Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
Quick-serve grain-bowl spots don’t typically attract bustling social scenes. Not so this Chinese-inspired rice-bowl specialist, whose customers like to gather as much as they do grab and go. On a recent weekday evening, the restaurant’s breezy curbside shed drew a practically rowdy group of bowl aficionados: young women in NYU Dental School scrubs letting off steam, two skate punks hogging four seats, and, in a sure sign of the return to normality, rival parties aggressively eyeing a table whose occupants kept looking like they were about to bolt but never did. On weekends, we hear, things get even crazier. Chalk it up to an elegant-for-fast-casual design; cozy indoor booths; a short but sweet list of wine, beer, and sake; and chef Connie Chung’s savor-worthy cooking, especially her Yunnan brisket bowl — sticky, ripply, caramelized nuggets of meat candy with perfect rice and marinated cucumbers. —R.P. & R.R.
International destination dining took a long hiatus during the pandemic, but Chintan Pandya’s homage to the regional culinary traditions of India, which opened recently at the new Essex Market, is packed these days with mobs of gastronauts from around the city. The space inside is strung with colored lights and includes an increasingly crowded, lively bar, but if you wish to feel the full heat of the fresh, made-to-order cooking, we suggest you secure a table within the sidewalk enclosure, where there’s more space to spread out. Order a round of Brooklyn’s fine, Indian American–owned 1947 beer, then begin merrily working your way through the menu, which is filled with dishes that even the most knowledgeable food scholars from India may not have tried, like pots of Bihari-style mutton infused with garlic and crunchy-topped biryani folded with bits of chopped goat’s neck. —A.P.
With its pink neon sign, piano for live jazz, and bamboo placemats, this subterranean spot on the border of Elmhurst and Jackson Heights feels more like an artsy friend’s basement than an austere sushi counter. The $89 15-course omakase — including Hokkaido scallops, fatty tuna, and lobes of uni one recent night, among other pristine morsels — is exactly the sort of meal one should experience in person. While the sushi is top-notch, it’s chef Atip “Palm” Tangjantuk’s ability to turn a hushed culinary ritual into what feels like a fun night at a piano bar that makes the place so special. If you’re lucky, you may even be handed a blowtorch to sear your own fish.—B.O.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“The best things to do in NYC this weekend includes Shakespeare in the Park, Bastille Day fun and more. By Shaye WeaverTime Out New York
Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today, or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this long summer weekend. Don’t miss Shakespeare in the Park, Bastille Day celebrations, or fun outdoor movie screenings, and go find free boozy ice cream at Tipsy Scoop and free banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery on the streets. There’s much more to do this weekend—all you have to do is scroll down to plan yours!”
Things to do Coucou French Classes, Little Italy Jul 17 2021
Coucou, a women-owned cultural center & language hub, is hosting a reopening party with live music, French-inspired cocktails and bites, inviting students and guests to see the newly unveiled “Little Paris” street signs on Centre Street (between Broome and Grand). The event will be catered by Maman and Coucou will offer virtual events like a music workshop about Serge Gainsbourg, a cheese workshop, and a virtual tour of the Left Bank.
Things to do Industry City, Greenwood Until Oct 1 2021
Carreau Club is taking over the entire Courtyard at Industry City for the first annual La Brooklynaise open pétanque tournament and fête on Sunday, July 18. The celebration welcomes both those looking to play and those who just want to watch while enjoying delicious French food & beverage offerings. Specialty dishes and treats will include an oyster cart, soca bar, and the classic jambon Bbeurre from D’Artagnan and M.Wells, alongside a Pastis Patio popup by Ricard. In addition, there will be DJs playing the latest in French music all afternoon.
Dapper Tours is a local tour service that provides guided tours of Gotham from an old-timey sidecar. The vehicle in question is, in fact, a vintage Ural motorcycle, a model that has a fascinating history involving reverse-engineering by Russians in the 1940s. The company now manufactures rides for civilians and is one of the world’s leading purveyors of sidecar motorcycles. The world’s leading purveyor of sidecar cocktails, however, remains any bar we’re at on a Saturday night. A ride on one of the motorcycles will normally set you back $269–$779 depending on the length of your ride and your itinerary. But let’s get real, this is probably something that you’d pull the trigger on when you have someone visiting from out of town.
Putting Green, an 18-hole course on a 15,000-square-foot tiered deck on the North Williamsburg riverfront has finally opened at the former Con Edison site that now belongs to developer Two Trees. The course aims to serve two purposes—one, to provide a fun time to New Yorkers, and two, to teach them about climate change, green and blue infrastructure, animal habitats, energy, and emissions. Each hole offers up a different scene—hole 1 is “Down the drain,” showing how litter and debris get washed down storm drains and into waterways. Hole 2, “Whale Fall Feast,” shows what happens when a whale dies and sinks to the bottom of the ocean. Hole 15, is “The Big Oyster” by you guessed it, the Billion Oyster Project. Other holes feature polar bears, a windmill, a cow, and a depiction of sea-level rise. The best part? All proceeds go toward organizations combating climate change.
Movies Various locations, Hell’s Kitchen Until Jul 30 2021
This free outdoor French film festival is back with the theme, “Music and Cinema,” from July 9 to 30. Don’t miss screenings planned at four Manhattan Parks that include films that illustrate the diversity of French and Francophone cinema and feature movies from Tunisia (Satin Rouge), Japan (Interstella 5555), Brazil (Black Orpheus), and Spain (Vengo). The Festival will also shine a light on strong female portraits played by stunning actresses: Sophie Marceau in La Boum, Hiam Abbass in Satin Rouge, Marpessa Menor in Black Orpheus, Jeanne Moreau in Elevator to the Gallows and musicians Chavela Vargas and Les Amazones d’Afrique. The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, FACE Foundation and NYC Parks will offer free online screenings for the first time this year.
Below is the schedule:
July 9 at (Virtual Cinema only): La Boum by Claude Pinoteau July 12 (Virtual Cinema only): Elevator to the Gallows by Louis Malle July 16 at Washington Square Park: Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem by Daisuke Nishio, Hirotoshi Rissen, Leiji Matsumoto, Kazuhisa Takenouchi July 19 (Virtual Cinema only): Chavela by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi July 21 (Virtual Cinema only): Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai by Christopher Kirkley July 23 at Seward Park: Satin Rouge by Raja Amari July 26 (Virtual Cinema only): Concert—Les Amazones d’Afrique July 28 (Virtual Cinema only): Vengo by Tony Gatlif July 30 at Riverside Park, Pier I (at 70th St): Black Orpheus by Marcel Camus
All screenings will be subtitled in English, free and open to the public. Capacity and tickets availability will be limited due to COVID-19 safety and capacity guidelines. Screenings begin at 8:30pm.
Movies Under the Stars: Toy Story 4: Family- and critic-favorite Toy Story 4 is coming to Queens’ Flushing Fields this Friday as part of the City’s Movie Under the Stars series. Perfect for kids, but with enough humor and substance for parents, Toy Story 4 follows Woody and Buzz Lightyear as they set out to find a missing toy – one made from a spork. Flushing Fields, Queens. 8:30 p.m. Free.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra at Bryant Park: Bryant Park will be hosting Carnegie Hall’s Spanish Harlem Orchestra this Friday. Spread a blanket, unpack a picnic, and enjoy an afternoon of classical music under the leaves and not-so-distant skyscrapers. Bryant Park, Manhattan. 5:30 p.m., Free.
Saturday, July 17
Hip Hop Video Mix Party With DJ WIZ: Want to dance? DJ Wiz is hosting an outdoor video mix party at the Museum of the Moving Image, combining classic hits with contemporary videos. Watch, relax and groove. Begins at 8:30 pm – and goes until the dancing stops. 36-01 35th Ave, Astoria, Queens. 8 p.m. $15 /$11 seniors & students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / $7 MoMI members.
Drunk Shakespeare: Slate has called it “the best thing to ever happen to theatre.” Extended due to popular demand, Drunk Shakespeare will be performing Off-Broadway this weekend. Watch the mayhem that ensues when one cast member drinks five shots – and the others try their best to keep one of the Bard’s plays on track. 711 7th Ave, 2nd Floor, Manhattan. 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $69.
Sunday, July 18
Birding: Ospreys: Go birding for Ospreys just miles from the middle of Manhattan, this Sunday morning. Park Rangers will guide you to the best spots in the urban jungle, and teach you about the behavior and habitat of this one-of-a-kind bird that nests across Jamaica Bay. Salt Marsh Nature Center in Marine Park, Brooklyn. 10 a.m. Free.
Maya Lin: Ghost Forest: Famous as the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, artist Maya Lin is bringing her latest piece, Ghost Forest, to New York City’s very own Madison Square Park. A stand of tall, spectral white cedar trees, evenly spaced in a grassy field, are used by Lin to symbolize the devastation of climate change. Will be shown until November. Madison Square Park, Manhattan. Free.
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
You see traces of far-west Spring Street’s past at the still-swinging Ear Inn and symbols of its future in the luxury apartment towers that have sprouted along Renwick and Greenwich Streets. Coco Pazzeria, with its raw bar and sparkling-wine list (liquor license pending), is the perfect pizzeria for this newly ritzy part of town, if the steady flow of neighbors stopping in for takeout orders is any indication. But thanks to the reputation of owner Pino Luongo and the presence of homegrown pizzaiolo Ciro Verdi, who can be seen slinging thin-crust pies and his trademark focaccia robiola at his oven in back, the restaurant also attracts couples on dates, travelers from other Zip Codes arriving on fancy folding bikes, and young families taking full advantage of the BYO policy (a must when your dining companions are an infant, a toddler, and a juvenile-delinquent tween). The menu extends to pastas and salads, but dough is the thing, fried into mini-calzones or formed into loaves for sandwiches, including a recent lobster-roll special. —R.P. & R.R.
This airy greek restaurant opened in 2018 on a rather unfavorable Upper West Side side street, facing a soon-to-be construction site, at a remove from the buzzier stretches of Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues. But when COVID hit, Eléa was one of the first places in the neighborhood to build a beautiful, greenery-draped outdoor seating area, complete with inviting flowers, twinkly lights, and copious heat lamps. The kitchen didn’t miss a beat, turning out zesty shareable small plates like fried-zucchini “chips” and sesame-crusted feta. Now, Eléa has blossomed into a local go-to for date nights and other special occasions — the kinds of dining excursions that feel more celebratory than ever. —Ellie Krupnick
This Vietnamese restaurant smack in the middle of prime Bedford Avenue opened just before the pandemic and managed to soldier on throughout thanks to its backyard — small and slightly suburban-feeling with its wooden fence and strings of tiny lights. Pots of herbs grown on the restaurant’s farm in Pennsylvania line that yard; sometimes a cook will wander out and clip a fragrant betel leaf or a sprig of rice-paddy herb. It’s the ideal setting to enjoy chef Matt Le-Khac’s neo-traditional Vietnamese dishes, such as an unusual pho topped with coarsely ground beef and a vegetarian bun bo Hue chay made with mushrooms as opposed to the customary pig’s blood. —R.C.S.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“Summer in New York City is filled with plenty of things to do, and it’s finally the perfect outdoor weather!
With 4th of July on the horizon and summer in full swing, July will offer plenty of opportunities to soak in the sun and hang by the water before the brutal heat of August kicks in (because like it or not, it’s coming!).
Check out glorious rooftops, cool off at beaches and pools, traipse through fields of sunflowers and lavender (ok, those are a bit outside of NYC!), and much more with our recommendations of things to do this month.”
Catch this year’s bigger-and-better-than-ever 4th of July fireworks
2-6. Head to the beach NYC is know for its notoriously hot and humid summers, which may be true for all over the tri-state but definitely seem worse when you’re surrounded by tons of sky-high buildings! Taking a trip to one of our lovely beaches is definitely one of the best ways to beat the heat, so check out our list of the 10 best beaches in NYC. Here’s a sneak peek: The People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park, Queens Coney Island, Brooklyn Orchard Beach, The Bronx Rockaway Beach, Queens Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
7-11. Or take a dip in an NYC pool NYC’s free public pools are now officially open for the season, but if you’re looking for something more high-end, there are tons of gorgeous private pools to check out too! Here are some of our favorites: Roosevelt Island’s stunning multicolored pool Jimmy at the James in SoHo The Beach at Dream Downtown in Chelsea McCarren Hotel & Pool in Brooklyn Profundo Pool Club at the Ravel Hotel in LIC
Camp under the stars on Governors Island
Watch paintings swirl all around you at Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Grab tickets to the new multisensory exhibit on infamous British street artist Banksy
Take in sultry tunes under the stars at NYC rooftops
Or if you’re more into classical music, try one of these glowing concerts by candlelight
Catch a hilarious rooftop comedy show
Be transported to Paris with this Moulin Rouge-era outdoor show in the Village
Immerse yourself in a dazzling, multi-sensory experience Happy-Go-Lucky
Plan your visit to NYC’s thrilling Money Heist experience coming this winter
Explore NYC’s first-ever floating park ‘Little Island’
See a concert at Bryant Park
Hop Aboard NYC’s first-ever floating Mexican restaurant La Barca Cantina
24-29. Take in skyline views at these stunning NYC rooftops Nothing beats a drink in hand and a skyline in sight. Here are some of our favorite rooftops around the city: Check out Cantina Rooftop and try the 12-lb taco! Experience a backyard vibe at The Ready Escape to the Hamptons right in the city at this beachy-themed bar Dine on Eataly’s rooftop and see their seasonal decor Admire all the floral installations at Ampia Rooftop Sip on cocktails at Top of the Box in Brooklyn
Catch Lady Liberty napping in Morningside Park
Kayak for free at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Explore this stunning lavender farm on Long Island
Or pick summer sunflowers in New Jersey
Ride Coney Island’s brand-new roller coaster
Or try out the world’s longest, tallest & fastest single-rail coaster in nearby NJ
Embrace your inner child at this giant inflatable theme park coming to Brooklyn
Give into temptation at this extravagant cirque-burlesque mixology experience
Experience true darkness at the dystopian immersive show Blindness
Grab a bite at the Queens International Night Market Queens Night Market
40-45. Cool off with NYC’s best ice cream shops One of the best ways to beat the heat in NYC is by indulging in some delicious ice cream! Of course Mister Softee is a classic, but here are some of our other favorite spots to grab a cone: Minus Celsius Ice Cream, Lower East Side Mikey Likes It, Lower East Side & Harlem Whipped Urban Dessert Lab, Lower East Side Van Leeuwen’s, Multiple Locations Tipsy Scoop, Kips Bay & Williamsburg Milk & Cream Cereal Bar, Little Italy
Take an outdoor yoga class in Bryant Park for free
47-51. Take in the views at NYC’s most stunning waterfront dining locales The best (and coolest) place to be in the summer is on the water (Manhattan is an island, after all). From eating on historic boats with insane views of the sunset to checking out secluded seafood hotspots on NYC’s smaller surrounding islands, these are some of our favorite spots for a breezy cocktail and bites: Grand Banks, Pier 25 in Tribeca Watermark Bar, Pier 15 in South Street Seaport Baylander Steel Beach, Harlem City Vineyard, Pier 26 in Tribeca Anable Basin, Long Island City
52-58. Catch an outdoor movie
Enter the wizarding world of Harry Potter at the new flagship store
Sip on Butterbeer just like Harry and his friends
Secret New York City is one of the finest online guides to things to do and see in NYC. From the best restaurants, to fascinating museums, this site will help you discover amazing new places and create some beautiful memories along the way.
“Starting making your Independence Day plans and check out the other amazing NYC events in July By Shaye Weaver / Time Out New York
Some of the best things to do in summer are NYC events in July. Even after all the 4th of July events simmer down, there are still many awesome things to do for the duration of the month. After Independence Day, enjoy fantastic outdoor fun, hit up one of the city’s many rooftops and make sure to pencil in getting a tan at the best beaches in NYC while the weather is still hot, hot, hot.”
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
It’s one thing to offer a $335 meat-free menu for the one percent (see Eleven Madison Park 2.0). It’s another to charge $10 and under for veggie-centric Chinese food for everyone: the curious carnivores, the certified vegans, and the dedicated superfans like Deborah from the Upper West Side, who loves the food and the vibe so much she literally hiked down the West Side Highway from 88th Street to Broome and Orchard one recent Saturday afternoon just to tuck in to paper-boatloads of chewy rice rolls topped with gai lan and juicy bok choy showered with crispy fried garlic. We know she did this because Fat Choy is the kind of place where diners who have navigated the scrum of Lower East Side streeteries — bars, vegan-cupcake shops, more bars — start conversations with strangers to recommend dishes, offer bites, and generally share communal moments of vibrantly flavored, inventively conceived culinary bliss. —Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld
This elegant Greenwich Village establishment has flown so far under the radar that many regulars (ourselves included) were afraid it would close forever when disaster struck. Miraculously, unlike with the still-shuttered Gotham Bar & Grill across the street, the opposite has happened. Owner Catherine Manning fitted the space out back with tables and little enclosed “garden rooms” that have become a hit during the outdoor-dining craze. The Sazeracs we enjoyed on a recent summery evening were exceptional, and you can also addle yourself with $9 cocktails during the new happy hour. The talented young chef Tyler Heckman (Ferris, Le Turtle) took over the kitchen last fall, and he’s slowly added the kind of variety and style to the aggressively seasonal menu (braised spring lamb on our visit, white-asparagus velouté, gnocchi with escargot) that threatens to turn this sleepy local favorite into a proper big-city dining destination. —Adam Platt
Sample the Latest Fusion Cuisine on New York’s Original Open Street
Long before 2020 brought alfresco eating to every corner of our city, Stone Street was a pedestrian paradise, and it still is, a cobblestoned car-free wonderland for outdoor pints, pizza, and mozzarella sticks. The Migrant Kitchen, which opened last fall, brings Middle Eastern–Latin fusion to this Fidi pub-grub zone. Owner Nasser Jaber, who operates out of the Dubliner bar’s kitchen, sends out sumac-butter-slicked fried-chicken-and-falafel waffles, mariquitas (fried plantain chips) nachos, and pastelon mahshi, a Dominican-style maduros-and-beef riff on the traditional Palestinian stuffed gourd. And since many office workers are still Zooming in from home, Stone Street feels distinctly chiller and less suits-y these days. —Ryan P. Sutton
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“Soak up the sun as well as our list of recommendations for the best things to do during summer in New York.” By Shaye Weaver and Krista Diamond
“This summer in NYC promises to be an unforgettable one now that our city is back up. The city has a boundless energy once the heat cranks up, and doubly so this year, so it’s time to start checking off our sensational list of things to do in summer in NYC. Some of the most popular New York attractions provide an endless list of things to do outside from rooftop movies and free dance parties to can’t-miss music festivals and more. Here’s how to make the absolute most of these steamy summer nights.
Tip: You may want to request off for a few staycation days too so you can spend some time relaxing at a few rooftop pools during the week when they’re less crowded.”
Hearst Plaza (at Lincoln Center), Upper West Side Jul 24 2021-Jul 30 2021
For the first ten days of You Are Here, from July 14 through 23, visitors to Lincoln’s lovely Hearst Plaza can take in a free sculture and sound installation—conceived by choreographer Andrea Miller—that conveys the pandemic stories of artists, teachers, Lincoln Center employees and others. Then, from July 24 through July 30, some of those stories will be incarnated by ten live dancers from Miller’s company, Gallim, in nightly live shows at 7pm. (The sound installation will open at 6pm on those dates.) Attendance is free but is only available to those who secure tickets in advance through a TodayTix Lottery that opens two weeks before—and closes three days before—each of the performances.
For the first time, the Consulate General of France in New York, the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), and the Committee of French Speaking Societies (CAFUSA) are presenting a special Bastille Day Celebration in Central Park with SummerStage. Starting at 6:30pm on July 14, jazz quintet headlined by vocalist Kavita Shah will perform, followed by a get-up-and-dance set with movie clips by star Joachim Garraud, and a screening of the 2020 French comedy My Donkey, My Lover & I starring Laure Calamy (Call My Agent!). The event is free an open to everyone, just get there early to grab chairs and lawn seats.
As the Metropolitan Opera prepares to resume live performances in September, the New York institution continues to sustain opera lovers worldwide with free streams of full operas from its archives every night of the week. From July 12 through July 18, the lineup is devoted exclusively to works by the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, including La Bohème, Madama Butterfly and Tosca. Most of the operas were recorded in high definition for the Met’s popular stage-to-cinema Live in HD series, but the offerings also include three pre-HD classics that feature star tenors Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo. The streams go live on the Met’s website every night at 7:30pm EDT (12:30am BST) and can be viewed until 6:30pm EDT the next day. The operas can also be accessed on various devices via the Met Opera on Demand app.
Movies Various locations, Hell’s Kitchen Until Jul 30 2021
This free outdoor French film festival is back with the theme, “Music and Cinema,” from July 9 to 30. Don’t miss screenings planned at four Manhattan Parks that include films that illustrate the diversity of French and Francophone cinema and feature movies from Tunisia (Satin Rouge), Japan (Interstella 5555), Brazil (Black Orpheus), and Spain (Vengo). The Festival will also shine a light on strong female portraits played by stunning actresses: Sophie Marceau in La Boum, Hiam Abbass in Satin Rouge, Marpessa Menor in Black Orpheus, Jeanne Moreau in Elevator to the Gallows and musicians Chavela Vargas and Les Amazones d’Afrique. The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, FACE Foundation and NYC Parks will offer free online screenings for the first time this year.
Below is the schedule:
July 9 at (Virtual Cinema only): La Boum by Claude Pinoteau July 12 (Virtual Cinema only): Elevator to the Gallows by Louis Malle July 16 at Washington Square Park: Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem by Daisuke Nishio, Hirotoshi Rissen, Leiji Matsumoto, Kazuhisa Takenouchi July 19 (Virtual Cinema only): Chavela by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi July 21 (Virtual Cinema only): Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai by Christopher Kirkley July 23 at Seward Park: Satin Rouge by Raja Amari July 26 (Virtual Cinema only): Concert—Les Amazones d’Afrique July 28 (Virtual Cinema only): Vengo by Tony Gatlif July 30 at Riverside Park, Pier I (at 70th St): Black Orpheus by Marcel Camus
All screenings will be subtitled in English, free and open to the public. Capacity and tickets availability will be limited due to COVID-19 safety and capacity guidelines. Screenings begin at 8:30pm.
Every summer, the Public Theater produces a beloved NYC democratic tradition and one of the best free things to do in NYC: Shakespeare in the Park, presented at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park. There’s nothing quite like hearing the Bard’s immortal words performed outside in New York, with a backdrop of natural splendor and the Belvedere Castle looming in the background like the world’s most impressive set decoration. Shakespeare in the Park’s popularity means that tickets aren’t easy to come by—but if you persevere, you can get seats. Here’s our guide to navigating the system in 2021.
For the full list and descriptions of all 80 events go HERE
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
It’s one thing to offer a $335 meat-free menu for the one percent (see Eleven Madison Park 2.0). It’s another to charge $10 and under for veggie-centric Chinese food for everyone: the curious carnivores, the certified vegans, and the dedicated superfans like Deborah from the Upper West Side, who loves the food and the vibe so much she literally hiked down the West Side Highway from 88th Street to Broome and Orchard one recent Saturday afternoon just to tuck in to paper-boatloads of chewy rice rolls topped with gai lan and juicy bok choy showered with crispy fried garlic. We know she did this because Fat Choy is the kind of place where diners who have navigated the scrum of Lower East Side streeteries — bars, vegan-cupcake shops, more bars — start conversations with strangers to recommend dishes, offer bites, and generally share communal moments of vibrantly flavored, inventively conceived culinary bliss. —Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld
This elegant Greenwich Village establishment has flown so far under the radar that many regulars (ourselves included) were afraid it would close forever when disaster struck. Miraculously, unlike with the still-shuttered Gotham Bar & Grill across the street, the opposite has happened. Owner Catherine Manning fitted the space out back with tables and little enclosed “garden rooms” that have become a hit during the outdoor-dining craze. The Sazeracs we enjoyed on a recent summery evening were exceptional, and you can also addle yourself with $9 cocktails during the new happy hour. The talented young chef Tyler Heckman (Ferris, Le Turtle) took over the kitchen last fall, and he’s slowly added the kind of variety and style to the aggressively seasonal menu (braised spring lamb on our visit, white-asparagus velouté, gnocchi with escargot) that threatens to turn this sleepy local favorite into a proper big-city dining destination. —Adam Platt
Sample the Latest Fusion Cuisine on New York’s Original Open Street
Long before 2020 brought alfresco eating to every corner of our city, Stone Street was a pedestrian paradise, and it still is, a cobblestoned car-free wonderland for outdoor pints, pizza, and mozzarella sticks. The Migrant Kitchen, which opened last fall, brings Middle Eastern–Latin fusion to this Fidi pub-grub zone. Owner Nasser Jaber, who operates out of the Dubliner bar’s kitchen, sends out sumac-butter-slicked fried-chicken-and-falafel waffles, mariquitas (fried plantain chips) nachos, and pastelon mahshi, a Dominican-style maduros-and-beef riff on the traditional Palestinian stuffed gourd. And since many office workers are still Zooming in from home, Stone Street feels distinctly chiller and less suits-y these days. —Ryan P. Sutton
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“The quality and quantity of free events, free things to do that take place in New York City every day of the year is truly amazing. So don’t miss the opportunities that only New York provides: stop wondering what to do; start taking advantage of free things to do, free events to go to in NYC today!”
Join Club Free Time – I did, and it’s one of the best things I ever did. Here is a sample of FREE events this week. Get more information by going to the Club Free Time website.
Best Free Things To Do in NYC This Week
Monday, July 12, 2021
Mon, Jul 12 – 6:30 pm / free Concert | Blues, Jazz, Funk: Original and Cover Songs Laughing Boy band performs original songs and cover tunes in the bluesy, jazzy, funky genres. … more
Mon, Jul 12 – 8:30 pm / free; no reservation required Film | Elevator to the Gallows (1958): French Murder Mystery with Music by Miles Davis (virtual) A self-assured businessman murders his employer, the husband of his mistress, which unintentionally … more
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Tue, Jul 13 – 6:30 pm / free; RSVP required Dance Lesson | Dance: Bollywood & Bhangra Dancers of all levels are invited to learn technique from the best. Originating in India, these danc … more
Tue, Jul 13 – 7:00 pm / free; RSVP required Play | King Lear — with a Happy Ending This version of King Lear by William Shakespeare will employ Nahum Tate’s 1681 “happy endin … more
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Wed, Jul 14 – 6:00 pm / free; no reservation required Classical Music | Ensemble Connect: Baroque to Cutting Edge The brilliant musicians of Ensemble Connect bring thrilling virtuosity and energy to everything they … more
Wed, Jul 14 – 6:30 pm / free; no reservation required Festival | Bastille Day Celebration 2021: Live Jazz, a Dance Party and a New French Film Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 and the birth of the modern … more
Wed, Jul 14 – 7:00 pm / free; no reservation required Jazz | Jazz at the Pier: Sylvia Cuenca This seasonal favorite combines smooth tunes with beautiful evenings on the Park’s green piers for a … more
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Thu, Jul 15 – 12:30 pm / free Jazz | Jazz Quartet: A Mix of Bebop, Latin, Ellington Neal Kirkwood Vibes Quartet: Neal Kirkwood on vibes; Lindsey Horner on bass, David O’Rourke on guita … more
Thu, Jul 15 – 6:30 pm / Pay what you can Play | Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of Shakespeare’s early comedies, believed to have been written … more
Friday, July 16, 2021
Fri, Jul 16 – 12:00 pm / free Classical Music | Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, ‘From the New World’: A 2013 Performance by The Czech Philharmonic (virtual, streaming until Jul 23) Regarded as one of the most popular of all symphonies, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, “From the N … more
Fri, Jul 16 – 7:00 pm / free; no reservation required Jazz | Jazz in the Park A Jazzmobile presentation featuring the Jazz Power Initiative and a tribute to SunRa with musician i … more
Fri, Jul 16 – 7:00 pm / free Concert | Picnic Performance: Carnegie Hall Citywide Presents the Spanish Harlem Orchestra The 2021 return of Picnic Performances includes twenty-five live and in-person music, dance, and the … more
Saturday, July 17, 2021
Sat, Jul 17 – 10:00 am / free Fair | FAD Market on the Island: Jewelry, Art, Apparel, Body Care, and More Featuring a rotating lineup of over 30 of the city’s emerging makers, designers, artists, and small … more
Sat, Jul 17 – 10:00 am / free; RSVP required Workshop | Kayaking Glide along the water while kayaking this summer! All levels are welcome. Children under 18 must hav … more
Sat, Jul 17 – 5:00 pm / free; RSVP required Dance Performance | OpenCultureWORK: Dancing on the Street Alison Cook Beatty Dance shuts down NYC streets for two performances.Start times: 5pm, 7 … more
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Sun, Jul 18 – 1:00 pm / free, tip-supported, advanced booking required Tour | New Orleans – Treme (virtual, live stream) New Orleans: African-American and Creole heritage, the birth of jazz and rock&roll, and soul food. J … more
Sun, Jul 18 – 6:30 pm / Pay what you can Play | Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of Shakespeare’s early comedies, believed to have been written … more
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld,
We’re happy to report that whatever strange alchemy it was (the warming onion soup, the cheeseburger “à la Americaine,” the spacious sidewalk operation sturdy enough for any blizzard) that elevated this fashionable Stephen Starr–Keith McNally Meatpacking District brasserie into one of the go-to destinations during the dark pandemic months is still very much intact. Like everywhere else around town, the dining room is beginning to fill up again, but the best seat in the house is still outdoors, where the sidewalk between the tables along Gansevoort Street has turned into a kind of promenade for the vibrantly reopened city. There was a jazz trio spinning out New Orleans sounds when we dropped by the other day, and couples walking arm in arm on their way to the High Line or an evening picnic in the park. Any picnic here should include some oysters and the bubbly, shell-less escargot, but be sure to save a little room for the baba au rhum, the nougat glacé, and the rest of the underrated brasserie desserts.—A.P.
Cymande’s “bra” piped through the outdoor jukebox on a recent Friday at the Vietnamese restaurant Di An Di while patrons slurped up brothy vermicelli noodles underneath strings of white lights. Those who arrived after 8:45 p.m. were out of luck, as every table was filled with fashionable young folks in T-shirts and hosts had stopped taking names. Bowls of mi xao bo do bien, firm egg noodles studded with fat slices of squid and shrimp, scented the air with its garlicky perfume. The Before Times menu still hasn’t returned, which means no more rice-paper pizzas for now, but there are newish bánh mì lunch sandwiches stuffed with fried chicken, tofu, or pork belly. And the aromatic shaking beef (bo luc lac), with its wok-seared cubes of medium-rare sirloin and crisp tomato-watercress salad, remains.—R.P.S.
The pandemic was a disaster for everyone, but few felt the old “defeat snatched from the jaws of victory” moment more keenly than chef-owner Ryan Bartlow, who had to close this elegant little Basque-themed bar operation just as the buzz for its special brand of convivial tapas-style cooking was building. The bare-bones staff managed to survive on PPP checks and a pickup menu until early summer, before throwing open the floor-to-ceiling windows and filling the sidewalk with rows of tables, which, on a warm night, as the evening light filters through the leafy trees across the street, can feel a little like an outdoor café in San Sebastián. These days, the long, dinner-friendly bar is humming again, and with the first-rate drinks program (try the vermut and tonic), a roster of expertly rendered Spanish classics (the croquettes, the morcilla, the tortilla española), and a peaceful, unhurried vibe, there are, for our money, few more-enjoyable indoor-outdoor-dining options in town.—A.P.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
Interesting. Unusual. Uniquely NYC. Highlights of this week’s top events include MoMa in-person film screenings, Ensemble Connect at Ghost Forest, TAP IT OUT, and more. Get the NYC-ARTS Top Five in your inbox every Friday and follow @NYC_ARTS on Instagram or @NYCARTS on Twitter to stay abreast of events as they happen.
The Museum of Modern Art’s Titus Theaters will welcome audiences back for matinee screenings beginning on June 23. Jun 23–Jul 16: Selections from “Wynn Thomas, Production Designer” Jul 21–23: Buster Keaton and John G. Blystone’s “Our Hospitality ” Jul 28–30: Ken Okiishi’s “Vital Behaviors” MoMA’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden will open for Thursday-evening outdoor screenings beginning July 8 and continuing every Thursday through August 26. Jul 8: Neil Goldberg’s “Hallelujah Anyway, Anyway” + New York Shorts including films by Cauleen Smith, …
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts recently announced the world premiere of “You Are Here,” a public sculpture, sound, and live performance installation conceived by Andrea Miller, award-winning choreographer and artistic director of movement-based production company GALLIM. The commission is supported by the Arnhold Dance Innovation Fund (ADIF) and will be presented as part of “Restart Stages.” In a process that invites co-creation with the Lincoln Center site and local New York community, Miller continues her investigation …
Madison Square Park Conservancy presents a series of free concerts curated and performed by musicians from Carnegie Hall’s “Ensemble Connect.” Performed from within the Conservancy’s current public art installation, “Ghost Forest” by Maya Lin, the “Music on the Green” programs are designed to complement the installation and its themes with nature-inspired works by Claude Debussy, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, Caroline Shaw, and more. “Music on the Green” takes place in the park’s Oval Lawn every Wednesday at …
“The Roaring Twenties and The Swinging Sixties” compares the fashions of the 1920s and 1960s, both periods of significant crisis and change. Organized by students from FIT’s Master of Arts program, Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice, the show features twenty-six objects from MFIT, fashion illustrations from FIT’s Gladys Marcus Library Special Collections and College Archives (SPARC), and additional archival photographs and films that further demonstrate the parallels between the fashion of the two …
“TAP IT OUT” returns with a LIVE PERFORMANCE IN THE MIDDLE OF TIMES SQUARE on Saturday, July 10 at 11:30am. This FREE, PUBLIC EVENT, in Father Duffy Square/ Times Square/ Broadway, 7th Ave & W 47th St, marks the conclusion of “TAP CITY,” The New York City Tap Festival. “Tap it Out” presents tap dancers on individual portable boards in a structured improvisation, followed by unison choreography and the “Shim Sham Shimmy” At Noon, THE U.S. …
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” – Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld,
When this terrific Hunan restaurant opened last year just down the street from Trump Tower, the owners had trouble attracting customers because security arrangements limited access to the block. But true fans of Hunan cuisine — which can be just as spicy as Sichuan, with a broader array of sharp flavors — have a way of sniffing out talent and overcoming obstacles in their path, and Blue Willow gradually became a word-of-mouth hit, especially among Chinese Americans. Now, with the barriers gone, the restaurant draws diners looking for dishes like house-smoked Hunan bacon (thick swatches of pork belly stir-fried with cloves of garlic) and “snow red greens” (minced mustard greens riddled with pickled red chiles). —R.C.S.
It’s clear while sitting at Thai Diner’s packed outdoor setup on Mott and Kenmare that Nolita, a reliably bustling corner of the city that felt eerily quiet throughout the past year, is very much alive these days. At this, Ann Redding and Matt Danzer’s latest spot, they’re serving Uncle Boons (RIP) favorites, such as khao soi and crab fried rice, alongside cheeseburgers, fried-chicken sandwiches, and Thai disco fries smothered in curry sauce, which we recommend pairing with a notably strong martini while ogling the ecstatic-to-finally-be-out-and-about passersby. —R.P.S.
The Russian bathhouse isn’t just about cleansing; it’s about restoring and nourishing, which is why the indoor-dining ban hit the banya so hard. You were permitted to sweat it out on Fulton Street, but you couldn’t seek rejuvenation through hot borscht and cold beer. Now, after a few rounds in a sauna set to a screaming 220 degrees, you can once again bring your body back to life in a cafeteria with other dripping-wet patrons wearing very few clothes. Consider filling up on slippery Siberian pelmeni drenched in butter, fried potatoes slicked with enough garlic to qualify as a medicinal supplement, and Georgian lamb soup that will scorch your tongue for days, which means it’s precisely the right temperature.—R.P.S.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
We’re currently in the height of summer, and now that outdoor dining is set to stick around for at least another year (be sure to check out our favorite spots on where to go), our July plans are looking hotter than ever.
This weekend, celebrate Magnolia Bakery’s 25th anniversary with free desserts from a banana pudding mobile, head to Chelsea for a new eatery from the team behind a SoHo favorite, or vibe out at a music festival in Queens with hammocks and sno cones—we’ve got you covered with seven actually fun things to do, see, and eat in NYC. And for more actually fun things to do this weekend, check out our podcast streaming below.”
Weekend-long Chelsea Explore flavors of the Levant at a new restaurant from chef/partner Ayesha Nurdjaja and The Bowery Group. As a spinoff eatery to the popular SoHo Mediterranean spot Shuka, Shukette celebrates its grand opening this weekend in Chelsea to debut its seasonal menu of dips, salads, and more in both indoor and outdoor seating. In addition to signature items like fetatoush, lafa with za’atar, and the charcoal-grilled Joojeh chicken, a curated selection of wine, beer, and low-ABV cocktails are also available. Cost: Prices vary
Weekend-long Multiple locations What better way to celebrate 25 years in NYC than with free dessert? Each day throughout the weekend, Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding mobile will be parked in a different location to give away 500 cups of their iconic banana pudding served in a limited edition birthday cup. From 11:30 am to 4 pm, head to the Bleecker Street store on Friday (with a special drag show from Carrie Dragshaw between 3-5 pm), McCarren Park on Saturday, and 30th Avenue in Astoria on Sunday. Track all of the action via their IG account, and be sure to scan the QR code on each cup for a chance to win free banana pudding for a year. Cost: Free
Saturday, July 10, 10 am-3 pm Lower East Side We can forgo sleeping in on the weekends if there’s a tasty prize involved, and this Saturday morning, we’ll happily rise early to check out a special pop-up at Mel Bakery in the Lower East Side. For one day only from 10 am-3 pm, the New Orleans-based Central American baker and author of Hondurian ancestry Bryan Ford (aka Artisan Bryan), will offer baked goods like a special medialunas (made with sourdough and topped with a light citrus syrup) and pan chuta (Peruvian flatbread). And after getting down with his dough, be on the lookout for Ford’s upcoming tv show, The Artisan’s Kitchen, debuting on The Magnolia Network. Cost: Prices vary
Saturday, July 10 Astoria Grab your crew and let loose this weekend at the first annual Full Send Summer Music Festival in Astoria’s Radial Park. Featuring a five-performance lineup, including We the Kings as the headliner, enjoy Saturday’s ideal summer weather at this all-day event complete with food trucks, a myriad of bars, and a (yes, for real) 22-ft tall water slide. And in addition to playing carnival games with a sno cone in hand, if you’re looking for some one-on-one time with a hammock, upgrade to VIP tickets for special access to the “hammock lounge.” Cost: General admission tickets start at $85, VIP tickets are available for $120https://d9c775e7671457460d2bbb1b315867de.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11 Red Hook While NYC might be filled with drivers zooming around like they’re race car drivers, check out the skills from 24 of the world’s actual top professionals with Formula E’s New York E-Prix this weekend. Happening at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook, the gates at the Allianz E-Village open early each morning for a full day of programming. In addition to checking out practice races, special autograph sessions from drivers, and doing some e-gaming in the Gaming Arena, food from local vendors will also be available. Cost: Varies
Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11, 12 pm-6 pm Sunset Park In the mood for hand-crafted, somewhat-niche, possibly-thrifted goods? Head over to Brooklyn’s Industry City and explore the Artists & Fleas market for some nifty things to buy. Featuring over 30 local vendors—with many that are women and LGBTQ-owned—peruse home decor, handmade fashions, and more from a rotating lineup of creators, designers, and curators.
Weekend-long East Village or virtual If you’re ready for a change from streaming movies on your smartphone, head to The Lower East Side Film Festival for some flicks on a proper theatre screen (remember those?). Held at the Village East Cinema, grab a seat for a showcase of independent shorts, features, and documentaries by up-and-coming filmmakers and more. Highlights include an advance screening of Paul McCartney’s music series, McCartney 3, 2, 1, and an exclusive stand up performance and Q & A with comedian Tig Notaro. And if you really prefer to just stay home, the entire festival lineup is also available virtually. Cost: Single screen pass for $10, All access pass for $35
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
The trapezoidal windows at Teranga have long afforded patrons panoramic vistas of Central Park North, but the city’s embrace of outdoor dining has made Pierre Thiam’s West African–leaning venue even more appealing than before. Now you can snack on kelewele (spicy roast plantains) right at the edge of the park, overlooking the verdant trees while enjoying a warm summer breeze. On a recent Friday, I sat near a pair of diners, one of them relaxing in a jujitsu T-shirt, as I made quick work of a yassa bowl: tender chicken thighs slathered in saucy golden onions. If indoor dining is still quiet here, you’ll never feel alone in the alfresco area. Folks zoom by on hoverboards and messenger bikes, shaved-ice vendors pour polychromatic syrups into snowy cups, and people flood in and out of the park.—R.P.S.
The conga drums are back. Their steady beats spill out onto Eighth Avenue, where outdoor patrons sip minty mojitos on white tablecloths. Although this Hell’s Kitchen Cuban canteen served porky lechon asado and garlicky cassava throughout the pandemic, what was missing for months was the music — the prickly guitars and folksy Caribbean tunes that have made the restaurant an accessible spot for everyday salsa dancing. Ceiling fans spin overhead near the open-air frontage as waiters ferry crisp Cubano sandwiches and some of the city’s finest vaca frita: shredded skirt steak that’s seared until it achieves the texture of soft jerky. —R.P.S.
Airy and sun-drenched, the dining room pulsates with Israeli pop and a steady conversational hum. If you didn’t know better, you would think you’d wandered into some beachside hot spot in Tel Aviv, not a post-pandemic restaurant in the sleepy West 90s. Chef Ari Bokovza’s Levantine-leaning menu looks similar to others across the city. But the familiar mezze and salads take a fun turn with delectable things like shishbarak (Lebanese mushroom-filled dumplings) and kubaneh, the fluffy Yemenite Jewish bread that you pull apart like Parker House rolls. —B.O.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
Last summer, as restaurateurs hastily built makeshift patios, Silver Apricot partners Emmeline Zhao and Simone Tong created a space that truly translated the dining experience to the street without sacrificing a bit of elegance or refinement. (Being situated on one of the West Village’s quieter blocks didn’t hurt.) Purse hooks on the plastic dividers, lavender planted along the perimeter, and quality glass and plateware made for a setting worthy of Tong’s inventive Chinese American dishes like chile-crab rangoon dip and burnished scallion puffs. Now they are renovating the dining room in preparation for indoor service and plan to reopen June 17 with a new seasonal menu.—A.K.
Veteran chefs John Nguyen and Nhu Ton began peddling their Vietnamese sandwiches and crispy pork-belly salad rolls from an empty pop-up space on the upper reaches of Amsterdam Avenue last summer, and the operation was such a hit that by January they’d put down permanent roots in the neighborhood. There are five varieties of toasty bánh mìs to choose from (when in doubt, order the charcoal-grilled pork), numerous sturdy classics from Ton’s native central Vietnam (try the Frisbee-size rice-noodle delicacy called bánh dap), and a deeply flavorful beef pho. —A.P.
Last summer, the outdoor-dining setup at downtown Portuguese-Spanish restaurant Cervo’s was a destination almost in spite of itself. Simple wooden folding tables and chairs sprawled across an unadorned and fluorescent-lit expanse of Canal Street. Counter-service orders were called out brusquely over a loudspeaker mounted on the building’s exterior. Serviceware was disposable. You found and bussed your own table. But the Dimes Square denizens flocked nonetheless, pushing together tables laden with dark-pink Spritzes, fried-fish sandwiches, and glistening head-on prawns. It was casual, cool, and as COVID-safe as one could hope for. Now, after a winter hiatus operating as a shop, the scene returns to Cervo’s, but this time the restaurant has full-service outdoor dining on a newly built yellow-tiled patio with proper glassware, plateware, and a menu of old favorites like piri-piri chicken, mussels escabeche, and crispy shrimp heads.—A.K.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“The best things to do in NYC this weekend includes Shakespeare in the Park, free food opportunities and more. By Shaye Weaver / Time Out New York
Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today, or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this long summer weekend. Don’t miss Netflix’s “Queer Street” party at C’mon Everybody or another installment of Updating. You can also return to Shakespeare in the Park, which is back this week, and find free ice cream and free banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery on the streets. There’s much more to do this weekend—all you have to do is scroll down to plan yours!”
Every summer, the Public Theater produces a beloved NYC democratic tradition and one of the best free things to do in NYC: Shakespeare in the Park, presented at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park. There’s nothing quite like hearing the Bard’s immortal words performed outside in New York, with a backdrop of natural splendor and the Belvedere Castle looming in the background like the world’s most impressive set decoration. Shakespeare in the Park’s popularity means that tickets aren’t easy to come by—but if you persevere, you can get seats. Here’s our guide to navigating the system in 2021.
Restaurants Various locations, Hell’s Kitchen Until Jul 18 2021
Magnolia Bakery is celebrating its 25th Birthday by taking its delectable banana pudding to the streets via its banana pudding mobile across two weekends in July. At each location, Magnolia Bakery will be handing out cups of its banana pudding in a limited-edition birthday cup, designed by a local artist and inspired by NYC. Fans will also have the chance to enter to win banana pudding for a year just by scanning the QR code on the top of each banana pudding cup, following the brand on Instagram or entering at magnoliabakerysweeps.com.
Head to the following locations between 11:30am and 4pm to get yours:
Friday, July 9: Madison Square Park (Manhattan) Magnolia Bakery’s Bleecker Street location will also have a special photo moment with Carrie Dragshaw for those who want to relive a classic New York City scene with cupcakes and banana pudding (between 3-5pm) Saturday, July 10: McCarren Park (Brooklyn) Sunday, July 11: 30th Avenue between 32nd and 33rd streets (Astoria) Friday, July 16: Prospect Park (Brooklyn) Saturday, July 17: Natural History Museum + High Line/Whitney (Manhattan) Sunday, July 18: Gantry State Plaza (Queens)
Start your engines for MoMA’s newest exhibition, Automania. At first glance, cars might seem like mundane, carbon-emitting fixtures of contemporary life across much of the world. They’re woven into the fabric of American life — many towns and cities are nearly impossible to traverse without a vehicle. But as much as we take cars for granted, these marvels of machinery and human ingenuity emerged through some complicated socio-political and economic conditions. Featuring vintage cars from the earliest years of automobiles, Automania unpacks the complex relationship, and dependence, between us and cars. The two-part exhibition consists of galleries on view from July 4 through January 2, 2022, and a total of nine vintage cars dotting the museum’s first floor and Sculpture Garden until October 10. The exhibition pulls its name from a 1964 Oscar-nominated cartoon by the British animation team Halas and Batchelor (most famous for their adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm). In a press release, the MoMa pitches the ambitious show as examining “the car as a modern industrial product, transportation innovator, and style icon, as well as the generator of fatalities, traffic-choked environments, and ecological disaster in the oil age.” And, at the end of the day, the younger ones are sure to be impressed by all the cool cars.
The Metropolitan Opera will not resume live performances until September, but the beloved New York company continues to enchant opera fans around the world with free streams of past productions from its extensive archives. The lineup from July 5 through July 11 is devoted entirely to works by the German composer Richard Strauss, including Elektra, Salome, Ariadne auf Naxos and two different versions of Der Rosenkavalier. A majority of this week’s offerings were originally recorded in high definition for the Met’s Live in HD series. Each stream goes live on the Met’s website each night at 7:30pm EDT (12:30am BST) and remains available until 6:30pm EDT the next day. The operas can also be viewed through the Met Opera on Demand app on various devices. More information and a full schedule for Week 69 of the Met’s streaming program is here.
10. Free, all-day ice cream in Times Square
Grab some free ice cream if you’re in the Times Square area on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. NumberStory.org, which is doing an “Unwrap Childhood Memories” campaign to raise awareness about Adverse Childhood Experiences and the tools to understand and heal from these stressful experiences, will be handing out the ice cream from a food truck between West 45th and West 46th streets.
If you crave an escape from the city that won’t land you in debt, head to the ever-changing urban oasis of Governors Island, NY which combines park, adult playground and outdoor art space into a single lovely haven for adventure. One of the best things to do in summer is ride the ferry and visit the car-free attraction. And now, it’s open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays through Labor Day weekend so you don’t have to worry about jumping on the ferry before the sun sets!
The venue formerly known as Fat Cat has reemerged with a new name, new games, and custom ice cream. Cellar Dog (75 Christopher St.) is reviving the Fat Cat tradition of late-night basement gaming, with an updated concept for 2021. Opened by Backal Hospitality Group (BHG), Cellar Dog will remain a live music and game hall, making the most of the 9,000-square-foot underground space. Games include pool tables, ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, checkers and chess, as well as antique and novelty arcade games including Pac Man and many more. Live jazz and additional entertainment will also be booked throughout the week.
Movies Village East Cinema, East Village Until Jul 18 2021
The Lower East Side Film Festival moved online for 2020, expanding viewership to a broader audience demographic, but is back in theaters this year with the option to screen programs from home. This year, do not miss an advanced screening of the first two episodes of MCCARTNEY 3,2,1—HULU’s six-episode music series event features intimate and revealing examinations of musical history from two living legends, Paul McCartney and producer Rick Rubin; a virtual screening of The Revolution Generation, a documentary featuring Michelle Rodriguez, Shailene Woodley, Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; and an exclusive stand-up comedy show and film screening with special guest Tig Notaro at Caveat. Other films to look out for include documentaries, Killing Tony, Your Mother’s Comfort and Fearless. These films will be available online July 8-18, while live screenings for vaccinated film lovers will be July 8-12 at Village East Cinema. Check out the full schedule here.
Art City Point, Downtown Brooklyn Until Jul 31 2021
Light Leaks is an immersive art installation where visitors can escape into a seemingly infinite space created by patterns from millions of lights and a gigantic cluster of glistening disco balls. Thousand Deep and artists Kyle McDonald and Jonas Jongejan analyzed a few dozen photos of the space and predicted where each of the millions of pixels of projected light would shine after reflecting off the disco balls. They combined this data with a 3D model of the room to program immersive patterns with the reflections. “The result is a mesmerizing flood of lights that destabilize and reorganize a viewer’s perception of the space,” they say. The installation will also include disco-ball-inspired art by Kiichiro Adachi, Julia Walck, and Nick Oudsema. “To us, the disco ball represents values of celebration and expression. Through this event, we want to reinvigorate these values, and tell a story of emergence as cultural experiences come back to New York City,” says Carson Lee, co-founder & CEO of Thousand Deep. The “transformative” installation can be experienced July 2 – 31 in Downtown Brooklyn.
Things to do 718 Broadway, Midtown West Until Dec 31 2022
Immersive art exhibit Arcadia Earth has reopened after being closed due to the pandemic, and it looks better than ever! The exhibit aims to inspire visitors artistically and ethically, as it uses 15 rooms to spotlight the environmental challenges that our planet is facing (such as overfishing, food waste, and climate change). This exhibit will not only leave visitors in awe, but it will help support Oceanic Global, an organization devoted to raising awareness around our aquatic ecosystems. In addition, a tree will also be planted for every ticket sold, making it a perfect gift for your eco-conscious friends!
Double Dutch at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Love to jump rope? Learn to double dutch and up your fitness game by having fun at Brooklyn Bridge Park! Coach Kizzy Samuel-Parsons is there to guide you every step of the way so you can learn the ins and outs of street-style and competitive jump rope. Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 2 Ping Pong Tables, 6 p.m., Free.
Screening of “Taming the Garden”: If you love documentaries, head to this screening of “Taming of the Garden.” The screening will kick off with an introduction from “The Rifleman” director Sierra Pettengill before heading into the screening. The Old American Can Factory, 232 Third St., Brooklyn. 8 p.m. $16.
Saturday, July 10
Bronx Night Market: The Bronx Night Market has been proudly serving the Bronx, Upper Manhattan and Westchester County for years. Come by and check out the 20+ vendors and support local businesses in your neighborhood while enjoying a plethora of family-friendly activities. 1 Fordham Plaza. 12 to 7 p.m. Free to enter.
…Praise: The Inevitable Fruit of Gratitude: Step to a new beat with this special dance performance. Dorrance Dance’s “…Praise: The Inevitable Fruit of Gratitude” is launching as a part of the Queens Theatre’s summer season of music, dance and art on their new outdoor stage. Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Free.
Queer Art Summerfest: As one of the first queer events to take place in July this year, Queer Art Summerfest is a marketplace and fundraiser for all to enjoy. Hosted by some of the leading performers in New York drag and nightlife, guests can peruse the marketplace of 30+ vendors and participate in raffles. Proceeds from the raffles will go to support GLITS Inc, which aims to create holistic solutions to the health and housing crises faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, specifically trans sex workers. 3 Dollar Bill, 260 Meserole Street, Brooklyn. 2 to 8 p.m., Free.
Sunday, July 11
Open Studios Residency: Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble and Fogo Azul NYC will present original dance works as a part of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Open Studios Residency this weekend. Be sure to come by to participate in interactive workshops following each group’s final showcase. Brooklyn Bridge Park Harbor View Lawn, 10 a.m., Free.
Galactic featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph and special guest Mononeon: Enjoy a night of funk, R&B, and jazz with this one-of-a-kind Summerstage performance. The show comes as a part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival presented by Sony. Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield, Manhattan. doors open at 6 p.m., tickets start at $45.
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
It’s one thing to offer a $335 meat-free menu for the one percent (see Eleven Madison Park 2.0). It’s another to charge $10 and under for veggie-centric Chinese food for everyone: the curious carnivores, the certified vegans, and the dedicated superfans like Deborah from the Upper West Side, who loves the food and the vibe so much she literally hiked down the West Side Highway from 88th Street to Broome and Orchard one recent Saturday afternoon just to tuck in to paper-boatloads of chewy rice rolls topped with gai lan and juicy bok choy showered with crispy fried garlic. We know she did this because Fat Choy is the kind of place where diners who have navigated the scrum of Lower East Side streeteries — bars, vegan-cupcake shops, more bars — start conversations with strangers to recommend dishes, offer bites, and generally share communal moments of vibrantly flavored, inventively conceived culinary bliss. —Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld
This elegant Greenwich Village establishment has flown so far under the radar that many regulars (ourselves included) were afraid it would close forever when disaster struck. Miraculously, unlike with the still-shuttered Gotham Bar & Grill across the street, the opposite has happened. Owner Catherine Manning fitted the space out back with tables and little enclosed “garden rooms” that have become a hit during the outdoor-dining craze. The Sazeracs we enjoyed on a recent summery evening were exceptional, and you can also addle yourself with $9 cocktails during the new happy hour. The talented young chef Tyler Heckman (Ferris, Le Turtle) took over the kitchen last fall, and he’s slowly added the kind of variety and style to the aggressively seasonal menu (braised spring lamb on our visit, white-asparagus velouté, gnocchi with escargot) that threatens to turn this sleepy local favorite into a proper big-city dining destination. —Adam Platt
Sample the Latest Fusion Cuisine on New York’s Original Open Street
Long before 2020 brought alfresco eating to every corner of our city, Stone Street was a pedestrian paradise, and it still is, a cobblestoned car-free wonderland for outdoor pints, pizza, and mozzarella sticks. The Migrant Kitchen, which opened last fall, brings Middle Eastern–Latin fusion to this Fidi pub-grub zone. Owner Nasser Jaber, who operates out of the Dubliner bar’s kitchen, sends out sumac-butter-slicked fried-chicken-and-falafel waffles, mariquitas (fried plantain chips) nachos, and pastelon mahshi, a Dominican-style maduros-and-beef riff on the traditional Palestinian stuffed gourd. And since many office workers are still Zooming in from home, Stone Street feels distinctly chiller and less suits-y these days. —Ryan P. Sutton
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“Summer in New York City is filled with plenty of things to do, and it’s finally the perfect outdoor weather!
With 4th of July on the horizon and summer in full swing, July will offer plenty of opportunities to soak in the sun and hang by the water before the brutal heat of August kicks in (because like it or not, it’s coming!).
Check out glorious rooftops, cool off at beaches and pools, traipse through fields of sunflowers and lavender (ok, those are a bit outside of NYC!), and much more with our recommendations of things to do this month.”
Catch this year’s bigger-and-better-than-ever 4th of July fireworks
2-6. Head to the beach NYC is know for its notoriously hot and humid summers, which may be true for all over the tri-state but definitely seem worse when you’re surrounded by tons of sky-high buildings! Taking a trip to one of our lovely beaches is definitely one of the best ways to beat the heat, so check out our list of the 10 best beaches in NYC. Here’s a sneak peek: The People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park, Queens Coney Island, Brooklyn Orchard Beach, The Bronx Rockaway Beach, Queens Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
7-11. Or take a dip in an NYC pool NYC’s free public pools are now officially open for the season, but if you’re looking for something more high-end, there are tons of gorgeous private pools to check out too! Here are some of our favorites: Roosevelt Island’s stunning multicolored pool Jimmy at the James in SoHo The Beach at Dream Downtown in Chelsea McCarren Hotel & Pool in Brooklyn Profundo Pool Club at the Ravel Hotel in LIC
Camp under the stars on Governors Island
Watch paintings swirl all around you at Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Grab tickets to the new multisensory exhibit on infamous British street artist Banksy
Take in sultry tunes under the stars at NYC rooftops
Or if you’re more into classical music, try one of these glowing concerts by candlelight
Catch a hilarious rooftop comedy show
Be transported to Paris with this Moulin Rouge-era outdoor show in the Village
Immerse yourself in a dazzling, multi-sensory experience Happy-Go-Lucky
Plan your visit to NYC’s thrilling Money Heist experience coming this winter
Explore NYC’s first-ever floating park ‘Little Island’
See a concert at Bryant Park
Hop Aboard NYC’s first-ever floating Mexican restaurant La Barca Cantina
24-29. Take in skyline views at these stunning NYC rooftops Nothing beats a drink in hand and a skyline in sight. Here are some of our favorite rooftops around the city: Check out Cantina Rooftop and try the 12-lb taco! Experience a backyard vibe at The Ready Escape to the Hamptons right in the city at this beachy-themed bar Dine on Eataly’s rooftop and see their seasonal decor Admire all the floral installations at Ampia Rooftop Sip on cocktails at Top of the Box in Brooklyn
Catch Lady Liberty napping in Morningside Park
Kayak for free at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Explore this stunning lavender farm on Long Island
Or pick summer sunflowers in New Jersey
Ride Coney Island’s brand-new roller coaster
Or try out the world’s longest, tallest & fastest single-rail coaster in nearby NJ
Embrace your inner child at this giant inflatable theme park coming to Brooklyn
Give into temptation at this extravagant cirque-burlesque mixology experience
Experience true darkness at the dystopian immersive show Blindness
Grab a bite at the Queens International Night Market Queens Night Market
40-45. Cool off with NYC’s best ice cream shops One of the best ways to beat the heat in NYC is by indulging in some delicious ice cream! Of course Mister Softee is a classic, but here are some of our other favorite spots to grab a cone: Minus Celsius Ice Cream, Lower East Side Mikey Likes It, Lower East Side & Harlem Whipped Urban Dessert Lab, Lower East Side Van Leeuwen’s, Multiple Locations Tipsy Scoop, Kips Bay & Williamsburg Milk & Cream Cereal Bar, Little Italy
Take an outdoor yoga class in Bryant Park for free
47-51. Take in the views at NYC’s most stunning waterfront dining locales The best (and coolest) place to be in the summer is on the water (Manhattan is an island, after all). From eating on historic boats with insane views of the sunset to checking out secluded seafood hotspots on NYC’s smaller surrounding islands, these are some of our favorite spots for a breezy cocktail and bites: Grand Banks, Pier 25 in Tribeca Watermark Bar, Pier 15 in South Street Seaport Baylander Steel Beach, Harlem City Vineyard, Pier 26 in Tribeca Anable Basin, Long Island City
52-58. Catch an outdoor movie
Enter the wizarding world of Harry Potter at the new flagship store
Sip on Butterbeer just like Harry and his friends
Secret New York City is one of the finest online guides to things to do and see in NYC. From the best restaurants, to fascinating museums, this site will help you discover amazing new places and create some beautiful memories along the way.
“Starting making your Independence Day plans and check out the other amazing NYC events in July By Shaye Weaver / Time Out New York
Some of the best things to do in summer are NYC events in July. Even after all the 4th of July events simmer down, there are still many awesome things to do for the duration of the month. After Independence Day, enjoy fantastic outdoor fun, hit up one of the city’s many rooftops and make sure to pencil in getting a tan at the best beaches in NYC while the weather is still hot, hot, hot.”
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
Last fall, the abandoned Arcade Bakery space came back to life as Frenchette Bakery, ready to fulfill the carb-craving needs of Tribeca moms, the doctors in the medical practices upstairs, and passersby lured in by the sweet, yeasty promise of croissants and baguettes. Happily, the new owners have retained a big part of what made Arcade so special. Its unique design, using drop-down table ledges and inset benches, transforms a generic hallway into a gathering place for impromptu meetings, shared pizza lunches, and the kind of coffee breaks office workers never knew they’d miss. The bakers line the display case with their own enticements, too: exceptional loaves of sourdough and rye; savory breakfast pastries like the mortadella, egg, and Comté; and rich and flaky pain au chocolat. —Adam Moussa
Follow Your Nose to Great Bronx BBQ
Hudson Smokehouse / 37 Bruckner Blvd., Mott Haven
This recently opened barbecue joint is located at the southern tip of the Bronx on a street once populated by antiques shops, and you can smell the ’cue as you walk by. The corral seating in front catches the sun during the daytime, and inside there’s a high-ceilinged room where social distancing isn’t a problem. The meats include great fatty brisket, pork ribs worth gnawing, and pork-belly burnt ends that make deliriously good bacon. Even the beer list, with many mugs originating in the Bronx, draws you in.—R.C.S.
The Oropeza brothers have pulled off a rare pandemic feat: They closed their tiny takeout outpost in midtown, which focused on soupy salteñas (Bolivia’s take on the empanada), and rebooted in Sunnyside with a sit-down location serving creative South American fare. On any given Saturday, a young crowd may show up to eat (and ’gram) craggy fried-chicken chicharrón sandwiches with spicy Llajua-spiked mayo, stark white bowls of sopa de maní (peanut soup), vegan “chola” sandwiches crammed full of charred jackfruit instead of the usual pork, and cherimoya birthday-cake ice cream. The best time to swing by is just before dusk, when you can grab a seat on the streetside terrace and take in the Empire State Building framed against a pink sky while Andean music plays from the storefront.—R.P.S.
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 