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To celebrate the season of spiked apple spirits—and oh, what a glorious season it is—Cider Week is once again taking over Gotham. The 9-day celebration begins today, which means you can pop in and out of restaurants (Marlow & Sons, Gramercy Tavern), bars (The NoMad Bar) and retailers (Murray's Cheese) for deals on pints, take cider-and-cheese–pairing classes or even pig out at a hog roast. But with more than 40 events on the docket, it’s hard to pick out the best of the boozy offerings. Here’s how to make the most of the cider-soaked week:
Friday, Oct 24: Union Square Night Market, 4–8pm
Wander through an array of apple and pumpkin vendors as live bands perform and local restaurants like Maysville and Northern Spy Food Co. hawk small apple-based bites and hard ciders.
Saturday, Oct 25: Ciderfeast Seaport, 11:30am–6pm
A $45 ticket gets you endless of more than 60 regional, national and European varieties of cider from Eden, Harvest Moon and Orchard Hill; a barbecue buffet by the pit masters at Fleisher’s Meats (grilled bratwursts), Revolving Dansk and Jimmy’s No. 43 (pulled pork, portobello mushrooms); and live performances by blues-funk band International Orange and folk-rock singer Mark Ettinger.
Sunday, Oct 26: Apple Press Day, 10am–6pm
Head to Bitter & Esters to watch cider makers Aaron Burr & Proper press fresh apples into homemade cider, then sample apples to heart’s desire and then taste your way through a cider pairing dinner.
Tuesday, Oct 28: Harvest Moon Tap Takover at Clinton Hall, 7–11pm
Tipplers interested in branching out from standard sips should take advantage of this tap takeover, featuring champagne-style, hopped, and maple-infused ciders.
Thursday, Oct 30: Applepalooza at Astor Center, 5–8pm
Drink your way through all things apple—not just cider. Glug down calvados and applejack brandys plus pear-tinged libations and apple-focused appetizers including slices of unusual varieties of the fruit.