Whether you’re rooting for the Broncos, the Seahawks, or Grammy Award Winner Bruno Mars, Super Bowl 2014 promises to be a great time—and with the Big Apple hosting this year, the festivities will be bigger and bolder than ever as legions of athletes, musicians, and celebrities descend upon New York City. With just two weekends to go, the city is already buzzing with anticipation. Whether you’re planning on hosting a casual get-together with friends or going all out on the biggest party of the year (so far), we’ve got you covered with our guide to the most interesting Super Bowl events in The City. Let’s get ready to party!
Pre-Parties
Get the holiday (we can call the Super Bowl that, right?) weekend started early with star-studded pre-parties at some of New York’s most exclusive venues.
SHAPE and Men’s Fitness along with Robert DeNiro, Katie Couric and Spike Lee are hosting an A-list affair on Friday, January 31 from 7-11 p.m. at Manhattan’s iconic Cipriani on 42nd Street Comedy Central’s Jeff Ross will emcee, alongside performances by Mary J Blige, Marc Anthony, and John Legend, and a fashion show starring Shape February cover model Petra Nemcova. Rumor has it, Leonardo DiCaprio is on the guest list, but you'll have to find out for yourself. Tables are available for $25,000 and individual seats for $2,500.
GlazerPalooza: Kicking off the string of parties that will be taking over New York this week, the official Fox Sports Glazer Palooza is an invite-only event taking place at Pranna Lounge this Wednesday, January 29th. As you might have already guessed the eighth annual Super Bowl Kickoff event is being hosted by Fox Sports Analyst and NFL Insider Jay Glazer who will be joined by Michael Strahan, Troy Aikman, Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw and Jimmie Johnson. Celebrities are expected to pour into this event; past attendees have included Kim Kardashian, Rob Gronkowski, Ray Lewis, Colin Kaepernick, John Elway and more. If you are lucky enough to score an invite to the shindig, you will be in good company as this year JustLuxe is sponsoring the event alongside Tissot, Avion Tequila, Blacklight Entertainment, Wallner Sports & Entertainment and others. Proceeds from the accompanying auction will benefit the Wounded Warriors Foundation and Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
Leather & Laces, a decade-long Super Bowl tradition, returns this year with the ultimate Supermodel lineup: Brooklyn Decker and Bar Refaeli will host the party on Friday, January 31 and Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio will host the evening before the big game. The two-night blowout will include acrobatic performances by Cirque USA and mind-readings by famous mentalist Jim Karol. Tickets are at $950 for each night with VIP tables starting at $7,000.
DirectTV’s Super Saturday Night bash also returns this year with a concert headlined by Brooklyn native Jay-Z with wife Beyoncé rumored to join him on stage. The evening party, co-hosted by Mark Cuban and Eli Manning, will take place at the indoor beach at Hudson River Park Pier 40. While the concert is invite only, DirectTV will also host a daytime Beach Bowl at the same location, featuring a performance by Paramore and a star-studded flag football game between celebrities, models, and athletes. The daytime event is free and open to the public on a first-come basis, so get there early.
Viewing Parties
The Suite Life
Even if you weren’t able to grab a coveted suite at Metlife Stadium this time, you can still enjoy the game in luxury at The London NYC. The hotel will play host to the “Ultimate Viewing Experiences” in its Luxury Collection Suites, complete with 60 inch plasma TVs, state-of-the-art sound systems, open bar, and game-day food prepared by the culinary team at Gordon Ramsay. Three suites: The London Atrium, The London Residence, and the 2,500-square-foot London Penthouse duplex, will be converted to private game-watching venues with sweeping views of Central Park and the New York City skyline. Prices start at $10,500 in the Residence Suite for up to 10 guests and go up to $15,000 in the Penthouse for 15 guests in the Penthouse.
Where Fantasy Meets Football
If your Super Bowl beverage of choice is more bubbly than beer, head to bebe’s exclusive Super Bowl Party at Provocateur Café hosted by Sports Illustrated model Nina Agdal and her Elite Model agency friends. The Meatpacking venue will be transformed into a lavish sexy-meets-sporty arena decked out with oversized plasma TVs for first-rate viewing. Guests will enjoy Dom Perignon Rose Champagne and an assortment of game-day snacks on pink astro-turf tabletops. Attendance is by reservation only.
Forty Ate
There’s nothing like celebrating the 48th Super Bowl than at a pop-up steakhouse erected just for the occasion. Located at the Renaissance New York Times Square, this Danny Meyer project will offer a full menu for lunch, dinner and bar bites in between. Patrons can nosh on Gridiron Burgers or Iron Skillet Apple Pie while cheering for their favorite team. Die-hard fans and those with clients to impress can buy a $50,000 table package, which includes exclusive access to some of the restaurant’s best tables with food from Thursday to Saturday, four tickets to the actual Super Bowl, and the NFL Tailgate Party at MetLife Stadium.
Party at Home
There’s also something casually luxurious about hosting your own Super Bowl party with friends and your favorite food. To help you score some big points with your guests, we’ve included up a few of our favorite dips and drinks to get you started.
The Classic Bloody Mary
1 quart tomato juice
1 cup vodka
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco Original Red Sauce
Lime slices or celery stalks
Combine tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, and Tabasco Sauce in a two-quart pitcher; stir well. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime or celery.
Spicy Sage Margarita
2 oz. Tequila Avión Silver
3/4 oz. Jalapeño-Infused Elderflower Liqueur
1/2 oz. Orange Juice
1/4 oz. Lemon Juice
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Simple Syrup
3 Sage Leaves
1 Sage Leaf and Salt for garnish
Muddle sage in a shaker. Add all ingredients. Shake. Double strain. Pour over ice in salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with sage leaf.
Spicy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
1 medium onion
2 10 oz packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 8 oz package cream cheese
1 8 oz carton sour cream
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons Tabasco brand Original Red Sauce
1 cup chopped tomato
Salt to taste
Toasted pita bread wedges
Melt butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add in onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, 3/4 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese, 3/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, Tabasco Sauce and salt. Stir until well blended and heated through. Pour mixture into a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish and top with remaining 1/4 cup Monterey Jack and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 350°F oven until cheese starts to brown, about 10 minutes. Serve with pita bread and garnish with tomatoes.
