Author: Site Adminstrator

There’s a specific breed of long-standing New York dive bars that affords whoever gets shitfaced there some serious New York City street cred.

Lucy’s in the East Village, which was around since the ’80s before its owners were evicted earlier this year, is exactly that type of institution. Although news of its potential closure sent shockwaves through the nightlife community, a new development has given us hope that the beloved bar might open its doors once more. 

RECOMMENDED: An Attaboy veteran is bringing a new cocktail bar to Long Island City

Lucy’s’ plight began after a new landlord purchased the building at 135 Avenue A by 8th Street last December. Shortly after, locals noticed an eviction notice posted to the door, naming the bar’s owner and namesake, Ludwika “Lucy” Mickevicius, and giving her one month to vacate the building. 

The bar’s lease expired in 2015 and the owner was on a month-to-month rental agreement with the previous landlord, according to the New York Post. The outlet also reports that the latest landlord wanted to raise the rent by $25,000 per month—which likely contributed to the bar’s closure. 

In May, the hospitality group Golden Age applied for a liquor license to take over the space where Lucy’s once was, and they seemed intent on keeping the bar’s old name, according to Eater.

Last week, the local community board approved transferring Lucy’s liquor license to the new operators and Golden Age’s CEO Jon Neidich discussed bringing back the bar as it once was.

“[Neidich] doesn’t want to change anything,” Max Bookman, the attorney for Lucy’s, told Gothamist. “He just wants to put in the time capsule Lucy’s as it’s always been.”

What’s next? The community board has to approve of the plan and we have faith things will look even better in the coming months. Fingers crossed, New York.

* This article was originally published here

Although the U.S. Open 2024 tournament doesn’t officially kick off until next week, on August 26, the event’s qualifiers are currently in full swing at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

In total, 128 men and 128 women have been competing for a chance to be part of the final Grand Slam competition. There are a total of 16 spots to be filled, so the stakes are pretty high.

Given the high-quality tennis that’s being played, we suggest you take the time and actually head to the stadium to catch some of these matches, which are completely free to attend as part of the U.S. Open Fan Week.

Here is everything you should know about this year’s qualifiers:

When are the U.S. Open qualifiers?

The U.S. Open qualifying matches started this past Monday, August 19 and will take place through tomorrow, Thursday, August 22. 

Where are the U.S. Open qualifiers taking place?

The tournament is taking over the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, which is the same stadium where the Grand Slam competition is happening on August 26 through September 8.

Where to watch the U.S. Open qualifiers

Believe it or not, you can actually head to the Queens tennis center to catch all the qualifying matches—for free. The events are part of U.S. Open Fan Week, which features a vast array of other happenings gratis. 

If you can’t make it out this week, worry not: you can catch the games on ESPNEWS and ESPN2. You can also stream the matches on ESPN+ and Fubo.

Are the U.S. Open qualifying matches free to attend?

Yes! As mentioned above, the annual U.S. Open Fan Week brings along with it a slew of free events, including the chance to catch all qualifying tennis matches for free.

This year in particular, some pretty big names still need to qualify, including 2016 U.S. Open winner Stan Wawrinka and American Mackenzie McDonald. That is all to say: you can witness these great talents show off their skills for free—so what are you still waiting for? You’ve got one more full day to head to Queens to see the magic live.

* This article was originally published here

If you’ve been hearing coyotes howling during the night in the Bronx then no, you aren’t dreaming. As it turns out you won’t just find humans, pigeons, and rats in the Bronx–you’ll also find coyotes, and more than usual at that!

And no, we’re not crying wolf…or, well, coyote.

As reported by Pix 11, residents around the Bronx’s Claremont Park have said they’ve seen an uptick in coyotes this summer.

And while coyotes taking up residence in NYC is nothing new–coyotes have been spotted wandering areas of NYC as early as 1994, and it was reported back in 2022 that an estimated a total of 20-30 coyotes are now residing in the city–the number is apparently on the rise.

While residents of the area have expressed their concerns and fear for their safety and that of their pets, there is some good news: officials say there’s nothing to fear.

So long as residents respect the animals’ privacy, animal experts and parks officials say the coyotes are no cause for worry.

In fact, some residents aren’t phased with having coyotes as their neighbors, stating that they’re simply “a part of city living that needs to be accepted.” Others, however, think it’s “very dangerous having the coyotes around here with these dogs, and kids are playing,” according to Pix 11.

Regardless on residents’ opinions towards their furry neighbors, they don’t seem to be going anywhere. This is due to the trees and greenery that have been added in the Bronx over the last few decades.

Pix 11 writes that Keith Lovett, the director of animal programs at the Bronx Zoo, stated “As the city is devoted to making more and more green spaces, by default they’re making more habitat for wildlife. In this case, they’re making habitat for coyotes.”

The New York City Parks Department stated:

Coyotes are living within the city limits, throughout the different boroughs.  We have no reason to believe the coyotes in question are unhealthy or pose a threat to human safety. However, as with all wild animals, we advise everyone to keep their distance and avoid close contact.

So it looks like us New Yorkers are just going to have to get used to coexisting with these animals! Thankfully, the Parks Department has five easy tips for coexisting with coyotes, which include:

• Do Not Feed Coyotes: keeping them wild is the key to coexistence
• Remove Attractants: store food, pet food, and garbage in animal proof containers. do not leave food or garbage behind in a park
• Supervise Pets: walk dogs on a leash and keep cats inside for safety
• Keep Coyotes Wary: if you’re approached, act big and make loud noises until the coyote retreats
• Appreciate Coyotes: but from a distance! stay at least 150 feet or more from the animal

More information about living with coyotes in NYC can be found here.

The post More Coyotes Than Usual Are Taking Up Residence In The Bronx appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Sushi lovers, brace your stomachs: the biggest sushi expo in the U.S. is about to return to New York on September 22.

Previously called the True Worlds Food Expo and aptly renamed SUSHI-CON, the sashimi extravaganza will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion in the Flatiron District and will bring the freshest possible sushi to Manhattan. 

RECOMMENDED: An Attaboy veteran is bringing a new cocktail bar to Long Island City

At this year’s expo, you can expect more than 50 suppliers from the U.S. and around the world who are known for their top-notch seafood and Japanese delicacies. Attendees will have access to an unlimited amount of those suppliers’ best products, including bluefin tuna, yellowtail, sea bream, salmon and urchin. If you’re not big into seafood, consider indulging in some wagyu beef tastings and other Japanese classics like matcha, yuzu, wasabi and more.

One of the festival’s missions is to introduce New Yorkers to new flavors. As a result, for the first time, the event will feature tastings of scallop, abalone, conger eel, Hawaiian kanpachi and American domestic eel. 

All mouth-watering sushi aside, the highlight of the event will be the coveted tuna cutting demonstration that will begin at 1:30pm. In it, respected chefs will masterfully rip apart a 400-pound tuna in front of an audience and distribute the freshly cut slices to all attendees. It is the type of experience you’d typically have to fly to Tokyo to witness. 

The sushi appreciation doesn’t have to stop after the festival. A new attendee at this year’s event will be Noble Fresh Cart, an e-commerce food delivery service that sends ready-to-eat sashimi, sushi, wagyu and other high-quality Japanese products across New York and New Jersey. 

The only caveat is that you have to be 16 years or older to attend the sushi paradise. Tickets are $120, but will be $20 if purchased before September 2. Get your tickets starting tomorrow, August 22, here. 

* This article was originally published here

You’ve probably seen the viral video circulating of mysterious fish in a fire hydrant puddle on the corner of Tompkins Avenue and Hancock Street in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. This has since become an entire phenomenon now dubbed as the “Bed-Stuy Aquarium”—yes, there’s even a sign that says so. So how did this happen and what’s the latest update? Let’s get into it!

August 7, 2024

In early August, a video posted to X went viral after showing a pond of mysterious goldfish in a puddle under a leaky fire hydrant in Bed-Stuy.

Around the same time the video went viral, a reddit account under the name Plantsnotpants spoke out on their concerns for the fish and the poor conditions of the makeshift pond. The user claimed to have a 10-gallon tank and wrote about attempting to rescue the fish before they could be transported to a proper home.

Moreover, a group of local men took it upon themselves to protect what’s become the community goldfish pond. This group of neighborhood men can assumably be who Plantsnotpants mentions in their thread about people standing watch by the pond.

August 8, 2024

Department of Environmental Protection crews stopped by to fix the leaking fire hydrant. “We love goldfish also, but we know there is a better home for them than on a sidewalk,” they said.

That same day, one of the the local men in support of the pond returned to turn the fire hydrant back on so the water wouldn’t dry out.

August 9, 2024

The New York Post reported about four local men standing guard. Apparently they set up security cameras and have plans to add a filtration system by fall.

A GoFundMe page was launched “to help build a better habitat for the fishes to thrive.” The funds raised would also go towards an outdoor ventilation system and food for the fish.

August 20th, 2024

The fundraiser has already raised $2,765 towards its $5,000 goal. An anonymous donor using the former President’s name currently holds the top donation of $600.

The origin story of how the fish got there in the first place is still unclear. The Patch reported it as “prankster Brooklynites [that] added several live goldfish to a puddle made by a leaking fire hydrant [before the] chaos ensued.

The post GoFundMe For Impromptu Bed-Stuy Goldfish Pond Hopes To Raise $5,000 appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here