Brooklyn, I'm Trying

Brooklyn, I'm Trying

an urban lifestyle + travel blog by liz norment.

Looking for something?

5-8 may 2016.

THURSDAY

YEP, it’s cinco de mayo– and mexican or not, you should be celebrating. if you’re looking for more than just getting mexxed up on margaritas, check out these mega-rad neighborhood options…
cincoatgpointfish
photo from @greenpointfish’s very appetizing instagram.
Taco Tuesday Thursday at Greenpoint Fish, Greenpoint.

it seems they’re breaking all the rules over there, moving tuesday to thursday and spicing up their normal taco offerings for the occasion. on today’s menu? fluke ceviche, oyster and fish tacos, and all the micheladas you can drink. 114 nassau ave. wrap me up (in a tortilla of love).

Cinco de May Fiesta, Fonda, Park Slope
live mariachi band, tequila, chiles, margaritas. the perfect ingredients from one of the very best mexican restaurants in the city- just add you, amigo. multiple locations, but my neighborhood favorite is at 434 7th ave. ole, baby.
Cinco de Mayo Party, Brooklyn Kitchen, Williamsburg.

for a more hands-on cinco de mayo experience head to brooklyn kitchen for a cinco de mayo fiesta teaching you the skills behind our favorite mexican delights, a tortilla-making station, and free-flowing margaritas all night. class is $75, starts at 5.30pm. 100 frost st. get handsy.

 prince

Purple Train at Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg.

we lost one of the best pop starts of all time last week, and if you haven’t had a chance to properly commemorate his life (did you miss spike lee’s epic fort greene block party?), questlove is hosting an all-night dance party dedicated to the artist and his timeless tunes. $7 in advance, $10 at the door, show starts at 8. 61 wythe ave.

FRIDAY

beer

Five Boro Craft Beer Fest, The Well, Bushwick.

it’s nothing new to have access to some of the nation’s best craft beers in this city, but this festival features over 100 craft brews and ciders, plus some that have never been released to the public, and all of your local favorites. tickets are $85 and can be purchased here and include unlimited tastings, local bites, live music, a souvenir glass, and a nice slow and joyful slide into your weekend. 272 meserole st, all suds, no duds.

 

CocoaDios at House of YES, Bushwick.

ok house of YES, i hear you. i do. an immersive theater experience celebrating life, death, and chocolate? where aerial dancers and audience members alike will be adorned in cacao? just when i thought i could say no to you, i once again give in to your tantalizing weekend line up. CocoaDios, opening thursday but i’ll be there friday night, tickets start at $22 and can be bought here. doors at 7, show’s at 8pm. 2 wyckoff ave, house of YES– where even no means ‘give it to me’™.

coco

stay to get a little higher at elevation, their monthly institution and collaboration with party group zero.

 

SATURDAY

celebrate the kentucky derby, all day. with hats and bets and juleps and everything else you will likely regret in the morning.

derby

for the fancy derbier, check out this all-inclusive party at Greenwood Park in south slope. $95 gets you 4 hours of all-you-can-drink maker’s mark mint juleps, beer, and wine, plus fancy snacks, an official derby glass, and access to the DIY hat station (hm…). tickets, here. 4-8pm, 555 7th ave. giddee yup(ee)!
if a classic derby party is more your style, join brooklyn’s longest running derby celebration at the bell house in gowanus. $8 advance, $10 at the door gets you in, plus enjoy drink specials all night, southern food pairings, and music by the hungry march band. party starts at 2pm, post time if 6:34 folks. and god knows it happens fast so don’t be late! tickets, here. the bell house, 149 7th st. ring my bell, baby.
derby

for the gamblin’ ramblin’ derbier, head to mable’s smokehouse in williamsburg for a classic derby party, showing races all day and encouraging “friendly” betting. plus $7 int juleps and southern specialties, don’t be ashamed to spend your winnings on piles and piles of frisky brisket. 44 berry st, 2pm. what a smoke show.

for the low-key derby drinker who wants to hear my notorious derby joke (only told once a year!), head to the moonlight mile in greenpoint. watch the race on the big screen while sipping juleps from their extensive bourbon collection. plus raffles, a hat contest, and that amazing free jukebox to keep you grovvin’ long after the horses are gone. party is free, 2pm to 2am. 200 franklin st. let’s get moonlit.
PS1
Night at the Museum, MoMA PS1, Long Island City 
so with that tricky little taste of spring we got taken so quickly away from us, i’m grabbing at anything that will warm me up. especially if it’s reminiscent of PS1’s summer warm up. Night at the Museum is just that, except it’s indoors and you actually spend time with the art. this special late-night museum series features art currently on exhibition at the Frieze, plus food and drink specials in the courtyard and sculpture space compliments of m. wells dinette. tickets, $15, can be purchased here. event goes from 8pm-midnight.

SUNDAY

call your mom. it’s mother’s day. or, call my mom if you want. she’d like that, i’m sure.
image1
the strangers project displayed in washington square park.
Strangers Project at Alchemist Kitchen, The East Village, Manhattan.
i ran into part of this exhibit a few weeks ago in washington square park and was immediately captivated. it’s like post secret, but full stories. a peek into the overly publicized private lives of everyone around you, leaving you feeling shocked, restless, and with the confidence that we are all so similar in our souls. RSVP here to see the full exhibit, your reason to cross the river this weekend at Alchemist Kitchen, 21 East 1st St.
Sunday Sounds, 61 Local, Cobble Hill. 
this is why we live in new york. because of events like sunday sounds… one of those magical brooklyn happenings that connect you so intimately with the arts and culture here and remind you why you’re paying $100/sq ft to live here. curated by local musician jess best, these are raw, unplugged, intimate concerts that connect you depely with the artist and their craft, every sunday. do something good for your soul to make up with all of the sinning that occurred this weekend. all info here, 730-10pm, 61 local, 61 bergen st, $10 suggested donation.

where to eat this weekend

photo via http://selamatpagibrooklyn.com/
photo via http://selamatpagibrooklyn.com/
Selamat Pagi, 152 Driggs Ave, Greenpoint.
maybe it’s because i just got back from a trip in southeast asia, and maybe it’s because… well, yeah. that’s exactly why. in an area of the world where your senses explode with stunning views, brilliant colors, an palpable joy for life, the cuisine can often be overshadowed, but trust me, it could stand alone and still be damn impressive. selamat pagi in greenpoint brings all of the exotic flavors of bali to brooklyn. so until you can hop on a flight, go there. and enjoy their elaborate array of small plates and colorful flavors.

where to drink this weekend

photo via themoonlightmilegpt.com
photo via themoonlightmilegpt.com
The Moonlight Mile, 200 Franklin St, Greenpoint.
a weekend that should be dedicated to bourbon deserves patronage to a bar that does the same. … on franklin ave is a bourbon bar without the attitude. plus, they have a free jukebox that looks like the vinyl collection of your coolest friend. you’ll already be there for the derby party, right? go for the horses, stay for the bourbon, go back often for the genuine neighborhood feel of this place. trust me, you’ll be charmed… to the moon. and lit, if all goes according to plan.
<3L.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

@brooklynimtrying

Subscribe to our Newsletter