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Hot dogs are having a bit of a moment—there’s an enormous frankfurter smack-dab in the middle of Times Square right now, in case you’ve somehow missed it. And while we’ve seen hot dog ice cream, churro hot dogs and hot dog fried chicken sandwich throughout the city’s frank-loving history, New York is now getting a hot dog cocktail. Yes, really. 

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LilliStar, the celestial Brooklyn rooftop bar from the creators behind Broken Shaker, reopened for the warm-weather season atop The Moxy Williamsburg on Monday, April 15, and they’re officially cheers-ing to summertime with a whimsical new cocktail creation: the “Hot Doggin’ It” ($18), a savory beverage meant to evoke the nostalgic flavors of one of New York’s most quintessential eats.

Don’t worry, you won’t find any actual dirty water in this drink—instead, it merely gives off the essence of the American classic via Vida, Lustau Vermut, tomato water and mustard seed agave. (There is a hot dog over on the food menu, served on a potato bun with red cabbage and harissa aioli for $12, in case you want the real thing.)  

Keeping to theme, the “Hot Doggin’ It” cocktail is festively wrapped in an aluminum hot-dog wrapper and topped with a twee cocktail weenie.

It’s not the only food-themed drink on the menu. There’s also the “’Nana Pudding” ($20), a clarified cocktail reminiscent of the comforting dessert with notes of vanilla and coconut (crafted with Zacapa, D’usse, banana black tea, coconut foam, and vanilla wafer). There’s a “Fried Pickles and Ranch” bev ($18) made with Ilegal Mezcal, Aquavit, Fino, dill, coriander and lime oleo; as well as an “Elote Twisted Tea” (cotija-washed Abasolo, Nixta, black tea, lemon oleo and smoked paprika salt for $19)

If you want your drinks to, you know, not taste like food, the bar program also includes large-format cocktails like the shareable “Fun in the Sun” (Don Julio Blanco, chinola, salers, passionfruit, citrus, Chinese 5 spice) for $350. Check out that one, as well as the LilliStar space, below:

* This article was originally published here

It’s been two decades in the making, but it’s finally a reality: Abolitionist Place Park, a new 1.15-acre public green space that honors Brooklyn’s abolitionist history, is officially open at 225 Duffield Street.

As Brooklynites are probably aware of, the park was originally called Willoughby Square Park and discussions regarding its debut started as far back as 2004, when Downtown Brooklyn was first rezoned.

False starts and community issues stalled the project, which was officially renamed Abolitionist Place in 2021 when the Economic Development Corporation, who is behind the construction of the area, also pledged to fund a public art installation that would honor the 19th century abolitionist movement in Brooklyn (more on that later). 

The time spent by officials to develop the effort has clearly paid off: according to Brownstoner, the park features a small dog run, an interactive water feature that will be turned on when the weather is warm, seating sections, a children’s playground and a central lawn, among other things.

The on-site public art installation will include two works by Brooklyn-based multimedia artist Kenseth Armstead: his “true North, Every Negro is a Star” will be a 16-by-33-by-33-foot steel dome structure commenting on the trans-Atlantic slave trade while “Conductors” will shed light on folks in the African diaspora “who helped the formerly enslaved people achieve freedom,” reports Brownstoner. Both pieces will debut in upcoming years.

The new destination will also be the site of public programs organized by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, the same entity tasked with maintaining the park. No exact details have yet been shared about the sorts of events that will take place on site, except for a story hour that kicks off today. 

In terms of operating hours, the park will be closed between 1am and 6am every day and dogs won’t be allowed on the lawn at any point. Police officers will also be patrolling the area regularly. 

It’s always a good day when a new green space makes its debut in this concrete jungle of ours!

* This article was originally published here