Where to Eat
Neighborhood Noshes
Cafe One 1619 Amsterdam Ave, 212-690-0060, cafeone.biz. CafeOne serves up some of the best brunch/lunch goodies in the city. Regulars (and their dogs) drop by for the gluten-free and sugar-free selections tucked in with traditional choices, Wi-Fi and Harlem people-watching.
Harlem Public 3612 Broadway, 212-939-9404, harlempublic.com. A proper English public house. The 16 beer drafts taps rotated regularly, and the chicken-salad sandwich could be the key to world peace. Two restored pews from Central Harlem’s Mt. Moriah Church offer a sweet nod to the neighborhood.
Salvation Taco 145 E 39th St, 212-865-5800, salvationtaco.com. Chef April Bloomfield and restaurateur Ken Friedman have evolved from English pub grub to tacos with a kick. The décor—colored Christmas lights and ping-pong tables—are retro, but the Moroccan spiced lamb tacos in Indian naan are totally modern. Try the margarita with the guajillo chili salt rim.
Middle Branch 154 E 33rd St, 212-213-1350, no website. This is the spot for serious cocktail lovers. The bi-level drinkery sports French doors, a nod to the building’s history as an antiques store. You’ll be in good hands when mix master Sasha Petraske is behind the bar.
Joe the Art of Coffee 405 W 23rd St and seven other NYC locations, 212-206-0669, joenewyork.com. Bean aficionados Jonathan and Gabrielle Rubenstein serve artisanal espresso at this boutique coffee chain. Want a nibble with your drink? Joe offers baked goods from Ceci-Cela and Donut Plant.
Elberta Restaurant and Bar 335 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, 718-638-1936, elbertarestaurant.com. A newish neighbor in Prospect Heights, Elberta specializes in artful presentations of down-home Southern cuisine. Try the watermelon gazpacho with jalapeno, cilantro and pickled cucumbers, or the dirty rice and shrimp main plate.
Best-Kept Secrets
Summer Garden and Bar at Rockefeller Center 5th Ave between 49th and 50th Sts, 212-332-7654, summergardenbar.com. Rock Center’s elegant Art Deco façade frames this giant seasonal bistro. Summertime eats include crisp salads with grilled chicken or shrimp, sharable apps and a mouthwatering menu of herb- and fruit-infused cocktails.
Guy’s American Kitchen and Bar 220 W 44th St, 646-532-4897, guysamerican.com. Even if you find Food Network star Guy Fieri a little abrasive, don’t pass up his fries. The portions of crunchy golden goodness—with or without buffalo sauce or Dragon’s Breath chili—are so ginormous, you’ll need a doggy bag!
Do Hwa 55 Carmine St, 212-414-1224, dohwanyc.com. Co-owned by Quentin Tarantino, Do Hwa employs only female cooks, known as “ajumas” (which means “Mrs.”) who deliver spot-on Korean comfort food. The kimchi is addictive.
Dil-E Punjab Deli 170 9th Ave, 212-647-9428, dilepunjabdeli.com. If you can’t find a cab in the Meatpacking District at 3:44am, go here. Cabbies flock to this all-vegetarian buffet for authentic, ridiculously cheap Punjabi fare.
Pinkberry 170 8th Ave, 888-757-2331, pinkberry.com. In a world of fro-yo choices, Pinkberry’s sweet-tart frozen yogurt and creative toppings stand out. Every Wednesday, indulge in the free Greek yogurt samples with seasonal toppings. Check this location’s Facebook page for Pride surprises!
Honeycomb Playhouse 735A St. Nicholas Ave, 646-998-3457, facebook.com/honeycomb.playhouse. This invite-only speakeasy is discreetly located on the bottom level of a Harlem brownstone and features a full bar, appetizer menu and a patio. Join the Facebook page to be invited in. Pride events are planned too.
Free-For-All
Organic Avenue 216 8th Ave and other NYC locations, 212-358-0500, organicavenue.com. Need a Pride detox? Organic Avenue’s organic cold-pressed juices, raw foods menu, cleansing programs and more will have you feeling perkier in no time. Plus, they offer samples!
Dig Inn Seasonal Market 350 Hudson St and five other NYC locations, 917-720-1205, diginn.com. Dig Inn’s philosophy is simple: Grow it, chop it, cook it and serve it. Try the spinach and strawberry salad or red lentil and edamame side dish for a shot of vitamins. Chicken, pork, tofu, beef and salmon dishes are all under $6.
Candle 79 154 E 79th St, 212-537-7179, candle79.com. This is NYC’s top vegan destination, and it’s easy to see why. Delicious garden-to-table entrees, organic wines and an elegant setting keep foodies coming back, year after year.
Lilli And Loo 792 Lexington Ave, 212-421-7800, lilliandloonyc.com. Chinese takeout without the MSG. The gluten-free menu boasts 50 items, including spicy General Tso’s chicken or tofu, retaining the crunch its gluten-filled counterpart is known for.
Shiva Natarajan’s Bhojan Indian Restaurant 102 Lexington Ave, 212-213-9615, bhojanny.com. “Bhojan” is the Hindi term for a simple, delicious and home-style meal. Enjoy the tapas-size chaats, thalis and other Indian snacks as well as the distinctive kosher and meat-free dishes from Gujarat and Punjab.
S’mac 345 E 12th St, 212-358-7913, smacnyc.com. S’mac’s mac n’ cheese is the ultimate comfort food for healthy lifestyles. The brown rice pasta, bechamel sauce without wheat flour, and cornflake breadcrumbs are so good, you won’t miss the gluten. S’mac also offers traditional macs in flavors like cheeseburger and Cajun.
Hangover Helpers
Pam Real Thai 404 W 49th St, 212-333-7500, pamrealthaifood.com. The soulful and often-fiery cuisine stands out. Chef Pam Panyasiri, a Bangkok native, creates dishes that offer the best from south, north, central and northeast Thailand’s family style cuisine. The crispy duck is irresistible.
Danji 346 W 52nd St, 212-586-2880, danjinyc.com. This traditional Korean restaurant has a cult following, and nearly everything on the menu could qualify as a hangover cure. Their “paella” should have a patent (and for some hair of the dog, try a rice beer).
Thistle Hill Tavern 441 7th Ave, Brooklyn, 347-599-1262, thistlehillbrooklyn.com. When a hearty breakfast is the only solution, this spot has the answer. Pile on with Heritage Acres bacon, farm fresh eggs and a ricotta pancake drizzled with Vermont maple syrup.
Forcella 334 Bowery, 212-466-3300, forcellaeatery.com. The Montanara pizza’s dough is tossed in hot oil for a crispy crust, then topped with tomato sauce and cheese and baked in a wood-burning oven. The chef is rumored to be a perfectionist. Good news for your stomach.
Juice Press 122 Greenwich Ave and six other locations, 212-777-0034, juicepress.com. If a greasy breakfast won’t help your morning after, the Juice Press’s gourmet superfood smoothies are made with raw homemade ingredients and ripe organic produce—no added junk in here.
Haute Spots
Yefsi Estiatorio 1481 York Ave, 212-533-0293, yefsiestiatorio.com. The award-winning chef of this new Greek destination, Christos Christou, has created dishes for the White House. Sample the taramosalata, a caviar dip that’s creamy and salty in one. Dining there is like having a piece of Greece all to yourself.
Full House Cafe 97 Bowery, 212-925-8083, fullhousecafeny.com. Favored by Chinese foodies, the inventive dishes are a genius mix of Sichuan, Hong Kong, Mandarin, Thai and Taiwanese influences. The soup dumplings are gaining their own fan base.
Maysville 17 W 26th St, 646-490-8240, maysvillenyc.com. Chef Kyle Knall creates a sophisticated spin on BBQ-and-bourbon at this American whiskey bar, and a classy crowd of spirits enthusiasts has gotten the memo. Also excellent: the beef tartare, duck confit and foie gras.
Red Rooster 310 Lenox Ave, 212-792-9001, redroosterharlem.com. You want fusion? How ‘bout an Ethiopian-born Swedish chef putting a European spin on American southern and soul food. This hopping restaurant helped put Harlem back on the culinary map.
Alder 157 Second Ave, 212-539-1900, aldernyc.com. Wylie Dufresne’s casual and delicious recipes elevate pub grub to an art form, and the entrees are all under $25. The cocktails wow us, too—try the Applethy, with horseradish-infused vodka blended with green apple juice.
Foodie Faves
Abboccato 136 W 55th St, 212-265-4000, abboccato.com. Abbocato means “pleasing to the mouth,” a suitable name for this classic Italian eatery. The house-cured pork melts in your mouth, and the homemade gelato uses the freshest ingredients available. It’s not printed in the menu, but ask for the homemade Burrata cheese.
La Terrazza at Lincoln Ristorante 142 W 65th St, 212-359-6500, lincolnristorante.com. La Terrazza is open for the summer, bringing al fresco dining and cocktails to Lincoln Center’s Hearst Plaza. The modern Italian cuisine by chef Jonathan Benno is garnished with views of Lincoln Center’s reflecting pool and Henry Moore sculpture.
Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare 200 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, 718-243-0050, brooklynfare.com. Cesar Ramirez’s intimate spot only has 18 seats, two seatings a night, and three Michelin stars. The tasting menu, of 20-plus courses including raw and cooked seafood, changes daily.
Restaurant Daniel 60 E 65th St, 212-288-0033, danielnyc.com. Legendary chef Daniel Boulud’s flagship specializes in contemporary French cuisine inspired by market-fresh produce and meats. The three-course prix-fixe menu might include butter-poached jade tiger abalone with sea buckthorn, Cantimpalo chorizo wrapped monkish stuffed with lobster, or a tasting of Quebec suckling pig.
Where to Shop
Global Style
Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren 99 University Pl, 212-677-1895, ralphlauren.com. Expect to find fresh utilitarian street style for men and women, plus an array of Japanese denim and funky prints on tees and hoodies.
Kinokuniya Bookstore 1073 Avenue of the Americas, 212-869-1700, kinokuniya.com. English-language readers can peruse coffee-table books on pan-Asian topics like posters from the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Korean cookbooks and histories of the Middle East. They also carry English translations of popular Japanese novelists like Haruki Murakami and Shusaku Endo.
Who A.U. 22 W 34th St, 212-594-5632, whoau.com. Think of this California-obsessed clothing emporium as the South Korean Uniqlo. Breezy beach style and low price points for easy summer dressing.
Behaviour 231 W 19th St, 212-352-8380, behaviournewyork.com. Butch girls will find a variety of guy’s attire from upscale international labels like wooyoungmi, Paul & Joe, Unconditional and Gaspard Yurkievich.
Maison 140 9th Ave, 212-255-0022, maison140nyc.com. Packed with artfully arranged European home goods, Maison exudes French LGBT flair. The decorative pillows and exotic dinner plate selection are second to non.
Gabay’s Outlet 225 First Ave, 212-254-3180, gabaysoutlet.com. Window shopping at Fifth Avenue department stores leaving you cold? This East Village shop has the same high end goodies like Dolce and Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel at outlet prices.
Vintage Variety
Beacon’s Closet 220 Fifth Ave, Brooklyn and two other NYC locations, beaconscloset.com. The Park Slope outpost of this NYC chainlet is a bit less crowded than its colossal Williamsburg flagship, so you might score a find before the hipster hordes. Beacon’s carries a reliable mix of vintage gems, contemporary basics and couture cast-offs.
Friends Vintage 56 Bogart St, Brooklyn, 718-386-6279, friendsvintagenyc.etsy.com. Yes, it’s named after the ‘90s sitcom, but the attitude at this Bushwick shop is truly congenial. The racks veer toward ‘80s and ‘90s pieces with a smattering of punk and new wave styles.
Chisholm Larsson Gallery 145 8th Ave, chisholm-poster.com. This gay-owned shop has a phenomenal collection of vintage film posters as well as historical prints on topics as varied as food and drink, international politics and Smokey the Bear.
Obscura Antiques 207 Ave A, 212-505-9251, obscuraantiques.com. If you’re searching for the perfect petrified spider or taxidermied mammals, Obscura may have what you’re looking for. The collection of 19th and 20th century eroterica presents a scavenger hunt that’s not for the faint of heart.
Kill Devil Hill 170 Franklin St, Brooklyn, 347-534-3088, killdevilhillbrooklyn.com. The Greenpoint dry-goods shop sells old-timey treasures like aprons made from vintage fabrics, Americana collectibles and handmade yummies from local artisanal food companies.
Curated Curios
Metropolitan Opera Shop Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, 212-580-4090, metoperashop.com. Even if you’ve never been able to sit through the entire Ring cycle, drop into the Met Opera’s shop for elegant jewelry, accessories, books and more. Some items draw from Lincoln Center’s artistic companies and productions, while others simply scream “drama!”
Brooklyn Brewery Store 79 N 11th St, Brooklyn, 718-486-7422, store.brooklynbrewery.com. A beer lovers’ Walmart, the Brooklyn Brewery’s emporium carries souvenirs (think Brooklyn pint glasses) and hardcore gear like beer making kits and bar supplies.
Flight 001 96 Greenwich Ave, 212-989-0001, flight001.com. Getting ready for your post-Pride vacation? Pick up luggage, tags, electronic gadgets and other items that make traveling easier, no matter your destination.
Barbara Feinman Millinery 66 E 7th St, 212-358-7092, barbarafeinmanmillinery.com. Get a vintage-style cloche, derby or other classic hat custom-made for your noggin. Barbara Feinman’s hats are handmade on the premises using the almost-lost techniques of 19th century millinery.
Teich 22 8th Ave, 212- 537-6630, teichdesign.com. This tiny shop is regularly stocked with new merch, including gay-friendly gifts by local artists and an adorable selection of doggie clothing and accessories. Check out the crayon box of colorful shoelaces.
Three Tarts Plaza Food Hall, 1 W 59th St, 646-755-3232, 3tarts.com. The go-to girls for handcrafted sweets like homemade marshmallows, petits fours and chocolates for any festive occasion. Three Tarts also offers a select array of cute housewares, such as cow-shaped creamers and coffee table books, on their website.
The Filling Station Chelsea Market, 425 W 15th St, 212-989-3868, thefillingstationnyc.com. Owned and created by two women, the Filling Station’s inventive balsamic vinegars, herb-infused olive oils and artisan salts take seasoning to new heights. The sample station will make you a believer, and your palate will thank you.
The Barking Zoo 172 9th Ave, 212-255-0658, thebarkingzoo.com. In a city where people see pets as their children, The Barking Zoo qualifies as a canine Toys ‘R’ Us. Why not pop in for a bedazzled collar or organic treats made in NYC?
Everything But Water 1060 Madison Ave, 212-249-4052, everythingbutwater.com. Besides housing a great selection of poolside accessories and apparel, this swimwear boutique offers free appointments with their fit specialist to help you find your perfect summer bikini.
Read Between the Liness
The Bureau of General Services – Queer Division Strange Loop Gallery, 27 Orchard St, 646-457-0859, bgsqd.com. Partners Donnie Jochum and Greg Newton run the city’s newest queer bookstore with an inventory of homocentric books, underground magazines, art exhibits and discussions.
Word Up wordupbooks.com. Based in Washington Heights, this community-based multi-language collective brings books directly to readers in underserved neighborhoods. The mobile shop works on the pop-up model—see the website for its next location.
Singularity & Co. 18 Bridge St, 1G, Brooklyn, 347-460-7724, singularityshop.com. It’s 2013, but not inside this bookshop. Here, forgotten mid-century sci-fi, fantasy and pulp titles find new life in the hands of dedicated readers. The store also republishes an out-of-print title as an ebook every month, based on popular vote by SavetheSciFi.com subscribers.
Book-Off 49 W 45th St, 212-685-1410, bookoffusa.com. This used bookstore, in the shadow of the New York Public Library’s main building, offers a huge selection of books, comic books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and games. They’ll also buy your gently-loved stuff.
Desert Island 540 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, desertislandbrooklyn.com. All manner of nerdiness mingles at this Williamsburg comics shop, from the latest graphic novels to indie magazines to the store’s own “comics tabloid anthology,” Smoke Signal.
Sexual Healing
Shag Brooklyn 108 Roebling St, Brooklyn, 347-721-3302, weloveshag.com. We do love Shag, the thinking girl’s answer to sex retail. The quirky Williamsburg boutique offers high-end sex toys and accoutrements (including vibrators made from recycled materials), plus classes in rope bondage, sewing your own lingerie and G-spot stimulation.
Agent Provocateur 133 Mercer St, 212-965-0229, agentprovocateur.com. Anyone can be a sexy Bond Girl with kicks from this sophisticated, kinky British lingerie shop. The store also sells novelties like strip poker kits, rhinestone-handled riding crops and tasseled pasties.
Brooklyn Fox Lingerie 132 N 5th St, Brooklyn, 718-599-1555, brooklynfox.com. Demure teddies, garters, bras and more fill this opulent Williamsburg boutique. The shop carries extra-small to extra-large sizes, so girls of all silhouettes will find gossamer goodies to take home.
Babeland 43 Mercer St, 212-966-2120; 94 Rivington St, 212-375-1701; 462 Bergen St, Brooklyn, 718-638-3820; babeland.com. Quick, where can you get a Jimmyjane vibrator and vegan lube, STAT? Hightail it to one of Babeland’s three NYC shops for all your naughty necessities.
The Pleasure Chest 56 Seventh Ave South, 212-242-2158, thepleasurechest.com. The Village’s beloved institution proffers a mind-boggling array of vibes, dildos, BDSM gear, safe-sex stuff and bachelor/bachelorette silliness, all with a healthy sense of humor and gay-friendly attitude.
Marketing Experts
New Amsterdam Market South St between Beekman St and Peck Slip, 212-766-8688, newamsterdammarket.org. The weekly gathering takes place at a spot that was a marketplace in the 17th century. Look for top culinary purveyors like Saxelby Cheesemongers, Marlow & Daughters and Luke’s Lobsters.
LIC Flea & Food 5th St and 46th Ave, Long Island City, 718-866-8089, licflea.com. Why should Queens let Brooklyn grab all the hipster cred? The flea craze comes to Long Island City in June, focusing on a lineup of food, vintage clothes and crafts as diverse as the borough itself. Check it out on weekends through November.
Smorgasburg East River State Park, Brooklyn; and Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, no phone, brooklynflea.com. On Saturdays in Williamsburg and Sundays in DUMBO, foodies flock to this venerable festival of artisanality. Sample the homemade goods from locals like Anarchy in a Jar, Dough, SlantShack Jerky and dozens more.
Tea and Sympathy 108-110 Greenwich Ave, 212-989-9735, teaandsympathynewyork.com. Keep calm and carry a giant bag of British, Scottish and Irish treats home from this Anglophile stockist. May we suggest a kitschy Queen Elizabeth I teapot or a jar of Branston Pickle?
Where to Play
Let the Sun Shine in
Brooklyn Bridge Park Cross St., Fulton Ferry Landing, 718-802-0603, brooklynbridgepark.org. See and be seen in Brooklyn’s newest waterfront destination. There’s something for everyone: barbecue grills, a water playground for kiddies, a restored vintage carousel and wide open space for a pickup Frisbee game. And did we mention the view?
Madison Square Park Broadway and Madison Ave between E 23rd and E 26th St, 212-538-1884, madisonsquarepark.org/things-to-do/calendar. In this action-packed park, fun live music concerts just for kids take place at least once a week. Adults can chat with famed Flatiron-area chefs (July 16) or see lesbian singer-songwriter Erin McKeown headline a show on July 31.
Brooklyn Kite Festival Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1’s Harbor View Lawn, 718-222-9939, brooklynbridgepark.org. The second annual festival flies high on June 23 from 10am-2pm. Bring your own kite or buy one at the festival, and hang on tight!
Kayak on the Hudson no phone, downtownboathouse.org. One of the summer’s best-kept secrets: free kayaking lessons and outings on the Hudson River, courtesy of the Downtown Boathouse. Three locations make weekend urban boating easy.
5Pointz 45-46 Davis St, Long Island City, 5ptz.com. This graffiti-covered warehouse is a street art landmark in Queens, with tags and new designs from NYC’s emerging writers. You’ll get a great view from the 7 train. But gentrification marches on, and 5 Pointz may turn into condos before you know it.
Socrates Sculpture Park 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, 718-956-1819, socratessculpturepark.org. In addition to its outdoor sculpture installations, this Queens waterfront park offers free yoga and tai chi classes on summer weekends, plus special exhibits.
Broken Bridge II High Line Park between W 21st and W 22nd Sts, 212-206-9922, thehighline.org. Catch Nigerian artist El Anatsui’s monolithic installation on the High Line before its dismantled this summer. The pressed tin and mirrored sculpture illustrates West African cultural traditions as well as the emerging problem of consumer waste in the developing world.
Wednesday Night Skate South end of Union Square Park, 14th St between Broadway and Park Ave, no phone, weskateny.org. Meet up with scores of roller-skaters and rollerbladers for a fun two-hour skate around a Manhattan neighborhood. All skill levels can participate. Bonus: if it’s raining, the skaters spend the two hours drinking at a local pub.
Central Park Circuit Great Hill, W 106th St at Central Park West, 212-310-6600, centralparknyc.org. Trainers Rich Fortunat and Whitney Jacobs designed this challenging outdoor fitness circuit in Central Park using existing structures—benches, stairs, hills and open space. If you can’t make it to a class, download the PDF of the exercises and go your own way.
Classic Bike Tour of Brooklyn Meet at McCarren Park, Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, getupandride.com. Get Up and Ride bike tours take cyclists through Brooklyn’s scenic ‘hoods at a leisurely pace. This 12-mile tour (including several rest stops) goes through hipster country: Williamsburg, Greenpoint, DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights. Lots of extras, like a spin through the Brooklyn Navy Yard, enhance your experience.
Audubon Eco-Cruises Departs Pier 17 at South Street Seaport, 212-742-1969, nywatertaxi .com/tours/Audubon. Who knew nature was so romantic? Cruise north on the East River with Audubon Society naturalists (via Water Taxi) and view graceful egrets and herons at sunset. On the way back, you can hit the on-board bar.
Statue of Liberty Statue Cruises, Battery Park City, statuecruises.com. Lady Liberty was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy, but the iconic landmark reopens July 4. Book your ticket through Statue Cruises (the official concessionaire) or reserve an advance crown ticket through the National Park Service (nps.gov). Warning: there are 393 steps to the statue’s crown and no air conditioning. Think about it.
Good Morning America Summer Concert Series Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, gma.yahoo.com. Every Friday through the end of August, ABC’s morning crew hosts free concerts from 7-9am (get to Central Park by 6am for a good spot!). Highlights include Jennifer Lopez (July 19), Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (August 16) and Alicia Keys August 30).
Summerstage 2013 various locations, 212-360-CPSS, summerstage.org. The City Parks Foundation is back with a stellar lineup of acts from around the world, performing at parks across the five boroughs. Don’t miss Joan Baez with the Indigo Girls (June 17) in Central Park, a benefit for the Foundation; the Freedom Dance Party with special guest Cameo (July 2) in Central Park, and “Blink Your Eyes: Sekou Sundiata Revisited – longstoryshort: Remixed” with performances by Nona Hendryx, Sandra St. Victor, Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely, Faybiene Miranda and Lenelle Moise (July 3, Central Park).
Wild Medicine: Healing Plants Around The World New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Pkwy at Fordham Rd, 718-817-8700, nybg.org. Plants provide ingredients in countless modern medicines, from aspirin to cancer drugs. In this summer-long exhibition, the NYBG features 500 of live cultivars in its recreated Italian Renaissance garden, along with a display of botanical art and manuscripts.
Summer on the Hudson Riverside Park, nycgovparks.org/events/summer_on_the_hudson. A summer-long series of free events in the scenic West Side park, from outdoor yoga and zumba classes to fishing in the Hudson river to a show by the Bohemian punk/dance ensemble Bella’s Bartok (July 7).
Inside Attractions
Punk: Chaos to Couture Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave, 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org. The Costume Institute’s blockbuster looks at punk aesthetics and how politics, class and other factors influences fashion by designers like Vivienne Westwood and Karl Lagerfeld.
American Legends: From Calder to O’Keeffe Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave, 212-570-3600, whitney.org. A digestible, rotating selection from the Whitney’s immense American Art collection highlights 20th century masters. Currently on display: Alexander Calder, Joseph Cornell, Marsden Hartley, Edward Hopper, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O’Keeffe and more.
Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) 80 Hanson Pl, Brooklyn, 718-230-0492, mocada.org. This undersung gallery is a consistent source of innovation in Fort Greene, with past exhibits like eMERGING: Visual Art & Music in Post-Hip-Hop Era. Check the website for new summer offerings.
Japan Society 333 E 47th Street, 212-832-1155, japansociety.org. When summer gets you too hot and bothered, cool off in the Japan Society’s Zen ambience. New exhibits and workshops in the gallery focus on traditional woodblock printing, origami and more.
TKTS Father Duffy Square at Broadway and 47th St and one Brooklyn location, 212-912-9770, tdf.org. Score discounted, same-day tickets to the top Broadway plays and musicals and Off-Broadway shows, including this year’s Tony nominee Ann as well as perennial faves Rock of Ages, Jersey Boys and Sistahs: The Musical.
Empire State Building Observatory 350 Fifth Ave, 212-736-3100, esbnyc.com. Viewing New York City from the Empire State Building’s 85th floor or 102nd floor should be on everyone’s bucket list. The beautifully restored Art Deco lobby is worth a peek too.
Museum Cortlandt Alley between Franklin and White St, no phone, mmuseumm.com. The city’s most obscure gallery displays off ephemera from around the world. Currently on view: Screw publisher All Goldstein’s personal collection of strange junk and “Cambodian menu photo rejects.”
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Monologue Rehearsal 30 Rockefeller Plaza, no phone, latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/about/tickets. Be among the first to hear the comedian’s late-night jokes at these free rehearsals. Pick up tickets weekdays from noon-1pm in the NBC Experience store (49th St between 5th and 6th Aves) for same-day run-throughs.
Lesbians Who Tech The Dalloway, 525 Broome St, facebook.com/pages/Lesbians-Who-Tech/ 563557486990974. The monthly gathering for lesbians in the tech industry and those who love all things geeky, this upbeat mixer draws a diverse crowd of creative professionals.
The Duplex 61 Christopher St, 212-255-5438, theduplex.com. For more than 50 years, the Duplex has held a torch for classic piano bar and cabaret performances with a super-gay gloss. Catch singer/impressionist Carly Sakolove in “I Hear Voices” on June 28.
Barclays Center 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com. Some call it a neighborhood eyesore, but the incredible lineup of world-class sports and concerts at the Barclays Center is hard to dismiss. To wit: Cirque du Soleil’s “Quidam” (July 24-28), Beyonce (August 3-5) and Depeche Mode (September 6), just to name a few.
Classes at the Apple Store 103 Prince St, 212-226-3126, apple.com/retail/soho. You own an iPhone/iPad/MacBook, but do you know how to get the most out of your gadget? Apple’s SoHo store offers tutorials for your hardware as well as workshops on using Mac software like Final Cut Pro, iMovie, GarageBand and many more.
What Do You Think?