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Fun things to do in NYC this weekend (and all month), from Juneteenth to Pride.
By
Juliet Izon
There may not be a more celebratory month in New York City than June. We’ve got Father’s Day; we’ve got Juneteenth; and of course, we’ve got Pride. Read on for how to celebrate all of these holidays within the five boroughs, plus we’ve got the intel on the best new bar and restaurant openings, music festivals, gallery exhibits, and more.
And don’t miss our guide to nearby beaches you can reach without a car, and find out where to cool off this month, courtesy of the city’s best pools.
June 1
East Williamsburg, $55.16 and up
June in New York City is wonderful for many reasons, but one of the loudest is the abundance of outdoor concerts to which we’re treated. And the month starts off with an absolute banger: Cityfox Regenerate at Avant Gardner. The entire venue will be open for this show, with music on three stages (plus, shh, a secret stage in the Mirage lookout tower), and sets going from sunset to sunrise. It’s most definitely one of the wildest shows we’ll have all summer. Look out for big names like Cassian, Kevin de Vries, Agents of Time, and Massano.
June 1, 16, 23, 29
Central Park, Free
SummerStage is easy to love for a lot of reasons: It gives you a reason to hang out in Central Park; they always have a stellar lineup of musicians, and (best of all) it’s free. The season kicks off this year with a show from Grammy-winner Andra Day on June 1, but look out for performances from Corinne Bailey Rae (6/16), T-Pain (6/23), and the Pride Disco (6/29), among many others, over the course of the month.
June 2
Jackson Heights, Free
If you’ve ever been in New York City in June, you’ll know that the whole month is filled with Pride activities, all leading up to the Pride March on June 30. But the unofficial kick off comes much earlier, with Jackson Heights’ Queens Pride on June 2. The city’s second oldest (and second largest) pride parade celebrates its 32nd year this month, with festivities that also include tons of live entertainment and sweet merch. PS: Don’t miss our guide to the city’s best gay bars or our comprehensive list of Pride events this month.
June 2, 3 pm–12 am
East Williamsburg, $67.98 and up
One of New York City’s best all-day music events roars into town early this month, when record label All Day I Dream presents All Day I Dream of Summer Shimmer at The Brooklyn Mirage at Avant Gardner. Headlined by famed DJ Lee Burridge, other star acts will include Facundo Mohrr, Double Touch, and Dim Kelly.
June 4–9
Fort Greene, $35 and up
New York City’s most riveting dance company mounts its summer season this month, with a six-day engagement at BAM. Look out for new productions of Ronald K. Brown’s Dancing Spirit, a beautiful work in tribute to Ailey Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison; and Alonzo King’s abstract and boisterous Following the Subtle Current Upstream.
Ongoing
The Seaport, $15 and up
The tropics are calling! And luckily, they’re taking their own vacation at The Seaport. The newest bar at Pier 17, Kokos at Pearl Alley, celebrates all things beachy and all things rum, all with a waterfront view, cabanas, and live music. And if you’re a big coconut fan, you’re in luck: Plenty of the bar’s signature co*cktails from Koko’s Painkiller to the tequila-based Koko Loco, are all served inside of one. As for what to eat: We love the roaming ceviche cart, and save room for the just-boozy-enough Caribbean Rum Cake.
Starting June 7
Upper East Side, Free to enter
Lévy Gorvy Dayan is one of New York’s most beautiful galleries, housed inside a Beaux-Arts townhouse on the Upper East Side. Their last few shows have also been super cool, and the latest, Joel Mesler’s first New York exhibition, is no exception. On display over two floors will be bold new paintings, sculptures, and immersive installations from the artist, which document his childhood in LA all the way through to his adulthood.
June 7–9
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, $179 and up
Nothing signals the start of summer like outdoor music festivals and luckily, you don’t have to wait long before one rolls into town. Gov Ball arrives the second weekend in June, bringing headliners like Post Malone, Rauw Alejandro, The Killers, 21 Savage, SZA, and Peso Pluma to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. And while the music may be the biggest draw, the festival has also made a name for itself because of its awesome food and beverage lineup. Tons of New York’s buzziest restaurants, from Roberta’s Pizza to Cafe Habana will be serving up snacks, and booze from Bud Light to Aperol Spritzes will be free-flowing.
June 7, 14, 21, 28
Greenwich Village, $7 and up
What’s one of New York City’s most famous co*cktail bars? Certainly Dante NYC. And what’s one of Brooklyn’s buzziest new pizza spots? Easy, Fini Pizza. So you can imagine our excitement when we found out the two are joining forces for an epic collaboration. Every Friday this month, swing by Dante’s MacDougal Street location for aperitivo co*cktails like a Negroni Bianco alongside slices of Fini’s perfect cheese, pepperoni, and white slices. Can you think of a better start to the weekend? Neither can we.
Ongoing
Dumbo
Wander one block away from the chaos at one of New York City’s most Instagrammable intersections to Main Street Landing, a New American restaurant in Dumbo. Along with gorgeous views of the historic neighborhood’s cobblestone streets, the new hotspot has a must-try Patty Melt made with wagyu beef. There’s also weekday happy hour from 4 pm–6 pm with $1.50 oysters and draft co*cktails like the Main Street with gin and blackberry.
June 7, 22
Brooklyn Navy Yard
There’s a new spot opening just in time for summer concert season: Welcome to Brooklyn Storehouse, a joint venture between TCE Presents and the UK’s Broadwick group. Clocking in at 130,000 square feet, the event venue inside the Brooklyn Navy Yard will host everyone from Eric Prydz’s three-hour set on June 7 to Charlotte de Witte presents KNTXT on the 22nd, both in Teksupport-produced shows. Keep an eye on their cal as more shows are added.
June 8
Greenpoint, $20 and up
Dark and stormy fans rejoice: The New York Rum Festival arrives this month. The lively one-day event will include everything from educational seminars to grand tastings. And, over three dozen brands from around the world will be available to sip; grab VIP tickets to get an extra hour’s worth of tasting time.
Ongoing
Columbus Circle, $32 and up
A question we field a lot? Where to eat with the best view of Central Park. Luckily, one of the prettiest views of Manhattan’s famed green space also has food that’s worth the trip alone. Even better, Porter House has a new menu for the season, featuring appetizers like Tuna Tartare with yuzu vinaigrette; Branzino with spring squash, artichoke, and Marcona almond; and perfect warm weather desserts like Banana Cream Pie topped with malted whip cream. Don’t miss the co*cktail menu here, either: It punches well above its weight for a steakhouse with a wide range of zero-proof co*cktails and mocktails, plus reserve co*cktails like the $80 Cadillac Margarita made with Patron Gran Platinum, Grand Marnier, and lime.
Ongoing
Midtown East
One of the city’s best Northern Chinese restaurants is debuting a ton of new programming for the summer, and all of it will have you eating and drinking well. But our favorite activity is the interactive co*cktail experience, held at The Shanghai, the restaurant’s lounge. Guests learn how to mix some of Hutong’s most famed drinks, like the Dan Dan Old Fashioned, straight from the lounge’s expert bartenders. And for a fun take on midday eats, check out their new Dim Sum Library Brunch on weekends, which is inspired by classic Hong Kong parlors and features innovative dumplings like the Rosé Champagne Shrimp.
Juneteenth Events
June 13–19
Various Locations
While Juneteenth falls on a Wednesday this year, there will be plenty of programming throughout the month of June to celebrate the holiday. Check out live music and tons of food during the 15th Annual Juneteenth Festival from June 13–19, and learn more about Juneteenth’s origins as a Texan holiday at Brooklyn Museum’s Saddles and Soul: A Juneteenth Black Western Celebration on June 15.
Father’s Day Events
June 16
Various Locations
In town with your pops for his big day? Luckily, the city offers plenty of ways to pamper him, from boozy brunches to VR bonding sessions. Start off your morning with a jazz brunch at The Restaurant at Great Jones (Manhattan’s only whiskey distillery), followed by a free-roaming, multiplayer virtual reality session at Tidal Force. And if he’s in the mood for a little relaxation following that? Hop the ferry to Governors Island, where Italian-import QC NY Spa urges you to explore the concept of dolce far niente: The sweetness of doing nothing.
Ongoing
Williamsburg, $19.95 and up
The classics are a classic for a reason: They’re all hits and no skips. Which is why any steak lover shouldn’t leave New York City without hitting up Williamsburg’s famed Peter Luger. And we’ll let you in on a little secret: Swing by for lunch if you want to try the Luger-Burger, which is only available until 3:45 pm. Featuring a juicy patty that clocks in at over half-a-pound, it’s one of the most undersung of the city’s sandwiches. Oh, and grab an order of extra-thick bacon on the side: Trust us.
Ongoing
Financial District, $16 and up
We’re always excited for the opening of a new rooftop bar, but especially in downtown Manhattan, where they’re few and far between. The Financial District’s newest watering hole also happens to be one of its chicest: Say hello to Bar Tontine inside The Wall Street Hotel. With gorgeous views of Manhattan and the East River, a stellar food menu from chef John Fraser’s JF Restaurants, and a partnership with La Fête du Rosé for a tight edit of wines that are perfect for the summer season, there’s a lot to love here. But what do we love most? Right now, it’s the Wall Street Barbie co*cktail, made with pisco, lemon, raspberries, and egg white.
June 28–29
Chelsea, $25 and up
There are few places more beautiful to catch a performance than Little Island, the artificial island that juts out into the Hudson River like a chic alien spaceship. Their outdoor stage will be host to a variety of shows this summer like ROBESOИI, featuring opera singer Davóne Tines.
June 28–30
Midtown West
While it’s impossible to pick the best neighborhood in which to book a room in New York City, Central Park fans could do worse than picking a property in Midtown. And one of our favorite spots, Thompson Central Park, has just made staying there extra appealing with the launch of their Picnic in the Park program. Happening all month long, finish the last weekend of the month on a high not with cheffed-up classics like Fried Almond Butter and Orange Marmalade Sandwiches and milkshakes from the hotel’s famed Burger Joint. Guests also have access to a portable Victrola record player (and vinyl!) plus a Kodak instant camera to take some sweet snapshots.
Ongoing
Upper East Side; $125 and up
While we may not have as long a history of high tea as our neighbors across the pond, you’re unlikely to find a better selection of scones and teeny sandwiches in America outside of New York. And the city’s newest entry might also be its best: The Lowell hotel’s collaboration with Dior Maison. Held at Majorelle, the on-site restaurant, the service includes everything from warm scones with Devonshire cream and housemade clementine marmalade, to bite-sized lobster rolls. And if you’re celebrating something special (or, you know, just Saturday) upgrade to the Imperial Tea for a glass of champagne and 1 ounce of Petrossian Imperial Ossetra caviar.
Juliet Izon is a New York City and Hudson Valley-based food, travel, and design writer. She studied English Literature at Trinity College before holding staff positions at Bauer Publishing, Niche Media, and Modern Luxury. You can catch her bylines in places like Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, and Architectural Digest. Follow her onIG.
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