural History

  A museum on Central Park West, about a 6-minute walk from the 81 St station on the C. Google lists it as open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day.

• The Dead Poet

  An Irish pub on Amsterdam Avenue, about a 5-minute walk from the 79 St station on the 1. Google lists it as good for groups.

• Dive 75

  A bar on West 75th Street, about a 7-minute walk from the 72 St station on the 1, 2 and 3. Google lists it as good for groups.

Google Maps

Which trains run on the Upper West Side on weekends?

Plan around the 1, 2, 3 and C. On weekends the B doesn't run, so during the day only the C stops on Central Park West.

On Broadway, the 1 stops at every station from 66 St-Lincoln Center to Cathedral Pkwy (110 St), and the 2 and 3 stop only at 72 St and 96 St. Check the MTA's planned service changes before Saturday.

Settle the plan by Thursday, and ask everyone to vote by then. For a weekday meeting, see where to hold a team meeting in Midtown. For a night out for two, see where to go on a date near Union Square.

How to do it in Where2Meet

Where2Meet lets friends plan where to meet from one shared link. Nobody needs an account.

1. Open Where2Meet, choose the Weekend hangout chip, pick the day and time, and add your name.
2. Share the link in your group chat. Each friend adds where they're coming from, or an approximate area, or you add it for them.
3. Search around the group for a restaurant, a bar or a museum, or look one up by name.
4. Select a place to see each friend's route and travel time by car, transit, walking or bike.
5. Everyone votes, and the organizer picks the final spot. Changes show up without a refresh.

Common questions

Does the B train run on weekends on the Upper West Side?

No. The B runs on weekdays only, so on weekend days only the C stops on Central Park West.

What can a group do on the Upper West Side when it rains?

Go to the American Museum of Natural History, near the 81 St station on Central Park West. It closes at 5:30 p.m., so start there early.

How do friends from the Upper East Side get across?

By crosstown bus through Central Park. The M66, M72, M79-SBS, M86-SBS, M96 and M106 all cross to the west side, and the MTA's schedules page has their timetables.