NYC Social Clubs Guide

The Union Club

The Union Club is New York city’s first private social club, founded in 1836. Its first roster of members originally boasted 250 “gentlemen of social distinction,” including ex-mayor Philip Hone. Modeled after popular private clubs in London at the time, the Union Club grew quickly to include 400 members of New York’s high society. The club’s first locations were in modern-day Tribeca and Soho and featured dining rooms for socialization and rooms for cards, cribbage, euchre, backgammon, and other popular games. 

The union club is now located at the intersection of 69th Street and Park Avenue and is open to all genders. All patrons of the club must abide by a dress code – men must wear jackets and ties (in almost all parts of the club) and women must wear suits, dresses, or tailored pantsuits. For the squash courts, white clothing and collared shirts are required. If a guest is not properly dressed, they’ll have to enter from the 69th Street service entrance. Much like many private social clubs, the usage of handheld electronic devices is strictly prohibited in all common areas. Guests who wish to place calls must use the telephone booths located throughout the building. Membership to the Union Club is said to be $5,000 a year and is by invitation only. 

The Metropolitan Club

Founded in February of 1891 by a group of gentlemen previously engaged at the Knickerbocker Club, the Metropolitan Club was formed over a dinner arranged between powerful and influential men. With men carrying surnames such as Vanderbilt, Sturgis, and Roosevelt, these powerful men signed articles of affiliation over dinner, bringing the club to fruition and appointing J.P. Morgan as the first president. The founding members were so wealthy that the financing for the club took only a month, after each of the founding members contributed $5,000 each. 

Notable members in the Metropolitan Club’s history include Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan. Membership remains $5,000, and rules at the club remain restrictive in terms of dress code and technology use. Much like the Union Club, gentlemen are required to wear jackets and ties at all times, and women must wear dresses, skirts, dressy pantsuits, or business pantsuits. No phones or laptops are allowed inside the club whatsoever, allowing members to socialize and network without the pressure of social media or outside communication. 

The Metropolitan Club has three main floors in addition to a sixth floor penthouse, and hosts a variety of events for non-profit organizations and charities in its beautiful headquarters. The first floor features a great hall and main bar, with the second floor expanding to include a library, billiard room, and card room. The third floor features a large ballroom with a capacity of 400 guests. The Metropolitan Club website boasts that they can seat up to 340 guests and hold receptions for up to 1100 people. The club’s glamorous headquarters can also serve as the backdrop for weddings – be it a beautiful ceremony in the courtyard or a bustling reception in the ballroom.

The Yale Club 

Started in 1897, The Yale Club is an exclusive social club for Yale students and alumni. In the days before LinkedIn, the club was created to give space to Yale graduates to socialize and network. The club has changed locations over the years but now sits in the heart of Midtown Manhattan near Grand Central Station in a building with 22 floors at 50 Vanderbilt Avenue. To this day it remains the only Yale Club with a physical location. It is now one of the largest clubhouses in the world, and the largest collegiate affiliated private social club. Anyone who has graduated from Yale is welcome to join the club, and anyone who doesn’t hold the prestigious ivy league degree is kindly asked to refrain from membership. Members, however, are able to add spouses to their membership for just $310.00 per year. 

The clubhouse, much like other clubs, offers overnight accommodations, fitness facilities, a dining room, library, and bar. The fitness facilities come with additional costs – either $18.00 per visit or $154 per quarter. While the Yale Club in New York City has only one location, members can also benefit from access to reciprocal clubs in over 15 countries and 20 U.S. states. The club does hold events such as weddings and galas, but usage is restricted to member and member-sponsored events. 

The Cosmopolitan Club

Though many private social clubs of the 20th and 21st century were open to exclusively men, not all private social clubs were “boys clubs.” The Cosmopolitan club (nicknamed “The Cos”) began in 1907 by a mother named Ethel Hoyt, after she realized her socialite daughter had nowhere to go during her few free hours a day. Two years later, a group of socialite women came together to create space to gather and socialize. In response to its male counterpart clubs such as The Union Club or The Metropolitan Club,  The Cosmopolitan Club was created to make space for distinguished women in their respective fields. Notable previous members include Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Hayes, and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. The club website defines it as a place to gather “outside the routine” of home and office and “nourish the intellect” of members. The Cosmopolitan club self-identifies as a place for women to “exercise their artistic impulses; cultivate friends; and freely exchange ideas.”

Unlike many other social clubs in New York City, casual dress is permitted at The Cosmopolitan Club from 7-11 A.M. For other hours of the day, men must be in coats or jackets and women must wear tailored pants, suits, and dresses. While cell phone use is not prohibited, it is restricted to “silent mode” when in the clubhouse. In addition to social events, “The Cos” also holds classes and lectures, making it a true hub of studied individuals in a variety of fields. The scope of classes offered is very wide, ranging from pilates and barre to lectures from political pundits and media superstars. Membership is exclusive and the fees for membership are not public. For those who are interested in joining, it is best to have a contact within the club or have a membership to a U.S. based reciprocal club.

Soho House

SoHo House is a private social club that has a variety of locations all around the world.  Renowned for its connections to artists and creatives, the club has created its own network of professionals and socialites. SoHo House’s first Manhattan location is in the Meatpacking District, features a rooftop (with a pool), a dining room, spa, a vinyl room, drawing room, and a screening room for new films. Whereas some social clubs restrict phones and laptops entirely, laptops are permitted until 6 P.M. daily in the drawing room and vinyl room, except when there is an event taking place. Phone calls are permitted by the elevators, stairwells, and in the vinyl room until 6 P.M. as well, making this suitable for workspace as well as socialization. 

SoHo house offers a variety of different membership options, including an “under 27” discount for young people. Members can choose between belonging to SoHo House, Studios, or “SoHo Friends,” all coming with a variety of different benefits and levels of access. Given that SoHo house has a network of clubhouses all over the world, individuals can also choose between belonging solely to their local house, or paying an additional fee for access and usage of all of the SoHo House spaces. For the New York City clubhouse, annual membership (with no discounts) runs just over $2,500. To gain access to all SoHo houses, annual membership rises to $4,355. Anyone can apply to be a member – the application takes only fifteen minutes to fill out and includes proof of personal identification and a short personal statement. 

Are Private Social Clubs a Relic of the Past?

Though the social clubs of the late 1890’s may seem antiquated, the social networks formed at these clubs have been a primary driving force of the finance, art, and political industries. Today, many of these private clubs are open to both men and women and create space away from ringing phones and buzzing laptops, where socialites and professionals can network and relax away from home. Though membership can be steep in price (or sometimes entirely unavailable due to educational restrictions or social status), membership to these clubs can allow individuals to reap great benefits. Whether hosting a private event, enjoying a business luncheon, or staying a weekend in the city, visiting any of these private social clubs is sure to evoke envy from outsiders. Each club has its own unique attributes and idiosyncrasies, allowing members to choose a club that suits their personal interests and desires. Whether or not you are an Ivy League graduate, there is sure to be a social club to suit your needs.

The post A Guide to NYC’s Best Private Social Clubs appeared first on CitySignal.

Best Clubs in New York City

 

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1.) House of Yes

For a surreal, extravagant, out-of-this-world clubbing adventure, make Bushwick’s House of Yes your very first stop. Part nightclub and part “circus theatre,” House of Yes offers an outlandish, fantastical experience to visitors that feels like stepping into another world. Aerial dancers hang from streamers near the club’s massive stage, which is used to host weekly events such as drag performances, variety shows, and even art bazaars. But beyond its vibrant trappings and exciting programming, it is truly the unique culture of House of Yes that keeps its devoted revelers coming back again and again. House of Yes encourages camp, debauchery, and extravagance as a celebration of freedom and self-expression, and the unique atmosphere of this never-ending costume ball will help even the most trepidatious and tight-laced patrons release their inhibitions and cut loose. 

 

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2.) Le Bain

Perched atop the Standard High Line hotel in the heart of the Meatpacking District, Le Bain is known for its stunning city views and somewhat infamous jacuzzi. Come up during the “Sunset Hours” in the late afternoon to enjoy some of Le Bain’s house-made crepes and soak up the sun on the roof, and stay on through the 10 p.m.–4 a.m. “late night” hours as the pleasant outdoor lounge transforms into a bustling discothèque. Le Bain is open seven nights a week during the summers, with terrace access dependent on weather conditions, and they also frequently host themed parties and sets by up-and-coming DJs. If you decide to slip into the hot tub, just keep an eye on your belongings—and not soak until you turn into a prune.

 

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3.) Avant Gardner

A favorite from Williamsburg’s bustling scene, Avant Gardner could perhaps better be described as a compound than a club: offering more than 80,000 square feet of party space spread between four different full-sized dance halls, including the stunning rooftop courtyard known as the Brooklyn Mirage, Avant Gardner occupies a full city block. The performances by their carefully-curated lineup of artists and DJs (often skewing toward electronic dance music) are enhanced by a dizzying arsenal of strobe lights and projections. With dozens of monthly events in its various venues, any visitor is bound to find something that catches their interest—and, with a total capacity of nearly 6,000, there’s room for everyone to join the party.

 

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4.) 1 Oak

The nightclub game can be a brutal industry—trends change quickly as clubbers constantly chase the newest craze, and even the hottest of new venues will often end up empty and near bankruptcy within a few years. The longevity of Chelsea’s 1 OAK, a mainstay on the NYC nightclub circuit for the past fifteen years, speaks to its status as one of the city’s best-run and most celebrated clubs. Their reputation has been reinforced by their impressive roster of celebrity guests such as the Weekend, Bruno Mars, and Justin Bieber—longtime fan Jay-Z even chose to immortalize 1 OAK in a lyric from “Beach is Better.” 1 OAK, unsurprisingly, is also known for its star-studded roster of DJs. The secret to the club’s success has been its ability to keep its fingers on the pulse of new trends and even to initiate new ones by taking a chance on fresh talent, so you can show up with the assurance that they’ll be bumping something exciting. 

 

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5.) Black Flamingo

When you visit Black Flamingo, you will have the pleasure of encountering one of Williamsburg’s most high-spirited nightclubs and the neighborhood’s tastiest Mexican restaurants. Fortify yourself for the night’s festivities at Ensenada upstairs, where you can feast on a variety of Tex-Mex dishes (the restaurant formerly maintained an all-vegan menu but began incorporating seafood last year), and then head downstairs to tear up the dance floor while enjoying fresh, delicious, and authentic mescal and cocktails from the bar. Be aware that Black Flamingo is currently only open on Fridays and Saturdays and on certain Thursday evenings when they have events running. The atmosphere at Black Flamingo is always relaxed and fun, so this is a great option for anyone new to clubbing and intimidated by the idea of dealing with bottle service and bouncers.

 

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6.) Trans-Pecos

While Manhattan and Brooklyn have a chokehold on the city’s nightlife scene, it would be a mistake to overlook the offerings found in other boroughs. Trans-Pecos, found in the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood, is one such gem. The club includes a bar and a built-in Vietnamese restaurant, but the real party can be found downstairs, where the venue’s underground stage plays host to various live performances and spectacular DJ sets.

If the basement dance floor gets too hot, you can also take advantage of the club’s outdoor patio to cool off and down a few drinks before you dive back into the crowd. This club is particularly unique because of its status as an “all-ages” venue, as Trans-Pecos owners feel passionate about ensuring that their music and events are accessible for everyone to enjoy. Trans-Pecos also prides itself on its community involvement. The club has partnered with a roster of nearby organizations to host community activities such as weekly morning yoga and even serves as the home base for the local “Solarpunk Magic Computer Club.”

 

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7.) Paul’s Cocktail Lounge

Paul Sevigny is constantly curating high-class, glitzy nightlife experiences in New York, and Paul’s Cocktail Lounge, affectionately nicknamed “Paul’s Baby Grand” for its elegance and rather intimate size, is perhaps his greatest creation. Its Tribeca location at the Roxy Hotel deliberately sets it apart from the main downtown clubbing drag, as Paul’s greatly emphasizes exclusivity. This is by far the most difficult club on this list to enter—even good looks and heaps of cash aren’t guaranteed to get you through the door because Paul’s bouncers are very selective about the “vibe” of the people they choose to admit. If you do get inside, you’ll be treated to grad-A elegance as servers pass around cocktails on silver trays and guests lounge on stylish pink chaises (Sevigny’s sister Chloë contributed to the interior design). At 2 a.m. each night, a disco ball is raised above the crowd in a fond gesture to the city’s beloved discothèques of old.

 

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8.) Nowadays

Now located at the edge of Ridgewood near the border of Brooklyn, Nowadays first began as a roaming outdoor party known as “Mister Saturday Night” that bounced between various city parks. After Mister Saturday Night organizers Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin purchased a permanent outdoor partying ground in 2015, adjoined by an additional indoor warehouse dance hall, Nowadays was born. The multi-use facility hosts sprawling outdoor dance parties every Sunday afternoon from mid-May to late October and various indoor and outdoor events year-round.

Their “Safer Space” policy also helps to protect visitors from harassment and discrimination of any kind. While Nowadays’ indoor events are more than worthwhile, their most unique offering is most definitely their outdoor “Mister Sunday” party. Swing by to enjoy live music, great dancing, local beers, and barbecue-style food in an upbeat, festive atmosphere.

 

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9.) The Jane Ballroom

Tucked against the Hudson River on the edge of the Meatpacking District, The Jane is most famous for sheltering survivors from the Titanic following the ship’s sinking in 1919. Walking into the hotel’s bustling ballroom, with its antique aesthetic, opulent full-length velvet curtains, and cavernous fireplace feels like stepping back in time to that fateful day. Don’t start thinking that The Jane is too hoity-toity, however. As the morning hour creeps closer, you’re bound to observe revelers dancing atop every bit of the ballroom’s impeccable vintage furniture. The bar serves high-class cocktails and a healthy menu of wine and champagne alongside the usual roster of more budget-friendly club drinks. If you’re looking for a wild party hidden inside elegant trappings, The Jane is the place for you.

 

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10.) Good Room

At Good Room in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, it’s good vibes only. While some clubs hold exclusivity as a badge of honor, the folks behind Good Room are more interested in creating the most inclusive environment possible for clubbers to enjoy. Founded “by music lovers, for music lovers,” Good Room consists of two separate dance floors with different DJs so that patrons can choose which they prefer to dance to. As a bonus, the Good Room even has a coat check. The establishment has a strict zero-tolerance policy for racism, homophobia, and discrimination. Bigotry and pretentiousness have no place here—you come to Good Room to have an honest good time, or you don’t come at all.

 

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11.) Marquee

One of the premier gay nightclubs in New York, Marquee is a 5,000-square-foot haven of neon, steel, and leather right in the heart of Chelsea. The ceiling of the primary dance floor consists of a geometric grid of reflective, glowing cubes that send fragments of light from Marquee’s complicated projection system bouncing erratically across the walls. DJs and entertainers of all stripes—including dancers, fire breathers, and acrobats—perform on the elevated catwalk overhead. Marquee cultivates a very trendy crowd, and its dress code is strictly enforced at the door, so plan ahead to make sure you’re not turned away for wearing casual or athletic attire. (Note that there is a blanket ban on shorts for male patrons.) Those willing to dress up and pay for their admittedly pricey drinks will be rewarded with complete immersion in Marquee’s utterly electric atmosphere. 

 

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12.) Elsewhere

Operating out of a refurbished warehouse not far from Flushing Avenue, Elsewhere is about as “Bushwick” as Bushwick gets. The large interior is split up into three floors’ worth of dance and performance spaces, including a small cafe known as The Loft that provides sustenance and sanctuary for revelers who have partied to the point of excess. Elsewhere’s real highlight is its rooftop dance floor, which offers beautiful views of the Brooklyn cityscape and comfortably accommodates up to 500 people.

While you’ll hear plenty of DJ sets, Elsewhere places a bit more emphasis on live performances than most other comparable nightclubs and makes it a particular point of pride to offer opportunities to up-and-coming musical acts. Elsewhere also has a well-earned reputation for being a diverse and welcoming community: their motto is “come as you are,” and they have a strict harassment policy to protect visitors from all walks of life. Elsewhere is the place to be for those who enjoy positive vibes, affordable drinks, and “underground and unbound” music. 

 

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13.) PHD Midtown

With the streets around Times Square constantly clotted with tourists, Midtown is not generally regarded as a prime location for the fast-past clubbing crowd. PHD Midtown, owned by the same management team behind Marquee, Tao, and other staples of NYC’s nightlife, aims to change that.

Perched within Dream Midtown (PHD’s other location is found in another Dream hotel in Chelsea), PHD Midtown consists of two different spaces. The open-air rooftop terrace on the sixteenth floor is stocked with greenery and miniature cocktail tables and treats visitors to gorgeous views of the glittering skyscrapers on all sides. The gilded, marble-walled indoor bar space on the floor below serves delicious craft cocktails and creates a more intimate setting for conversation. The bar bites offered here are upscale takes on your usual pub grub: think wagyu beef sliders, filet mignon skewers, and crispy mac & cheese balls made with truffle aioli, white cheddar, and parmesan. The patrons here lean more toward the business crowd, so underdressing is a massive faux pas that will not be tolerated. 

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The streets that make up Bed-Stuy, a celebrated neighborhood in North Brooklyn, are lined with historic brownstones and brick-front housing dating back to before World War I. Composed of four smaller neighborhoods, Bedford, Stuyvesant Heights, Ocean Hill, and Weeksville (or Crown Heights), the area is an epicenter for Black and African American culture in Brooklyn, even with recent shifts in demographics and living expenses thanks to gentrification.  An organization with deep roots in the community is fighting to preserve these historically Black neighborhoods and homes, fighting fiercely for the survival of the community; the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

With the original goal of helping to revitalize the Bed-Stuy community through building a strong base of Black home-owners in the area, the Brownstoners, a “hands-on organization,” has been deeply involved in the community since the late 70s, with programs that focus on education, economic development, housing, and community activism.

This year, with their 44th Annual Bed-Stuy House Tour Scholarship Fundraiser, “Preserving Our Legacy, While Embracing Our Future,” the organization offers a chance to tour six historic homes in the Bed-Stuyvesant neighborhood: all with the goal of sparking renewed pride in the homeownership within the community and encourage those who have relocated from the neighborhood a chance to “come on home to Bed-Stuy.” Take a peek below at last year’s featured homes.

A Short History of Bedford-Stuyvesant

Bedford-Stuyvesant’s is a conglomeration of names from two middle-class communities from 19th-century Brooklyn. To the west, there was Bedford, and to the east, there was Stuyvesant Heights.  Shortly after the abolition of slavery in New York State in 1827 (about 35 years before Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation), free Blacks settled in the area then known as Weeksville, becoming a prominent and bustling community. The elevated railway in 1885 and the Brooklyn bridge in 1883 linked the area and Manhattan, causing a surge in population and the construction of the now iconic brownstones.

These brownstones attracted residents of all types, mostly middle and upper-class immigrants such as Italians, Eastern European Jews, and Blacks from the south and the Caribbean who moved there en masse In the 1920s and 30s. This initial gentrification of the neighborhood cemented the area as predominantly Black and African-American versus the makeup of the Germans and other Europeans who are credited with building much of the neighborhood in the 19th century. Now, generations of African-Americans have called Bed-Stuy home, creating a diverse and flourishing community that largely remains to this day.

The Mission of the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant

In the 1970s and 80s, the term urban renewal was all the rage, and to many, it was simply a veiled synonym for demolition, displacement, and uprooting. Young people and families were fleeing Bed-Stuy in alarming numbers due to any number of reasons; among them were unresponsive public services, crime, and drug use, banking institutions’ racist practice of redlining, and large amounts of focused negative media coverage of the neighborhood depicting it as blighted and unsafe. This migration was a sort of localized brain drain that endangered the burgeoning Black community, and homes and buildings left behind had, in many cases, been owned by first-generation African-Americans from the South and the Caribbean, formerly enslaved people who acquired the homes, often through much difficulty. The Brownstoners made it their mission to renew the pride of Bed-Stuy inhabitants, revitalizing a community that, like many Black communities of the time, was under attack from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Government.

In 1978, a small group of friends and neighbors in Bed-Stuy decided to form an organization to make contributions to their community. Founding members included George Glee, Jr., Bernard McDonald, Reginald Shell, Brenda Fryson, Gloria Green, and Clarence Jones. They organized the Brownstoners as a civic organization hoping to gather other activists who were willing to “roll up their sleeves, become a part of a vibrant network of residents” and fight for the survival of the Bed-Stuy community. Their first major initiative, a now-annual housing tour, helped to reshape the neighborhood in the eyes of the media and, more importantly, its residents, encouraging those who had left to “Come on Home to Bed-Stuy”

Preserving Our Legacy, While Embracing Our Future

The Brownstoners of Bed-Stuy haven’t stopped their work since the 80s and have continued to produce projects that focus on education, economic development, housing, and community activism. Urban Renewal and Gentrification still very much threaten the makeup of these historic neighborhoods, as another shift is underway.

According to the NYTimes, the number of white residents in Bed-Stuy grew from 2.4 percent to 15 percent from 2000 to 2010, while the number of Black residents shrank from 75 to 60 percent. The western half of the neighborhood has undergone a more dramatic change, where the percentage of white residents to Black residents sits at 25% and 49%, respectively. Investors have made their way into the neighborhood, renovating and flipping historic townhouses, creating apartments to rent at sometimes exorbitant prices. According to RentHop, the current median listing price in Bed-Stuy is $3,200 a month.

The Brownstoners’ 44th Annual tour is hosted by Monique Greenwood, a Brownstoner as well as Owner and Innkeeper of Awkwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns, and features six remarkable turn-of-the-century homes with redesigned interiors that each retains their original charm.

The tour is designed to continue the Brownstoners’ legacy of sparking community pride and encouraging more prodigal descendants to return to the neighborhood and fuel its ever-brightening future. Proceeds from this year’s house tour will go toward the Bernard McDonald/George Glee Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, helping college-bound students from the Boys & Girls High School and the Brooklyn Academy High School.

The Brownstoners House Tour will be available to all ticket holders for viewing at their leisure over a six-week period as the event is virtual this year. The tour starts on Saturday, October 15th, at 10:00 AM and closes on Sunday, November 27th, at 11:30 PM. Tickets are available here. More information can be found on Facebook, Instagram, or the Brownstoner’s website.

While a tour of the current homes will be made available soon, enthusiasts can start exploring the journey of the renovation process of one of this year’s featured homes.

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Cleanliness aside, living in easily accessible and affordable locations seems to be a thing of the past for people living in the five boroughs. WIth remote and hybrid work now a common job perk, what does the city really have to offer?

Designing New York City For The Future

For NYC to surpass its former glory, it will need to lean heavily into the programs from NYCxDESIGN. Many are familiar with their work without even needing to walk a few blocks down the street, as the non-profit helped found the Design Corps, a small business reopening network that assists restaurants with design-related needs for updates such as the highly popular al fresco sidewalk dining spaces.

Mayor Adams seems to understand New York City is at a precarious tipping point. On May 10th, Adams delivered remarks at Pearl Alley to open the 10th Anniversary of the Annual Design Festival by NYCxDESIGN, addressing the importance of the organization and what they do for the community. 

“We can’t stumble into a post covid New York City. We must move into post COVID, by design,” stated Adams. “We must design not to leave anyone behind. Because historically, when we designed the city, we designed it without thinking about of those communities that have historically that have been part of the design.” Mayor Adams then spoke on the significance of the fashion industry to New Yorkers transitioning out of homelessness and domestic abuse shelters and the necessity to pay the workers in the garment industries an adequate wage to survive. 

Andrew Kimball, former longtime CEO of Industry City, and Adams’ selection for CEO and President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) re-iterated Adams’ thoughts, “it’s not enough to get back. We need to come back with a more inclusive design plan.”

While the fashion aspects Mayor Adams spoke of only encompass a small part of what NYCxDESIGN is all about, the sentiment rings true. New York architecture, such as the 25 billion dollar project that is Hudson Yards, has received harsh criticism for its development as a “billionaire’s playground” directed towards affluent New Yorkers. Even developments such as One45 in Harlem propose to bring climate justice, green jobs, enhanced social consciousness, and increased equity to the uptown neighborhood, are met with skepticism from the community due to concerns of gentrification and local resident displacement, among other things.  

As of March 31st, 2022, the median 1 bedroom rent for an apartment near the 34th street Hudson Yards MTA station was around $4,153. This puts Hudson Yards as one of the least affordable areas to live in, which is no surprise considering the skyscrapers like 15Hudson Yards that surround the compound carry apartments with 1 bedroom rents at $6,300. The website claims Hudson Yards is a model for “future global cities,” but what does the average working class New Yorker gain from this area?

Are these developments being designed with the community in mind or in partnership with the community? The two are very different things. 

The Tin Building and the South Street Seaport Neighborhood

Among the speakers at the opening of The Festival were notable members involved in the creation of the Tin Building, Seaport’s newest building to open this July (provided they can hire 700 workers). The Tin Building is “designed to delight and engage every one of your five senses in the most delicious way.” Curated by acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the claims are that it will be “a never-before-seen culinary experience.” But as the “spot to shop, sip, savor, and feast while soaking in the recently revived landmark’s rich history,” what will it really provide for the community? 

Robin Standefer, Co-founder of Roman & Williams, the design firm that worked on the Tin Building with Vongerichten, recounted her own personal history with the building and stated that this location will offer everything from “high food” to “low food” and will allow New Yorkers of all walks to enjoy diverse cuisines. She likened it to “peeling back all parts of the city from an economic point.” Mr. Vongerichten and the developers expect a mix of locals, tourists, and other New Yorkers, including Brooklynites arriving by ferry, to be drawn to the market, according to the NYTimes. 

But after over 1,000 restaurants have closed their doors since March 2020, does the community need another location pulling traffic away from local businesses? No doubt the local economy will benefit from an increase in traffic looking to spend, but might this be another carefully curated New York “experience” that takes away from the locally born and housed businesses that make up the city’s backbone.

Could the Tin Building Fall into the same realm as the Hudson Yards project? The 2016 Economic Impact report for Hudson Yards quoted Tom Wright, President of the Regional Plan Association, saying, “Hudson Yards will play a vital role in New York City and the region by revitalizing Manhattan’s Far West Side and by creating the type of modern, mixed-use district that is being built by our competitors around the world.”

Revitalization or Tourist Magnet? The Responsibility of Design

But now, with luxury businesses like Equinox and a shopping mall filled with ultra-high-end labels and bucket list attractions, Hudson Yards has turned into part luxury destination and part tourist magnet. It seems that the Tin Building, with its mixture of “high-end” food curated by an acclaimed chef, lesser counters and cafés such as T Café and Bakery, a space for cooking classes, and a museum of the building’s history call more to tourists and wealthy elites than everyday New Yorkers out for a quick run to the market. 

Is “community revitalization” purely a code for tourist attraction? Is New York City officially “back” and better than ever when the streets are swarming with confused tourists? It seems that when designing for the future of economic growth, it’s really just a massive marketing campaign directed at the short-term visitors with full wallets and a desire to spend. 

Hopefully, the topic of inclusive design for NYC residents will be broached on May 13th, for the Festival’s “The Responsibility of Design” directed at designing for the environment, well-being, and community. Among the speakers will be Michael K. Chen, Principal for Michael K. Chen Architecture (MKCA).

Chen also co-founded Design Advocates, a network of independent architecture and design firms collaborating on pro-bono projects for small businesses, institutions, and organizations that serve disadvantaged communities to help them adapt their spaces and operation to COVID-19 and beyond. Chen has led projects such as the Children’s Library at Concourse House in the Bronx to provide a new children’s library for families transitioning from homelessness. MKCA also has a project called “Biodiversity City” that showcases the relationship between future development and what impacts it can have on ecological conservation and urban biodiversity. Clearly, a portion of their work focuses on the lasting impact. While perhaps not realized until the distant future, it is a far cry from the immediate gratification of an infusion of foreign cash like so many recent developments. 

Is Designing for the Elite the Key to Community Success?

But Chen and MKCA also have many other projects that one would think provide the majority of their profits. From a re-invention and gut-renovation of an East Village Townhouse to a Clinton Hill brownstone, many of the projects on their website are located in wealthy neighborhoods and cater to individuals with deep bank accounts. After all, the money needs to come from somewhere.

Chen has shared that he was introduced to the charity that was spearheading the Bronx Children’s project by donors Kate and Julie Yamin, two founders of the charity Cause for Celebration which is proud to be almost completely self-funded. A self-funded charity requires considerable assets and funds to direct to their chosen causes, and in a town where money is power, Chen may have brushed elbows with the donors when running in the circles of elite New Yorkers. It seems that catering design and development towards a small portion of the New York population can in fact be the means to an end in terms of inclusively designing for the community.

Revitalization Through Strength

But maybe what the community needs right now is a display of strength to engage the working class. Lindsey Greene, CEO and President of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, spoke on Tuesday at the NYCxDESIGN Festival about how this week “showcases how resilient this group of people [designers] are.” Half of the businesses in the Navy Yard are of the creative design sphere and provide the “different flavors of what design really means.”

It’s no secret the large economic impact the Brooklyn Navy Yard has. The Navy Yard provides thousands of New Yorkers with economic opportunities for manufacturing owners, tech startups, artisans, and other small business owners. This week, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Design and Architectural Tours will explore the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s unique architecture, both historic and contemporary, and provides visitors with a look into what makes the Navy Yard an economic powerhouse. This is a rare moment for the doors of the Navy Yard to be opened for the average passerby to enter and fully relish the creation and innovation that is happening on the edge of Brooklyn. These are the less glamorous industries and projects that aren’t gracing the covers of trendy magazines but are offering up the chance to create an impact on both a micro and macro level. From the hiring of an individual to guiding inspired designers to change society, the Brooklyn Navy Yard is a deeply influential part of the New York community. 

As Adams’ said on Tuesday, “when we designed the city, we designed it without thinking about those communities that have historically not have been part of the design,” and New Yorkers must not forget this.

Moving forward can only happen by design, albeit carefully planned and executed, working to fix the city’s image problem of being dirty, expensive, and crime-laden to one of glittering lights and endless possibilities. Only then will the visiting populations slow to run to worship at the towering monuments of the rich who barely tread on the streets. A pride for the city will be reinstated, and the diverse community of New York City will truly thrive.

The post From Dirty To Designed, How NYC Will Come Back Stronger appeared first on CitySignal.

In 2013, NYCxDesign hosted its first Festival to immense success. The Festival featured prominent figures in the world of design and architecture. They showed cased people from the world of manufacturing and builders and included presentations from international business and educational institutions. Every year since, The Festival has grown larger. Today, multiple boroughs host a plethora of events and receive thousands of guests from all over the world. Each of these events is open to the public, who can plan their week and sign up at https://festival.nycxdesign.org/. 

The Festival events range from formal to fun, as the festivities are as versatile as the discipline of design itself. One of the most celebrated this year will be the NYCxDESIGN Student Showcase Night on May 19th. This event will celebrate the designs of some of the best students in the City. Another one to look out for is the Wexler Gallery/Botanica – Inspired by Nature Showcase, an immersive event featuring the designs of NYCxDESIGN Award finalist, Andreea Avram Rusu, as well as other designs from talented people that seek to invoke a feeling of nature. These events are not to be missed.

Other events will be far more recreational, like the screening of MAU at Angelika Film Center from the 13th to the 20th.

The film tells the story of Bruce Mau, a designer responsible for Coco-Cola’s global sustainability platform, among other monumental achievements (We won’t spoil the film for you). There are also a variety of bars and restaurants that feature events and specials for The Festival. Check out the DesignxDrinks page of the NYCxDesign website to learn more, or just head to places like Kings County Distillery, Bar Blondeau, or As You Are so you can see the celebrations for yourself.

If exhibitions are more your speed, check out Industry City/ IC local Exhibit curated by Adrian Madlener. This year’s theme is “Tools!” and takes an in-depth look at some of the machines and devices that we use in our everyday lives. Yes, even something as simple as tools had to be designed by someone, and this festival is about showcasing how veritable the world of design is.

Take another exhibit, Sunshine Thacker Presents The Groovitational Collection, as an example. This combination of interior design is fused with modern art to present furniture that has been inspired by space travel.

There are even spaces for emerging talent at this all-inclusive festival. The Pink Essay Presents: Physical Education II exhibit features a wide array of furniture, object design, sculpture, and more from exciting up-and-coming artists that are sure to change the game. The Radiator Show seeks to do the same thing by uplighting voices that are talented yet often overlooked. The showcase is meant to expand diversity in the market so designers can make an easier living and consumers can have more unique, versatile options for their home decor. The Festival is truly a place to see the future of design.

Innovation, diversity, and inclusion are what the good folks at NYCxDesign are all about. Each one of their festival events, and there are many more than the ones listed above, are dedicated to celebrating, showcasing, and expanding the industry. This festival is not just a ten-year anniversary, it’s the culmination of everything NYCxDESIGN has strived for since its inception. It’s the end result of a collection of artists coming together to show the world the cool stuff they made. This is what the industry needs to expand and grow stronger, and they’ve already laid a great foundation.

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Art at the Guggenheim Museum: “The Red Sheaves” Reading

Get ready to enjoy a night of beautiful art at the Guggenheim Museum, one of NYC’s most popular museums. On March 24th from 6:30 pm – 8 pm, a newly revised version of Fred Moten’s “The Red Sheaves” will be read by the poet himself. This particular prose created by Moten is an experimental poetic text written in response to the work of artist Jennie C. Jones, who will be presenting her work at the show, as well. Couple this much anticipated live reading with fresh, new musical performances by renowned musicians Brandon and Cecilia Lopez, and you’ve got a can’t-miss event. Please be aware that you must be vaccinated to attend the event. Tickets vary if you are a student or member, and range from $15 to $25. 

Cultural Events: Asia Week New York

Asia Week New York is an annual celebration of Asian art throughout metropolitan New York. The 10-day event comprises non-stop exhibitions, auctions, and special events presented by leading international Asian art specialists and world-renowned museums and cultural institutions.

From March 16th until March 25th, NYC will be hosting a myriad of highly anticipated exhibits full of carefully-curated selections of sculptures, paintings, prints, textiles, pottery, and more. Take a look at their calendar to see the full list of events for this week and plan your experience!

Art Shows Near Me: St. George Theatre

On March 13th at 7:00 pm, visitors can attend the St. George Theatre located on Staten Island. Theatergoers can feast their eyes and ears on the performance by the Grammy-nominated global music sensation, Celtic Woman.

This dynamic group of artists is known for their angelic voices, striking musicianship, and reflection of traditional and contemporary Irish culture. The show is complete with Irish dancers, bagpipers, and an array of traditional Irish instruments. Tickets range from $29 to $129 for visitors, and it is required that visitors are vaccinated and have some document to indicate their vaccination status. 

Do you love to check out the latest art events happening? Are you asking yourself, “Where can I find art shows near me”? Come explore more on our Culture & Art page at CitySignal!

The post NYC March Art Museums, Art Shows, and Cultural Events appeared first on CitySignal.

New York Food Festivals in March

Williamsburg Bites Brooklyn Food Tour

Check out the Williamsburg Bites Brooklyn Food Tour. This walking food tour allows participants a glimpse into the historic roots of this famed New York neighborhood. You’ll get to take in the amazing city sights as you indulge in delicious local fare. Ticket prices range from $58 to $68. 

NYC Craft Distillers Festival

On March 26th from 1-4 PM and 7-10 PM at the Bowery Hotel, attendees can sample over 60 specially-selected craft spirits while being immersed in a 1920′s-style speakeasy experience. This is a can’t-miss, one-of-a-kind event. Tickets range from $59 to $69.

Food and Wine Festivals

2022 New York Cheese & Wine Week

From now until March 16th is the NYC Cheese & Wine Week. This celebration of all things cheese and wine is a fun way to sample a beautiful and exceptional collection of matured cheeses from Europe. The best part is that the event is free, just register online.

New York City Wine Festival 

Look ahead to April 9th! This event boasts hundreds of wines from all around the world, primed and ready for your tasting, complete with delicious food and fun live entertainment to round out the day. Come on down to Chelsea Industrial from 1:00-4:30 PM or 6:00-9:30 PM. Tickets are $29.

Food Truck Classic

The Halal Guys Food Truck

Have you been asking yourself, “Where can I find a food truck near me?” Check out The Halal Guys. Their cherished food selections include the beef gyro platter, combo platter, falafel sandwiches, and mouthwatering sauces, to name just a few. Customers can find the address of each venue on their locations page.

New Restaurants

Coletta

Coletta is an intimate dining experience specializing in vegan and kosher offerings with a fresh culinary perspective to Italian cuisine. Guests can enjoy brick oven pizzas, fresh pasta, unforgettable entrées, desserts, and espresso. Some popular entrees include Chick’n Piccata, “steak” marsala, and more. Located on 365 3rd Avenue.

Ramen Misoya

Opening on 535 Hudson St. in West Village is this delicious hub of Japanese cuisine. Some specialties include mame miso ramen, shiro miso ramen, and more irresistible choices. 

Silver Spoon Cafe

Silver Spoon Cafe is open on 204 West 14th St., serving house-made hummus, pasta crab salad, and much more. They offer a hearty selection of healthy options and vegan dishes. Guests can also opt for a VIP membership where they can access different benefits, including secret menus. 

Want to read more and stay updated on things like this about NYC? Check out CitySignal’s Eat & Drink to explore where you can go in the Big Apple!

The post NYC’s New Restaurants, Food Festivals, and Food Trucks in March appeared first on CitySignal.

What To Expect At The Green-Wood Cemetery After Hours Event

After Hours at Green-Wood consists of an exclusive walking tour that includes the Catacombs—an area normally closed to the public. On this 2-hour tour, guests can explore the cemetery’s beautiful landscape and visit the gravesites of notable figures in American history.

Tickets are $30 for the public and $25 for members. Attendees are checked in by name, so there’s no need for paper or e-tickets. Due to Green-Wood’s hilly and uneven terrain, guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes for the best experience. Check-in begins in the meadow at the Main Entrance, located at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street.

Despite it being Halloween, the cemetery does not allow guests to be in costume or wear face paint. Safety protocols also encourage attendees to wear a face-covering at all times, though it isn’t a requirement, and to try to maintain a 6-foot distance from those not in their party. It can get quite dark at Green-Wood, so bringing a flashlight is also encouraged.

This History of Green-Wood Cemetery and Its Historic Fund

The Green-Wood Historic Fund organizes the Green-Wood After Hours Event. The fund’s mission is to educate the public on the cemetery’s historical significance and preserve one of New York City’s very first green spaces.

Founded in 1838, this Brooklyn Treasure hosts 478 acres of history, nature, and art. Home to much more than tombstones, Green-Wood has several hills, valleys, glacial ponds, and paths its visitors can enjoy.

By the early 1860s, its cultural appeal and stunning architecture welcomed international attention, quickly making it the most prestigious place to be buried in New York City.

The New York Times once said, “It is the ambition of the New Yorker to live upon Fifth Avenue, to take his airings in Central Park, and to sleep with his fathers in Green-Wood.” Oddly enough, there would be no Central Park without Green-Wood! Its popularity among New York families inspired community leaders to create Central and Prospect Park.

With 570,000 souls laid to rest, Green-Wood is also rich in genealogical resources. The cemetery estimates its burial grounds have genealogical information relevant to over 20 million people alive today.

Green-Wood Cemetery’s Notable “Permanent” Residents

It’s no secret that guests are drawn to Green-Wood due to its permanent residents buried at the cemetery. Residents include artists, baseball legends, inventors, and even Civil War generals. Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is one of Green-Wood’s most well-known deceased artists. Found dead in his apartment on August 12th, 1988, from an apparent overdose, the talented artist only lived to see 27 years of age. However, his work far outlived him. Basquiat’s work gained prominence during the neo-expressionism movement. His art focused predominantly on social dichotomies such as integration and segregation, as well as wealth and poverty.

Henry Chadwick, known as the “Father of Baseball,” is also buried at Green-Wood. After persuading the New York Times and other big-name newspapers that baseball was something people wanted to read about, Chadwick became the country’s first baseball editor. In his writing, he coined numerous baseball terms that are still used today, such as: “assist,” “white-wash,” “double-play,” and “goose-egg.” Chadwick passed away from a fever on April 20th, 1908.

While a spooky fright night might not be everyone’s style, many Brooklyn residents have relocated to the area as the Cemetery is the perfect place for families to meet up as there is ample space for a stroller to cruise. But even if Greenwood Cemetery is not your local day-to-day haunt, it’s a notable location to visit whether you’re a long-term New York resident, a tourist, or a ghostly specter looking for a new place to call your permanent home.

The post Green-Wood Cemetery After Hours Event Opens Its Catacombs To All appeared first on CitySignal.

If you’re single — or don’t feel like third-wheeling it — there are plenty of options.

To save you some time, City Signal sifted through the internet’s detritus of upcoming events. Peruse the list below for where to go and what to do with your future (potential) someone.

Pier A Harbor House — Saturday, August 7, 2021

Head over to 22 Battery Place in Battery Park City for “NYC Outdoor Summer Speed Dating.” At this event, you will be going on a series of 10 to 15 mini-dates — each one lasts about six minutes each.

Women stay seated and the men rotate from table to table until they meet each woman. You will get a match card and at the end of each mini-date you’ll indicate whether or not you’d like to see the person again.

At the end of the evening, you will hand your match card into the event host. If you both select each other, the host will send you each others’ email addresses the next day so you can set up a future date.

Click here for details, ticket info and a list of Covid-19 precautions. Pro tip: Stick around and enjoy the romantic view from the pier with your potential sweetheart.

Paint in Central Park — Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021

Head over to Central Park. Bring a mask, something to sit on, and a bottle of wine (or whatever cocktails you’d like). The hosts will provide you with a pre-sketched canvas, unlimited painting materials (brushes, acrylic paints etc.), and a take-home bag.

No smocks so dress appropriately.

Click here for details and ticket info.

Online Speed Dating — Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021

If you don’t feel like venturing out and about, you can meet other singles from the comfort of your own Zoom.

Grab a snack or maybe even a cocktail and go on a series of live one on one video dates. A new dater will show up on your screen every five minutes or so until you meet everyone.

When the event ends, you’ll be able to select those you’d like to see again. If they mutually matched with you, our host will send you each others’ email addresses within 24 hours of the event.

This event has been called, “The absolute best way to meet quality singles in the modern age.” Click here for details and tickets.

Sour Mouse — Friday, August 13, 2021

Head over to 110 Delancey Street in the Lower East Side and go on a series of 10 to 15 mini-dates (about six minutes each).

Women stay seated and the men rotate from table to table. At the end of the evening, you will hand your match card into the event host.

If you and one of your dates select each other, the hosts will send you each others’ email addresses and you’ll receive an email with the first name and email of your mutual matches. No names or contact info will be shared unless there is a mutual match. Click here for details and tickets. Stick around for the after-party.

Sour Mouse — Friday, August 13, 2021

If speed dating isn’t your… speed, Sour Mouse is also hosting a (sort of) free ping pong and billiards social from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

You’ll get a complimentary cocktail of choice before 8:30 pm but a required two-item purchase afterward. Hey, the hosts have to pay for the venue.

110 Delancey Street in the Lower East Side is touted as the neighborhood’s newest and trendiest spot. Launched by lifelong LES resident Aaron Ho in October, the gaming bar wants patrons to put their phones down and “enjoy the company of others, partake in fun recreational games, and throw an exciting party or event.” (h/t I Love NY).

You can also expect live jazz and funk bands to set the ambiance. Get details and tickets here.

The Playwright — Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021

27 W 35th St. in Midtown Manhattan is the place to be for not one, but two events for singles.

There’s a speed dating event from 6:30 PM – 8:30 p.m. followed by a “Nuts & Bolts Party” from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Here’s how it works. Women get nuts. Men get bolts. Eligible singles must mingle to find the nut/bolt that fits with the nut/bolt they were given. You will have multiples matches in the room.

Every time you find a match, you’ll get a raffle ticket from the event host for a chance to win prizes.

You’ll also get three-match cards to give out to any three people at the event.

Attention, bros: dress to impress. That means no t-shirts, tank tops, baseball caps or gym attire. Get details and tickets here and here.

Are you hosting an event that’s ideal for singles? DM us on social media and let us know.

The post Single in NYC? Consider These Upcoming Events if You’re Ready to Mingle appeared first on CitySignal.

Well, there will be soon as New York City prepares to host a series of concerts in each of the five boroughs between Aug. 14 and Aug. 22.

The event — dubbed NYC Homecoming Week — will celebrate “the Summer of New York City,” according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The move comes despite a warning from health officials that coronavirus cases are on the rise due to the delta variant.

“Joining one of the greatest Central Park concerts in history will be momentous concerts in each borough featuring renowned artists who have made New York City proud,” said de Blasio in a prepared statement. “It’s time to celebrate our city, support our local businesses, and have an incredible Summer of New York City.”

The concerts will be held at the following spots:

Orchard Beach in The Bronx — Monday, Aug. 16

Richmond County Bank Park in Staten Island — Tuesday, Aug. 17

Brooklyn Army Terminal — Thursday, Aug. 19

Forest Hills Stadium in Queens — Friday, Aug. 20

The Great Lawn, Central Park in Manhattan — Saturday, Aug. 21

Who’s Performing?

The full line-up of artists who will perform at each of the NYC Homecoming Week concerts will be announced in the coming weeks. Early reports suggest Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Jennifer Hudson are on the list.

De Blasio will join record producer Clive Davis, Live Nation and Union Square Hospitality Group CEO Danny Meyer to unveil the lineup of artists who will perform for the Great Lawn concert in the coming weeks.

“No city rivals New York as a stage for artists and spectators to come together in person—and for too many months, we’ve missed experiencing the rousing energy of live performances in public places,” said Meyer, who also founded Shake Shack. “It’s time for a homecoming—for New Yorkers who temporarily moved away, and for visitors who have been longing for what we do better than anywhere else on earth. Be there. This homecoming is for you.”

Universal Hip Hop Museum executive director and president Rocky Bucano will join de Blasio to announce the details for the concerts in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

More Than Music

Plans include more than just music.

Rooftop Films, which travels around presenting events on various scenic spots, will also host free film screenings during NYC Homecoming Week.

The overall goal is to have enough events to bolster support for local organizations and mom-and-pop businesses that struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information on NYC Homecoming Week, click here.

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