Skip to content

Bama's List

Laugh, Cry, Great Deals, Sales, Jobs…

Archive

Category: Day Trips

Coney Island Reggae Beach Party Critics' Pick

Coney Island Boardwalk, Sun 2pm. Boardwalk (at 10th St)
Subway: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island–Stillwell AveGet directions
WKCR’s Eastern Standard Time show, along with Sound Liberation Front, hosts a killer lineup of selectors (including Vaughn All Star and Carter Van Pelt, Tony Screw, Sir Tommy, Digital English and Clive Chin) at this homage to Jamaican sound-system culture. Just head toward the parachute jump and follow the deep bass and heavy rhythms—you’ll find it. The party ends at sundown.

Summer BBQ Blowout Critics' Pick

City Winery, Sat 1pm–4pm. 155 Varick St (at Vandam St)
(212) 608-0555citywinery.com
Subway: 1 to Houston StGet directions

$60

Hit up City Winery for this outdoor concert and barbecue block party, cohosted by Finger on the Pulse. Ten of the city’s top toques—including Christina Tosi (Milk Bar), Phillip Kirschen-Clark (Vandaag) and Noah Bernamoff (Mile End)—will create fire-kissed dishes like Bernamoff’s coriander-smoked beef ribs and Tosi’s watermelon-and-basil ice milk. Admission gets you samples from all ten chefs, two complimentary drinks, such as Sierra Nevada Kellerweis or Lake County sauvignon blanc, and plenty of dance music from DJ Autobot and Midnight Magic.
Skate Expectations
_ The High Line’s Outdoor Roller Rink
_ _
_
UD - High Line Rink Good news: the NFL is back.

Also, in case you hadn’t heard, so is roller-skating.

Though only one will be taking place under the High Line…

Introducing the High Line Rink, a four-wheeled taste of the 1980s that’s skating around and around in circles right next to the Lot on Tap, opening Thursday.

Big picture: this 8,000-square-foot outdoor arena may very well usher in the rebirth of roller-skating in New York City… perhaps even the world. Little picture: you finally get a chance to replay your eighth birthday party. Only this time, there’ll be draft beer.

Yes, just like the roller rinks of yore, the High Line’s asphalt oval has all the nostalgic trappings you remember. Namely, a disco-spinning DJ, regular theme nights and an abundance of pizza and ice cream sandwiches courtesy of the Lot’s gourmet food truck fleet.

So inform the co-ed roller derby team that you’re getting the band back together and head over to the northernmost open end of the High Line. When you arrive, grab a pair of old-school rental skates and a tap wine or microbrew pint from the adjacent alfresco bar, then prepare for battle.

Of course, if you’re a lover, not a fighter, this rink also presents a prime opportunity to dust off the lost art of the roller-skating date night.

And the even lost-er art of wearing tube socks.

Note:
High Line Rink, opening Thursday, W 30th St and 10th Ave, 212-206-9922
The Life Aquatic
A Summer’s Worth of Pool Parties
If you’re reading this from a pool right now: well played. Still, you can never know too much about the goings-on in those magical man-made ponds of summertime enjoyment. Herewith, a collection of the season’s newest waterfront fetes. Your cannonball run starts now.
UD - Gansevoort Summer Series
Gansevoort Summer Series
The Pool: New York’s first indoor/outdoor rooftop pool. Yes, there’s a pinup girl painted at the bottom.
The Scene:
Typically reserved for hotel guests, this tri-level complex opens on summer Sundays to anyone looking to take a dip, listen to live music or host Marco Polo tourneys at a neutral site.
Key for Success:
A poolside table reservation, which guarantees you’ll get in and provides a home base to snack on Kobe Beef Sliders.
411:
Sundays, 3-9pm, Gansevoort Park Avenue, 420 Park Ave S, reserve here or at 212-929-0067
UD - Dream Hotel Sunset Saturday Party
Dream Hotel Sunset Saturday Party
The Pool: See-through. The bottom is made of glass and looks down into the lobby below.
The Scene:
Sand-surrounded tiki bar, cabanas, an auxiliary penthouse party (in case of rain) and the omnipresent chance of a heatstroke-induced mirage.
Key for Success:
Your least baggy bathing suit. Unless you don’t care about putting on a show for the lobby.
411:
Saturdays, 5:30-10pm, Dream Downtown, 355 W 16th St, 212-229-2559
UD - The Bathing Club at Capri
The Bathing Club at Capri
The Pool: Heated. In ground. With a strict “no running or diving” policy. Pure Hamptons.
The Scene:
Used to host the rabid Day & Night brunch party. Now a wee bit more laid-back, with sort of a Bloody Mary state of mind. Thankfully, nobody evicted the house DJ.
Key for Success:
Seek the sushi. There’s a Nobu outpost tucked away inside.
411:
Saturdays, 9pm-1am, The Capri, 281 County Rd, 39A Rte 27, Southampton, 631-504-6575
UD - Gift NY at the Grace Hotel
Gift NY at the Grace Hotel
The Pool: Swim-up bar. We believe they accept soaking-wet twenties.
The Scene:
Imagine a shrunken Palm Springs spa. But with traveling Euros, bachelorette parties and the strangely alluring musk of indoor pool chlorine.
Key for Success:
There’re swimsuits sold at the front desk. You know, in case you walked out of the house and forgot pants.
411:
Sundays, 2-8pm, The Grace Hotel, 125 W 45th St, 212-354-2323
UD - RockBeach
RockBeach
The Pool: Inflatable. Also, not so much a pool as it is a souped-up Slip ’N Slide.
The Scene:
A seaside version of the infamous Jelly Pool Parties. Taking place in a far-off land called Fort Tilden Beach. Old: draft beer, dodgeball, concerts. New: a Manhattan shuttle service.
Key for Success:
A reliable wingman. There’s beach volleyball.
411:
Jul 24, 2-8pm, RockBeach, 3159 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn
UD - A Penthouse Fourth of July Party
PERK ALERT
A Penthouse Fourth of July Party
Independence Day. A time to celebrate the glory of watching fireworks from a grandiose hotel penthouse. Which is why you’ll want to know about this party at the Mondrian SoHo… Also, we’re hooking you up with a VIP pool pass at Le Parker Meridien and 45% off at Le Caprice.
411:

Gansevoort Summer Series: Sharam Critics' Pick

Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC, Sun 3pm. 420 Park Ave South (at 29th St)
(212) 317-2900gansevoortpark.com
Subway: 6 to 28th StGet directions
The Gansevoort Park Avenue hotel launches a free series of Sunday afternoon parties this season, opening up the usually exclusive rooftop pool to the public and inviting big-name DJs of the house and trance persuasions to ply their trade. Today’s throwdown sees Sharam, the former Deep Dish dude who’s now a solo spinner, working his magic. R.S.V.P. at gansevoortsummerseries.com to smooth your entry.

National Puerto Rican Day Parade 2011 Critics' Pick

Sun 11am. Fifth Ave from 44th to 79th St New York, NY
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42nd St–Bryant Park; 4, 5, 6 to 59th St (Lexington Ave); N, Q, R to Fifth Ave–59th St; E, M to Fifth Ave–53rd St; 6 to 68th St–Hunter College; 6 to 77th St (Lexington Ave)
This annual celebration goes green this year: Not only will the procession incorporate hybrid vehicles, but the parade’s organizers have partnered with the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust and the Puerto Rican chapter of the Sierra Club in their campaign to preserve the island’s natural resources. Keep an eye out for celeb partyers, including actor John Leguizamo, who is being recognized by the parade committee. Or dig the tropical sounds of legendary salsa troupe and “Kings of the Parade” El Gran Combo, as well as Afro-Caribbean rhythms from ensemble Plena Libre.

World Naked Bike Ride Critics' Pick

Location TBA, Sat 3pm.
Location TBA. Setup 3–6pm, ride 6pm. Visit the event’s Facebook page (2011 World Naked Bike Ride—NYC) for details. The organizers of this jaunt, which ostensibly raises awareness of the impact of car culture and fossil fuels, operate under a bare-as-you-dare policy. While it is legal for men and women to be topless in NYC, it’s advisable to keep your bottom covered. The group is also planning a postride party, continuing the clothing-optional theme.

Figment on Governors Island Critics' Pick

Governors Island, Tomorrow – Sun 10am. Ending: Sun Jun 12 10am Governors Island
The arts group Figment takes over Governors Island with its usual hodgepodge of mind-bending, genre-crossing projects. Three installations will be up all summer long: an insect-themed minigolf course, a sculpture garden and the curiously named Burble Bup, a space made from landscaping wattles and covered with an inflatable roof.

Photograph: Courtesty Wanderlust Yoga

Wanderlust: Yoga in the City Critics' Pick

Today 5pm. Pier 63, 23rd St at Hudson River
Subway: C, E to 23rd St
Head to the water for this free yoga session, part of a sponsored national tour, with yogis Elena Brower and Schuyler Grant and music from EarthRise SoundSystem and Garth Stevenson. Register to reserve a spot at nyc.wanderlustfestival.com.