AdvertisementDespite the fact that New York began allowing music venues to limited capacity audiences this month, most venues to resume shows until they can do so at full capacity and without restrictive COVID safety guidelines in place. But Tompkins Square Park came roaring to life this weekend when a group of New York hardcore bands played a massive outdoor show there, with an estimated crowd of 2,000-3,000 people in attendance, well above the maximum amount of people allowed to gather outdoors currently.It was likely the largest city-permitted concert since strict pandemic-related...…AdvertisementDespite the fact that New York began allowing music venues to limited capacity audiences this month, most venues to resume shows until they can do so at full capacity and without restrictive COVID safety guidelines in place. But Tompkins Square Park came roaring to life this weekend when a group of New York hardcore bands played a massive outdoor show there, with an estimated crowd of 2,000-3,000 people in attendance, well above the maximum amount of people allowed to gather outdoors currently.It was likely the largest city-permitted concert since strict pandemic-related...WW…

AdvertisementAfter the pandemic turned off the lights and shut down the cotton candy machines in Coney Island for 18 months, it was announced on Monday that the beloved amusement parks will finally reopen to the public this Friday.Starting April 9th, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Luna Park in Coney Island will reopen for the first time since October 19th, 2019. Initially, it will reopen at 33% capacity, with guests mandated to socially distance, wear face coverings, get a temperature check, and purchase tickets ahead of their visit."2020 marked the first time in 100 years that the...…AdvertisementAfter the pandemic turned off the lights and shut down the cotton candy machines in Coney Island for 18 months, it was announced on Monday that the beloved amusement parks will finally reopen to the public this Friday.Starting April 9th, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Luna Park in Coney Island will reopen for the first time since October 19th, 2019. Initially, it will reopen at 33% capacity, with guests mandated to socially distance, wear face coverings, get a temperature check, and purchase tickets ahead of their visit."2020 marked the first time in 100 years that the...WW…

AdvertisementThe Spring Equinox officially happened on March 20th, but New Yorkers know it's not really spring until the cherry blossom trees around the city start blooming. And now it's all happening, so cue up Air's and gaze longingly at these photos of flamingo-flecked nature on the electronic device of your choosing.Some of the first sightings of peak pink petals were spotted this weekend in Central Park; below you'll see the action in the west 90s, close to the Central Park Reservoir. I happened to walk across that area last Friday and didn't see anything then, so they must have popped...…AdvertisementThe Spring Equinox officially happened on March 20th, but New Yorkers know it's not really spring until the cherry blossom trees around the city start blooming. And now it's all happening, so cue up Air's and gaze longingly at these photos of flamingo-flecked nature on the electronic device of your choosing.Some of the first sightings of peak pink petals were spotted this weekend in Central Park; below you'll see the action in the west 90s, close to the Central Park Reservoir. I happened to walk across that area last Friday and didn't see anything then, so they must have popped...WW…

AdvertisementMayor Bill de Blasio addressed the increasing spread of COVID-19 variants throughout the city at a press conference Wednesday morning, confirming that the newest variant discovered in Washington Heights spreads faster than the original virus.NYC's Senior Advisor for Public Health, Dr. Jay Varma, said that two mutants B.1.1.7 (a.k.a. the UK variant) and B.1.526 (Washington Heights), account for 51% of all cases in the city right now. He said the preliminary analysis on B.1.526, which in February, indicated that it is more infectious than the founder strain of the coronavirus,...…AdvertisementMayor Bill de Blasio addressed the increasing spread of COVID-19 variants throughout the city at a press conference Wednesday morning, confirming that the newest variant discovered in Washington Heights spreads faster than the original virus.NYC's Senior Advisor for Public Health, Dr. Jay Varma, said that two mutants B.1.1.7 (a.k.a. the UK variant) and B.1.526 (Washington Heights), account for 51% of all cases in the city right now. He said the preliminary analysis on B.1.526, which in February, indicated that it is more infectious than the founder strain of the coronavirus,...WW…

AdvertisementLast week, Governor Andrew Cuomo that New York City movie theaters, which since March 2020, will be able to reopen at 25% capacity—or a maximum of 50 people—starting on March 5th. Although not every cinema or chain was ready, or even enthusiastic about opening immediately, many of them will be doing so this Friday. But since we're still in a pandemic, your moviegoing experience may be a bit less salty and buttery than you remember.Some independent movie theaters are choosing to forgo concessions and snacks initially while the city is still under heightened coronavirus...…AdvertisementLast week, Governor Andrew Cuomo that New York City movie theaters, which since March 2020, will be able to reopen at 25% capacity—or a maximum of 50 people—starting on March 5th. Although not every cinema or chain was ready, or even enthusiastic about opening immediately, many of them will be doing so this Friday. But since we're still in a pandemic, your moviegoing experience may be a bit less salty and buttery than you remember.Some independent movie theaters are choosing to forgo concessions and snacks initially while the city is still under heightened coronavirus...WW…

AdvertisementLast week, the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and New York City about outdoor dining to clarify what is and isn't allowed in the city while indoor dining is paused. This has, inevitably, resulted in more questions about the elaborate outdoor setups many restaurants have constructed in their desperate attempt to stay afloat this pandemic winter. And that includes an important detail about what constitutes a legal outdoor structure.According to , a structure "may only be considered outdoor if it has two sides which are open air. A structure with one open side or no open...…AdvertisementLast week, the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and New York City about outdoor dining to clarify what is and isn't allowed in the city while indoor dining is paused. This has, inevitably, resulted in more questions about the elaborate outdoor setups many restaurants have constructed in their desperate attempt to stay afloat this pandemic winter. And that includes an important detail about what constitutes a legal outdoor structure.According to , a structure "may only be considered outdoor if it has two sides which are open air. A structure with one open side or no open...WW…

AdvertisementSo many classic New York City traditions and events have been canceled this year because of the pandemic, from the to the to (admittedly, we're not so sad about that last one). Here's another one to wistfully add to the pile of regrets: the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge in Coney Island has been called off due to fears about mass gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.“While we are deeply disappointed that our great New Year’s tradition will not be taking place in 2021, we know this is the right decision to make for the health and safety of our members, thousands of...…AdvertisementSo many classic New York City traditions and events have been canceled this year because of the pandemic, from the to the to (admittedly, we're not so sad about that last one). Here's another one to wistfully add to the pile of regrets: the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge in Coney Island has been called off due to fears about mass gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.“While we are deeply disappointed that our great New Year’s tradition will not be taking place in 2021, we know this is the right decision to make for the health and safety of our members, thousands of...WW…

AdvertisementA new restaurant industry survey offers a sweeping view of just how precarious the financial situation is for the majority of restaurants and bars in the city: nearly 90% of those businesses were unable to pay full rent in August, with 34% unable to pay any rent at all.The survey of 450 restaurants, the NYC Hospitality Alliance, found that the number of businesses who couldn't pay rent had risen over the last three months, despite the addition of outdoor dining and other measures. In June and July, 80% and 83% of restaurants, respectively, said they were .Of those restaurants...…AdvertisementA new restaurant industry survey offers a sweeping view of just how precarious the financial situation is for the majority of restaurants and bars in the city: nearly 90% of those businesses were unable to pay full rent in August, with 34% unable to pay any rent at all.The survey of 450 restaurants, the NYC Hospitality Alliance, found that the number of businesses who couldn't pay rent had risen over the last three months, despite the addition of outdoor dining and other measures. In June and July, 80% and 83% of restaurants, respectively, said they were .Of those restaurants...WW…

AdvertisementUp until now, all of the city's which were being used as part of their —giving restaurants more outdoor space in lieu of indoor dining—has only operated on weekends and some holidays. But this afternoon, the city announced that for the first time, 40 of these locations will get expanded weekday hours.“Restaurants deserve every chance they can get to serve more customers this fall – and, as the weather gets cooler, New Yorkers deserve every chance they can get to enjoy outdoor dining,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The Open Streets: Restaurants program has been a success, and...…AdvertisementUp until now, all of the city's which were being used as part of their —giving restaurants more outdoor space in lieu of indoor dining—has only operated on weekends and some holidays. But this afternoon, the city announced that for the first time, 40 of these locations will get expanded weekday hours.“Restaurants deserve every chance they can get to serve more customers this fall – and, as the weather gets cooler, New Yorkers deserve every chance they can get to enjoy outdoor dining,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The Open Streets: Restaurants program has been a success, and...WW…

Over 10,000 restaurants have opted into the city's over the last two months, which the city has repeatedly touted as a great success and huge lifeline to an industry that is without serious federal funding. The program is set to end on October 31st, but Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested this week that he wants to make it permanent, calling it "a stunning success.""We're definitely bringing it back next year, and I think we should make this a permanent feature in New York City," de Blasio said during a press conference on Monday, noting that "90,000 or more people have gotten jobs back" through...…Over 10,000 restaurants have opted into the city's over the last two months, which the city has repeatedly touted as a great success and huge lifeline to an industry that is without serious federal funding. The program is set to end on October 31st, but Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested this week that he wants to make it permanent, calling it "a stunning success.""We're definitely bringing it back next year, and I think we should make this a permanent feature in New York City," de Blasio said during a press conference on Monday, noting that "90,000 or more people have gotten jobs back" through...WW…