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Clear your calendar, grab your casserole dish and prepare to dine al fresco under one of New York’s most iconic landmarks. On Saturday, October 18, Gotham Park will transform the space beneath the Brooklyn Bridge into one uninterrupted, communal dining table for the first-ever Longest Table at Gotham Park, a free afternoon potluck where the only ticket required is something to share.
From noon to 3:30 pm, the park’s north side will transform into a four-acre public space filled with tables, chairs and neighbors, all gathered to celebrate connection through food. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish, a drink or even a decorative centerpiece to add to the mix. After lunch, the festivities will continue with a performance by Teatro Grattacielo’s opera ensemble and a guided conversation on community, culture and creativity.
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“This event is what Gotham Park is all about—providing common ground to connect communities,” the nonprofit said in a statement. Founded in 2021 by local activists, Gotham Park has reopened nearly four acres of space since launching, including the long-awaited return of the beloved Brooklyn Banks skate area. Its long-term goal: to create a world-class nine-acre public space stretching from City Hall to the East River.
The concept echoes similar “longest table” gatherings that have cropped up around the city in recent years—like the block-spanning feasts in Chelsea and Greenpoint—but this Lower Manhattan debut promises a particularly cinematic setting. Think mismatched serving dishes, skyline views and a cross-section of the city you’d never see at a typical brunch spot.
Organizers describe the event as an open invitation to share a meal and connect with the community at a moment when shared spaces matter more than ever. Attendance is free, but preregistration is required so the team can line up enough tables and chairs for what could easily become downtown’s biggest (and friendliest) dinner party.
It’s proof that sometimes the best New York dining experience doesn’t need a reservation, just a folding table and a good neighbor.