Willrules

OK, here' goes,

Me and my buds have decided to go into new york next weekend. and are trying to find a cheap place to crash. I suggested we just crash at a hostel, it aught to be cheap and we might meet some cool folks to have some fun with. I started looking through the hostel search thing and noticed all hostels in new york are requiring a valid passport to stay there. Even for U.S. citizens. This led me to my questions.

Huh??? what for?

I'm pretty sure at least one of my buddies doesn't have a passport. Call me crazy but are there really that many foreigners dropping fake accents and pretending to be citizens that they've got to make such a crazy rule? Or do you thinks it's to stop bums and vagrants from staying at these places?

So.....does anyone know of a cheap place to stay fairly near some stuff to do in a safe area? I saw some budget hotels in the hostel search, but they all seemed to be in harlem. I'd like to stay somewhere that'd be cool walking back to, drunk as hell , at 2 in the morning. I'd rather stay in a hostel because it seems like it'd be more sociable. A super nice TPunker's floor would also be much appreciated. I know it's a lot to ask from a newbie, but me and my 2 buds are super respectful of other peoples space/belongings.

Thanks again TPunk,
Will C.