92NY

I join the choir in reporting that the classes and events are solid, but the terrible security staff makes me not want to go back. Security seems to be important for this institution, but their staff being unkind, raising their voice, having bad communication skills and being inconsistent in their rules enforcement doesn’t make anyone safer. It is not too much to ask as plenty of buildings in the city get this right. It is just bad business. Also, the issues seem to come straight from the top as the head of security is just as bad at the staff. I walked in today and one the security guards immediately comes in with an aggressive tone asking me where I’m going. I say I have a class and say in which room. Multiple of them start loudly speaking at the same time making a big fuss about “where do think you’re going?”, that I had to be searched and how “everybody gotta show id” and they just kept loudly and aggressively repeating this as if I had challenged any of it. They were four and I felt ganged up on. I was too confused to speak and just complied with their requests without pushback or challenge. They searched my bag. There was a white tall man in suit that identified himself as the “head of security”. To clarify, I didn’t ask who he was, it just seemed like a fact he was so proud to share. He was actually the one with the most aggressive attitude. I see a woman walking right in and I ask why they are not searching her too and he says, again with an aggressive and almost mocking tone that “because the metal detector wasn’t triggered with her”. I didn’t hear the metal detector being triggered with me, but I’m sure I could have missed it. Is it so hard to kindly say some variation of “excuse me mam, the metal detector was triggered so we have to check your bags for any weapons”? And you just don’t have to raise your voice and get all aggressive at all. Also, after one of them went on and on about how “everybody gotta show id” they didn’t ask me for id and I didn’t see them ask any of the people before or after me. By the way, this is not an isolated incident. They are usually rude and aggressive, but today was the worst instance which led me to write a review. I also shared the story with a friend and he wasn’t surprised and said this was his experience as well. Was it just bullying? Asserting their power over me? A circus to show how tight the security is because the “head of security” boss was there? Maybe they are just bad their job?

Great amenities and classes overall but I’m giving them 1-star due to the mean and disrespectful security guards. I tried to bring a folding bike in, which they told me was against the rules. *This is completely okay by me. I didn’t argue with them and I don’t mind abiding by the rules.* After they very “helpfully” suggested simply leaving a multi-thousand dollar bike outside without a lock, I told them it was fine (with no fuss or attitude) and I’d rather just go home instead of risking bike theft. That should have been the end of it, however, one of the elderly men manning the entrance kept talking loudly at me (even after I politely told them I was leaving). Him: “Ma’am, I’m sorry. I appreciate how it’s folded but you need to understand our rules and policy.” Me: Yup, no worries. Again, I said I completely understand. I’m gonna head out— Him: We just don’t allow exceptions for anyone and we don’t allow strollers— Me: I already said no worries and I’m not arguing with you. You’re just talking at me now while I’m on my way out. Have a good evening. Then, while calmly carrying my bike out, they burst out laughing rudely behind my back. Seriously? How are you in your sixties (seventies?) but behave like teenagers? I also want to add that I did not raise my voice. I did not argue back against the rules. All I did was ask if the rules also applied to folding bikes, which are designed to be brought indoors. They told me no and I calmly accepted that but this didn’t stop them from continuing to chastise me loudly about “rules”. 🙄 I’m recounting the most recent incident but there have been several others where they’ve been rude in a “jokey”, clique-y way. It’s giving “Old New York Cat Callers”, which is disappointing considering these are the first people you interact with while entering the premises. Talk about an unwelcoming committee.

Great cultural center with a wonderful and storied concert hall. I came here to see Midori (born 1971). Her concert was fabulous. The seating and acoustics in the hall were excellent.

It's playtime! Ball pit, climbing maze, rings, tunnels, balance beams: the 92nd Street Y's indoor jungle gym has it all for the toddler or young child. I brought my 2-year old daughter here on a cold winter day and she absolutely enjoyed exploring all of the play equipment. Everything was so colorful, safe and enjoyable. There was plenty of adult staff spread throughout the play place to monitor each of the play sets. There were not too many children here when we visited: perhaps 12 at the most. I would definitely come back here for play time.

Facility is decent but the staff is rude, lazy, and incompetent. Pool hours are terrible, and they are constantly making them worse by scheduling more things over lap swim. Pool is often overcrowded. Men’s locker room smells like dead rats and there are bugs in the shower. Waaaaaay overpriced membership.

The security guards really detract from the gym experience. Gym is crowded, cramped, and often dusty. Asphalt Green is much better.

Impossible to buy tickets on the phone . Major problems with the website. I really hate it when people don't listen. Your losing money every day . When you go bankrupt, think about this message . I spent an hour trying to buy tickets.

Attended the Wednesday night Israeli dancing for the second time in 30 years. It was wonderful to dance in a group in person I should come back more often! They have a special studio just for dancing. I emailed 92Y to make sure the session was still happening, after I had not been able to preregister for the session on their website. They answered promptly, and I did not have to preregister, just pay at the door and show vaccination etc.