Red Hook Ball Fields
Red Hook Bait & Tackle
320 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn; 718-797-4892
Our recent Where to Drink package offered up two great Red Hook options in Brooklyn Ice House and Sunny’s, and we’d like to draw your attention to a third: Bait & Tackle, a neighborhood bar with live music, super-friendly bartenders, and some spicy Blood Marys. All are within walking distance of the food vendors, so grab a few tacos for the road.
P.S.1’s Warm Up
The Creek & the Cave
10-93 Jackson Ave., Queens; 718-706-8783
When in LIC these days, Dutch Kills is the obvious choice, but just a bit farther down the street from P.S.1’s outdoor dance parties is this roomy improv-comedy haven with a lovely patio, solid Mexican food, and near-guaranteed space. (Coincidentally: P.S.1’s installation this year is called “The Afterparty.”)
Celebrate Brooklyn!
Bar Reis
375 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn; 718-832-5716
After a show like David Byrne or Dr. Dog, lots of room and outdoor space is crucial. Fifth Avenue has plenty of choices, but standby Bar Reis best fits the bill.
Brooklyn Flea
Habana Outpost
757 Fulton St., Brooklyn; 718-858-9500
Brooklyn Flea’s getting a second location at Brooklyn Bridge Park, but they’re still in the original Fort Greene spot for another two weekends. Until they decamp, Habana Outpost — with its bright and happy color scheme and potent frozen margs — is a must-go.
Central Park’s SummerStage
The Stumble Inn
1454 Second Ave., at 76th St.; 718-858-9500
If you’re staying on the East Side after SummerStage, you’d best trek to Second Avenue for a nip. Try this laid-back frat bar, which comes with a lengthy half-off happy hour and bacon-stuffed burgers.
Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade
Ruby’s Old Tyme Bar and Grill
1213 Riegelmann Boardwalk, Brooklyn; 718-372-9079
Considering its seemingly precarious state, Ruby’s is the obvious choice for the end of a day at Coney. If this ends up being the last season, you’ll want to have been there.
River to River Shows at Castle Clinton
Stone Street Tavern
52 Stone St., nr. Mill Ln.; 212-785-5658
After free shows, what’s better than cheap food? Six days a week at Stone Street, $10 gets you a burger and a beer.
Shakespeare in the Park
Boat Basin Café
79th St. at Henry Hudson Pkwy.; 212-496-5542
Okay, you (and the rest of the audience) were probably heading to the riverfront bar-restaurant anyway. Just goes to show, you have excellent taste.
Movies at Bryant Park
Mé Bar
17 W. 32nd St., nr. Fifth Ave.;212-290-2460
A fourteenth-floor rooftop bar hidden in the Koreatown outpost of the La Quinta hotel chain? Worth the slightly longer ten-block trek post-movie. A stiff drink will be especially fitting after Kramer vs. Kramer on August 3.
Readings at Madison Square Park
The Pizza Pub
294 Third Ave., nr. 23rd St.; 212-477-8100
After all that brain activity—like from our contributors, June 11—get back to basics: here, a pint-and-slice combo goes for $5.