http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/own-this-city/81979/101-things-to-do-in-new-york-city-this-winter
101 things to do in New York City this winter1. Ice hockey shenanigans
After you’ve practiced indignantly throwing your gloves to the floor, head to Chelsea Piers, where you can take hockey lessons ($50) or join an open scrimmage on weekdays ($35, free for goalies; 18 and over). Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers (Pier 61), W 23rd St at Hudson River (212-336-6100, ext 6158;chelseapiers.com) 2. Pro ice hockey shenanigans 3. Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra 4. Fondue at Artisanal 5. Cassoulet Cook-Off 6. The Muppets Take Manhattan Sing-Along 7. “Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter” 8. Simon Boccanegra 9. The New York Botanical Garden’s tropical rain forest 10. Dinner and a concert at Scandinavia House 11. Il Mondo della Luna 12. Old-school dancing 13. The Swell Season 14. Join a dinner party 15. Lady Gaga 16. Caravanserai: A Perfumed Tasting Menu 17. Sam Shepard and Patti Smith 18. Cielo’s Seventh Anniversary 19. Legion 20. Volunteering 21. A View from the Bridge 22. The Moth Grandslam XIV 23. The Planets: An HD Odyssey 24. A Lie of the Mind 25. Hip-Hop Karaoke Championship 26. Sounds Like Brooklyn Music Festival 27. Beer and Bourbon Festival 28. Speakeasy Stories at Cornelia Street Café 29. Doom featuring Mos Def 30. Survival skills workshop 31. Accomplice: The Village 32. Toby Driver at the Stone 33. Tea and pastries atPodunk 34. Lost: Season 6 Premiere Party 35. Aziz Ansari 36. Unsound Festival New York 37. Super Bowl parties 38. Jazz or cabaret at Café Carlyle 39. Barneys Warehouse Sale 40. B.B. King and Buddy Guy 41. The Miracle Worker 42. The Wolfman 43. The Winter Olympics 44. Kari Kriikku with the New York Philharmonic 45. Chinese New Year 46. A Behanding in Spokane 47. Making It 48. $10 pool/sauna escape at Grace Hotel 49. Nellie McKay 50. Rum & Blackbird food tour 51. Dirty Projectors 52. Shutter Island 53. The Cloisters 54. The Paul Taylor Dance Company 55. John Mayer 56. The 2010 Whitney Biennial 57. NYC Wine Expo 58. Classic NYC photography at the Museum of the City of New York 59. Black Brooklyn Renaissance 60. “The Imaginary Museum: Dakis Joannou Collection” 61. The Addams Family 62. “Anish Kapoor: Memory” at the Guggenheim 63. “Tim Burton” at MoMA 64. …and his Alice in Wonderland 65. Green Zone 66. A meal at Park Avenue Winter 67. Make a hipster snowperson 68. Platform 2010: i get lost 69. Vampire Weekend 70. Treat yourself to Winter Restaurant Week 71. Go sledding 72. Rangers Casino Night 73. Eat like you’re in the old country at Sammy’s Roumanian 74. Catch snow in a bowl on your fire escape 75. See the stars at the Rose Center for Earth and Space 76. Watch Gary Bettman in action 77. Booze it up and gorge yourself on sausage 78. Do the JackRabbit Sports Indoor Triathlon 79. Take a spa staycation 80. Drink mulled wine atSpuyten Duyvil 81. Drink bourbon in Brooklyn 82. Eat grown-up ramen 83. Get drunk by the fire atShoolbred’s 84. Learn to knit 85. Skate at Rockefeller Center 86. Clean out your closet for charity 87. Commune with crafters 88. Swim with the pool sharks at Ocean’s 8 89. Indulge all your senses in Chinatown 90. Visit the Brooklyn Brewery 91. Nosh on cider and doughnuts at Shake Shack 92. Dominate the baseline at an indoor tennis court 93. Hone your golf swing 94. Trapeze workshop 95. Go to the Guggenheim for free 96. Order something hot atCha-An Tea House 97. Yasuko Yokoshi 98. Go bowling 99. Shop like it’s summer 100. Go to the Winter Antiques Show 101. Have a hot bowl of congee at Congee Village
Watch the New York area’s NHL teams pummel each other. They won’t sound as good as Vampire Weekend, but they sure make better bruisers.nhl.com
Daniel Barenboim and Pierre Boulez share podium duties for the latest visit from the venerated orchestra. Carnegie Hall, 154 W 57th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org). Fri 15–Sun 17, $33.50–$219.
$24 gets you a petite order (serves up to three people). 2 Park Ave at 32nd St (212-725-8585, artisanalbistro.com)
A $20 donation (to benefit NYC’s Greenmarkets) is your ticket to all-you-can-sample heaven at this wintry-stew competition. Jimmy’s No. 43, 43 E 7th St between Second and Third Aves (212-982-3006,jimmysno43.com). Sat 16 1–5pm, $20.
Somebody’s getting married!92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St between Canal and Desbrosses Sts (212-601-1000,92ytribeca.org). Sat 16 at 11pm, $13 (includes a beer).
Ogle 500 live, winged beauties flitting through a 1,200-square-foot vivarium. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5200, amnh.org). Through May 31. $24.
In this gripping Verdi drama, veteran tenor Plácido Domingo takes on a title role composed for a baritone. Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, Columbus Ave at 65th St (212-362-6000). Mon 18 at 8pm, $20–$275.
In the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, you may forget the bone-chilling weather outside. Bronx River Pkwy at Fordham Rd, Bronx (718-817-8700, nybg.org). All-garden pass $20, grounds only $6.
A three-course prix-fixe meal includes a ticket to that evening’s recital. 58 Park Ave at 38th St (212-847-9740,scandinaviahouse.org). Ongoing. $34.
The always-inventive Gotham Chamber Opera takes its act uptown for a new production of Haydn’s spacey comedy (The World on the Moon) held, appropriately, at the Hayden Planetarium. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5100, amnh.org). Tue 19–Jan 28, $30–$125.
Dress up and Lindy Hop your way to Swing 46 for dinner and dancing. Free lessons get you moving four days a week. 349 W 46th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-262-9554,swing46.com). Mon–Thu, Sun $12; Fri, Sat $15.
Czech pianist-singer Markéta Irglová and the Frames’ Glen Hansard perform songs from their latest album, Strict Joy.Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave at 50th St (212-247-4777, radiocity.com). Tue 19, $37.50–$47.50.
The stove-top-impaired can find solace in the dinner party–cooking class hybrid Sunday Suppers (sunday-suppers.blogspot.com).
Though rapper Kid Cudi has since left the tour (and sorry, his Jan 22 show at the Fillmore is sold out), Gaga’s ridiculous getups will surely compensate.Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave at 50th St (212-247-4777, radiocity.com). Wed 20, Jan 21, 23, 24; $49.50–$69.50.
New York food celebs Audrey Saunders, Johnny Iuzzini and Sam Mason team up with perfumer Mandy Aftel to provide a mean tasting menu, meant to take you back to the good ol’ days in ancient Persia.American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5100,amnh.org). Jan 21 at 7pm, $150.
The godmother of punk joins her actor-playwright friend for a reading from their new books: Shepard’s short-story collectionDay Out of Days and Smith’s memoir Just Kids. The gig is sold out, but a limited number of tickets will be available an hour before start time. 92nd Street Y, Kaufmann Concert Hall, Lexington Ave at 92nd St (212-415-5500, 92y.org). Jan 21 at 8pm, $27.
Dubtribe Sound System plays in NYC for the first time in ages.18 Little W 12th St between Ninth Ave and Washington St (212-645-5700, cieloclub.com). Jan 22 10pm–4am; $30, advance $20.
The trailer to this end-times thriller—especially the demonic, gravity-defying old lady—promises some spine-tingling scares. Plus, Paul Bettany in fallen-angel wings.Opens Jan 22.
Start your search at New York Cares (newyorkcares.com) and NYC Service (nycservice.org), where you can click through dozens of ways to share your multitudinous talents.
The revival of this Arthur Miller classic stars Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson. Cort Theater, 138 W 48th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-239-6200,aviewfromthebridgeonbroadway.com). In previews now, opens Jan 24; $42.50–$251.50.
Comedian Dan Kennedy hosts this semiannual event, where the best storytellers in NYC battle it out in a war of words. Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-414-5994, highlineballroom.com). Jan 27 at 7:30pm, $20 plus $10 table minimum.
The Houston Symphony plays Gustav Holst’s suite accompanied by NASA images. Carnegie Hall, 154 W 57th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (713-224-7575, houstonsymphony.org). Jan 28 at 8pm, $31–$92.
Ethan Hawke directs the revival of Sam Shepard’s award-winning psychodrama about a dysfunctional family. Acorn Theatre, 410 W 42nd St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-279-4200, thenewgroup.org). Jan 29–Mar 10, $61.25.
Top contestants from across the city perform hip-hop classics with the help of a hype man. Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl at 15th St (212-777-6800, irvingplaza.com). Jan 29 at 9pm; $15, advance $13.
BAM hosts this annual extravaganza of Kings County talent; catch more than 100 shows at 15 Brooklyn venues. bam.org. Jan 29, 30, Feb 4–6; times and locations vary. $15–$25.
This all-you-can-eat-and-drink party includes ten varieties of bacon and a mechanical bull, all set to (what else?) bluegrass music. La.venue, 608 W 28th St at Eleventh Ave (beerandbourbon.com). Jan 30 noon–9pm, $39–$75.
The 30-year-old basement boîte is the setting for this semimonthly series, a chance for NYC tale-tellers to grab the spotlight. 29 Cornelia St between Bleecker and W 4th Sts (212-989-9319, corneliastreetcafe.com). $10 plus one-item minimum.
Perpetually bemasked rapper Doom brings his eccentric rhymes to Times Square. Nokia Theatre Times Square, 1515 Broadway at 44th St (212-930-1950, nokiatheatrenyc.com). Jan 30; $40, advance $39.50.
If The Road and 2012 have made you concerned about your fate, join the Urban Park Rangers for a crash course in Winter Wilderness Survival. Crotona Park. Contact the Urban Park Rangers at 718-378-2061. Jan 31 at 11am, free.
This interactive performance sends you on a wild sidewalk chase with food, drink and enough mystery to keep you riveted.accomplicetheshow.com.
The impresario behind avant-garde group Kayo Dot curates a month’s worth of pop, classical, improv and metal performances, including two by his own band on February 6.The Stone, Ave C at 2nd St (thestonenyc.com). Feb 2–28, $10–$20.
Choose from more than 85 types of tea (try spicy ginger-verbena or iced strawberry-hibiscus) and 22 “informal tea meals,” featuring freshly baked vanilla cupcakes, lemon-ginger cookies and cranberry-pecan scones. 231 E 5th St between Second and Third Aves (212-677-7722)
Indulge in Lost-inspired snacks and cocktails while taking in the band Previously on Lost, whose song lyrics recap past episodes. The Bell House, 149 7th St between Second and Third Aves, Gowanus, Brooklyn (718-643-6510,thebellhouseny.com). Feb 2 7–11pm; $10, advance $7.
The Parks and Recreation star returns to stand-up with six shows at Comix. Comix, 353 W 14th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-524-2500,comixny.com ). Feb 4–6, $30–$35.
A satellite version of the experimental sonic fest held anually in Krakow, Poland, this massive electronic-music showcase will involve film screenings, workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions, as well as concerts and club nights galore. Various venues throughout the city;unsound.pl/en. Feb 4–14.
The Bell House (149 7th St between Second and Third Aves, Gowanus, Brooklyn; 718-643-6510,thebellhouseny.com),Mullholland’s (312 Grand St between Havemeyer and Roebling Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-3473,mulhollandsbklyn.com) andCroxley Ales (28 Ave B between 2nd and 3rd Sts; 212-253-6140, croxley.com) are all hosting big-game-watching bashes. Feb 7.
Woody Allen sometimes sits in on clarinet with Eddy Davis and his New Orleans Jazz Band on Monday nights; call ahead to confirm. To drink in the atmosphere without spending quite as much, try Bemelmans Bar across the hall. 35 E 76th St at Madison Ave (212-744-1600,thecarlyle.com)
Merch is marked down 50 to 75 percent; after two weeks, select items are knocked down another 20 to 40 percent. 255 W 17th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-450-8400, barneys.com). Feb 11–28.
Two electric-blues legends throw down. United Palace Theatre, 4140 Broadway at 175th St (212-685-1414). Feb 12, $49–$99.
Headlining the cast as deaf, mute and blind Helen Keller: young starlet Abigail Breslin.Circle in the Square Theatre, 1633 Broadway between 50th and 51st Sts (212-239-6200,miracleworkeronbroadway.com). Previews start Feb 12, opens Mar 3; $117–$202.
Sorry, but you’re lying if you say you’re not interested in seeing Benicio Del Toro grow hairy and bite people. Anthony Hopkins is in it too. Happy early Valentine’s Day! Opens Feb 12.
Watch the action at one of these TV-laden sports bars: Black Bear Lodge (274 Third Ave between 21st and 22nd Sts; 212-253-2178, bblnyc.com), Public House (140 E 41st St between Lexington and Third Aves; 212-682-3710, publichousenyc.com),and yes, ESPN Zone (1472 Broadway between 42nd and 43rd Sts; 212-921-3776, espnzone.com/newyork). Feb 12–28.
Astounding Finnish clarinet acrobat Kari Kriikku joins a concerto by his old friend, Phil composer-in-residence Magnus Lindberg. Carnegie Hall, 154 W 57th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-247-7800). Feb 13 at 8pm, $39–$116.
Ring in the Year of the Tiger with festivities throughout the city, including the 11th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival and the Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival. Throughout Chinatown. Feb 14 11:30am–4pm.
Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Anthony Mackie and Zoe Kazan star in Martin McDonagh’s play about a man searchng for his severed hand. Awesome. Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W 45th St between Broadway and Eighth Ave (212-239-6200). Previews start Feb 15, opens Mar 4; $61.50–$116.50.
This theatrical rock show with tunes, text and video follows the unlikely career of funk-fusion singer-songwriter Stew (Passing Strange). St. Ann’s Warehouse, 38 Water St between Dock and Main Sts, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-254-8779,stannswarehouse.org). Feb 17–21, $42–$82.
Once you’ve elbowed your way through the Times Square tourists, you’ll be rewarded with access to a luxe steam room, sauna and indoor pool—for just $10 all day. 125 W 45th St between Sixth Ave and Broadway (212-354-2323, room-matehotels.com)
The Harlem songwriting dynamo pays tribute to her idol, Doris Day. The Allen Room (at Frederick P. Rose Hall), Broadway at 60th St (212-721-6500, lincolncenter.org). Feb 18 at 8:30pm, $40–$85.
This recently launched excursion showcases midtown’s culinary crown jewel, Hell’s Kitchen. Location provided with ticket purchase. (212-209-3370, rumandblackbird.com). $49 includes all tastings, reservations required.
Is the Dirty Projectors oeuvre now part of the Great American Songbook? Looks that way.The Allen Room (at Frederick P. Rose Hall), Broadway at 60th St (212-721-6500,lincolncenter.org). Feb 19 at 8:30pm, $40–$85.
Martin Scorsese sets cop Leonardo DiCaprio loose in an insane asylum…run by Ben Kingsley and Max von Sydow. They’d drive anybody crazy!Opens Feb 19.
The Met’s medieval-art and-architecture outpost is beautiful in the snow. 99 Margaret Corbin Dr, Fort Tryon Park (212-923-3700,metmuseum.org). Suggested admission $20, includes same-day admission to the Met.
Modern master Taylor celebrates his 80th birthday during his company’s annual season; on March 6, all tickets to the matinee are $8. New York City Center, 130 W 56th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-581-1212,nycitycenter.org). Feb 24–Mar 14, $8–$135.
The Twitter-happy guitarist ignores his iPhone for two nights. Madison Square Garden, Seventh Ave at 32nd St (212-307-7171,thegarden.com). Feb 25, 26; $50–$80.
This year’s showcase will be a decidedly pared-down affair, with just 55 artists (as opposed to the last edition’s 81) creating more minimalist works—and fewer of them. Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave at 75th St (212-570-3600,whitney.org). Feb 25–May 30, $18.
Finally, a chance to fulfill your dream of tasting 600 different glasses of wine in one night.Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 W 34th St at Eleventh Ave (212-216-2000,wine-expos.com/wine/ny/). Feb 26 6–10pm, Feb 27 2–6pm; $75–$95.
When piles of blackened snow are up to your waist, you might need a reminder of why you continue to live here. “Only in New York: Photographs fromLook Magazine” captures the spirit of NYC perfectly. Images on view include several by Stanley Kubrick, who worked as a photographer before his career as a director. 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St (212-534-1672,mcny.org). Through Apr 10. Suggested admission $10.
The Brooklyn Arts Council’s yearlong series will explore five decades of black culture and arts. It begins February 28 with “African Dance/Brooklyn Style Dance Concert,” an afternoon of performances. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, Whitman Theater, 2900 Campus Rd at Hillel Pl, Flatbush, Brooklyn (718-625-0080,brooklynartscouncil.org). 2–5pm, free.
The New Museum embarks on its latest eyebrow-raising endeavor with this exhibit showcasing the private collection of trustee Dakis Joannou. The Greek tycoon’s favorite artist, Jeff Koons, will serve as both curator and participant. New Museum of Contemporary Art, 235 Bowery between Prince and Spring Sts (212-219-1222,newmuseum.org). Mar 3–June 6; $12.
They’re creepy and they’re kooky—now the Addams clan is also musically inclined, in this highly anticipated Broadway show starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W 46th St between Broadway and Eighth Ave (theaddamsfamilymusical.com). Previews start Mar 4, opens Apr 8; $51.50–$136.50.
You’ll be impressed by Kapoor’s massive pieces, commissioned for the museum, in which gravity appears to be defied. 1071 Fifth Ave at 89th St (212-423-3500,guggenheim.org). Through Mar 28. $18.
Maybe the crowds will have thinned out. 11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-708-9400, moma.org). Through Apr 26. $20.
Opens Mar 5.
Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass reunite for another action flick featuring Damon as a military operative who realizes he’s a pawn of the U.S. government. Opens Mar 12.
At this ode to the legendary Four Seasons, the design, the uniforms and the very name rotate along with the menu.Park Avenue Cafe, 100 E 63rd St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-644-1900,parkavenyc.com)
You’ll need long twigs for skinny jean-covered legs, a bomber hat, BluBlockers or Wayfarers, an obscure paperback (put it in a Ziploc bag so it doesn’t get ruined) and something in buffalo plaid. Arrange your snowperson as you would yourself and let the compliments roll in.
In this varied performance series, Danspace Project presents the heady work of choreographer and multimedia artist Ralph Lemon. Through Apr 17. Go todanspaceproject.org for schedule. $9–$18.
Touting their sophomore album,Contra, the indie darlings play three nights. Sun 17: United Palace Theatre. Mon 18:Webster Hall. Tue 19: Bowery Ballroom. $30, sold out.
Winter Restaurant Week begins January 25. Make your reservations ASAP to score wallet-friendly deals at many of the city’s best restaurants. Suddenly, Nobu is in your price range. eenycgo.com/restaurantweek for a full listing of restaurants. Jan 25–Feb 7.
Yearning to relive childhood snow days? All you need is a drift-covered hill and a garbage-can lid, cafeteria tray or creaseless piece of cardboard. There’s a slope for every thrill-seeker; see the full list here. Bonus: If you get to the hill before the kids, you may be able to borrow an actual sled from the Parks Department and score free hot chocolate.
If a tux-wearing Sean Avery dealt you a poker hand, you’d feel like a winner no matter what it was. Deep-pocketed fans get to gamble cheek by puck-hardened jowl with Avery and the rest of the New York Rangers at this black-tie event. Proceeds go to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, Madison Square Garden’s philanthropic arm. Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway at 36th St (877-MSG-GOAL). Feb 8; $500–$2,000.
(See related) Walk into this LES rathskeller on a crowded evening and you may think you’ve stumbled into a bar mitzvah—Yiddish sing-alongs and folk dancing are ignited by the live synthesizer and further fueled by icy shots of vodka. The very Eastern European menu includes saline chicken liver, garlicky karnatzlacksausage and enormous beef tenderloins, all of which are hearty enough to slow down the hora. 157 Chrystie St between Delancey and Rivington Sts (212-673-0330)
This is one TONY editor’s favorite organic seasonal dessert, spooned up après sky with maple syrup. (“On winter mornings in snowy midtown, my mom would put a metal bowl on our fire escape. When the bowl was full and before the squirrels peed in it, we’d snatch it and eat up,” she recalls. “New York’s best acid-rain Icee.”) For an all-weather alternative, head to Korean spot Bann for the Tropical Snow dessert ($9), a tower of coconut ice cream topped with raspberry coulis, crème anglaise and purple yams, and set upon shaved coconut ice in a bowl made of ice. 350 W 50th St at Ninth Ave (212-582-4446,bannrestaurant.com)
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5100,amnh.org). Museum and space show admission $18–$24.
NHL Commissioner Bettman hosts the weekly NHL Hour on Sirius XM Radio. Come and ask questions in person. NHL Powered by Reebok, 1185 Sixth Ave at 47th St (212-221-6375). Thursdays 6–7pm.
Thanks to the proliferation ofbiergartens, New Yorkers needn’t hop on Lufthansa to enjoy quality brews and meat products. Franklin Park (618 St. Johns Pl between Classon and Franklin Aves, Crown Heights, Brooklyn; 718-975-0196,franklinparkbrooklyn.com)offers a dozen pricey-for-the-’hood drafts, like He’Brew’s crisp Coney Island Lager. Plentiful perches, live bands and a great tap selection makeStudio Square (35-33 36th St between 35th and 36th Aves, Long Island City, Queens; 718-383-1001,studiosquarenyc.com) a great spot to try at least one of its 18 drafts available, including German microbrews like Hofbräu Dunkel. Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave between 29th and 30th Sts, Astoria, Queens; 718-274-4925, bohemianhall.com) is authentically Czech; tables are mingle-friendly, platters of sausage are hearty, and the beer is flowing. The huge, tree-canopied garden is open year-round. Fort Greene gets in on the beer garden trend with Der Schwarze Kölner (710 Fulton St at South Oxford St, Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 347-841-4495,derschwarzekoelner.com),which offers 17 Deutsch brews on tap, 22 by the bottle and traditional foods—wurst, kielbasa and of course, sausage.
JackRabbit Sports is giving athletes of all levels a chance to compete in a triathlon during a New York winter. Swim for ten minutes, bike for 30 minutes, run for 20 minutes and see how far and fast you can go. Every participant gets an aluminum water bottle, and winners take home gift certificates to the store. Asphalt Green, 555 E 90th St between York and East End Aves (212-727-2980,jackrabbitsports.com). Jan 31 3–7pm, $50.
Steer away from the tourist hordes and head instead to a Zen carnival: the Six Flags–esque modern bathhouse Spa Castle. The squeaky-clean facilities—dozens of hot tubs, including a huge all-year-round outdoor oasis, and multiple sauna rooms that use so-called healing materials such as gold, LED lights and mineral salt—are a great antidote to post-holiday stress. 131-10 Eleventh Ave at 131st St, College Point, Queens (718-939-6300,nyspacastle.com). Mon–Fri $35; Sat, Sun, holidays $45.
Settle in for a cozy afternoon at this homey little tasting room, decorated with flea-market furnishings. Warm up with glühwein, a seasonal spiced mulled wine made fresh daily with white and red wine, nutmeg, cinnamon and citrus peel to balance the sweetness. Even better: Grab some takeout from the owners’ other establishment across the boulevard, meat mecca Fette Sau. 359 Metropolitan Ave at Havemeyer St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-963-4140,spuytenduyvilnyc.com)
Start at the Smoke Joint (64 Lafayette Ave at South Elliott Pl, Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 718-797-0292) and opt for a three-liquor flight ($15–$18), featuring one-ounce tastes from small-batch distillers such as Tuthilltown and Basil Hayden. Another fine choice is theJakeWalk (282 Smith St between Sackett and Union Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn; 347-599-0294, thejakewalk.com), where you can try one of two dozen tasty bourbons, like soft, buttery 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve ($20). But Smith Street’s true brown-liquor HQ is Char No. 4 (196 Smith St between Baltic and Warren Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn; 718-643-2106,charno4.com), where you can sample the exceptionally smooth and affordable seven-year-old W.L. Weller Antique (one-ounce pour $4).
Visit Ippudo NY (65 Fourth Ave between 9th and 10th Sts; 212-388-0088, ippudo.com/ny) for a taste of “Ramen King” Shigemi Kawahara’s tonkatsu—a pork-based broth. Midtown West mainstay Sapporo (152 W 49th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, 212-869-8972) has been serving top-notch noodles since before it was cool. The newly expanded offerings at Ramen Setagaya (37-02 Prince St at 37th Ave, Flushing, Queens; 718-321-, 718-321-0290• 90 University Pl between 11th and 12th Sts, no phone) include spicy, sesame-flavored tan tan men; slightly sweet curry with pickled ginger; and a vegetarian miso.
This East Village bar owes its atmosphere to co-owner and Tony Award–winning costume designer William Ivey Long, who filled the cozy pub with stained-glass flourishes, an abundance of orchids, cherrywood-paneled walls and Louise Bourgeois lithographs—plus a roaring fireplace and armchairs practically built for snuggling in. You’ll find low-key tipplers conversing over fresh-squeezed screwdrivers and greyhounds, made to order with an old-fashioned citrus press on the bar. 197 Second Ave between 12th and 13th Sts (212-529-0340,shoolbreds.com)
The frigid economy is a good excuse to skip the sales rack and knit yourself a set of winter accessories. Craft stores throughout the city stock a rainbow of yarns and offer classes and words of encouragement, among themBrooklyn General Store (128 Union St between Columbia and Hicks Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn; 718-237-7753,brooklyngeneral.com), Knitting 321 (321 E 75th St between First and Second Aves; 212-772-2020, knitting321.com) andKnitty City (208 W 79th St between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway; 212-724-9596,knittycity.com). Yearning to hold your own stitch-and-bitch session? Many shops have private lessons.
Give yourself the gift of crowd avoidance: During the week, the rink is significantly less packed, so play hooky and glide your heart out. If you can’t cut out of work, haul out of bed on a weekend morning and beeline to 30 Rock; the rink opens at 8am. 30 Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Sts (212-332-7654,therinkatrockcenter.com)
Donate your Bush-era clothing at one of five Saturday Greenmarkets: Union Square, Inwood, Grand Army Plaza, Fort Greene or McCarren Park. Your unwanted garb will be sold or recycled, and your donation is tax deductible. Visitcenyc.org/recycling for locations and times. If you’re a lady with professional clothing to give, donate it to Dress for Success (dressforsuccess.org)and it will go to women in need. Men can bring their business wear to Career Gear(careergear.org), and Salvation Army and Goodwill both have locations throughout the city. Prom dresses—we know you’ve got ’em, and we’re picturing some sequins—can go to Operation Fairy Dust(operationfairydust.org).
At Etsy Labs’ Craft Nights, there will be crafting, there will be movies, there will be snacks, and there will be someone to help you when you accidentally superglue your fingers together.325 Gold St between Johnson St and Myrtle Ave, sixth floor, Downtown Brooklyn (718-855-7955, etsylabs.com). Mon 4–8pm.
Teens, twosomes and grizzled gents take to Ping-Pong games, bowling lanes and pool tables. Bring a friend, or try to single out a weak opponent you can challenge for a plate of spicy chicken wings or any of the 24 draft brews (Blue Moon and Chimay make appearances).308 Flatbush Ave at Seventh Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-857-5555,oceans8atbrownstone.com)
Start at Chinatown Fair Video Arcade (8 Mott St between Mosco and Worth Sts, 212-964-1542), a noisy old-school game hall where joystick lovers huddle around everything fromMs. Pac-Man to hi-def games like The King of Fighters XII. After you’ve worked up a sweat in Dance Dance Revolution,relax your feet at Foot Heaven(16 Pell St between Bowery and Mott St, 212-962-6588),one of many massage spots lining Pell, Mott and Bayard Streets. When hunger strikes, try the excellent soup dumplings at Nice Green Bo(66 Bayard St between Elizabeth and Mott Sts, 212-625-2359).
The name of the game at one of New York’s most successful breweries is beer. The name of the game in the Tasting Room is cheap beer. For four bucks, you get one token, redeemable for the on-site brew of your choice (and a 20-minute tour of the facility, if you need some walking-around time). 79 North 11th St between Berry St and Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-486-7422,brooklynbrewery.com). Sat, Sun noon–6pm.
Another season, two more reasons to queue up at Shake Shack: Caramel-apple doughnut holes from Doughnut Plant, combined with hot cinnamon cider from Minard Farms ($3.75), more than justify the outdoor wait. (There are heat lamps to warm you until the cider can.) Madison Square Park, 23rd St at Madison Ave (212-889-6600,shakeshack.com)
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club(281 Main St; 212-935-0250,rirctennis.com; daily 7am–11pm, court reservation recommended at least 48 hours in advance) has ten full indoor doubles courts, one singles court and one ball-machine court. Keeping your tennis whites dry will cost you, though—fees for nonmembers run from $54–$140 per court per hour. For a cheaper option, hike out to Queens College (65-30 Kissena Blvd between Melbourne Ave and 65th Ave, Flushing, Queens; 718-997-2771, athletics.qc.cuny.edu; Mon–Fri 10am–10pm), a no-frills facility with six courts that can be rented for $20–$50 per hour.
There are a surprising number of indoor golf venues in New York, including Chelsea Piers. The driving range here boasts four floors and 52 stalls. Come during off-peak hours (all day through February) to get a better bang for your buck (147 balls for $25, as opposed to 90 during busier hours). Try virtual golfing at the simulators, where you’re also allowed to bring up pizza and beer from Chelsea Brewery Company downstairs.W 23rd St at the Hudson River (212-336-6666,chelseapiers.com)
The place offers several classes, including trampoline and tumbling sessions. Streb Lab for Action Mechanics, 51 North 1st St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-384-6491,streb.org). Open-level classes Fri–Sun. Single class $47, ten-class card $425.
The museum owns Peggy Guggenheim’s trove of Cubist, Surrealist and Abstract Expressionist works, along with the Panza di Biumo Collection of American Minimalist and Conceptual art from the 1960s and ’70s. Slightly lesser-known fact: Admission is pay-what-you-wish from 5:45 to 7:45pm on Saturdays. 1071 Fifth Ave at 89th St (212-423-3500,guggenheim.org). $18, seniors and students $15, children under 12 free; Sat 5:45–7:45pm pay what you wish.
You have to climb a flight of stairs and peek behind a curtain to find this tranquil teahouse, which offers a succession of deftly crafted plates accompanied by a thoughtful list of teas and sake. Each night features two special “sets” ($16–$19) that take you from an amuse-bouche— like creamy soy-milk quiche—through a selection of tiny bites (pickled eggplant, marinated lotus root), to entrées such as tea-smoked salmon with sliced radish, Dijon mustard and tarragon. It’s a great escape from the East Village crowds.230 E 9th St between Second and Third Aves (212-228-8030,chaanteahouse.com)
The Hiroshima-born choreographer teams up once again with Masumi Seyama, master teacher of Kabuki Su-odori dance. Taking inspiration from 12th-century warring-clans epic The Tale of the Heike, Yokoshi performs with a cast of both American and traditional Japanese dancers. Dance Theater Workshop, 219 W 19th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-924-0077, dtw.org). Mar 17–20. $15.
• The Gutter 200 North 14th St between Berry St and Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-387-3585;thegutterbrooklyn.com)
• Harlem Lanes 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) at 126th St, third floor (212-678-2695,harlemlanes.com)
• Leisure Time Bowling 625 Eighth Ave between 41st and 42nd Sts, second floor (212-268-6909,leisuretimebowl.com)
• Brooklyn Bowl 61 Wythe Ave between North 11th and 12th Sts (718-963-3369,brooklynbowl.com)
The Indoor Artist & Designer Market (129 North 6th St between Bedford Ave and Berry St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (artistsandfleas.com). Sat, Sun noon–8pm) is run by Artists & Fleas, which also organizes a vintage market next door (Saturday noon–8pm). Brooklyn Flea junkies needn’t kick their habit now that the temperature has plunged: It assumes indoor Williamsburg headquarters(Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, 1 Hanson Pl at Flatbush Ave; 718-935-1052,brooklynflea.com; Sat, Sun 10am–5pm), on weekends though March 29th, and will offer 50 familiar vendors.
Antique buffs and art collectors will be looking to buy, but for the layperson, it’s basically a fantastically eclectic museum: indoors, and warm. Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave between 66th and 67th Sts (718-292-7392,winterantiquesshow.com). Jan 22–31, $20.
There is comfort (and folk-medicinal healing properties) in congee, the Cantonese rice porridge that is the focus at this multilevel, always-packed LES standby. Choose among 29 versions—like the sliced pork with preserved egg, or chicken with black mushrooms, cooked over a low fire until bubbling. The rest of the expansive menu yields such finds as tender razor clams in black-bean sauce and impeccably fresh crabs. 100 Allen St between Broome and Delancey Sts (212-941-1818,congeevillage.com)
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