Author: Site Adminstrator
The Hidden Meanings Behind NYC’s Colored Subway Globes
On your everyday commute you probably don’t take much notice of the colorful globes atop NYC’s street level subway stations, but at one point, they helped commuters like you determine which entrances they could enter and which they could not.
The colored globes were first introduced across the system in the early 1980s. Each color was used to indicate if a subway entrance was open and whether or not it had a manned booth. According to the New York Transit Museum, these are what each globe color indicated:
Green 
– 24-hour ticket booth
Yellow 
– part-time booth
Red 
– entrance limited or it’s only an exit
To better understand the ticketing booths of that time, there would be an MTA employee inside the subway booth who would exchange riders cash for a subway token. Keep in mind, subway fare has a long history and evolutionary timeline. If you’re interested, you can learn all about it and how it went from tokens to taps here.
Eventually the yellow globes were discontinued in order to simplify the system. And as the NYC subway continued to make improvements throughout the years and introduce the MetroCard along with High Entrance and Exit Turnstiles, the red globe exit indicators became futile.
Two-tone globes then replaced the solid color globes to now give riders additional light on the stairway entrances. So though the age of subway globe indicators is technically behind us, they’re a wonderful relic of our transit history that still stands at many street level entrances today.
The post The Hidden Meanings Behind NYC’s Colored Subway Globes appeared first on Secret NYC.
This French brasserie is the trendiest restaurant in all of NYC
Looking to instill a little love into your life? PinkCherry, an online adult store all about putting a spark back into relationships, went on a mission to name the ultimate date night spots in the U.S., including the dreamiest cities and the most popular restaurants intended to give you those fuzzy feelings. While New York did not make the cut for the best city for date night (what, Pizza Rat isn’t romantic enough for you?), four NYC-based restaurants made the list for the top trendiest spots in the country, based on the number of social posts and search queries on Google.
RECOMMENDED: Four things to know about Fort Greene’s newest tasting counter
Coming in at no. 2, the top New York spot goes to the city’s original temple of haute French seafood: Le Bernardin. Since 1986, this Parisian transplant has maintained its reputation for the finest in New York, retaining its formal touches from crisp, white tablecloths and a jacket-required policy in the dining room. With a chef’s tasting led by Eric Ripert—priced at $325, $505 per person if you want to add on the wine pairing—the fine French restaurant has retained its three-starred Michelin status and consistently tops our best French restaurants list.
“Le Bernardin in New York ranks as the second most popular restaurant in the U.S., earning 20,876 Instagram posts to its name and an average of 60,500 searches per month,” according to PinkCherry. “It’s also earned a rating of three Michelin stars for its mouthwatering food and top notch dining experience, so you really can’t go wrong here.”
Three other New York locales also made the list, including Sadelles at no. 4 (nothing says “I love you” more than a bagel), Dan Barber’s upstate eatery, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, at no. 5 and Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean-influenced spot, Tatiana, at no. 6. Check out the full list of eateries below and plan your next night out below:
Top 10 trending restaurants
- Catch LA (Los Angeles, CA)
Number of Instagram posts: 66,267
Average number of Google searches per month: 40,500 - Le Bernardin (New York, NY)
Number of Instagram Posts: 20,876
Number of Google searches per month: 60,500 - The French Laundry (Yountville, CA)
Number of Instagram posts: 23,194
Average search monthly search volume: 40,500 - Sadelles (New York, NY)
Number of Instagram posts: 2,819
Average search monthly search volume: 33,100 - Blue Hill at Stone Barns (New York, NY)
Number of Instagram posts: 12,290
Average search monthly search volume: 22,200 - Tatiana (New York, NY)
Number of Instagram posts: 129
Average search monthly search volume: 33,100 - Rose’s Luxury (Washington, D.C.)
Number of Instagram posts: 11,100
Average search monthly search volume: 22,200 - Uchi (Austin, TX)
Number of Instagram posts: 2,397
Average search monthly search volume: 27,100 - Kasama (Chicago, IL)
Number of Instagram posts: 766
Average search monthly search volume: 22,200 - Bavette’s (Chicago, IL)
Number of Instagram posts: 607
Average search monthly search volume: 22,00
Out Late: Inside a secret rave that happens in a Bronx bodega
“Out Late” is Time Out’s nightlife and party column by DJ, Whorechata founder, and Staff Writer Ian Kumamoto, which publishes every other Tuesday. The previous edition was about the reinvention of MoMA PS1’s Warm Up party.
If I told you that there’s a bodega in the South Bronx where, every once in a blue moon, you can find sweaty girls in tank tops singing at the top of their lungs and men gyrating to Brazilian funk at 3 in the morning, you’d probably think I was describing an early 2000s J.Lo music video. That’s kind of what MUNDO parties are giving, except the orange drinks here are spiked, and you have to know exactly when and where to look—or, as one alleged Bronx native would say, if you know, you know.
If you haven’t heard of this bodega rave, you will soon. That’s because, despite the fact that they just had their third party a week ago, the word is getting out. A lot of it has to do with who created the party: The legendary Bronx DJ duo Dos Flakos and their friend DJ Guari, who started throwing raves this year under a collective called MUNDO. Their mission? To put the Bronx back on the nightlife map.
Dos Flakos, which is made up of brothers Chris and Rich, are Bronx music legends who helped pioneer an eclectic sound they call Global Dance Music, which has become ubiquitous in nightlife across Manhattan and Brooklyn. They mix club beats with melodies and basses from sound system cultures that originated in the Caribbean and Latin America, with a New York twist. In 2018, the duo met Emilio, known as DJ Guari, another Bronx native who was experimenting with a similar sound.
“The Bronx has a lot to teach the rest of us New York nightlife girls.”
If you know anything about New York’s bustling Latin club scene, then you just know that many of the most relevant DJs come from the Bronx. Yet, Bronx DJs often find themselves spinning parties in Manhattan and Brooklyn, mostly because that’s where venues actually allow them to mix genres. “In the Bronx, there’s a lot of bottle service clubs and they have a very rigid formula for how they do business, how they make money,” Guari tells Time Out New York. “They don’t like to experiment and they want to hear the top hits every weekend.” Rich intervenes. “And when we say ‘them’ we mean the venues,” he says. “Because, in fact, the people of the Bronx are interested in hearing these sounds.”
As someone who goes out a lot, it’s hard to find something that feels fresh, and MUNDO’s bodega rave definitely did it for me. Part of the fun is the challenge of even finding the party: You have to go on a link on MUNDO’s Instagram bio and then you have to be admitted into a chat on the encrypted messaging app Signal. They tend to announce the party three-four weeks before and the location and address of the party the day of. “The way we announce things is very much surprise, and I think that is an element that people enjoy,” Dos Flakos tells me. “They love the underground feel.”
An hour-by-hour account of an evening at MUNDO’s secret bodega rave
12:52am
My friend Roman Sensation and I pull up in an Uber and we’re in the middle of an industrial warehouse area that could be anywhere in Bushwick, except we’re in the Bronx. There’s an unassuming deli in the corner that we would’ve totally missed it if it weren’t for the long line coming out of it and the dozen or so people smoking outside. We skip the line—I work for Time Out, baby!—and Roman and I go in.
1am
Immediately, there’s a sense that we’ve stepped into another era of New York nightlife. It’s very crowded, people are sweaty and absolutely everybody is moving their bodies. There are flags from all over Latin America and the Caribbean strewn across the space. We walk to where the DJ is playing, and I’m instantly hooked by the details: The coffee machines, the menus, rolls just sitting there waiting to meet their fate as bacon-egg-and-cheeses in the morning. Screens display trippy videos of cascading burgers, and the DJ is under a sign that says “Order Here.” Roman and I dance.
1:28am
A circle forms around a person twerking. I make my way through and realize the twerker is Dada Cozmic, a DJ friend who is also a Bronx native. “I can’t believe you’re here!” she tells me. I’m not seen often in the Bronx very often, apparently.
Dos Flakos tells me this party was inspired by Bronx functions they went to growing up. These events happened in houses, basements and actual boiler rooms, before there was Boiler Room.
2:02am
Embarrassingly, I don’t realize there’s an actual bar attached to the deli until 2am. When they were first going to throw the party, Dos Flakos says they were just looking at the bar, but when they saw the deli next to it they asked the owner if they could throw the party there instead. “It’s a working deli during the day, and workers from the neighborhood buy sandwiches,” Guari tells me. The owner was down to let them have the dance floor inside the deli.
Among the details that makes the party feel extra Bronx is a drink that’s packaged like a nutcracker, which was a crowd favorite.
2:30am
Dos Flakos gets on the decks, and the energy is at a high. This rivals any party in Brooklyn, hands down. “Bronx has always had an amazing party scene,” Dos Flakos tells me after the party. “In the 80s and 90s the Bronx had amazing clubs. Louie Vaga would DJ in the Bronx all the time, people would come from Queens and Brooklyn to party in the Bronx.” They imagine a near future where world-class DJs will visit the Bronx again.
“The Bronx has a certain New York rawness that you can’t find anywhere else.”
3am
I have a long journey home to Brooklyn, so I say goodbye. On my way back, I wonder if this is the start of a Bronx nightlife renaissance. I hope so because it’s clear to me that the Bronx has a lot to teach the rest of us New York nightlife girls.
A few days later, I ask Rich why he thinks the party feels so different from anything that exists in Brooklyn, Manhattan or even Queens. “No offense to other boroughs, but the Bronx has a certain New York rawness that you can’t find anywhere else,” he tells me. “Let’s be for real.”
How to catch the next Bodega Rave
Where: Secret location in the South Bronx
When: They announce each party three-four weeks in advance.
Cost: $20
How to get in: Follow MUNDO on Instagram and fill out this form to get admitted onto their Singal channel. They’ll give you all the details there.
The vibe: Block party meets house party meets the club.
What to wear: As little clothes as you feel comfortable wearing—it gets hot, sticky and crowded.
Three new restaurants are opening next to the ferry dock on Governors Island
Governors Island is about to get a major glow-up: a new year-round dining and event concept will debut inside the waterfront Building 140, right next to the island’s primary ferry dock, in the fall of 2025.
The project was awarded to the team behind Taco Vista, a vendor on Governors Island since 2018, following a 2022 Request for Proposals tied to new potential leases that would help redevelop the area.
“Since opening to the public year-round in 2021, Governors Island has grown into a destination for all seasons for nearly one million visitors each year,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island, in an official statement. “We are excited to announce this new, expanded vision from the Taco Vista team that will increase delicious, affordable year-round food offerings for visitors while restoring one of Governors Island’s most treasured historic structures at Soissons Landing.”
Here is what we know so far: the 10,000-square-foot building will be completely renovated, giving rise to a modern, multi-use food and beverage concept boasting three different venues. Among them will be Priscilla’s, a café that will be serving breakfast and light lunch fare daily throughout the year.
The destination will also offer an expanded menu on its waterfront terrace, “pairing carefully crafted cocktails, local beers and small production wines with a coastal Mediterranean-inspired menu,” according to an official press release.
The Riverline, on the other hand, will be a full-service, indoor-outdoor restaurant that will also double as a special events space.
The third dining option will be a new iteration of Taco Vista, which will continue to serve top-notch Mexican fare and drinks to visitors.
Expect construction to kick off this winter and truly make history: according to the press release, this will be one of “the first adaptive reuse projects on Governors Island, with 100% electric operations.”
Throughout the past few years, Governors Island has become home to some pretty exciting activations—a special open-fire dinner series, a powerful climate change exhibit—making this particular bit of news even more thrilling. New Yorkers will finally have options when it comes to food and drink on the island.
The First Round Of Artists For The Porte Festival Lineup In Brooklyn Just Dropped
The first wave of artists and vendors for Brooklyn’s Porte Festival have finally been announced. International dance artist DJ Diablo and Malía lead the pack! The event takes place at Brooklyn Navy Yard from Sept. 7th-8th.
Other artists announced in this first round as part of this diverse lineup include younger, up and coming artists such as Anna Showmaker, The Fckers, DJ Minijoy from Seoul, Yinka, and DJ Zillions. Many more artists are set to be announced including headliners!
The festival comes just in time for Diablo as his new album ‘Shadows’ drops on July 26th. Whether you know these artists or not, Porte Festival is all about discovering and exploring new artists and brands you might not be familiar with.
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9qSUcJvC-i/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
The artists aren’t the only thing you have to look forward to. There has been more details unveiled about sponsors and vendors. The Porte Festival is backed by sponsors such as Coca-Cola. Seed Brklyn is a lifestyle brand that is a fashion retailer and cafe. Yerba Mate herbal tea will be onsite for a cold caffeinated kick. Baude NY skincare and Vacation sunscreen is also on the list of vendors who will be at Porte Fest.
Early bird tickets are still available, 1-day general admission tickets for $60 and $100 for the weekend pass. If you’re not an early bird, you don’t get the discount!
Porte Festival 2024
From $66.00
The post The First Round Of Artists For The Porte Festival Lineup In Brooklyn Just Dropped appeared first on Secret NYC.
Auntie Anne’s To Debut NYC’s First ‘Pretzel Perfumerie’
Everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure is opening its first-ever parfumerie pop-up in NYC. Auntie Anne’s soon to debut scent “Knead” will take notes from its delicious irresistible pretzels to emulate a wearable perfume. Think of if the comforting smell of buttery dough had a baby with flaky salt and added a dash of sweetness.
“There are few scents more recognizable than the aroma of Auntie Anne’s,” said Julie Younglove-Webb, Chief Brand Officer at Auntie Anne’s. “Smell is a special and powerful sense. Over the years, fans have shared their memories and experiences that began with just a whiff of our pretzels. We’ve bottled that moment and can’t wait for fans to enjoy it in a whole new way.”
The perfumerie’s grand opening will be on Tuesday, August 13th in SoHo at 433 Broadway. Visitors will receive a free tote bag and an Auntie Anne’s Original Pretzel on a first come first served basis. Plus, those who purchase Knead will get to take home even more swag! The store will be open for one day only from noon to 7pm.
If you’re eager to get your hands on Knead but can’t make it to the pop-up, it will be available for purchase online the following day (August 14th) here. The perfume comes in both a 1 oz ($25) and 3.4 oz ($45) bottle.
The post Auntie Anne’s To Debut NYC’s First ‘Pretzel Perfumerie’ appeared first on Secret NYC.
New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world
Here’s a bit of reassurance: you are not going crazy, everything in New York is costly—at least according to data company Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index by City, which just crowned New York as the third most expensive city in the world, right after Geneva and Zurich, both Swiss towns.
To come up with its ranking, the company analyzed data from January 2024 through mid-year, specifically scoring towns based on cost of living, rent, groceries, restaurant prices and local purchasing power.
Even more specifically, the company used the cost of living in the Big Apple as its baseline, giving it a score of 100. The authors then compared all other entries, determining whether they are more or less expansive than New York’s baseline.
What’s pretty remarkable is that out of the ten mentioned cities, seven of them are in the United States, effectively turning our country into the costliest one across the globe.
What can we say? We’re still madly in love with our New York—no matter how much it costs to live here.
The 10 most expensive cities in the world:
1. Geneva, Switzerland
2. Zurich, Switzerland
3. New York, New York
4. San Francisco, California, United States
5. Boston, Massachusetts, United States
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
7. Washington D.C., United States
8. Seattle, Washington, United States
9. Los Angeles, California, United States
10. Chicago, Illinois, United States
5 Consecutive Days Of Rain To Shower NYC As Debby Pummels The Southeast
Tropical Storm Debby, which touched down as a category 1 hurricane in Northern Florida on Monday has since deescalated to a tropical storm, but continues to wreak havoc on the Southeast.
Will Debby move towards NYC and what can we expect weather wise over the next few days? Find your answers below.
How is Tropical Storm Debby affecting Florida?
By Monday morning, already more than 10 inches of rain had been accounted for in certain areas of Florida. And at its peak, more than 350,000 people were without power. The storm has tragically resulted in a total of four deaths in the state.
Is Debby headed for NYC?
As of now, experts don’t believe Hurricane Debby will make its way to NYC. Early this morning it has already made its way into areas of Georgia and South Carolina. Debby could bring down as much as 30 inches of rain in some areas through Friday.
What weather can NYC expect for the week?
According to The Weather Channel, NYC is in for five consecutive days of rain this week. According to Storm Team 4 NY, the “lingering moisture from what’s left of Debby” may be the cause of NYC’s increased rainfall.
Beginning the evening of Tuesday, August 6th and into the night of Saturday, August 10th, rain will shower NYC. By the end of the week, Storm Team 4 NY says we could see up to 5 inches of rain total. However, temperatures will begin to cool down into the high 70s.
There’s currently a flood watch in place for the tri-state area from Tuesday through Wednesday.
Find even more information here.
In other news: New York Attempts To Rollout New Statewide Alert
The post 5 Consecutive Days Of Rain To Shower NYC As Debby Pummels The Southeast appeared first on Secret NYC.