Just in Time for NYC’s Weekend: New Cocktails Menus and Cindy Sherman Exhibits
Fun things to do in NYC this weekend.
How’s Dry January going for you? Do you need a little pick-me-up on some booze-free activities? Well, luckily, you’ve come to the right place. But for those of you who are, uh, having a wetter January, never fear: New York is here for you. We have the details on where to go back to (sake) school, a beer-tasting class with New York brews, and how to find the new restaurant with the largest champagne selection in America. Read on for everything fun you can do in NYC this weekend.
And for even more fun, check out our Booze-Free Guide to NYC and dive deep into the world of urban birding clubs.
Where to Drink in NYC
January 19–20
Flatiron, $38 and up
It’s rare that a fried chicken place is the hottest opening of the month, but it’s safe to say that COQODAQ isn’t quite your ordinary drumstick spot. In a space designed by Rockwell Group to be a “fried chicken cathedral,” the elevated menu here revolves around a “feast” that also features Chicken Consommé infused with Korean red ginseng, ban-chan, and soft-serve froyo. Surprisingly, the restaurant also boasts America’s largest champagne menu, with over 400 selections available, as well as 100 sparkling wines for under $100 a bottle. Talk about a high-low night.
January 19, 6 pm–8 pm
Chelsea, $55.20
Want to impress your beer snob friends with your knowledge of local suds? Then swing by Harlem Hops’ Market 57 location this Friday, where the bar will be hosting a two-hour New York State beer tasting class. Look out for brews from Beacon’s Hudson Valley Brewery and Root + Branch Brewing from Copiague, plus a variety of bar snacks from Harlem Hops’ own menu.
January 19–21
Upper West Side; $14 a glass for wine
If you hail from the New York or Connecticut ‘burbs, you may already be familiar with The Granola Bar and its delightful breakfast parfaits. But, we’ll let you in on a secret: It’s also sneakily great during evening hours, thanks to its robust wine list and tasty sangrias. And now, you don’t even have to hop Metro North: A new location just has opened right on the Upper West Side. We’re big fans of its all-day breakfast, wine curation, and can’t-miss dinner menu with quirky share plates like Halloumi Tacos and Cashew Queso Dip.
January 19–21
City-wide, $30 –$60
If your finances are still recovering from the holidays, but packaged ramen just isn’t cutting it, we have fantastic news: NYC Restaurant Week is here to save you from sad desk lunches. From now until February 4 (yes, we know that’s more than a week), you can find prix-fixe meals at $30, $45, and $60 at over 600 participating restaurants. You can browse the full list here, but some of our favorites to sample include Chocobar Cortes and Kintsugi.
January 21, 2 pm
Sunset Park, $75
On the hunt for indoor activities for this weekend? Brooklyn Kura not only has a brand-new taproom, but has also launched the Sake Studies Center. As the name might imply, the Center not only offers certifications in sake serving, but one-off classes for those interested in learning more about the fermented rice beverage. This Sunday, the space is hosting an Introduction to Sake class, where students will learn the basics of the drink, followed by a guided tasting. Kanpai!
Where to Explore Arts and Culture in NYC
January 19–20
Soho; free
Few artists have—literally—continually reinvented themselves in the way Cindy Sherman has. The photographer, who often poses in her own photographs wearing any number of prosthetics and disguises, has the uncanny ability to make herself both disappear and appear larger than life in her work. In her new show at Hauser & Wirth’s Soho location, Sherman has used collage to create 30 new portraits of herself, all of which are both unsettling and utterly captivating.
January 19–21
East Village, $27
Maybe we’re biased, but it’s hard to think of a better city for theater lovers than ours. And for those of you who are looking to learn more about some of the industry’s most talented up-and-comers, make sure to grab tickets for this weekend’s Fire This Time Festival, which champions early-career Black writers. Presented by FRIGID New York, this year’s event features 10-minute plays from writers like Taylor A. Blackman, Kamilah Bush, and Leelee Jackson, all in the festival’s new home of The Wild
Live Music in NYC
January 20, 6 pm
Lower East Side, $33.85
A night of live music that also supports bodily autonomy? Sign us up. Head to Bowery Ballroom this Saturday night for Ground Control Touring’s Abortion Fund Benefit, where acts will include Chanel Beads, Donna Missal, DREA DJ, and many more. Even greater, 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Noise for Now, a national initiative that helps artists and entertainers support reproductive justice organizations. And heads up: Concerts will also be happening concurrently in Chicago, Nashville, LA, and Philadelphia, so even your pals outside of the city can help support.
Wellness in NYC
January 19–21
SoHo, $55 and up
This cold snap is a great excuse to pull out your favorite scarf, but it’s not doing much for your skin. Luckily, you can remedy that with the opening of Haus of Glow inside ModernHaus Soho hotel. Open from now until April, the pop-up features HigherDOSE’s Infrared Saunas, Edge Theory Labs’ cold-plunge pool, and spray tans from TAN-LUXE. Yes, it’ll still be winter when you leave, but at least your body might be dreamily in mid-June.