The best Labor Day specials in NYC

Chef Will Coleman has kind of done it all—digital producer, TV spots and food writer. But you can still find him in the kitchen from time to time, frying up some seriously good specials. Bringing a global spin to the neighborhood fish fry, chef Coleman is bringing back his Fish Frydays this weekend. The special of the day goes a little something like a lemon pepper and plantain-crusted fish sandwich with yuzu tartar, maple bacon jam and a crown of pikliz. Wash it down with a sorrel and cherry lemonade, and don't forget the yuzu banana pudding with caramelized bananas on the way out. RSVP here. 

When is it: September 4, 2-8pm

Address: Plated Studios, 117 Grattan St, Brooklyn, NY 11237

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Haven't you heard? One of Texas's most acclaimed barbecue joints is officially landing in Greenpoint this weekend. Following a very successful soft launch last weekend that spawned lines down the block, Kirbee's is officially opening its doors, just in time for Labor Day. Run by BBQ legends Jonny White and Chuck Charnichart, you can expect smoked meats like ribs with lime zest, brisket rubbed with Mexican spices, and green spaghetti you can't knock until you try it. 

When is it: Opens September 4 at 11am

Address: 55 McGuinness Blvd S, Brooklyn, NY 11222

As a pre-game to all of the West Indian Day Parade celebrations happening this weekend, Harlem's Sugar Hill Creamery location is throwing a late-night ice cream party. And we mean late night, like you can get a scoop until 1am, late night. Dance with tunes from DJ Katatstrophik, canned nutcrackers from Drink Beloved and plenty of ice cream to keep the good times going.

When is it: September 5 noon–1am

Address: 184 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10026

Smorgasburg is going all in on Labor Day weekend. First up on Saturday, September 5, is Pull Up a Plate, a free community hang in Williamsburg. Teaming up with The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the afternoon will feature free music and DJs all day, plus affordable $9 plates from a variety of vendors. As for Sunday, Smorgasburg is turning Prospect Park into a Caribbean fete with Islands in the Park: A Caribbean Jam. Thanks to a collab with I Am Carribeing, you can expect jerk chicken from chef Scotley Innis of Six Coasts, DJs and live steel pan performances. 

When is it: Pull Up a Plate: September 5, 11am-6pm; Islands in the Park: September 6, 11am-6pm

Address: Williamsburg Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Avenue; Prospect Park Breeze Hill, enter at Lincoln Road

The wine? Accessible and natural. The vibes? Up. And the oysters? Shucked, chilling on ice and ready for you. Simply put, Selune gives us good reason to venture to Bed Stuy. And for their weekly oyster party, this weekend sounds even sweeter. The natural wine bar is selling $1 oysters all weekend long, including Saturday and Sunday. For even more seafood specialties, you can order lobster rolls, king crab and tuna crudo. And naturally, the wine will be flowing. RSVP here. 

When is it: September 5-September 6

Address: 478 Halsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Bringing power to the people via pastry, Natasha Pickowicz and friends have raised over $200,000 for local nonprofits and organizations. This Labor Day weekend, she is doing it again. On September 6, Our Little Bake Sale is coming to Little Island. Over 20 different bakeries, restaurants and standalone bakers will come together to sell one-of-a-kind pastries for a good cause, with goodies from Bar Susanne, Dean's, Ho Foods and Sofreh. Proceeds from the bake sale will benefit Make the Road New York. Admission to the bake sale is free, but treat vouchers are $10.

When is it: September 6, 3–5pm

Address: Little Island, 10014

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Looking to use your extra day off to visit one of New York's many parks to picnic in the sun? Well, Cleo has already packed a lunch for you. The new rotisserie haus from the team behind Margo and Montague Diner is selling Chicken Picnic Boxes. Each pack comes with a trio of sauces and sides, available for groups of two or four. Of course, you can always stick around for soft serve and drink specials, plus live embroidery from Klein Designs.

When is it: September 7, noon–4pm

Address: 621 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014

Celebrate the Labor Day weekend with a rooftop party at Brooklyn's Time Out Market New York. Catch the festivities on our fifth-floor rooftop terrace, with your pick of delicious eats from all of our 19 vendors, such as burgers from Smashed NYC, Jacob’s Pickles’ fried chicken and mac & cheese and Dominican BBQ from Bark Barbecue. Wash it all down with drink specials from Patron, Grey Goose and Jack Daniel's. Of course, live entertainment will be provided by DJ Fatfingaz of The Heavy Hitters. The event is free to attend; RSVP here. 

When is it: September 7

Address: 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

It is still ice cream season, okay! And for the last hurrah of summer, both Salt & Straw locations are offering three of their Tacolates for $15 from now until September 7. And when you finally want to concede that autumn is on its way, grab a pint of one of their seasonal specials to stash in the fridge until September 22 (aka the first day of fall), from the new Salted Caramel Apple Pie to Apple Cider Donuts with ribbons of cinnamon vanilla caramel.

When is it: Through September 7

Address: 540 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014; 360 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

All five locations of Threes Brewing will be open for the long weekend, with the word of the day being deals, deals, deals. The Gowanus and Greenpoint locations are running specials on their Last Set pilsner all weekend long—$7 for a pint and $26 for pitchers—while the Governors Island locale is serving $8 Vliet tallboy cans. Only available at the Gowanus location, Sunday brings a ticketed tasting that includes a three-beer flight and a seasonal pour for $50 per person. 

When is it: September 4-September 7 

Address: Multiple locations