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Jaywalking may soon be legal in NYC
Although jaywalking—crossing the street outside designated areas without regard for traffic—is a common practice in NYC, it is technically illegal.
That might soon change, though: New York City Council recently passed new legislation aimed at decriminalizing the practice.
Mayor Eric Adams still has to sign the bill into law and, given his current indictment, we can’t imagine he’ll be giving much attention to New Yorkers’ street-crossing habits right at this moment.
Alas, it’s worth mentioning that citizens’ reactions to the news fall into two camps: many pro-jaywalking decriminalization folks specifically point to data showing that over 90% of related tickets given out in 2023, each one about $250, were issued to Black and Latino pedestrians.
“This bill seeks to address this imbalance,” said councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, one of the lead sponsors of the bill, during an official press event. “How many people in the room can tell me they never jaywalk? None of you.”
At the same time, many worry that legalizing the practice may make things murky when it comes to accidents—especially since jaywalking can, potentially, lead to car injuries.
Whatever the case may be, crossing the street without regard for the presence of a sidewalk has become part and parcel of being a New Yorker—is that right? Who knows. Eventually, Mayor Adams will decide.
Check out the latest wine bar from the Figure Eight team
The second act from the popular (and now shuttered) Little Tong Noodle Shop, Silver Apricot opened at the height of the pandemic in July of 2020. With a menu that redefined the cultural complexity of being Chinese in America, the restaurant received rave reviews with Eater calling it “NYC’s most exciting new restaurant.” But this summer, the restaurant served its last round of Scallion Puffs, closing its doors in August. But luckily, the team retained the space, and this month, launched something entirely new.
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Located right next door to sister restaurant Figure Eight, Cora (20 Cornelia Street) made its debut on September 26. Translating to “heart,” Cora beats for wine. Led by managing partner and sommelier Emmeline Zhao, the wine list is heavy on North American producers, touching on varietals from the U.S., Canada and Mexico. With almost 20 wines by the glass, the list features bottles from women, BIPOC and sustainable winemakers.
For snacks in between sips, executive chef Joseph Bliffen puts the bounty of the season on the plate. Starters include Sunflower Pull Apart Rolls served with cultured butter, Beef Tartare with salsa verde and cured yolk and House Coppa served with grilled sourdough from their in-house bread program. Larger appetites call for the veggie-forward Buttered Radishes or Little Potatoes with tonnato and a jammy egg. Carnivores can satiate their hunger with Crispy Rice with nduja and little neck clams or the Whole Trout Milanese with smoked gribiche and watercress. And if you just need a little something sweet to go with your final glass of wine, pastry chef Janice Sung has just the ticket. Her selection of sweets includes an Olive Oil Cake with rotating fruits and a Sweet Corn Ice Cream with both plum jam and salted plum.
Sharing the same intimate space as its predecessor, the interior here is quaint with a seven-seat terrazzo bar, six tables in the dining room and a heated backyard patio so cheers can be had all year long. So just remember to set a reservation if you want a guaranteed spot.
Oasis brings its much-anticipated world tour near New York next summer
Musical history is about to be made: Oasis, the iconic English rock band that took over the industry in the 1990s and famously separated in 2009, just announced that its recently-revealed upcoming world tour will include stops in North America as well.
Dubbed the Oasis Live ’25 tour and led by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, whose often reported on feuds famously led to the disbandment of the group decades ago, the string of concerts will hit MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a 20-minute drive from midtown Manhattan, on August 31, 2025.
“America,” the band said in a statement earlier today. “Oasis is coming. You have one last chance to prove that you loved us all along.”
How to get tickets to the 2025 Oasis concert at MetLife
Fans can register for tickets to all North American tour dates on the official Oasis website right here already. Keep in mind that ticket sales will kick off on Ticketmaster this Friday.
It’s important to note that the band has released a statement regarding the dynamic pricing model that the members claim Ticketmaster usually employs, basically allowing the cost of a pass to fluctuate based on demand for it.
“Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model will not be applied to the forthcoming sale of tickets to Oasis concerts in North America,” reads the statement. “We have made this decision […] to hopefully avoid a repeat of the issues fans in the U.K. and Ireland experienced recently.”
For what it’s worth, Ticketmaster itself has said that it “does not set prices, nor offer algorithmic surge pricing technologies” in a statement to the New York Times. “Furthermore, Ticketmaster did not change prices during this sale — prices were established before the sale began.”
It’s safe to say that all of Oasis’ tour dates will be sold out, so dynamic pricing or not, try to snag a ticket ASAP.
Vampire Weekend is coming to Madison Square Garden this weekend: everything about tickets, timings and guest acts
Over nearly two decades, Vampire Weekend solidified itself as one of the defining musical acts of the aughts and 2010s. With a genre defying sound that playfully teeters the line between alternative rock, raggae and pop, the beloved New York City-raised group continues to attract a cult following.
This upcoming weekend, the band will make its way to Madison Square Garden. Here’s everything you need to know about getting last minute tickets, potential guests and the setlist.
Are tickets still available for Vampire Weekend in NYC?
There are still plenty of resale tickets available for the October 5 and 6 concerts on Ticketmaster, but make sure to act fast. Floor passes range in price from $41 to $208.
When will Vampire Weekend come on stage?
Doors open at 6:30pm and the concert officially starts at 7:30pm.
Who are the guests on the Vampire Weekend tour?
Vampire Weekend will have three special guests on the MSG dates: Mark Ronson on October 5, Turnstiles and The Brothers Macklovitch on October 6, according to MSG’s website.
Setlist
Although no official setlist has been released, here are the song that the band played during a concert at TD Garden in Boston on September 27: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
- Holiday
- I Stand Corrected
- Ice Cream Piano
- Classical
- Connect
- White Sky
- Unbelievers
- This Life
- Sunflower
- Sympathy
- New Dorp. New York (SBTRKT cover)
- Pravda
- Run
- Campus
- Oxford Comma
- Capricorn
- Gen-X Cops
- Diane Young
- Cousins
- A-Punk (twice)
- Mary Boone
- Hannah Hunt
- Harmony Hall
- Hope
Encore
- Faith (George Michael cover)
- Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega cover)
- Just What I Needed (The Cars cover)
- Where Everybody Knows Your Name (“Cheers” Theme, Gary Portnoy cover)
- Tequila (The Champs cover)
- Song 2 (Blur cover)
- The Impression That I Get (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones cover)
- House of the Rising Sun
- Rock Lobster (The B-52’s cover)
- Ripple (Grateful Dead cover)
- Do You Realize?? (Flaming Lips cover)
- Walcott
6 extremely accurate habits only New Yorkers understand
Everyone wishes they were a New Yorker, but not everyone has that “it” factor (and by “it,” we mean anger issues and an attitude).
We recently asked our readers to define the essence of a New Yorker by filling in the blank: “I’m from New York City, of course I ___.”
Here are their most awesome responses.
1. Look both ways on a one-way street before I cross
New Yorkers aren’t known for being patient or lawful drivers. In fact, some car owners like to play a game called “Let’s see how close I can inch towards a pedestrian without actually hitting them” and, yeah, it’s not our favorite. The perils of crossing a New York City street are known far and wide, and so you really do have to look both ways even if you’re crossing a one-way street, just to be safe. Yes, despite the likely decriminalization of jaywalking.
2. Hate how tourists walk
Just because they’re on vacation doesn’t mean we’re on vacation. We don’t mind tourists, but we do mind when they decide to stop in the middle of the sidewalk, sometimes abruptly, while trying to find their way to Times Square. We’re not visiting the suburbs and stopping our cars in the middle of the road while we look for directions, so we expect the same courtesy from tourists when we’re on our way to work.
3. Know how to parallel park
Parking spots are nearly as coveted here as livable space, which means that you could find yourself looking for one for a while before you find a gap that will actually fit a vehicle. Once you do, you have a few seconds to parallel park before the entire city starts beeping behind you.
4. Fold my slice in half before eating it
Not only is this the correct way to eat a slice but it also keeps all the delicious contents of the pizza from slipping out. A 10 out of 10 in technique.
5. Love egg creams
There’s an abundance of great food to choose from in this city, but there are also the classics that have shaped locals’ palates for decades. Like bagels, egg creams have become synonymous with a city that makes them better than anywhere else. According to a recent competition, some of the best egg creams in the city can be found at Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain in Carroll Gardens; Junior’s in Downtown Brooklyn; Juliana’s Pizza in Fulton Ferry District; Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor in Staten Island; S&P Lunch in the Flatiron District; and Lexington Candy Shop on the Upper East Side.
6. Jaywalk
Why should we wait another minute for the pedestrian light to change when we could cross the street right this very second? New Yorkers are experts at knowing exactly when and how fast to walk in between oncoming cars to avoid getting hit, and it’s a survival skill that has likely saved us hours of valuable time.
Where To Find Spirit Halloween Store Locations Throughout NYC
Where there’s an empty retail space, there’s the potential for a (temporary) Spirit Halloween store.
The iconic shop, which just got a spoof on the SNL season 50 debut, tends to sneak into abandoned buildings and assemble all of its creepy, kooky goodness during spooky season. One day, your deserted Duane Reade could be just that. The next, it could be aisles of costumes, wigs, and Halloween decor. (Ahh, bliss!)
Sometimes, it can be difficult to track down this Halloween store, so we thought we’d make things easier for your October shopping needs. Have a look at the Spirit Halloween locations by borough, according to the retailer’s website, and start brainstorming how you’ll wow your trick-or-treaters and party-goers this year.
Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, the Spirit Halloween costume predictions have just landed, if you need creative inspo. (Anyone else thinking about going the Beetlejuice route this year?)
Manhattan
- Chelsea: 270 7th Ave.
- Midtown East: 225 East 57th St.
- Upper East Side: 1279 3rd Ave
Brooklyn
- Sheepshead Bay: 2981 Ocean Ave
- Downtown Brooklyn: Atlantic Center Mall, 625 Atlantic Ave.
- Brooklyn Heights: 168 Montague St.
Queens
- Astoria: 32-87 Steinway St.
- Elmhurst: 88-01 Queens Blvd.
- Forest Hills: 113-25 Queens Blvd
- Glendale: 8000 Cooper Ave.
Bronx
- Kingsbridge: 171 west 230th St.
- Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market: 610 Exterior St.
Staten Island
- Heartland Village: 2271 Richmond Ave.
- Hylan Commons: 2530 Hylan Blvd.
Before you venture to your local store, visit the Spirit Halloween website for more details.
We’ll be sure to keep this page updated as more locations continue to pop up this October. In the meantime, we hope you take a good look at the best Halloween events in NYC and start marking your calendar. There’s plenty of spooky, scary fun to enjoy.
The post Where To Find Spirit Halloween Store Locations Throughout NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.
The Inaugural 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Is Heading To The NY Area
Soccer fans will get a kick out of this exciting news: the inaugural 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is making a MetLife pitstop.
Not to be confused with the World Cup — speaking of which, did you see that FIFA just dropped 1,000 exclusive “Right To Buy” tickets to the World Cup 2026? — this particular tournament features 32 teams from the six continental confederations — AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA — and sees the best club sides over the past four seasons competing for the top spot.
“This new FIFA competition is the only true example in worldwide club football of real solidarity and inclusivity, allowing the best clubs from Africa, Asia, Central and North America and Oceania to play the powerhouses of Europe and South America in an incredible new World Cup which will impact enormously the growth of club football and talent globally,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
If you thought MetLife Stadium hosting the 2026 World Cup Final was a treat, consider this an even bigger reason to celebrate.
What is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?
There will be 63 matches featuring 32 teams from six confederations — AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA — who are all aiming for the top spot.
When and where will the FIFA Club World Cup take place?
The sporting extravaganza will take place for nearly a month from June 15th to July 13th, 2025, also making pitstops across other U.S. cities. Why not make a vacation out of it? Here’s the complete list of host cities:
- East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Washington, D.C.
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Orlando, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Cincinatti, Ohio
- Los Angeles, California
- Seattle, Washington
How do I get FIFA Club World Cup tickets?
Although tickets are not currently available, those who are interested in snagging a spot should register with FIFA to stay up to date about ticketing via email.
It seems soccer is rising in the ranks, and soon we just might have a new favorite pastime!
The post The Inaugural 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Is Heading To The NY Area appeared first on Secret NYC.
The Top 20 Best Foodie Cities In America Have Been Revealed, & NYC Is Demanding A Recount
If you ask us, New York City is the foodie capital of the world. And sure, you could say we’re biased, but NYC’s many beautiful restaurants, Michelin-Starred restaurants, and new restaurants are just some examples that prove it.
Though recently WalletHub compared more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities across 28 key metrics, from the cost of groceries to the affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants, to uncover the best foodie cities in America and, well, we’d like to have a talk with them because there must be a mistake…
Out of 182 cities NYC didn’t rank first–actually, it didn’t even rank in the top ten. NYC ranked a measly #16 with a total score of 60.83. Moreover, the city ranked #178 in affordability and #11 in diversity, accessibility, and quality. And while we do agree with the affordability thing, we don’t agree with…anything else.
The study called out a few specific categories, such as Restaurants per Capita, Ratio of Full-Service Restaurants to Fast-Food Establishments, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita, and Craft Breweries & Wineries per Capita. The only category that NYC stood out in was Coffee Shops per Capita in which we have…some of the fewest? We’ll just be over here sipping our iced latte that we grabbed from one of NYC’s THOUSANDS of coffee shops shaking our head.
As for the best foodie city in America, that title went to our friends over in Miami. In fact, three Florida cities made the top five: Miami (#1), Orlando (#3), and Tampa (#5). So yeah, we’re confused to say the least. The full ranking can be seen on WalletHub’s website.
In the end we’re pretty sure NYC only ranked as low as it did because of how expensive eating your way through the city can get…and if that’s not the reason NYC ranked so low then, well, it’s the story we’re gonna go with anyway. Find out for yourself why we totally don’t agree with this study by eating your way through one of NYC’s many food festivals.
The post The Top 20 Best Foodie Cities In America Have Been Revealed, & NYC Is Demanding A Recount appeared first on Secret NYC.