February 19, 2021 - Don’t overlook the grocery stores.

One thing you can do for entertainment on a Friday night in a pandemic Manhattan ––– that’s relatively low cost, and can keep you going for hours ––– is grocery shopping. The later, the better. For instance, Morton Williams, at Eleventh Avenue and Fifty-ninth Street, is open until eleven at night seven days a week, which is a bit crazy, though also, in its own way ––– inspiring.

Here is a gigantic grocery store that’s incredibly well-stocked and well-lit that one could spend an hour or two browsing around –––– nearly on his own, as there are so few people out –––– on any night of the week, wondering where everyone else went, and yet . . . still –––- it’s open late.

And although eleven wouldn’t be late under normal Manhattan circumstances; for a grocery store –––– and for a grocery store in a pandemic Manhattan –––– eleven feels like an after party. If you want public entertainment at an indoor facility on the island of Manhattan on a Friday or Saturday night (or any night of the week), don’t overlook the grocery stores. They’re there for you, just waiting.