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Entertainment NYC

5 Things to Do Downtown

 

 

Entertainment in Downtown NYC

Downton Manhattan is a tourist’s dream. Your choice of entertainment is really only limited by your imagination. There is something for everyone on this life-affirming island. Whether you’re after a taste of history, mouth-watering food, or incredible views, you’ll find it in downtown NYC. You’ll need a few days to take it all in, so make sure you book a comfortable hotel. You’ll want to spend your downtime chilling on your comfy hotel bed watching movies or playing online casino games (no need to worry about a casino dress code) and resting your weary feet in between some truly awesome experiences.

Ride the Ferry

So where to begin? Let’s start with daytime entertainment. If the weather is good, take yourself off for a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. You’ll get glorious views of Lower Manhattan, and as an added bonus you’ll get to see the Statue of Liberty from the water – for free! So, if you don’t manage an actual visit to Ellis Island to see the Lady up close and personal, at least you’ll be able to say that you got a good look, albeit from a short distance. Having said that, if you’ve got the time and inclination, we do recommend taking that trip to Ellis Island for a proper visit. Be sure to plan your trip and book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Walk the Bridge

Visitors on a budget, fear not! There are plenty of ways to experience Downtown NYC without spending a fortune. The Staten Island ferry is free, so that’s a good start. But walking is also free. And walking across the Brooklyn Bridge will undoubtedly give you the New York feeling you’re looking for. The views are magnificent, and the experience is unforgettable. Follow that up with a visit to Battery Park and discover the parks’ monuments dedicated to soldiers, inventors, explorers, and immigrants. 

Explore the Seaport

After you’ve taken your rest, head back out and make your way to the South Street Seaport. Explore the charming, cobbled streets, gawp at the gorgeous buildings, take photos of the Brooklyn Bridge, and then stop for a bite to eat at one of the many yummy eateries that you’ll find dotted about the place. If you’re visiting in winter, look out for the ice-skating rink. Or pop into the local maritime Museum for a short, but sweet history lesson.

Dine Somewhere Historic 

When evening rolls around, you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained and well-fed. However, if you want to celebrate the occasion, head to Pier A Harbor House. You can choose to eat outside by the water for a casual dining experience (we recommend an early, sunset dinner), or you can take it up a notch and head up to the 2nd floor for a more formal dinner. Either way, you’ll get to enjoy your meal while in a historic, NYC landmark. Harbour House first opened its doors in 1886 and has since been lovingly restored to reflect its historic importance.

View the Night-Time Skyline

NYC is the city that never sleeps, so taking in views of the city at night can be just as spectacular as the city by day. Why not head up to the One World Observatory (Freedom Tower) for an incredible view of the big city in all its bright lights. During the summer season, the Observatory allows visitors to enter up to 8 pm and then stay as late as 9 pm. You certainly won’t regret an evening visit. Just as you won’t regret an evening walking tour. Plenty of tour companies offer night tours, and these can be a great way to escape the heat and bustle that comes with day tours. 

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Bars Dining Featured NYC

The Greens New Rooftop Pier 17 Summer 2020

A new rooftop food & beverage experience features 28 mini lawns for responsible alfresco dining, summer cocktails, special programming, and lawn games

Living in Lower Manhattan has so many perks when we first launched Downtown 11 years ago, we had the tagline living high in Lower Manhattan. At the time where else could you find bowling allies and indoor pools with spas, putting greens in any other place in New York City?

Even as COVID is knocking our cities every which way our incredible, developers are looking at ways to keep you safe, offer unique dining, cocktail, and relaxation opportunities. We have not had the pleasure of experiencing The Greens but we will be back to you in a few days with our top 5 years to add this to your “must-do” list for 2020 Summer.

The Greens, New York City’s premier open-air rooftop venue transforms into the ultimate outdoor dining retreat this summer. Looking for something unique and fresh versus the typical New York City summer rooftop experience, The Greens is a casual, socially distance-minded destination launching this August on The Rooftop at Pier 17®.

Why not consider fun and a beautiful scenic escape for trend-forward cocktails and seasonally focused fare against the iconic New York skyline?

The Greens comprises 28 individual 14 x 14 square-foot mini lawns to accommodate up to eight diners with cabana-style lounge chairs, an umbrella, installed Yeti Cooler for beverages, USB port for charging electronic devices and more. Designed with the health and safety of guests as a top priority, each mini lawn provides plenty of space coupled with proper cleaning procedures to dine and socialize responsibly.

Safety measures include hand sanitizers throughout the rooftop and touchless ordering directly from the guests’ personal mobile phones.

Each mini lawn features a unique QR code that when scanned will populate an online menu to order from. Chase is the preferred payment partner of The Greens. Should the mini lawns be fully occupied, the North and South patios on The Rooftop will also be open and operating for dining service with a view.

The all-day menu provided by the rooftop restaurant R17

Blending an approachable New American cuisine with a complimentary beverage program using only top-quality, seasonal ingredients. Sample dishes and cocktails include:

  • Salmon and Summer Squash Kebab, grilled with salsa verde
  • Tomato, Strawberry and Cucumber Salad, feta, sourdough, and nasturtium vinaigrette
  • Crispy Organic Chicken Sandwich, chili mayo, iceberg and tomato
  • Fish and Chips, remoulade and lemon
  • Frozen Jalapeno-Watermelon Margarita, Hornitos, jalapeno-infused watermelon juice, agave, kiwi liqueur float
  • The Sapphire, Grey Goose, blue curacao, fresh lemon juice, blackberry syrup
  • The Greens, Sipsmith Gin, basil, thyme, mint, citrus juices

 

The Greens New Rooftop Pier 17 Summer 2020
The Greens Rooftop Seaport New York

 

The Greens will also feature four gaming lawns to be enjoyed for groups of up to eight people.

Spanning 12 x 48 square feet, each gaming lawn will have available games to rent such as bocce ball, cornhole, giant Jenga, and more. Additionally, a stage featuring a 32 feet-wide LED screen capable of streaming live TV will adorn the north side of The Rooftop.

Guests can look forward to special experiences this summer including sports broadcasts, live music, and DJs as part of Seaport Sounds presented by Heineken®, and the return of Seaport Cinema, Seaport FIT and Seaport Kids programs. Throughout the season these visitor experiences and others will also be elevated through engaging consumer activations by Pier 17’s founding partners including Heineken®, Chase, Lincoln, and PepsiCo.

As part of the Seaport District’s mission to support local community initiatives, each online reservation will incur a $1 booking fee which will be donated to a local civic organization.

“With the launch of The Greens, the Seaport District has created a way for Lower Manhattan to enjoy the perks that our rooftop experience has to offer while remaining in strict compliance with social-distancing guidelines,” said Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region, The Howard Hughes Corporation®. “When the rooftop is open, public access will also remain available for all visitors as required, which this year includes shaded covered areas. We look forward to welcoming people back to the historic neighborhood this summer, and have made sure that all government guidelines have been put in place to ensure a safe and fun time for all.”

Following two memorable seasons that named The Rooftop at Pier 17 “Best New Concert Venue” by Pollstarthe 2020 Summer Concert Series will be on hiatus this year but will be returning in 2021 with a strong lineup and exciting third season.

 

 

The Greens New Rooftop Pier 17 Summer 2020
The Green Pier 17 Rooftop

The Greens – open 7 days a week from 11 am – 11 pm, weather permitting. Online reservations for the mini lawns and gaming lawns are preferred and can be made in advance by visiting Pier17ny.com.

 About The Rooftop at Pier 17®

The Rooftop at Pier 17® is New York City’s premier open-air venue set against panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan skyline. The 1.5-acre rooftop, located within the revitalized Seaport District, serves as a year-round community amenity and cultural event space accommodating a wide array of programmings such as live music, sports, movie nights, and fitness classes. R17, The Rooftop’s restaurant, and cocktail lounge, also changes its menu to coincide with The Rooftop at Pier 17’s seasonal transformations from a Winterland experience, complete with the city’s first open-air rooftop ice skating rink, to an outdoor performance venue in the summer.  Recently named a VenuesNow “All-Star” and awarded “Best New Concert Venue” by Pollstar, The Rooftop at Pier 17 hosts an annual Summer Concert Series presented by The Howard Hughes Corporation® in partnership with exclusive booking partner Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. For additional information, visit www.pier17ny.com.

 

 

Categories
Featured Lifestyle Living NYC

“Lights of Hope”

Long gone are the days when Downtown was dominated by the financial industry and the sidewalks were rolled up at 5:00 p.m., after the final call of the day. New businesses like Condé Nast, Seaport, Group M, Spotify, 10 Corso Como, Uber, Zola, have brought a vibrant, young and family-focused workforce with them.

Once again, Downtowners have banded together to send a message to the world. We have been publishing for 11 years now, and the changes we have witnessed and been a part of are epic. It’s difficult to report on the tragic news but, with tragedy, there is always triumph. Here in Lower Manhattan, like the rest of New York, we bounce back.

“Lights of Hope” Buildings in Lower Manhattan to Shine in Red, White, and Blue

 

Lights of Hope
Photo by Kirit Prajapati

 

One World Trade Center, Pier 17 at the Seaport District, Brookfield Place, 111 and 115 Broadway, 55 Water Street and 20 Exchange Place will be lighting up in red, white, and blue to show hope and solidarity, while other Downtown buildings are working to join them over the next several days. Buildings throughout the entire city are encouraged to follow suit and add their own “lights of hope.”

“This is a moment to band together, show pride in a tough time, and light up the Lower Manhattan skyline with hope,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “Whether it’s red, white and blue or with a single white beacon, buildings across Lower Manhattan will light themselves in honor of our determination to endure and recover.”

One of the initiating property owners offered this:

“In this time of need, we as New Yorkers and Americans are looking for symbols of hope – both in our communities and across the country,” said Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We Wanted to unite our community and light up the buildings of Lower Manhattan together to show our solidarity, our resiliency, and our persistent hope for the future.”

We as a city and world have gone through a lot in the past 20 years, the greatest trait is that we always come out on the other side stronger and better than before. Thank you to our leaders mentioned in this piece, and thank you to all who believe in hope!

See More

Development: Downtown’s New Diversity

Pier 17 Promises To Reopen The Waterfront

The “Big U” to Protect Lower Manhattan

Sale of 1 Chase Plaza Another Sign of Upturn in Downtown Real Estate

Categories
Bars Dining Featured

Seaport Food Lab – a different gastronomic experience at a cocktail party

Seaport Food Lab, a pop-up cocktail party, took place at Pier 17 Rooftop bar R17, from October 22nd and November 23rd. Attendees taste drink mixtures by acclaimed mixologists, as well as unique food creations by chefs Mark Ladner and Wylie Dufresne (Du’s Donuts owner). A new mixologist takes over each week, and the chefs design new menus to match the drink menu.

Downtown Magazine had the chance to experience the last week of Food Lab. The mixologist in residence was Ivy Mix, co-owner of Brooklyn’s Leyenda and named Best American Bartender in 2015 by Tales of the Cocktail. She celebrated her passion for Latin America with great mixes.

The flavors selected by the chefs created an amazing and fun gastronomic experience with dishes like “Puffed Cheddar Cheese Doodles” and the “Foiecamole,” a combination of foie gras, avocado, and other seasonings. Also, check out chef Wylie’s Dufresne’s tequila donut, which was definitely a hit! Chef Mark Ladner even challenge people to experience shots of a special olive oil – and it actually tastes good! 

Check out the video with some of the event’s highlights:

 

 

Categories
Culture Events Featured

Check Out The Cutest Dog Costumes in All of NYC

Photos by Eddy Garay

The Cutest Dog Costumes in All NYC, Ranked

Barktoberfest 2019 is over; everybody won. Well, we all got to see adorable dogs in great costumes, but only some of those dogs won prizes. Over the course of the evening, ten top dogs won nine prizes for their puppy parents. It was a tough competition, but it wasn’t because of the rain; our judges had to choose between more participants than ever before! More than 80 pups and 200 people showed up for Downtown’s biggest Barktoberfest event.

The Event

On October 29th, hundreds of pups and people descended on the Seaport at Pier 17 for Barktoberfest, a canine costume party celebration. The event was hosted by Downtown Magazine and POOCHI NYC. Downtown Magazine’s Pawblisher Barclay publishes his own column in the magazine. POOCHI NYC is a professional dog-walking service offering memberships to NYC Pawrents with pooches at home. 

The event featured snacks, “BarkTinis,” and more, including snacks from Industry Kitchen, Grandaisy Bakery, and Insomnia Cookies.

Sponsors included: Downtown Magazine, POOCHI NYC, Seaport District NYC, Social Tees Animal Rescue, Four Seasons, SYNLawn, BARK, Frédéric Fekkai, WellPup, Worth Street Veterinary Center, Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, Pet Plate, Tribeca Grill, Zoo Snoods, and Insomnia Cookies.

The Competition

A group of seven expert judges chose winners for 6 categories and three runners up, with prizes for all.

The Judges:

Saul Scherl Executive Vice President Howard Hughes Corp

“Elizabeth Velez Developer Velez Organization

Mimi Fisher Stylist 

“Dr. DiPolo” Worth Street Vet 

“Kiana Martinez Mitchel Gold Bob Williams 

Christie Huus Christie Huus, Vice-Chair Seaport Museum 

Martin Kesselman Founder InColour

The Winners

We know this is why you’re really here: the puppy pictures. We don’t blame you.

Our Runners Pup:

Runners up received a one-year subscription to Downtown Magazine. For one year, they will able to learn about all of the cool stuff happening downtown, and their furry friends can learn about local doggie do’s with Barclay’s Spot.

Our first runner up was dressed as General Leia, our favorite Disney princess.
Dumbo puppy

7th Place

Our 7th place winners were a tag-team, a pair of partners. These army pups won their owner a gift basket from Eatily.

6th Place

This went to a pair of owners, and one adorable infomercial of a pup. This chia pet won its owners a trip to the Fabio Doti Salon on Wall Street.

This pet really grew on our judges.

5th Place

This next pup was a Prime choice for 5th place. This Amazon Prime Pup won our hearts, as well as a Gift Certificate for Worth Street Veterinary Center.

This dog delivers joy to your heart in two days or less.

4th Place

This princely participant won his owner a hair makeover from Fredric Fekkai with David Cotteblanche.

3rd Place

Our third-place winner was also our “funniest costume.” It makes a lot of sense–this pup is a real joker. Pepper won himself a beautiful new dog bed from MGBW.

Joker Pup

2nd Place

Our second-place winner is also competing in another contest, a heated political bout that won this dog “Best Headline-of-the-Day” costume. Bernie Sanders himself came down to the competition, looking a little furrier than usual, to collect a dinner for four at the Tribeca Grill.

Pup
Senator Sanders posing after a tough competition.

1st Prize

First prize went to a repeat pup. Last year’s winner (she was a fortune teller) returned as a grandma. If you think the costume is impressive, you should have seen her walk her walker on her hind legs. This walker-walking pup’s parent will walk away with an overnight stay at the Four Seasons.

Pup

Some Other Highlights

Some candid pics of some other participants. Nobody was a loser with awesome costumes like these.

Categories
Dining Events Featured

Upcoming Event: 10TH ANNUAL TASTE OF THE SEAPORT

By Fernanda Mueller

Taste of the Seaport
Image Courtesy of Clay Williams

Downtown’s food festival, ‘Taste of the Seaport,’ will return for the 10th year of food, fun, and fundraising on Saturday, October 19th. Taste of the Seaport brings together over 40 of the best restaurants in Lower Manhattan and showcases an array of local vendors, artisans, entertainers, and family-friendly activities, making it the perfect day out for children and adults alike.

When?

October 19, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Where?

Pier 16 and 17 in the Seaport District.

Tickets:

$40 in advance or $45 the day of the event.

A ticket provides 5 “tastes”.

A “taste” is a delicious sample of food.

More than an amuse-bouche, less than a full appetizer.

The family pack allows for 20 dishes to sample from (enough to share between 2 adults and 2 children).

The 5 tastes ticket is usually enough for one person.

Special VIP sections this year:


  • $750 – VIP Family Table – Seats 4, includes Beer and Wine, 4 tickets (5 tastes per ticket), personal food runners, reserved seating, gift bag

  • $1000 – VIP Friends Table – Seats 6, includes Beer and Wine, 6 tickets (5 tastes per ticket), personal food runners, reserved seating, gift bag

    For more information about the festival and tickets, go to: www.tasteoftheseaport.org