August 28, 2015
If you can’t make it to the U.S. Open this year, hotels across New York City and elsewhere are making sure that guests and locals don’t completely miss out on the fun. Hundreds of thousands of people will attend the U.S. Open this year, one of the most well-attended tennis tournaments in the world.
But if you can’t make your way to Queens, N.Y., you can still watch the tournament from the comfort of a hotel, most likely with a tennis-themed cocktail.
Here are a few ways you can celebrate the tournament, which runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13 this year.
Ping Pong at the New York Palace Hotel
Fourteen-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal, who can now add Tommy Hilfiger underwear model to his lofty resume, kicked off this legendary hotel’s ping pong celebration this week. He played against his coach and Malin Pettersson, a 14-time Swedish tennis table champion, among others. The New York Palace will screen the U.S. Open at its courtyard for the duration of the tournament. The table that Rafa himself played on will also stay for guests and the public to play while watching the Open.
“We’re celebrating a wink to the playfulness of the U.S. Open,” says John Tolbert, managing director of the New York Palace. “The U.S. Open and New York go hand and hand.”
Honey Deuces all around
Grey Goose, one of the sponsors of the Open, has created the Honey Deuce cocktail for the event. It contains fresh lemonade, Chambord, honeydew melon balls and vodka, of course.
The InterContinental New York Times Square will serve the cocktail at its hotel lounge, Ca Va Brasserie, during viewings of the tournament.
The Bar at Clement at the Peninsula New York will also serve the drink. Guests who buy a bottle of champagne at the bar or in Gotham Lounge will also receive a dozen oysters. A half bottle of prosecco or champagne will get you half a dozen oysters.
Other hotels serving the drink include the Westin New York at Times Square.
The cocktail typically goes for $15.
Match point at the Westin New York at Times Square
Each night from Aug. 31 to Sept. 10, the Westin New York at Times Square will present Match Point Hour, an evening match viewing series featuring experiential activities. The viewings will go from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bar 10. From 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the hotel will also screen”Beyond the Baseline,” a live stream from behind-the-scenes at the Open. Hosted by reporter Julie Alexandria and Olympic silver medalist in fencing Tim Morehouse, the show will feature segments with players and celebrity fans.
From Sept. 3 to 5, the hotel will have a tennis gear tune-up station. A U.S. Tennis Association pro will be available for complimentary consultations.
A virtual Wii tennis station will be set up when guests want to take a break from watching the tournament.
Finally, Bar 10 will offer a U.S. Open spin on the Westin SuperFoodsRx bar menu with items such as the Ace Turkey BLT.
Tune into tennis at the W New York
If you’re staying at the W New York, you’ll have ample opportunity to watch the Open. Each room will have access to the Tennis Channel during the tournament.
You’ve been Chopped!
The Crowne Plaza Hotel White Plains, N.Y. will have a special menu for the U.S. Open.
In addition to serving the Honey Deuce cocktail, the restaurant will offer a U.S. Open Chopped Salad with grilled sirloin steak.
Other specialty cocktails will include the Grand Slam with blood orange, vodka, champagne or prosecco and Aperol.
Beyond New York
The historic Hotel Shattuck in Berkeley, Calif., will offer a twist on Wimbledon’s famous Pimm’s Cup at its restaurant, FIVE. Called the Broken Racket, it will contain ginger ale and champagne with a garnish of fresh mint, strawberries and cucumber. Anytime a U.S. player wins a match, the cocktail will go on a two-for-one sale for an hour.