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Ahh, don't you just love Summer Fridays? (If you have them, of course). We can't believe summer in NYC is almost over (although we sure won't miss this HEAT DOME vs. AIRMASS madness). With only four summer Fridays left before Labor Day (say it ain’t so!) you better make these recommended happy hours (and the awesome events close by) really count!
RECOMMENDED: Summer in New York
Fri 12
Happy Hour: Margarita Island
Get marooned with two-for-one margaritas from 4 to 6 at the colorful tiki bar just beside the neon mini-Vegas world of the 100-year-old fun emporium Luna Park. 1105 Bowery St (margaritaisland.com)
Afterward: Kool & the Gang: A Funk Fest Celebration
Start and end your next summer Friday in Coney Island with fireworks. First up are fireworks of funk courtesy of Kool & the Gang, along with Morris Day & the Time, Bootsy’s Rubber Band and Doug E. Fresh, followed by actual fireworks for free at 9:30pm over the boardwalk and the new amphitheater. The Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk, 3052 W 21st St, (fordamphitheaterconeyisland.com). 7pm; $25–$75.
August 19
Happy Hour: The Snug
Come in for some strong cocktails and ample portions of Bronx-style pub grub at this not-too-divey-dive-bar for a dollar off anything in a glass from 4 to 7pm. 302 City Island Ave (718-885-9559).
Afterward: Island Current: Night Fishing
Take a ride out to City Island, and watch as the Bronx slowly transforms itself into Martha’s Vineyard with marinas, yachts and seafood as far as the eye can see. Grab a bike for a self-guided tour of movies filmed here, like Awakenings, A Bronx Tale and The Royal Tenenbaums, and then get ready to night fish for striped bass and blues, with the crew of Island Currents City Island fleet! Island Current, 551 City Island Ave (islandcurrent.com). 6:30pm; $65.
August 26
Happy Hour: Island Taste
Get some Caribbean heat right here in Queens from 5 to 10pm with $5 Long Island iced teas margaritas and martinis. 243-10 Merrick Blvd (islandtastelounge.com).
Afterward: Summer Sounds: The Tee-Tones
Let the Tee-Tones take you on a tour of 30 years of R&B with a “passionate vocal performance of the classics” covering R&B hits from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Grab a chair or a blanket, and head to Brookville Park to enjoy this free outdoor concert presented by Queens College’s Kupferberg Center for the Arts. Brookville Park, Brookville Blvd and 144 Ave (718-393-7270, nycgovparks.org). 6–7pm; free.
September 2
Happy Hour: Tommy Bahama
Say aloha to the final Friday with an island escape to Mr. Bahama’s where you can drink Flor de Cana rum in Manhattan’s Best Mai Tai for $8 each all day. 551 Fifth Ave (tommybahama.com)
Afterward: Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night
When—and if—you make it off the proverbial island, make your way to Central Park to check out the enchanting new musical production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night featuring words and music by critically acclaimed songwriter Shaina Taub. Professional actors join community members from all five boroughs, showing us the many masks that love wears. Delacorte Theater (in Central Park), enter at 81st St and Central Park West (212-539-8500, publictheater.org). 8pm; free.