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An affordable housing lottery just opened on the Upper West Side near Central Park
Many people dream of living on the Upper West Side with its leafy streets and incredible mom-and-pop shops, but for some of us, sales prices have made it impossible. But thanks to a new housing lottery that just opened, that dream seems more within reach.
Here’s what you need to know about the new lottery for those looking to purchase an apartment.
RECOMMENDED: This neighborhood is home to NYC’s youngest residents
Where is it?
The lottery is open for 165 West 80th Street, which is just about two blocks from Central Park and one block from the American Museum of Natural History, according to 6sqft.com. Could there be a more perfect location?
How many units are available?
17 units are available within this five-story walk-up.
What units are available?
10 studios and seven one-bedroom apartments. The studios span between 240 and 343 square feet, while the one-bedroom apartments measure between 466 and 544 square feet. These units come with A/C (heating and cooling), smart controls, hardwood floors and access to outdoor areas.
How much do they cost?
They are about $173,801 for a studio and $184,990 for a one-bedroom.
How do I qualify?
To be considered, you must earn 120% of the area median income—between $73,319 for a single person and $167,760 for a family of three. You can see the breakdown here. The buyer must use the unit as their primary residence and pay for electricity. Preference is given to applicants who live in New York City.
What else do we know about this building?
Once all 17 units are sold, the building will be converted to an HDFC Limited-Equity Cooperative. 6sqft.com says HDFC buildings are once-abandoned and neglected properties that are purchased by the city. Once they’re rehabilitated, the city offers New Yorkers the ability to own there and become shareholders in their co-ops. Pretty cool!
What’s nearby?
Subway lines, A, B, C, 1, 4, and 6 and bus routes, M7, M11, M79-SBS, and M104. As mentioned above, AMNH and Central Park are within easy walking distance as is the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Hudson River Greenway, Zabar’s and Beacon Theatre.
How do I apply and by what date?
You have until August 27, 2024 to apply on HousingConnect.nyc.gov.
How do I learn more?
There will be a virtual information session on July 11 at 6pm and on August 13 at 6pm. Attendance is not required to purchase one of the homes. You can also talk to someone by calling 311 and asking for NYC’s Housing Connect Department.
Let Me Tell You—I’m Time Out New York’s new Food and Drink Editor
Allow me to introduce myself. Hello all, my name is Morgan Carter and I am the new Food and Drink Editor at Time Out New York. I’ve worked as a food writer for about eight years now, first covering the scene in Denver (we are more than a meat and potatoes town—I promise) and now the great city of New York.
As to how I got into food, to be honest, I sort of stumbled into it. I can’t say I have strong, grounding memories of food as a kid. My little hands didn’t drag a stool across the kitchen to watch my mother cobble together gumbo, nor did I have a revelation of a garden-grown tomato as mine were plucked from the store. My childhood was comfortably middle-class and incredibly Americana. Good grades were rewarded with trips to Olive Garden with its prize of unlimited breadsticks and heavy butter-laden pastas. Meanwhile, visits to Applebees only yielded the same order: a cheese pizza—an incredibly flattened personal pie that was likely grabbed from the freezer and chucked into the oven—and a frosty Oreo milkshake. Somehow, my stomach and fortitude for dairy still stand to this day.
Really, it wasn’t until I switched careers from working in a hospital to covering the hospitality scene that I found my stride. From intern to editor, I got my first job in media working at a food magazine in Denver. There, I ate my weight in barbacoa, carne asada and lengua tacos as a judge for a taco festival, graciously plunged my fork into whole hog heads and head cheese and knocked back beers brewed with ghost peppers and Rocky Mountain Oysters.
But what connected me to the profession was the people behind it all—and how, much to my comfort, some people grow up in this profession, while others stumble their way to it. I’ve talked to a chef who found a love for cooking at an early age and followed their passions to summer stints at Michelin-starred revues. But I also talked to a chef who left a career as a divorce lawyer and started a food truck, leaning on her college days living and cooking with her host family in Beijing. I’ve spoken with people who after devastating illnesses figured the best way forward was to help people by feeding them. Especially in the wake of the pandemic, I found a community of people willing to go the distance.
So what about here, what about New York? It should go without saying, but New York is massive, its food scene just as vast. And while PR-backed, big-named chefs restaurants can drive coverage in the scene, New York hums with vendors, pop-ups and streetside cooks, ready and willing to feed those who seek it out. And I’m always ready to stumble in and try the latest.
I fully recognize that I am still one woman with one stomach. But luckily, I always have an appetite. So please, feel free to drop me a line and let me know what’s happening in your corner of the city.
You can email Morgan at Morgan.Carter@timeout.com.
This legendary NYC pizza shop is reportedly opening its first new location in over 80 years
Some NYC culinary institutions are meant to be single-store-front businesses.
We mean, can you imagine Prince Street Pizza opening a second location? Although a Carbone for “members only” is operational inside ZZ’s Club in Hudson Yards, the general public largely thinks of the restaurant’s iconic Thompson Street address as the only authentic Carbone around there.
L&B Spumoni Gardens, the famous Italian-American pizzeria at 2725 86th Street in Brooklyn that first opened back in 1939, squarely belonged in that category of businesses for over 80 years. In New Yorkers’ minds, there could only ever be one L&B Spumoni Gardens.
And, yet, things are about to change. Following a 2019 announcement, the pizzeria seems to be a bit closer to opening its second-ever location, this one at 46 Old Fulton Street in Dumbo.
The Brooklyn Eagle reports that “after numerous snags,” the new venue could open “as soon as September.” Cue the delight of pizza-loving New Yorkers all around town.
According to the outlet, construction took a very long time because of issues relating to the NYC Department of Buildings.
“Work included new interior walls, plumbing fixtures, cooking equipment and HVAC unit, kitchen exhaust hood and more, but progress has been bumpy,” writes the outlet.
Whatever the case may be, there will soon enough be another brick-and-mortar selling the renowned Grandma-style square slices that L&B Spumoni Gardens is known for.
Rest assured that, if September continues to be as hot as the past few weeks have been, customers will also ask about the restaurant’s legendary tri-colored spumoni ice cream—the traditional layered dessert from Naples that features different colors of ice cream.
Suddenly, we’ve craving a whole lot of pizza.
Out Late: 9 ways to have the perfect Brat Summer in NYC
“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 highlighted Empanada Mama, the surprise hit for hottest gay bar in the city.
Charli XCX’s “Brat” album is dominating the cultural zeitgeist, and if you’re a nightlife-loving hot girl or twink who happens to live in Brooklyn, the puke-green spectre of “Brat” has likely engulfed your entire existence.
The obsession with Charli’s groundbreaking new album has created plenty of discourse online about what it means to be a Brat and, more urgently, what it takes to have the perfect Brat Summer. Some creators on TikTok have taken it upon themselves to create Brat-proof lists. Things that are decidedly Brat-coded? Dirty martinis, skinny cigarettes, sunblock, Red Bulls, white tank tops and salads. Non-Brat things (read: uncool) include espresso martinis, vaping and poppers. Charli herself has said that a Brat summer can be anything you want it to be: You can make it luxurious, but it can also be trashy—ultimately, it’s about having unabashed fun.
Things that are decidedly Brat-coded? Dirty martinis, skinny cigarettes, sunblock, Red Bulls, white tank tops and salads.
My own interpretation of “Brat” is that it’s an album that celebrates people in their late twenties and early- to mid-thirties who have chosen clubbing not as a phase, but as a lifestyle—one that involves camaraderie, friendship, exuberant highs and the accompanying existential lows.
To have a Brat Summer, the first thing you need to do is to be a Brat. If we’re going by the album’s lyrics, that means someone who is unapologetically themselves, egotistical (with the caveat of that ego being a protective mechanism for being secretly insecure), and reckless. A Brat is someone who is imperfect, irate, but ultimately just wants to try and enjoy life at a time that can feel devoid of all meaning. Oh, and you also need to believe that you’re hot.
New York is the quintessential Brat city, and we’re not just saying that: Charli herself adopted New York and its “It girls” (Julia Fox, Richie Shazam, etc.) as the world on which her album is built. Her love of our city and Bushwick specifically became clear when she chose a warehouse in East Williamsburg to make her sold-out Boiler Room debut earlier this year. We decided to take some of the references from the album, Charli’s recent appearances in the city, and our own loose interpretation of what a Brat Summer entails to compile a list of how to have the perfect Brat Summer in the city.
Here’s our guide to have a Brat Summer in NYC
1. Drink a bottle of rose at Lot Radio and gawk at the Brat Wall.
Across the street from Lot Radio in Greenpoint is the location Charli XCX chose as the “Brat wall,” a neon green space that has advertised the album and each subsequent update (i.e. the extended album and the Lorde collab). The Brat wall has since garnered cult-like adoration and chances are there’s someone on TikTok filming a livestream of it right now. Charli performed in front of the Brat wall and played a set at Lot Radio before dropping the album, which makes this the quintessential pilgrimage site for Brat fanatics.
Lot Radio is the 24/7 online radio station, and its outdoor bar is open from 10am till midnight every day.
2. Get an iced matcha latte at Setsugekka in the East Village.
True Brats need to stay caffeinated. How else are they gonna have the energy to send head-numbing emails after a long night of partying? In a city teeming with iced matcha lattes that are just okay, Setsugekka stands out as having some of the best quality versions of the drink in the entire city. They’re pretty pricey, though. One will cost you $7 or more, depending on what you add to it, but there’s something extremely Bratty about frivolous spending.
3. Buy a joint at The Travel Agency (or a cigarette somewhere else)
Stop at The Travel Agency, one of our favorite weed shops in the city, for its focus on peace and relaxation. Even better: This is a woman and BIPOC-founded company that celebrates and supports BIPOC-owned, women-owned LGBTQIA+-owned brands and products.
4. Catch some sun at Union Square’s neon green tables
The neon green Brat-coded public tables were basically made for Brats. Hang out here (with sunblock on, obviously) for some prime people watching. If you happen to be there when the Union Square farmer’s market is happening (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), buy some fresh green apples to offset the cigarette you just smoked.
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5. Party at one of the many Brat-themed events and Charli XCX-coded clubs.
Brat pays homage to club culture, so there’s definitely no better way to celebrate than to go to a Brat-themed party. Notably, Market Hotel on Myrtle-Broadway is hosting “Brat hotel,” a Brat-themed party this upcoming Sunday. There are plenty of Bushwick clubs that are Brat-coded year-round. Notably, there’s H0l0 in Ridgewood, which recently got a Boiler Room-inspired renovation where the DJ booth is in the middle of the dance floor; Basement, which stays open ’til the wee hours of the morning; and Nowadays, which has a huge backyard conducive to crazy summer nights. For a day party, the DJ lineups at this year’s MoMA PS1 Warm-Up series will also be worth the visit.
6. Buy a pair of clubbing shades at Other People’s Clothes.
If you’re not clubbing with hot girl sunglasses on, then you’re not fully embracing the ethos of Charli. Other People’s Clothes in Bushwick (333 Troutman St.) has a good selection of cheap raver-style sunglasses.
7. Be “So Julia” and have dinner at Carbone.
Julia Fox is one of the many muses Charli uses in the album, and she’s the star of the single “360,” where Charli proclaims she’s “so everywhere [she’s] so Julia.” Fox has said on multiple occasions that she loves dining at Carbone, the Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village where you’re likely to spot a local socialite on any given night—if you can get a reservation, that is.
8. Eat at Flame Diner, one of Lorde’s favorite hang out spots, after a long night out.
One of the biggest gags from BRAT was Charli’s remix of “Girl, so confusing,” featuring Lorde, where the two artists worked out long-standing beef. The song was an inflection point in the album that address misogyny, miscommunication, and how assuming people’s intentions can end friendships. An accurate Brat tour needs to pay homage to the iconic Kiwi artist, and there’s nowhere better to do that than to eat at Flame Diner near Columbus Circle, which is open 24 hours, after a long night out. This Diner served as one of the primary hangout spots where the artist wrote her “Melodrama” album during her stint in New York.
9. Party on the Staten Island Ferry and wave at the original 365 party girl from the boat.
There’s no one more Brat-coded in the city than Miss Liberty herself, who has been slowly turning neon green for decades and is a beacon of female empowerment in a city teaming with statues of men. Get on the ferry, which sells beer once again, and wave at Lady Liberty from the boat. If the U.S.’s intent to give equality to all has failed miserably in practice, what Lady Liberty was meant to symbolize is still honorable—freedom and the right of all people to pursue bliss. There’s nothing more Brat-coded than that.
15 Things To Do, See & Eat In Jersey City
It’s so close and yet so far (but not actually that far) for us New Yorkers! We’re talking about cousin New Jersey, specifically Hudson County. So head out on the Path Train or the ferry and try some new places, will you?
Don’t get it twisted, we love our Nathan’s hot dogs and our favorite halal carts but let’s switch things up this summer! There’s so much to see across the Hudson. We did the work, here’s a run down of some top spots to check out in Jersey City.
Best Restaurants In Jersey City
1. Be transported with Porta steps from the train
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Whether it’s lunch, brunch, dinner, pizza, pasta or just drinks, Porto has you covered. They also have freshly made mozzarella and ricotta daily and hand-rolled meatballs all made in-house and from scratch! You can’t beat the location; Porta is located one block from the Grove Street PATH station.
Where: 135 Newark Ave.
2. Get down with delectable dishes at Cellar 335
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If you need to escape a little head to this Tiki Bar & Restaurant with relaxing vibes and a great atmosphere. This Asian-influenced modern American menu boasts shared plates like spicy kimchi fried rice, tikka masala meatballs, szechuan cauliflower and more! Don’t miss out on their creative cocktail menu either!
Where: 335 Newark Ave.
3. Share a pie & more at Razza
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Grab a bunch of friends and family and share some pies at Razza! They have some unique pizzas such as Guancia which has guanciale in it as well as Project Hazelnut which has Fresh mozzarella, Rutgers University hazelnuts, ricotta and local honey. Some fan favorites besides the pies are the meatballs with ricotta as an app and the tiramisu for dessert.
Where: 275-277 Grove St.
Honorable pizza mention: If you want to go the distance for a slice you can also head to Renato’s Pizza Masters, it’s further out but a JC staple too.
4. Enjoy all the goods at the Kitchen Step
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This neighborhood eatery focuses on modern American cuisine. We’re salivating at their French onion mac & cheese and crabby patty sandwich for dinner. Sign us up for ricotta zeppoles for dessert. Their crafted cocktails, also known as their seasonal elixirs, are very creative and refreshing! Delectable mocktails are also available.
Where: 500 Jersey Ave.
*Honorable mentions: Grab a bite at Taqueria & Dullboy walking distance from the train station or venture out to Andrea Salumeria. Also, get a taste of Europe at Würstbar and Zeppelin Hall Beer Garden too!
Things To Do In Jersey City
5. Take a Stroll in Liberty State Park
When you think of NYC skylines, the unreal view from Liberty State Park has it all. Enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Manhattan landmarks along the Hudson River. Whether it’s just walking around, hitting a bike trail, or setting up the perfect picnic, this is a great place to retreat this summer!
6. Don’t miss the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial
Located right in Liberty State Park, Empty Sky is a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives on 9/11. There are two walls, resembling the Twin Towers, and the names of the fallen are inscribed on the walls. It’s a powerful memorial that is absolutely moving and unforgettable.
7. Experience Otherworldly Delights At Liberty Science Center / Planetarium
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Liberty Science Center happens to be right near Liberty State Park, so experiment and challenge yourself with hands-on exhibits at this interactive museum. Within the museum is the Planetarium which has out-of-this-world shows about astronomy, and space exploration as well as laser shows plus other captivating visual experiences.
8. Enjoy Art at Mana Contemporary / Jersey City Mural Arts
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Jersey City is home to a wide variety of street art and incredible graffiti. The Jersey City Mural Arts Program has a map where you can do a self-guided tour to see striking pieces of art in public spaces. The art is not only visually stunning, but also raises a level of engagement within communities that have these murals.
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On the flip side, Mana Contemporary houses art galleries, exhibitions, and educational programs to foster artistic expression and production. Art lovers have their pick of where and how they want to experience art that speaks to them in Jersey City.
Dessert Spots in Jersey City
9. Let the history of Torico Ice Cream cool you down
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Do we really need anything else besides ice cream this summer? Torico Ice Cream has been churning out the goods since 1968; this Jersey City staple has been family-owned and operated by three generations. They have all the regular flavors we love but they’re also known for their more innovative flavors. From lychee or avocado ice cream to banana peanut butter chunk and ube, make it a must-visit for those who have a sweet tooth!
Where: 20 Erie St.
10. Taste the culture at Dulce de Leche
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It’s all in the name of this Argentine-inspired bakery. Dulce de Leche specializes in alfajores, which is a traditional Argentinian cookie filled with dulce de leche. There are coffees, fresh juices, cakes, pastries and so much more. On the savory side, there are sandwiches and empanadas available. For a taste of culture and delishness, Dulce de Leche is the spot for you!
Where: 376 Central Avenue
11. Rise and shine for Scram Bakery
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Scram is operated by pastry chef Melanie Durant, who was named one of the top pastry chefs in the country. Even though Scram is known for its sweets, some have vowed that they have one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Jersey! Whether you’re there for sweet or savory treats, Scram will fill that craving. You better go early, this spot is only open from Thursday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the kitchen is only open until noon!
Where: 61 Erie St.
*Honorable mentions: for banana pudding lovers, Baonanas is the place for you, and Babka lovers should head to Babka Bailout. L’atelier du chocolat by Eric Girerd is a well-known spot for chocoholics (and it’s great for gifts)!
Venues & Nightlife in Jersey City
12. Veg Out & Drink Up at Petshop
This popular neighborhood bar was opened by three locals and remains a local joint for the community. All of their bites are vegetarian and delectable from their cauliflower wings to their vegan burgers and they even have gluten-free options. There’s also a cozy wine cocktail bar speakeasy within Petshop!
Where: 193 Newark Avenue
13. Boardwalk Empire Fans Need To Go To Nuckys
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Named after the infamous Atlantic City political figure and Boardwalk Empire character Nucky Thompson, what’s not to love about this place? With a 1920s vibe, this prohibition-style distillery serves more than just charm. Enjoy signature cocktails named The Vinny Scissorhands and Cheeky Charlie. With a variety of food, there’s also homemade soda bread that you can enjoy there or take a loaf home!
14. See A Show At Monty Hall
Monty Hall is an intimate venue for live shows and it’s associated with WMFU which is a local, community-supported radio station in Jersey. It’s not just about music; there are other events housed at Monty Hall. Don’t miss out on their super cute pet adoption parties!
15. Catch Candlelight Concerts at White Eagle Hall.
White Eagle Hall is a performance space and venue that’s home to all kinds of events. Some limited Candlelight Concerts will also be performed here. These orchestral shows churn out notable hits backed by hundreds of candles. On July 18th and September 18th, you can see Candlelight’s A Tribute to Coldplay or Best of Bollywood on Strings. On August 15th you can choose to see A Tribute to Beyonce or Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
Where: Monty Hall – 43 Montgomery Street & White Eagle Hall – 337 Newark Ave.
*Honorable mention: For Jazz fans, head to The Statuary and/or Moore’s Lounge!
The post 15 Things To Do, See & Eat In Jersey City appeared first on Secret NYC.
Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC is launching a new line of cookies in Queens
Hip-hop legend Darryl “DMC” McDaniels—co-founder of the iconic Queens group Run DMC—is making his way back to the borough—this time launching his very own cookie brand, the aptly named Darryl Makes Cookies.
The now 60-year-old rapper will show up at the Queens Night Market on July 20 to sign bags of cookies sold to excited fans on site. Although we certainly hope that he will break out in song (well, rap), no word yet on whether DMC will play a set while at the event.
But if you really want to catch him live, you’re in luck: the next night, on July 21, DMC is scheduled to take on SummerStage in Central Park with Jadakiss and Statik Selektah, among others, for what is sure to be a nostalgia-driven show that everyone is going to talk about the next day.
“What a treat to have Queens legend Darryl McDaniels not only perform at SummerStage, but also introduce his new line of cookies at the Queens Night Market, one of our city’s greatest culinary hubs,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. in an official statement. “Queens is where music and food collide in a can’t-miss showing of culture, and we can’t wait to welcome DMC back home.”
But back to the cookies: although we don’t know much about how they are made, a quick Google search leads us to DMC’s official website, where the chocolate chip variety of the treat costs $14.99 and looks pretty damn delicious.
The line was first unveiled at Comic Con last year and showed up at a few pop up events since then, but this will be the dessert’s first big break in quite some time.
According to the press release, the cookies are “intended to bridge generational gaps”—just like DMC’s other artistic endeavors. If they’re anything like the rapper’s music, the sweets are sure to delight and excite.
A pawsitively adorable exhibit about NYC’s pets is coming to New-York Historical Society
Step outside any New York City skyscraper in the heart of Manhattan during the peak of rush-hour traffic, and you will find very loyal corporate-employee owners walking their chihuahuas and great danes across city blocks. Occasionally, on a sunny day in Central Park, you may find a cat in a harness, a bunny sitting peacefully upon somebody’s lap, or a man with 20 leashes around his wrist strolling casually by.
All that is to say, New York City residents have always cherished their pets, and the New-York Historical Society is here to document that. In the new special exhibition titled Pets and the City, they’ll feature an array of artwork—primarily obtained from the New-York Historical’s Museum and Library collections—that document the multidimensional roles animals have played to serve and coexist alongside human beings. See the exhibition from October 25 to April 27, 2025.
RECOMMENDED: Explore 200 years of women’s fashion at New-York Historical Society this fall
Through photographs, memorabilia, film and television clips, the exhibition explores how the relationship between humans and their pets has transformed alongside the ever-changing New York City landscape.
“I hope visitors come away from this exhibition with a deeper appreciation for the profound impact pets have had on our city’s culture and society and a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of our animals,” Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of New-York Historical, said in a press release.
Here are a few exhibition highlights
Pets as essential to early American societies
Back to America’s earliest days, pets were essential. The exhibition begins with an exploration of pets as vital to early Indigenous communities and settlers to the American region. This section zooms back in time highlighting the significance of Mohawk people using clan animal drawings to sign their name in documents from 1788 and the ritualization of the hunting process—both of which emphasize animals as much more than just a food source.
Pets and the nuclear family
As the exhibit moves through time, family portraits from the late-18th and early-19th century show how pets were vital to the urbanization of New York City. As New Yorkers witnessed their surroundings develop, domesticated animals served as warm reminders of the natural world, easing the transition process. The exhibition features a multitude of family portraits that reveal pets as fixtures in domestic spheres, as well as portraits and videos of pets from all over the world.
Pets as merchandise and medalists
Moving into the late-19th and early-20th century, the exhibition hones in on the use of pets for commercial practices. Whether it was cats featured on trade cards targeted towards women or pets as central to children’s toys and games, domesticated animals became a golden ticket for businesses to make a profit. With the arrival of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and national cat shows, you’ll get to see how pets have expanded outside of the family home and into national entertainment and commercial spheres.
Pets as working animals
Both historically and in the present day, people have relied on animals to improve their daily lives. Check out historic photos and contemporary equipment that trace the origin story of Seeing Eye and bomb-sniffing dogs, as well as paintings, drawings, and photographs that explore the main form of transportation centuries before: The horse. Though it’s hard to imagine today, at the end of the 19th century, almost 200,000 horses populated the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Pets as pests
While Pets and the City focuses on how humans have used animals in a multitude of ways, the exhibition also places emphasis on the pets themselves through an exploration of animal rights legislation in New York City. From the 1866 anti-cruelty law and the founding of the ASPCA to present-day animal rights organizations and animal cafes, the exhibition provides viewers with an understanding of the nuanced relationships between individuals and their pets—and how they continue to change in contemporary society.
Programming
Keep an eye out for a variety of programming, including a family guide available for children available throughout the run of the exhibition. Family-friendly events are also featured, including Little New-Yorkers, Sunday Storytime books, and craft activities. Be sure to also check out their special Halloween event during the month of October.