Turning 30? Here are the 17 Best 30th Birthday Ideas Right Now

You or your loved one is turning 30. For many, this is a milestone and the opportunity for one last super-fun hurrah to let loose before moving on to the next stage of adulthood.

That’s why it’s crucial to make a 30th birthday party a memorable experience. In New York City, there’s definitely no shortage of incredible experiences to make this life event one that will linger in the memory for years to come. 

We’ve put together a list of the 17 of the best 30th birthday party ideas in New York City right now. Now the only question is this—how will you take on NYC this year? 

1.   ROYAL PALMS SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB

You may be thinking, “Shuffleboard is for old people, right?” Well, think again.

Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club is catered for the younger generation, with an incredible reservation package to boot. Not only can you enjoy the particular excitement that shuffleboard has to offer, but parties of ten or more can rent these lanes for flat hourly rates with unlimited beer and wine included!

2.   NEW YORK HARBOR TOUR

Private boat excursions put you in the water taking in the breathtaking vista that is the New York City Skyline, where you can BYOB and party to your heart’s content—all with a seasoned captain to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable 30th birthday celebration!

3.   BEAUTY BAR

If you enjoy a stiff drink and getting done up for the night, nothing beats a $10 martini/manicure combo at Beauty Bar!

Here you can have fun dancing under a disco ball, getting beautified, and enjoying classic cocktails all night long. Or you could make this the first stop for a night on the town! With a retro feel and layout, you can bet there’ll be incredible photo opportunities to be had.

4.   INSA

Karaoke is one of those experiences that’ll leave you breathless with laughter and song as you cheer and jeer your friends on their favorite tunes. Couple that with delectable Korean BBQ, and you have Insa.

A full bar, incredible Korean BBQ, and a full-service karaoke setup are ingredients for a complete balls-to-the-wall 30th birthday party in New York City you and your loved ones will remember for the rest of your days!

5.   SOCIETY BILLIARDS

Who doesn’t love darts, pool, booze, and bar snacks? For a 30th birthday party, putting all these together can be a recipe for a wild night of celebrating life lived at Society Billiards.

You can also rent the space for parties of 20 or more for a private affair, but parties can come in and mix in with the regular crowd for memorable chance encounters!

6.   SUSHI LAB 

If you like the idea of eating sushi on a rooftop that provides panoramic views, then NYC’s Sushi Lab is a must visit! Enjoy traditional sushi favorites, along with richly flavored Saki.

Rentals are available, which will take your 30th birthday party to a whole new level. You and nine guests will take in a bespoke dining experience. This is one sushi party you’ll be telling people about for years to come! 

7.   AIRE ANCIENT BATHS 

No matter what type of experience you prefer, Aire Ancient Baths can accommodate you. There is saltwater, cold, hot, and multi-jet baths available for you to choose from, and each option has its own specific perks. 

One of the most exciting things about Aire is that they offer private red wine baths. Combine this with their ancient Roman sensibilities, and you’re certain to have one of the most relaxing birthdays ever. 

8.   THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

Also known as The Met, this is one of the world’s finest museums. Therefore, if you’re an art lover, spending your 30th birthday taking in everything The Met has to offer is a no-brainer. 

Not only does this museum feature some of the most beloved artwork in the world, but it also has a constantly changing series of exhibitions to get you excited. From ancient art to baseball cards, you can enjoy it all at The Met! 

9.   THREES BREWING 

This hot spot in Brooklyn has a bar, brewery, and backyard on the premises. The best part, though, is that they have a private area for up to 50 guests. If that’s too much for you, simply enjoy sitting outside with a refreshing beverage on a nice summer day. 

You could also make this stop one in a series of brewery tours. This is definitely one of the best 30th birthday trip ideas for tourists, but it works just as well for locals. 

10.  YANKEE STADIUM 

There are two fun options for your birthday party. You can either grab a group of friends and go to a Yankees game or take a special tour of the stadium.

Setting up a special birthday tour requires you to select a day when the team isn’t playing. Your group will be given a private tour of the stadium before your group has lunch at The Hard Rock Cafe located inside Yankee Stadium. Alternatively, grab tickets and enjoy some live baseball! 

11.  GAME OF 1,000 BOXES 

Have you ever wanted to go on a game show? This fully immersive, 360-degree audio-visual feast takes you out of the real world for a while. Compete with your friends in four different fun challenges to see who has the most game! 

Want to make sure you and your friends have the best time ever? Book a private event, where you can have up to 32 party guests. You can also add on food and/or drinks (as long as you have a minimum of 20 guests). 

12.  THE GREENS AT PIER 17 

Would you like to turn your birthday party into a casual, backyard hangout? Sounds great, but most New Yorkers don’t have a backyard they can use. Fortunately, The Greens at Pier 17 takes care of this problem for you. 

There are 28 mini lawns set up on the roof. Each lawn accommodates eight guests and comes well-equipped with a Yeti cooler, an umbrella, a USB charger, and cabana-style lounge chairs. Additionally, you can order food and drinks, along with playing games such as bocce ball and Jenga. 

13.  FRIENDS EXPERIENCE 

If you’re a Friends super fan, then you’re going to want to head to the Friends Experience. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to see 18 different rooms where your favorite TV friends had some of their wildest adventures. 

This fan-favorite way to explore your favorite show also offers special events. The minimum buy-in for one of these events is $10,000, though, so the majority of birthday revelers will join in on a regular tour. 

14.  PORCHLIGHT

Porchlight offers a fantastic menu and plenty of drinks to kick off your party on the right foot. Those who wish to have a more stellar experience will really love renting the Game Room. Up to 40 guests can fit in this designated space, which features vintage board games, a screen and projector, darts, and much more. 

Are you not going to have a lot of guests? The $1,500 minimum for food and drinks in the Game Room may be a bit much, but you can still enjoy dining and drinking in Porchlight’s regular area. 

15.  KICK AXE THROWING  

Would you like to get out some feelings at your birthday party? There’s no better place to go than Kick Axe Throwing. You and your buddies can go to Kick Axe and literally throw an axe around! 

As one of the most unique 30th birthday ideas NYC has to offer, this venue provides a darts-like experience with axes. For parties with 20+ people, you can book a special day/time and even add on some food. 

16.  THE LOVE SHACK 

Have you always loved Alice in Wonderland? This unusual birthday party venue looks as if it could have come out of one of the films! No decor will be needed, either, as The Love Shack features tons of knick-knacks and stunning art pieces. 

You can easily fit 40 people into this fun space. There’s also a long dining table with a crystal chandelier above it. Have some champagne and enjoy yourself as you take in all the oddities. Learn about top NYC couples massage options here.

17.  SPIN 23

If you’re a fan of ping pong, then Spin 23 is a must for your 30th birthday. This is also one of the few places where you can book a private party for anywhere from 10 to 150+ guests. 

One thing that really makes Spin 23 stand out is how stylish it is. There are quirky accents everywhere, and the industrial-style decor adds the perfect touch. 

THE MOST FUN 30TH BIRTHDAY IDEA IN NYC

One of the best ways to enjoy your big day is by taking a tour of the waterways. See the sights from the deck of your own private boat tour with New York Harbor Tours. Try our Sunset cruise, New York City Lights Boat Tour, or Fall Foliage Tours from NYC or NJ. Get more birthday ideas for NYC here.

We offer boat tours for up to 16 people starting at less than $100 per person with pickups available in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey.

DON'T BE ANOTHER SARDINE ON A CROWDED NYC BOAT TOUR

See the sights from the deck of your own private boat tour with New York Harbor Tours.

We offer boat tours for up to 16 people starting at just $90 per person with pickups available in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey.