August is like the Sunday of summer, so why not get the most of out this month? There’s still so much fun to be had, even as summer winds down to a slow and humid crawl.
Here are some ideas to have a great and wallet-friendly summer right here in North Brooklyn: Continue reading
The ‘hood’s whole animal butcher The Meat Hook (397 Graham Ave) has brought back their summer backyard BBQ series on Thursdays through mid-September. Each week they’re collaborating with a different restaurant and brewery to bring you some tasty grub and bevs. This week, Thursday, August 16th, they’ll be collaborating with Okonomi/Yuji Ramen (150 Ainslie St) and local KCBC beer. Continue reading
The weather is getting warmer and we can finally breakup for good with Mr. Nor’Easter. This summery breath of fresh air means it’s the start of rosé season. We asked Lily Peachin of Dandelion Wine Shop (153 Franklin Street) for some blush-colored wine recommendations for any occasion from a backyard BBQ to a rooftop romantic soiree. She notes, “Keep in mind that it’s still early in the season, and we’ll have a lot more variety in the next several weeks.” Read on for her favorites!
Rolling Summer Rosé – $25
This rosé of Gamay from Washington State is made by our dear friends at Division Winemaking Company in Portland, Oregon, after a few Dandelion employees dreamed up a bar that played only music of The Rolling Stones and Donna Summer which we would call “Rolling Summer”—while drinking beer in a bar in Paris called Some Girls, named after The Rolling Stones’ album “Some Girls”. We didn’t make the bar happen, but we did create a label for this rosé at least. It was a beautiful moment in time shared by friends who no longer work together, but the wine lives on! Snappy red fruit and zingy acidity make this a great food wine. Continue reading
Giordanne Salley spends a few weeks each summer out of the city. She retreats to the rocky coastlines and glacier-carved forests of our Northeastern-most state. There, she quickly assumes the circadian rhythms of nature, in part, encouraged by a lack of cell phone reception. Swimming, kayaking, and hiking, Salley studies the sun and changing colors of the day. Upon returning to New York she begins painting these summer experiences. Nude figures running freely among raw pebbly beaches, silky waters, and deciduous brush; Giordanne has managed to transport the spirit of the spruce islands to her Greenpoint studio.
Greenpointers: When were you first exposed to art as a child?
Giordanne Salley: I am originally from Southwest Ohio. My parents took us to the Dayton Art Institute on the weekends which had an interesting collection of art for a city of its size. We would picnic in the gardens and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the various exhibits. I remember once looking at a Josef Albers’ red square painting and wondering why it was in a museum. I find it ironic now because I’ve taken color theory classes and really appreciate his work. Being homeschooled until the sixth grade, my parents always encouraged me to take on any form of self-expression I wanted. I was constantly being supplied with paper and drawing tools. I could organize my time differently than kids in school, and was able to spend a lot of time exploring nature. This remains very important to me and my paintings.
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North Brooklyn may not have the vast green destination of Prospect Park, but there are several scattered parks that are perfect for picnics. We’ve put together a list of places that offer take away options to full-service picnic gear that can make a day laying in the grass so much more enjoyable. Whether you plan to lay out a blanket or just sit on your jacket, these bites are quick and easy for a meal in the park. Continue reading
McCarren Park Pool | 776 Lorimer Street
Pro tips: Now open through Labor Day. Get ready to mix and mingle with your neighbors of all backgrounds and ages. The semi-recently restored pool is perfect to take a dip on the hottest days of the year. It’s FREE, but there are rules. You need to bring your own lock, a towel, wear all white (if you plan to don a t-shirt or coverup) and should leave your cellphone at home. We recommend getting an ice cream bar from a park vendor post-plunge (there are no food vendors inside the pool). See what we said last year for the full lowdown on how best to prepare yo’self.
Metropolitan Swimming Pool | Bedford & Metropolitan Ave.
Pro tips: Annual membership costs $150 for adults, and $25 for seniors (ages 62 and older), $25 for young adults (ages 18-24). Membership is free for under-18’s. There are designated community swim hours.
Greenpoint YMCA | 99 Meserole Ave.
Pro tips: $175 for a Summer Fun Pass for pool access from now through August 31st. The fun pass also includes access to the gym and sauna/steam rooms. Seems like a good deal. Note, you should bring a bathing cap to swim.
Brooklyn Athletic Club | 8 Berry Street
Pro tips: This gym has private training pools, which you can book 30-minute sessions in even if you’re not a member. A pool package of 10 sessions is available for $239.
The McCarren Hotel | 160 N 12th Street
Pro tips: Leave your screaming mini-me’s at home: children are not allowed at the McCarren Hotel’s ground floor pool (unless you are a guest of the hotel). If you don’t book a room at the hotel, the lowest price access is $55 for an individual day pass (weekday per person price is $55; weekend is $65), up to $200 per person for VIP service for a group of 10 (weekend group price is $2000 for group of 10; weekday group price is $1750). FYI: “No topless tanning,” and you can only book up to 48 hours in advance, unless you’re booking a Day Bed ($150 per person weekday; $175 per person weekend; slightly cheaper if you book a daybed for 2) or package, in which case you have 2 weeks advance to book.
Pool @ The William Vale | 111 N 12th St
Pro tips: Book a room (currently listed at $259) for a staycation and unrestricted access to the pool, or book a day pass. Day passes include reserved seating in a pergola, daybed or cabana, but will run you at minimum $67 per person (weekday, with 6 people), up to $90 (weekend, with 2 people). The Vale pool is a “60-foot outdoor pool with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Snacks, light fare, and cocktails are served poolside under the direction of award-winning Chef Andrew Carmellini.”
Honorable Mention—Playgrounds with kid-friendly water features:
McCarren Park (Manhattan between Driggs & Engert), McGolrick Park (Nassau & Russell), American Playground (Franklin between Milton & Noble), Greenpoint Playground (Franklin between Commercial & Dupont), Transmitter Park (Greenpoint Ave @ the water), Cooper Park (Maspeth & Morgan), Jamie Campiz Playground (Marcy & Metropolitan)
WHAT: 13th Annual FREE Summer Starz Movies
WHEN: Fridays, July 7th to August 11th, 8pm
WHERE: Transmitter Park, Greenpoint
COST: FREE!
School’s almost out and Town Square’s free family movie nights are back for the summer. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for these six Friday nights, starting with Guardians of the Galaxy coming up next week on July 7th. Bring a picnic blanket, your friends & family to Transmitter Park on the gorgeous Greenpoint waterfront.
Check out our roundup of summer outdoor movies here. This Friday June 30th there’s a French film screening at Transmitter, and next Wednesday Mean Girls will be at McCarren.
Are you the style queen or king of minimalism? Oak (55 Nassau Ave) has a pack of too-cool-for-school pieces that are perf for Greenpointers with a streamlined capsule wardrobe. With their simple-but-chic with rough around the edges aesthetic, it’s no wonder that this shop is a Greenpoint mainstay.
Browse some of our top picks for major swag and style.
It’s summer, y’all (temps almost broke 90 today so we can officially say that now), which means it’s time to get your butts out there and see some live music and DJs. North Brooklyn is awash with options this year, some of them free and some of them not so free, but all of them are awesome. We’ve got rooftop parties, music festival afterparties, soul and rap legends, indie bands, pizza and tacos galore. Also, booze. Check out our roundup of this season’s seriously massive music lineup.
GOVERNORS BALL AFTER DARK | Various venues around North Brooklyn & Manhattan
Governors Ball is back again this year on June 2-4, and the epic music fest is also serving up some awesome night shows too, and most of them happen to be right here in North Brooklyn. Some shows are already sold out, so either jump on some Craigslist tickets or try to snag some for the shows with tix still left!
Here’s the lineup of shows in our ‘hood:
Thursday June 1:
CHARLES BRADLEY @ BROOKLYN BOWL (61 Wythe Ave) // 8pm // Sold Out
Friday June 2:
RÜFÜS DU SOL (DJ SET) @ SCHIMANSKI (54 N 11th St) //10pm // Sold Out
MUNA @ BROOKLYN BOWL (61 Wythe Ave) // 1130pm // $20 tickets
ROOSEVELT @ BROOKLYN BAZAAR (150 Greenpoint Ave) // 11:59pm // $16 tickets
WELLES @ KNITTING FACTORY (361 Metropolitan Ave) // 1130pm // $12 tickets
MARK RONSON X KEVIN PARKER @ OUTPUT (74 Wythe Ave) // 10pm // $15-25 tickets
Saturday June 3:
THE AVALANCHES @ BROOKLYN BOWL (61 Wythe Ave) // 1130pm // Sold Out
PARQUET COURTS @ VILLAIN (307 Kent Ave) // 11pm // $20 tickets
ROYAL BLOOD @ WARSAW (261 Driggs Ave) // 11:59pm // Sold Out
YG, CHARLI XCX & ANIK KHAN @ SCHIMANSKI (54 N 11th St) // 10pm // $25-30 tickets
THE ORWELLS @ KNITTING FACTORY (361 Metropolitan Ave) // 11:59PM // $15 tickets
Monday June 5:
FRANZ FERDINAND @ WARSAW (261 Driggs Ave) // 8pm // Sold Out
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