If you’re in New York this weekend, you’re in luck. The city is (basically) yours and as long as you know how to avoid the touristy bullshit and anything that is inflated and floating above you, it will be a magical time. I’ll help you find all the good stuff, right here. Get to it, be thankful.
Things to do in Brooklyn on Thanksgiving
Cameron’s Pot Luck at the Brew Inn in Greenpoint
Because what else would the world’s best neighborhood bar do on Thanksgiving? Brew Inn will open up their non-discriminatory doors to all of the Thanksgiving orphans in the ‘hood. Maybe you stuck around because you can’t deal with the traffic. Maybe it’s because your family drives you nuts. Maybe you just don’t have enough money/vacation days to justify a trip just to stuff bland food in your face so that you avoid talking about politics at the table. All of these are good reasons to go to this pot luck. Bring a dish. Bring your appetite. Ceri’s making vegetables, so tell your mom everything is going to be ok. Mention this post and get a free shot of tequila from me (Cam, just leave a tab open for me) 924 Manhattan Ave.
A Cozy Thanksgiving Dinner at Glasserie in Greenpoint
I have recently fallen back in love with this glass-factory-turned amazing restaurant in the northernmost point of the Point. Because it just feels good being there, and the cocktails are actually amazing without too many complications, their wine list is mostly natural, and the staff makes you feel right at home… and this is all before you stuff that amazing bread and labneh dish into your mouth. Feel right at home this Thanksgiving at Glasserie. Reserve a spot here. 95 Commercial St.
A Very Greek Thanksgiving at Victory Garden Cafe in Astoria
Because you keep meaning to go to Astoria to get Greek food, and hey, if you’re still in the city, let’s just chalk this up to a “non-traditional” Thanksgiving. Be thankful for this opportunity to branch out of the slimy can-molded cranberry “sauce” and relieve yourself from all the stove-top stuffiness and head to Victory Garden Cafe in Astoria. They’re having a Greek feast in a glass-enclosed heated garden, so let’s steam up those windows. Bring someone you love or someone who seems kinda lonely too. Dinner is only $25, so it’s a cheap date. Info here. 21-69 Steinway St.
Have a Fancy Thanksgiving at Sauvage in Greenpoint
You’re a fucking savage. I get it. That’s why you skipped family Thanksgiving, again, scoffing at your mother’s recipes and saying that it wasn’t worth fighting the traffic. You know what you deserve? You deserve to have your Thanksgiving in a place that will let you know it is very much not thankful for you. The utter nonchalance and rather bitter attentive service at Sauvage is sometimes hard to swallow. But you know what isn’t? Every single thing on their menu. Sure, they have an attitude, but so do you. Come and be (silently) grateful for their $68 prix-fixe that is going to be fucking delicious and perfectly paired with a natural wine from their list. Reserve your spot here, then get a little tipsy and FaceTime your family and apologize. 905 Lorimer St.
Dinner at the Farm on Adderly in Ditmas Park
Yes, you can make all of your Thanksgiving and Christmas dreams come true in one night. Head to The Farm on Adderley for dinner, and then stroll around Ditmas Park and admire the best collection of holiday lights in the city. It’ll make you feel like you’re in a small town and that you’ve kind of checked everything off your city holiday to-do list until New Year’s Eve. The Farm will be serving a warm and welcoming farm-to-table-to-mouth dinner that is just as traditional as you hoped it will be, but with plenty of Brooklyn flair. Then wander around Ditmas Park and see this oddly-competitive holiday home display. Dinner info here. 1108 Cortelyou Rd.
Dirty Turkeys at House of Yes in Bushwick
Here’s your chance to dance out all of your caloric sins and to give thanks prematurely to whomever you’re about to take home. You dirty little turkey you. They’re throwing a thanksgiving party the way only HoY can, so come and have pumpkin pie (if you saved room), hit up the (kinda sexy?) food coma nap zone, dance our ass off and away all of your turkey day sins before you make some new ones. And, #revelwithacause by bringing one non-perishable item to donate to City Harvest in exchange for half-off a cocktail. I know I’ll be there with all of the cans of Vienna Sausages that were in my stocking last year (not kidding). Info here. 10pm-4am, 2 Wyckoff Ave.
Things to do in Brooklyn on Friday
Be happy you don’t live in the suburbs and aren’t forced to line up at Best Buy at midnight with all the other crazies.
Go on a Post-Turkey Day Hike
Go on a hike. There are tons accessible just upstate, or the wine trails located out West via the LIRR, or just walk around this wondrous city. Get out. Get moving. Before you go out and get movin’ and groovin’ again.
Last Chance for Green-wood After Dark
Having trouble coming up with a good date for Black Friday? How about wandering through a dark, shadowy graveyard with your boo, letting all of your Black Friday shoppers’ remorse sigh its way out of you and join in the collective woes of those who came before. This is the last chance to experience Green-wood after dark, and you should. Info here.
Just a light dinner and tunes at Le Fanfare
Because a post-thanksgiving meal should be accompanied by some tunes so you are just distracted enough not to over-eat again. And Le Fanfare in Greenpoint is my favorite place to do just that. Try to snag a coveted spot around the seductive little half-moon marble bar. Get lost in this very Sardinian little jewel of a spot, and then go feel even more local and for more live music at Troost, down the street. Music goes from 8:30-10:30pm at Le Fanfare. Reserve a spot here. 1103 Manhattan Ave.
Things to do in Brooklyn on Saturday
Shop Local.
It’s Shop Local Saturday and that is especially fortunate if you live in Brooklyn. Head to all of your favorite local shops and get a head start on your holiday shopping (you and I both know we haven’t started). My favorites, if you’re in Greenpoint, are Lockwood, Alter, Walk the West, Zoe’s Beauty, and a quick pop-in at Duke’s Liquor Box before heading home. Go, get out there, and support local businesses. Tell me your favorites, I’ll go there too.
Keep that active streak alive at Dreamland Roller Disco, OR Ice Skating in Industry City!
Disco isn’t dead and neither am I and neither are you and therefore, neither is roller disco. So strap on some skates and pull out all of those mighty-real dance moves at this rainbow paradise of a rink in IC.
Or, take it outside and pour it over ice. They’ll be opening that ice rink in Industry City this weekend, so go warm it up, cool it down, slide it around. Just, don’t go with your hockey player boyfriend who is nice enough to hold your hand and be patient but you know he’s just dying to shred it up. Info here.
The Last Show at the Brooklyn Bazaar in Greenpoint
Well, this is sad. So sad that it makes me want to drink tequila all night and go down with the fucking ship. Who’s with me!?!! You are. You all are. And fortunately, so is Hank Wood and the Hammerheads, Warthog, Subversive Rite, and Dollhouse. So be there with all of us. Tickets, here. 150 Greenpoint Ave.
Things to do in Brooklyn on Sunday
Michelle Buteau at the Bell House
Bummed that you didn’t get tickets to Michelle Buteau’s show Thursday at the Bell House because tickets sold out in minutes and also because I didn’t tell you about it? (I take full blame here, by the way). Well, lucky for you she agreed to let BiT readers in on a second show Sunday. So stop reading this and get your tickets here now. Because you don’t want to miss this Dope Queen twice. 149 7th St.
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