Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner

June is Pride Month, which means New York’s LGBTQ+ is ready to party, celebrate and stand up for equal rights in all the city’s rainbow-wrapped glory for the NYC Pride March and more. The Pride celebrations continue all month long. If you’re looking for LGBTQ+ things to do, we have your back—we’ve assembled the best performances, comedy shows, parties, gay bars and events that'll have you dancing, singing, learning and feeling heard. And while there’s no official census or index, it’s believed that New York City has the largest LGBTQ+ population in America—and that’s something to celebrate all year long! RECOMMENDED: A guide to Pride NYC

Waking up on the last day of the weekend can be a drag, and that’s why we have drag brunch! The city-wide phenomenon of turning your mid-morning meal into an often-interactive show is probably the best way to cap off the weekend, and leave you smiling (or twerking) through the Sunday Scaries. New York is full of pop-up and special appearance drag brunches, but here are some weekly reservations that you can rely on for delicious food, boozy drinks and a really good show. Remember to bring plenty of cash ($1 suffice, but $5s and $20 are better) to tip your queens—they’re working hard! RECOMMENDED: The 40 best brunch spots in NYC right now

As of 2023, New York City is home to just a few lesbian bars (Cubbyhole, Ginger’s and Henrietta Hudson) and a few inclusive queer bars (Oddly Enough, Mood Ring) to throw into the mix. For lesbian, bisexual and queer women, spaces to find community, meet and gather can feel limited. Luckily, plenty of women-loving women (WLW), trans and nonbinary people are organizing weekly events and parties to help unite the community. Here’s where to meet and party with WLW every night of the week in NYC.

Wear your sunblock: The best NYC events in June 2023 are things to do outside. When you’re not spending all your free time soaking up the sun at the best beaches or drinking atop the city’s finest rooftop bars, you'll be rocking your rainbow during the Pride March and catching Tribeca Festival screeners. Get your tickets now for the best happenings of the month and keep your fingers (and toes) crossed for good weather. RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar for 2023

NYC has always been a beacon for LGBTQ+ communities, with welcoming (and history-making) bars leading the way and club nights and roving parties bringing the fun. NYC’s best gay bars are scattered throughout the city, primarily concentrated in the West Village. The best lesbian bars in NYC are in fact the only lesbian bars in NYC, as there are unfortunately not many remaining that identify as such. The few that are still standing are open to all LGBTQ+, but still maintain their roots as welcoming places for (and owned by) lesbians. These lesbian bars are friendly, neighborhood spots frequented by locals and visitors alike. Whether you're visiting during a major event like Pride — and NYC is the birthplace of Pride, after all — or on just any night, you'll find plenty of warm, welcoming hospitality. For something a little more high energy, check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances in town, or just stop by for a drink and a friendly chat. These are currently the only lesbian bars in all five boroughs. And yes, they’re all the best. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

New York has played a major role in LGBTQ+ history and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades. The best queer bars in NYC range from dive bars to dance clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll find something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city.You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all offer something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty hook-up spots, the "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type — we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

The iconic NYC skyline is ever-changing, with fabulous new buildings rising up next to historic beauties like the Empire State, Chrysler and Flatiron buildings. The best views in NYC are from above, atop said buildings and others. These breathtaking panoramas are attractions on their own, and many viewpoints are among the best free things to do in the city. If you’re visiting NYC, or just in the mood for a staycation, why not choose a hotel that also happens to have one of these gorgeous views? These hotels offer views of the city that can’t be beaten. These are top-notch hotels with luxurious, lavish interiors as well as prime views of Central Park, the skyline, the Hudson River and more. After tackling the best museums, galleries, restaurants, neighborhoods and other things to do in NYC, you can kick back, relax and absorb all you’ve seen on your city adventures. Need some extra relaxation? Some of these hotels have hot tubs and some are home to the best spas in the city. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Looking for a hotel with a hot tub to relax those aching muscles? Sure, New York doesn’t have a reputation as the most relaxing place (how much chilling can you expect to get in the city that never sleeps?), but these opulent NYC hotels with in-room hot tubs aim to counter that. A soak amid the bubbles can go a long way, especially after a manic day of traveling or shopping. These high-end hotels get it: each offers hot tubs either in-room or alongside rooftop pools and some even have incredible views. So whether you’re just looking for somewhere to staycation or you're hitting NYC for the first time, check into one of these properties that rival the best spas in NYC and prepare for a nice plunge. We’re feeling more relaxed already. And if you're more of an Airbnb person, there are Airbnbs with hot tubs, too! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYCRECOMMENDED: The most unique Airbnbs in NYC RECOMMENDED: The most iconic hotels in NYC This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Let’s face it: even though there are enough amazing restaurants in New York to keep you busy all year, you can’t eat out every night (and if you can, then lucky you). Ditto takeout and delivery. You have to be a grownup and cook for yourself every once in a while. If the thought of going to the grocery puts you on edge though, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up the best options for grocery delivery in NYC so you can get your supplies without having to deal with the stress of actually going to the store. It’s time to get cooking, and these grocery delivery services can help. As a reward for all your future cooking, we’ve got you covered for the best wine delivery and best cheese delivery services in the city too. Cheers! This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

The bookstore café is an iconic New York institution that sadly faded out over the past few decades, but literary, culinary spaces are certainly on the rise. Dozens of spots to shop for books (or borrow books) and enjoy caffeinated or alcoholic beverages are popping up across the boroughs. As You’ve Got Mail turns 25, a whole new slew of independent bookstores with dreamy bookshelves and cafe menus are taking center stage, and we’re eager to cozy up in all of them. Here’s where to read and drink at the best bookstore cafés in New York City.  RECOMMENDED: The best bookstores in NYC

Getting anything delivered, anytime is New York’s signature move. And though 2020 was rough (understatement of the millennium), it did lead to some progress in New York’s delivery scene. Particularly, for alcohol imbibers. After some legal tiffs, it’s finally fully legal for New Yorkers to get their wine, beer, soju, sake and cocktails delivered—assuming you’re 21 years of age and ordering food to go with it, which, obviously, you are. Cheers to these amazing restaurants that offer beverages to pair with their food menu for at-home happy hour and beyond.

Takeout isn’t just for the home! Getting delivery to a public park is a New York pastime, and a great way to try new restaurants when you’re eager to relax outdoors. Just make sure you’re clear on delivery instructions (near a particular corner of the park is most considerate to your delivery person) and request any utensils you’ll need so you can enjoy your meal! 

It’s prom season, and you don’t have to be a teen to enjoy the annual festival ball. Queer Prom is coming to Crystal Lake, an event space in Williamsburg, on Thursday, May 11 at 9pm. The party will go until 3am with entertainment, drag performances, dancing, drinking (peanut butter espresso martini, anyone?) and much more. Tickets are sliding scale in price, to be inclusive of all budgets. Groups are welcome, as are singles, couples and throuples. Those who want to meet a plus one on-site can also head to the event early when @dykefembot will host a speed dating event.  Prom outfits are encouraged, and a competition for prom royalty will offer a coronation to the crowned queer. The winners will also receive a goody bag from Babetown, and a binder from For Them.  Photographer Dev Baby will be available to capture all the prom ‘fits and let you strike the perfect prom pose, and three local DJs—DJ Petal, DJ Crystal Queer, and DJ Jay Essex—will play all night. If you want a permanent souvenir from prom night, Tattoos by Priya will offer ink on-site. Less permanent accessories, like jewelry, will also be for purchase, at a pop-up shop from queer Korean-American-owned misomomo. Consumable treats from The Lost Canna Club will be sold all night, and guests will also be treated to a free pre-roll, if desired. 

Put your dancing shoes on, because you're going to want to work up an appetite at this weekly event. Canary Club (303 Broome St), the vibrant New Orleans-inspired supper club that recently opened on the Lower East Side has added Salsa Nights to the roster. As part of the restaurant’s rotating entertainment offerings, each month will now focus on a different style of music. And for this month, it's all about salsa! Every Wednesday night in April (4/6, 4/13, 4/20, and 4/27), Canary Club will host a Salsa Night complete with music from the six-piece, all-female salsa band, Lulada Club! Doors open at 7:30pm for the weekly show, which kicks off at 8:30pm and runs for about two hours. Arrive on time, because free salsa lessons are available for guests in the hour before the band starts. Then, with the courage of a craft cocktail, you can show off your moves on the dance floor as Lulada Club plays.  Tickets are free or $10 depending on the time booked via Resy. To fuel your moves, fill up on Canary Club’s menu of modern American dishes cooked in a wood-fired oven. Menu items include wood oven-roasted oysters with canary butter, black sesame carrot tempura and fried chicken with voodoo spice. The cocktail menu is inspired and named after the artists and art pieces from the Dada and Surrealist movements. If you want a head start on the booze, $10 cocktail happy hour kicks off at 5pm, and runs until 7pm Zero-proof drinks, wine and beer are also available. 

Think your favorite family-run Italian deli—but 100% plant based! This charming deli counter offers a full menu of hot and cold sandwiches, all vegan, with options ranging from the classic smoked deli meats with faux cheese to hot bites like crispy calamari fashioned from hearts of palm. Pasta and deli case salads are offered as well. 

Lodged between Herald Square and Penn Station, a new destination-worthy Thai restaurant can feel, well, random. And that's exactly the point of Random Access, a cozy, bilevel comfort food restaurant at 138 W. 32 St. Run by Hand Hospitality—the restaurant group behind local hits like Her Name is Han, Hakata Tonton, LittleMad and several more Manhattan eateries—Random Access offers a laid-back vibe and extensive menu.  Central to the menu are Thai-American crossover dishes, also known as "Random Classics." Crab curry mac and cheese is baked with crab meat, macaroni, mozzarella and topped with a crisp layer of shallot chips and fresh cilantro. Chicken and waffles are created from fried chicken thighs and coconut milk waffle served with somtum pickle, cilantro, thai chili and a lime wedge. The spicy Thai ragu spaghetti is like a pad kee mao meets marinara, topped with green peppercorns, Thai basil and grated parmesan.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Random Access (@randomaccess.nyc) The fusion menu is enough to fill up on, but Random Access also offers a full noodle bar (think spicy curry chicken ramen, beef noodle soup and more) and a somtum bar to create your own papaya salad. Small bites, raw dishes and stir-fries are also on the menu, as well as larger, shareable dishes to add to the delicious culinary chaos of the extensive menu. Kub Khao, the shareables, are worth bringing a crew for, especially to dig into crispy pork belly and the photogeni

Two of life's greatest pleasures are pairing up in special deals and dishes across New York City this March.  Back for its fifth year (after a pandemic-necessary hiatus), NYC Cheese & Wine Week will take place across the city from March 7 to March 16, filling the Big Apple's cheese purveyors with gooey, stinky excellence.  For this one very delicious week, European dairy producers will send their most coveted cheeses such as abondance, brie and epoisses to local New York stores and restaurants to vend along with special European wines. It's a celebration of all things indulgent, with special pairings and tastings arranged at each participating restaurant or shop. The lineup includes a special cheese case at Zabar's, with special prices on Papillon Roquefort, St. Agur, Gruyere and St. Andre; a cheese station at Le District; a slew of imported products at Murray's Cheese and more.  New York chefs are also encouraged to get creative with the cheeses. At Intercontinental New York Barclay, a grilled raclette sourdough sandwich will be topped with onion compote and served with crisp white wines of Savoie. On March 11, Felix will serve a dinner featuring the cheeses and Wines of Savoie and on March 12, De Gustibus Cooking School at Macy's will host a wine and cheese tasting class with wine expert Anthony Giglio. Reservations for these one-off programs must be pre-booked, but several restaurants and bars serving the special imports will also offer walk-in-only options. More programmi

The school cafeteria has nothing on this tapas restaurant.  Oliva, a new Spanish restaurant by chef Franklin Becker, is adjacent to Manhattanville Market, which is within Columbia University’s Jerome L. Greene Science Center, but the offerings are far from university fare.  The lively, fun West Harlem spot serves premium products sourced directly from Spain, showcasing shareable dishes with modern interpretations to whisk you across the Atlantic in just a few small bites.  Oliva’s menu, developed with Chef de Cuisine Chris Strelnick, highlights cured meats, Embutidos, along with a variety of queso, a frio y ambiente section and finishes with a selection of calida y caliente. For non-hispanohablantes, that’s cold and hot dishes. Standout dishes from the Fall 2021 opening menu include a mackerel and blood orange crudo, Serrano ham croquetas, crab fideos and a Soccarat, or seafood rice, for two. For dessert, a crema Catalana presents a creamy Barcelonian twist on more familiar creme brulee.  The beverage menu, designed by mixologist Eamon Rockey, offers beverages from regions around Spain, local New York beers, ciders and spirits, plus cocktails designed to emulate the easygoing European lifestyle. There is, of course, sangria, as well as Spanish-style gin and tonics, with fresh and dried botanicals, and plenty of fortified wines, like sherry and vermouth.   Live music nights help fill the floor-to-ceiling glass space with joy and celebration, and the restaurant serves as a nice

A beachy vacation may not be in reach (or in season), but Jibs’ New England style seafood shack transports you to sandier, breezier vibes where summer is totally a verb.  Situated on the Hudson River at Hudson Yards, with spacious outdoor seating, Jibs is a collaborative, luxe lobster shack created by Cobi Levy and Will Makris (ACT2 Hospitality: Lola Taverna, Baby Luc's), Thatcher Shultz (Kind Regards, Make Believe), Chef David Ladner (Rhode Island's acclaimed Spiced Pear; Rialto in Cambridge), and General Manager Trisha Hitko. The menu melds traditional, nostalgic seafood shack delights with seasonal specials. Think: Lobster makes, Maine and Connecticut-style lobster rolls and fried seafood basket with cod, calamari or crab cakes. Grilled and steamed seafood is also available, including whole lobster, black sea bass, and more, as well as a raw bar featuring a variety of oysters, clams and shrimp. On the side, opt for crispy crinkle French fries,  corn on the cob or seasonal veggies.  Jibs’ bar features a combination of classic cocktails, cold beer, and wines, all to be paired with the food and the nautical experience.    Designed by Levy and styled by Mate Gallery’s Matt Albiani, Jibs’ 6,500-square-foot space evokes a simpler, more colorful time, particularly on Cape Cod or the coast of Maine.  Blue-and-white striped private cabanas with 180-degree views of the Hudson River, a “Grass Lounge” area featuring nautical-themed covered seating, a hammock, sandpit, and assorted gre

Dinner, drinks and dancing may not be what it was in New York’s pre-digital everything heyday, but Bacall’s Family Steakhouse throws it back. Inspired by New Yorker and Hollywood star Lauren Bacall, and her Jewish-Romanian upbringing in The Bronx, Bacall’s merges 1940s era Hollywood charm (Chandeliers! Vintage decor!) with once again trendy Eastern European dishes.  Appetizer’s riff on a bubbe’s standards: deep-fried beef kreplach, chopped chicken liver with challah, latkes with applesauce and gefilte fish topped caesar salad all kick off the menu. Sweet and sour meatballs and matzo ball soup are also served, before shareable meat-centric feasts like slow-cooked brisket, dill-and-basil salmon and a steak and fries platter that could serve a small family. Quick, pre-theater meals like rotisserie chicken with a side of kugel, pasta and a wagyu burger are also available, but Bacall’s is a place to luxuriate. Along with the updated nostalgic menu, Bacall’s has an in-house musician, Dani Luv, famed troubadour of the Lower East Side’s Famous Sammy’s Roumanian for over 20 years, who performs nightly. Come with cash for tips and ideas for song requests, the cheesier the better.  Dancing the hora around the restaurant (yes, that happens) is of course more fun after indulging at Bacall’s in-house vodka bar. The “Vodcã Blast” program offers top-shelf vodka encased in an ice block, served tableside with a choice of mixers or shot glasses, and upon special request, with cucumber cups or a

Rockefeller Center is looking little more like a charming European piazza, thanks to Lodi, an all-day restaurant, bakery, and bar inspired by Italian caffè culture now open at 1 Rockefeller Plaza.  Chef Ignacio Mattos, of Manhattan favorites estela and Altro Paradiso, is behind the new spot, which is part of a revitalization of Rockefeller Center, breathing some twenty-first century life into the historic, tourist-frequented location. That is, you're likely to see the pastries and stylized pastries on your FYP.  “Lodi is a reminder of how much restaurants, caffès, and bakeries bring to our communities,” says Mattos. “As we enter this new stage in New York City, we’re returning to our roots with an appreciation for the most essential crafts, such as milling, baking, and distilling. Lodi is a celebration of what we love to do.” Head Baker and Pastry Chef Louis Volle, who cut his teeth at Dean & Deluca (RIP), Blue Hill Stone Barns and Tartine, created an bread and pastry program celebrating the craft of milling and baking. A large stone mill, the first of its kind in Manhattan, will freshly grind single variety grains into flours for the specialty baked goods, which will rotate through Lodi's ovens all day long.   Mornings feature a selection of Pasticcini (small pastries) such as cornetto, cioccolato, maritozzo and bombolone. Prima Colazione (breakfast) includes soft eggs with smoked salmon and oats with fruit and honey.  The Pane (bread menu) showcases natural fermentation an

Pass three spiral staircases inside the just-opened Italian restaurant Gran Tivoli to get to this semisecret cocktail lounge. Practically lifted from the set of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Peppi’s is all retro cool, with deep, intimate booths, antique lights and a tiny stage for lively jazz combos.

Everything you need to know about visiting the New York Aquarium (602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, New York, 11224). Though it’s likely the only aquatic wildlife you’ll see at Coney Island is seagulls eager to scoop up whatever boardwalk snack scraps you leave behind, those intrigued by the ocean can immerse themselves in aquaculture at the New York Aquarium. A sea lion pool, penguin habitat, recreated reef, shark exploration and more are the current exhibits starring live sea creatures (and occasionally their handlers) that offer an up-close-and-personal look at both Atlantic and Pacific Ocean life at the oldest continually operating aquarium in the country. Mermaids, often associated with Coney Island, are not on display, but those tempted by the lure of fictional marine life may enjoy the 4-D (that’s 3-D plus water) SpongeBob experience. With a dedicated mission of conserving the oceans and oceanic life, the venue will leave you with an enhanced and renewed passion for natural preservation. Work up an appetite at a feeding Before you head to the nearby snack carts for your requisite Coney Island dose of ice cream and cheese fries, watch penguins or sea otters chow down on tiny fish at daily live feedings. The highlight of many aquarium visits, watching otters swirl in the water while audibly chewing whole fish is seriously impressive. Did you miss mealtime? A daily schedule of sea lion performances at the aquatheater shows off what this intriguing marine mammal can do, entertaining

The smell of slow-roasting meats wafts out the doors of this Ecuadorian rotisserie restaurant—and at $12 for a whole, juicy chicken, it’s hard to pass up! Be sure to douse your drumsticks in the homemade green sauce and save room for empanadas, plantains and a frosty margarita to wash it all down.

New York City's first-ever dog cafe has expanded across the East River. Boris & Horton, the East Village cafe for humans and their dogs, known for events including dog-friendly comedy shows and drag bingo, just opened a second location in Williamsburg at 510 Driggs Ave. Larger in size than the original location, this Boris & Horton offers a walk-up ordering window, plus a separate human cafe and a large dog and human space with plenty of seating, a dog and human menu, a water station, plus a dog boutique selling supplies, toys, apparel, treats and more. Well-behaved, vaccinated dogs are allowed to roam and play off-leash, and free Wifi is available to human patrons who want to work remotely in the space.  Boris & Horton On the human menu: Variety Coffee, espresso drinks, matcha, lemonade, pastries (including vegan options), grain bowls, salads, toasts and grilled cheese on Balthazar bread. Beer and wine are available as well. The dog menu includes a pastry case full of biscuits designed to appease humans— think doughnuts, coffee cups, hot dogs and waffles, plus dog-friendly sweet potato fries, ice cream and more.   Already, the Brooklyn cafe’s schedule is filling with events. Saturday, June 10, brings a dog-friendly caviar pop-up and tasting and Saturday, June 24 brings a pug meet-up.  Anyone is welcome to visit the cafe (no dog required). No outside food is allowed, and all kids must be supervised.  Boris & Horton

A new affordable housing lottery has opened up for units in a desirable new skyscraper in Greenpoint. Greenpoint Landing, a 22-acre, 10-building high-rise complex developing along the East River, just opened 316 affordable housing units at 35 Commercial Street. The apartments are still under construction, with an expected move-in date this fall. Each rental includes free broadband internet in-unit and common spaces, plus luxury appliances and finishings. The doorman building has a no-smoking and no-pet policy, but service animals and emotional support animals can live with their handlers. The property is steps from the waterfront promenade, with nearby transit options including the G train, B43 bus and East River Ferry.  Designed by Handel Architects, this new building pays homage to the Brooklyn neighborhood’s industrial roots, with a dramatic arched entrance leading to three private landscaped courtyards for building residents. Other amenities include an indoor and outdoor children’s play area, fitness center and lounge. When the building is finished, it will have a total of 374 affordable units.  Photograph: courtesy of Greenpoint Landing All affordable units at Greenpoint Landing will be leased via lottery, which will be open to the public through July 31. To apply, potential renters must meet the income requirements of $17,006 - $167,750, which fluctuates with household size and unit square footage. 50% of the units are reserved for community board residents, 5% for c

New York City isn’t necessarily known for its super fresh air, but this week has been especially rough. Today’s air quality alert deems New York City’s air unhealthy, meaning that “everyone may begin to experience health effects” and “members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.” Public schools have canceled all outdoor activities today, due to health risks and the smell of smoke and it’s being reported the NYC has the second-worst levels of air pollution in the world after New Delhi, India. “If you are an older adult or have heart or breathing problems and need to be outside, wear a high-quality mask (e.g. N95 or KN95),” the office of Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. Staying indoors is recommended.  Canada is currently experiencing its worst wildfire season on record, with over 8 million acres burning at the start of the season. More than 100 wildfires are still burning near Quebec. The smoke is now billowing into the states. Yesterday, June 6, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) issued an air quality alert for the New York City Metro area, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central Regions.  By mid-morning, upstate New York was trending on Twitter for eerie yellow and smoggy skies near the Canadian border, eventually drifting southwards into the Hudson Valley. By evening, the smog covered New York in a post-apocalyptic haze (but that didn’t stop New

A quick trip to Europe is possible this summer for all New Yorkers, as long as you use a little imagination. The French Institute Alliance Franҫaise (FIAF) just announced the details of its annual Bastille Day celebration, the city's largest event for France's national holiday.  The long-running event has taken place on the Upper East Side for over two decades and transforms several blocks with the tastes, sights, sounds and je nes se quois charm of summertime in France.  RECOMMENDED: Bastille Day in NYC 2023 guide On Sunday, July 16, from noon to 5pm, live music, rosé and bubbly tastings, a special film screening, French food vendors and more will take over Madison Avenue from 59th to 63rd Streets. Live entertainment on The Bastille Day Main Stage at 59th Street will include performances by cast members from Broadway’s Moulin Rouge, Paris-based singer-songwriter Naomi Greene, French-Moroccan singer Malika Zarra, BoByGroove spinning electro beats, and St. Martin's renowned steel drum band, Jolly Boys.  The highlight for many is the French-style open market, with over 50 vendors, including free coffee from L'OR. Participating vendors include Pistache NYC, Le Petit Parisien, Theirry Atlan, OCabanon, Pain d'Avignon, Angelina Paris, Benoit, Bourke Street Bakery, Crepe Escape, Barachou, Miss Madeline, Maman, Mille-feuille Bakery, Cheese2U, and more. A French Garden will showcase over a dozen luxury shops including Babette, Thermomix, and Le Parisien and more. Kids can get out some

One of Manhattan’s most famed institutions is coming back this month.  Central Park's Loeb Boathouse, which shuttered in 2022, is reopening by the end of this month for boating, snacking and classic New York vibes in Central Park near West 74th Street. Legends Hospitality, which manages food at major events and tourism spaces including Yankee Stadium, Circle Line Cruises, and One World Observatory, took over the lease, promising $3.5 million in improvements to the historic property. The company will reopen the boathouse with a phased approach, The New York Post first reported. Stage one of the boathouse includes opening a casual snack bar and bringing back the famous row boat rentals, which will allow boats to be pre-booked online (and you can use credit cards, so no more cash-only boat rides). Later this summer into fall, the dining room and patio overlooking the lake will open with a brand new menu.  Legends will pay the city $750,000 annually for the 10-year lease, plus a percentage of sales.  Official opening dates and menus have yet to be announced.     Loeb Boathouse first opened its restaurant in 1983 and set the stage for many celebrations, weddings and classic rom-com moments, including iconic scenes in Sex and the City and When Harry Met Sally. Prior to its role in the cultural canon, the boathouse was a popular spot for birders, boaters and parkgoers in need of a public restroom, dating back to the original boathouse in the 1870s. The current structure dates back

If stuffing your face on weekend mornings is your thing, this new hotel brunch is here for you. The Moxy NYC Downtown just launched a nostalgic 1980s- and ’90s-themed weekend brunch in the Financial District. At Recreation, the hotel's retro-themed bar and restaurant, classic arcade games (think Ms. Pacman, Centipede and Donkey Kong), as well as board and tabletop games are super popular with guests, many of whom are nostalgic for the simpler life of the 20th Century. So, Recreation launched a new brunch targeted to Gen X and Millennials, complete with an all-you-can-eat cereal bar with all types of milk (plant milks, of course) to choose from, plus a shareable board game charcuterie board filled with sweet and savory options like bagels, waffles, fresh fruit, pastries and more.  To drink, curated cocktails include the Go For The Gold, which is made with Golden Graham cereal-infused Hendricks Gin plus a honey cordial, lemon juice, orange bitters and an egg white. The drink pairs well with Monopoly, while the Doctored Pepper (Dragon Fruit Bacardi Rum, Lemon Juice and Dr.Pepper) was designed to sip during the tactical game of Operation. The entire cocktail menu is also available batched, as a $95 Get Your Groove On special, served in a disco ball punchbowl. Beer-drinking groups can also buy into a $160 retro rolling cooler rental, filled with ice and 24 cans of beer.  All this can be enjoyed while Saturday morning cartoons and music hits from the era play across the TVs and spe

City pets have a new HQ to visit. Petco just opened its new headquarters, a 25,000-square-foot, bi-level store just east of Union Square Park. The massive store at 17th Street and “Bark” Avenue holds a vintage New York barber-shop-inspired grooming salon, self-wash stations, a full-service veterinary hospital, JustFoodForDogs kitchen, a training center, and plenty of items to browse and shop.  Stylish pets can head to the Reddy Shop, inspired by the boutique in Soho. This collection offers a lounge area, fitting station, and customization zone where shoppers can personalize items from Petco Union Square’s entire assortment, with iron on patches to capture your pet’s personality. A new 17th + Bark collection offers uniquely curated goods from local LGBTQ+, BIPOC, women, and maker-and-builder communities including Hiro Clark’s first pet collection, pet and pet parent apparel from Andrea Cáceres, pet portraits from Ben Lenovitz, pet accessories from Lambwolf Collective and more. Ben HiderInside Petco Union Square No pet yet? The flagship hosts year-round cat adoptions plus other adoption events with local animal welfare partners of Petco Love. An on-site photo booth allows pet parents to capture the moment they offer their newest pet a forever home. Fish, birds, reptiles and rodents are also available for purchase on-site.  "We're delighted to welcome pets and pet parents to this revolutionary flagship experience that embodies Petco's fully integrated, omnichannel pet health

The subway is about to get safer with an addition many have been asking for and awaiting for decades: platform gates.  In February 2022, the MTA announced that three stations will be getting platform barriers at three busy stops as a trial for the overhaul. Gates will be installed on platforms at the 7 at Times Square, L at Third Avenue, and the E stop at Sutphin Boulevard station in Queens. "It’s going to take a while. We’re going to put the money together, which is a little complicated," The MTA's CEO and Chairman Janno Lieber said in an interview on NY1 at the time "Our goal is to try out these technologies, at different places in the system, including three stations, trying out platform doors." Now, construction is slated to begin in the coming months (i.e., hopefully, this year) for a $100 million Platform Spring Door pilot program that ends to prevent injury and death by pedestrians on the tracks.  "We've been calling for NYC to catch up to the rest of the world and install platform screen doors in the subway," said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine in a tweet. "Would be a major win for safety."  The MTA has yet to announce a formal start of construction or how this may affect train schedules on the affected platforms and subway lines. Renderings of the projects are also not yet available to the public.

Pack your bags and get ready to drink, a martini retreat has landed on the Upper East Side.  The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel at 76th Street and Madison Avenue and home to the iconic Bemelmans Bar, just announced a new two-day getaway inspired by the iconic cocktail. In fact, 75-year-old Bemelmans serves over 1,000 martinis each night, and you're invited to drink several of them on a cultural tasting tour.  The Martini Retreat includes two nights in The Carlyle's Madison Room or Premier Suite, exquisitely decorated by designers Tony Chi and Thierry Despont. When you check in, a martini kit will await in the room with everything needed to recreate the famous Bemelmans Classic Martini: two martini glasses, a mixing glass, stirrer, strainer, jigger, cocktail picks, a jar of olives, a recipe card and Bemelmans cocktail napkins, plus ice, of course. The experience continues with a 45-minute Bemelmans Master Martini Class, in which the talented red jacketed team will teach guests how to make variations of the venerable Martini-gin or vodka, dry, shaken, stirred, olives, twisty, dirty, filthy, etc. Students will also learn new and popular iterations such as Madeline’s Vesper Martini Lunch served at Dowling’s at The Carlyle. Durston SaylorRosewood Carlyle Hotel Soak up all that booze with a two-course lunch showcasing chef Sylvain Delpique’s new interpretations of classic New York in the charming Dowling’s dining room accompanied by miniature versions of contemporary and nostalgic mar

Travelers around the world looking for an LGBTQ+-friendly, fun and safe vacation spot will undoubtedly land in New York City. And there’s data to prove it’s the best choice for a queer holiday.  A new study from travel agency Planet Cruise has curated the top locations for LGBTQ+ folks to visit in 2023. The travel site reports a +1,000% increase in searches for “LGBT holidays” over the past 12 months and wanted to help travelers make a choice on where to book their next getaway. The top locations are ranked based on marriage laws, safety, and LGBTQ+ activities for all ages. The list, which includes 15 major cities with legalized same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption laws, starts with New York, naturally.  Photograph: By James Kirkikis / Shutterstock New York is also top of the list for having the most gay bars of any other city (though the list oddly says only 27 exist in the city, when we know there are way more.) In second place is London, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Manchester, Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Brussels. Other top cities include Berlin, Lisbon, San Francisco, Barcelona and Toronto. This data, however, doesn't take into account all of the unique culture, events and personalities New York City has to offer visitors. Pride month events plus LGBTQ+ events all year round, the most lesbian bars of any American city (and even more sapphic events), gay hookup spots, weekly drag brunches, queer fine dining, historic monuments, an upcoming L

The Statue of Liberty may live between New York and New Jersey, but its likeness can be seen all over the Tristate area. One of the most impressive tributes to the iconic statue, “Reclining Liberty,” a 25-foot-long, 2,000-pound statue of Lady Liberty in a Reclining Buddha pose, has resided in both the city and Jersey, and is coming back to the boroughs for her summer residency. Artist Zaq Landsberg’s “Reclining Liberty” will wrap up its year in Jersey City's Liberty State Park and move into Andrew Logan Projects' Red Hook gallery space (384 Van Brunt St.). This will be the first time the enormous sculpture will be viewable indoors.  Viewers will be able to touch, climb, sit atop, lean up against the figure, and interact with the monument at a human level, like her previous exhibitions in Morningside Park and Liberty State Park. Visitors will also get a brief, rare view of the piece before and during the refinishing process en route to her next destination (location to be announced on June 15). The piece will move into the gallery as is, weathered, worn and burnished by hundreds of thousands of hands over the past year.  Photograph: courtesy of Zachary Landsberg “Reclining Liberty” is Landsberg’s mashup of the Statue of Liberty and the giant reclining Buddha statues of Asia. The piece, coated in plaster resin and finished with copper paint and an oxidizing acid, the patina mimics the actual Statue of Liberty. An NYC-based artist, Landsberg specializes in large-scale, site-sp

If you love a mystery, teamwork, New York City, or just being outside, this immersive event may be the ideal weekend activity for you. The Great Gotham Challenge will venture into Central Park on Saturdays throughout the summer. RECOMMENDED: This new board game cafe near Union Square is packed with 500+ games In the challenge, teams race around Central Park for an immersive puzzle adventure, finding clues throughout the park, while learning secrets and little-known history about the well-known space. At the end, teams can enjoy a picnic provided by the Great Gotham Challenge. Part trivia competition, part relay, this event combines teams’ savviness of New York food, live theater, history, plus embedded technology to create an unforgettable experience. Teams of two to four people can compete. To succeed, teams will need to break codes, solve riddles, and Google some interactive clues to help win the challenge.  All teams meet near Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain for the race to kick off and all ages are welcome. The challenge requires participants to walk about one mile, and some stairs are also on the route. The event lasts around two hours, depending on how quickly teams solve the clues and make it to the finish line.  Teams must be fully formed before participating, but you’ll meet and mingle with competitors before and after the race. The first Great Gotham Challenge kicks off on Saturday, June 3 at 1pm. Tickets start at $99.