I have a really cool new location in DUMBO for you: Bar Gair right at the famous Manhattan Bridge photo spot on Water Street!

Exceptional drinks with fancy names, nice people and stylish ambience awaits you here. The style runs through all areas of the bar, even the drinks look beautiful. It is not cheap, cocktails cost between $15 and $19, but this is now the average for such a location (no matter where you are in New York City). 

There are also nine different beers (starting at $6) and wine (starting at $14) – and delicious dishes. You can choose from appetizers, vegetarian and “mostly not plants” dishes. 

What should you try?

The cocktail “Tokyo w/ My Ex” or the tapped “Interspecies Smalltalk IPA”. All in all, Gair is a wonderful location where you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle.

Impressions

What can you do later?

Either go to the free roof terrace of the Time Out Market right next door, relax in the Brooklyn Bridge Park and enjoy the sensational view or walk up to one of my favorite spots in the area: the PILOT Brooklyn.

Summer is just around the corner and what could be better than enjoying delicious food outdoors? In New York City there are many food festivals, it smells like food all around the city. One of these festivals is Celebrate Big Apple Barbecue in the heart of Manhattan. In this article you will find all the information you need to know. Have fun reading & enjoy it!

What is Celebrate Big Apple Barbecue?

Celebrate Big Apple Barbecue is a Food Festival that brings friends and neighbors together to celebrate great grilled food in New York City. Regional Chefs and Pitmasters will serve mouthwatering barbecue in a beautiful location in Manhattan.

Proceeds from ticket sales for this event will go to the Madison Square Park Conservancy. This non-profit organization handles all events and preservation of Madison Square Park.

When does Big Apple Barbecue take place?

The Celebrate Big Apple Barbecue 2023 takes place on Tuesday, June 13. Early Access is at 5:30 PM, the General Admission starts at 6:30 PM.

Where does Big Apple Barbecue take place?

This year the Big Apple Barbecue is back to where it began: Madison Square Park in the heart of Manhattan.

The closest subway stations are 23 St (lines N, Q, R, W, 4 & 6) and 28 St (4 & 6).

Which restaurants will participate?

More than 20 restaurants will participate in this year’s Big Apple Barbecue. These are some examples:

• Blue Smoke
• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
• Handsome Devol
• Hudson Smokehouse
• Pig Beach BBQ
• Pure Grit BBQ
• Shake Shack
• The Meat Hook

For the complete list of restaurants and tickets check out the official website of Celebrate Big Apple Barbecue.

New York is world-famous for many things, including its Broadway shows. Every year there are between 30 and 40 new shows and plays, some of which only run for a very short time, but some become real evergreens.

Which Broadway shows have been playing in New York for the longest time? I’ll tell you here!

My tip: You can find even more exciting fun facts and records in my article about Broadway facts and here you can find all the currently popular Broadway shows in NYC.

What does “longest running” actually mean?

Broadway, like most industries, has a metric system to measure success. In this case, it’s not the years but the number of performances that dictate the length of a show’s run. Some Broadway shows can run for a number of years but have fewer performances due to scheduling factors. For instance, shows that run only on weekends will naturally have fewer performances than those that run all week. Therefore, when I speak of the “longest-running” Broadway shows, I am referring to those that have chalked up the most performances. You can also see this in my table below in the “Number of Days” column.

These are the TOP 40 longest-running Broadway shows of all time

What I found really interesting is the fact that the TOP 10 longest running musicals on Broadway have as many performances in total as #11 through #40 combined. I’ve linked the shows you can still attend today.

Every year during the summer there are free movies in the many parks of the city; from Brooklyn to Queens and to Manhattan, you have several places to choose from. You can find out everything you need to know about free movie performances here!

My tip: also check out Free Concerts in the Parks!

What are the Free Summer Movies?

First and foremost, movie screenings are my favorite summer event! The free movie screenings have a long tradition and now span all the boroughs of the city. You can enjoy summer movie screenings both in Brooklyn Bridge Park, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline, in Bryant Park, and on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid.

One of the most famous and, for me, most beautiful places to see movies is definitely Bryant Park. And the best part? They’re free! If you’re in New York City at this time of year, catching a free screening is definitely a MUST DO (or rather, MUST SEE)!

When do the Free Summer Movies take place?

You can enjoy the free movies from Memorial Day weekend in late May through September. Be sure to plan one of these events into your itinerary, it’s worth it!

Where do the Free Summer Movies take place in New York?

You can choose from several parks and locations. I really liked Brooklyn Bridge Park with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline as well as the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid where you can enjoy the summer at the movies.

These are the locations already confirmed for 2023:

1. 01

   Bryant Park Film Festival

   Other Attraction
   in
   Midtown Manhattan

   
   

   One of the best things to do in July in New York is visiting the free Bryant Park Film Festival and picnic performances in Bryant Park. In the heart of Manhattan, people gather in the summer months with blankets and chairs they’ve brought themselves to relax at the outdoor movie theater and concerts by the New York Philharmonics. Bryant Park is just under a 5 minute walk from Times Square, surrounded by tall trees, so it’s a bit secluded from the rest, but you’re still in the middle of it all: Awesome!

   Schedule 2023:

   • June 12: Almost Famous
   • June 19: Dreamgirls
   • June 26: Mean Girls
   • July 3: School of Rock
   • July 10: Roman Holiday
   • July 17: Reality Bites
   • July 24: Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
   • July 31: Swingers
   • August 7: 48 Hrs.
   • August 14: Zoolander
   • August 21: Good Burger

2. 02

   Movies With a View – Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn

   Other Events
   in
   Brooklyn Heights

   Our Highlight

   
   

   This year marks the 22nd year of the Movie With A View and is part of the Free Summer Movies that take place throughout New York. It’s a free event organized by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy with a new theme each year. For 2022, it’s “Around the World.”

   Schedule 2022:

   • July 7: Before Sunrise
   • July 14: The Bourne Identity
   • July 21: Crazy Rich Asians
   • July 28: How Stella Got Her Groove Back
   • August 4: Jurassic Park
   • August 11: Thelma and Louise
   • August 18: The Mitchells vs. the Machines
   • August 25: Public Choice (Back to the Future, Mamma Mia!, Mission Impossible)

3. 03

   The Seaport Cinema at Pier 17

   Pier
   in
   Financial District

   
   

   Three different film screenings will take place on the roof of Pier 17 this year – and by the way, you’ll have a sensational view of the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River and Brooklyn!

   Doors open at 6 p.m., the films start at 7 p.m. . The free tickets are available here!

   Schedule 2022:

   • June 5: Space Jam
   • June 13: Maiden
   • June 27: Walk With Me

4. 04

   Intrepid Summer Movie Nights

   Museum
   in
   Hell’s Kitchen

   
   

   The Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum is the only floating museum in NYC. You will find a wide array of historically significant military and maritime vehicles as well as a collection of museum ships on this aircraft carrier which is docked on the Hudson River. This is great for kids and adults alike as it discusses and shows a wide variety of artifacts regarding the US military and maritime history.

   You can watch movies on the deck of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid for free. This year this event celebrates its 40th anniversary – and it is one of the most popular locations. So get here early!

   Schedule 2022:

   • Friday, May 27, 2022: Crimson Tide
   • Friday, June 24, 2022: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
   • Friday, July 29, 2022: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
   • Friday, August 26, 2022: Blade Runner

   For more on Summer Movie Nights at the Intrepid Museum, click here.

5. 05

   Free Summer Movies Governors Island

   Other Events
   in
   Governors Island

   

   Also on our favorite island Governors Island you can experience the Free Summer Movies this year. Every second Friday of the month from June to September you can watch free movies. Entertainment starts at 7 p.m. at the Parade Ground. The movies then start around dusk.

   Schedule 2022:

   • June 3: Hed­wig and the Angry Inch

6. 06

   Tribeca Film Festival

   Other Attraction
   in
   Tribeca

   

   The Tribeca Film Festival is hosting three different open-air screenings this year!

   Schedule 2022:

   • Juni 11: Dirty Dancing (5 p.m., Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place, Battery Park City)
   • June 12: Hargrove (8 p.m., Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place, Battery Park City)
   • June 12: The Addams Family (11 a.m., Pier 57 at Hudson River Park)

7. 07

   Rooftop Film Club: Not free, but amazing!

   Other Art & Culture
   in
   Midtown Manhattan

   Our Highlight

   

   We love the Free Summer Movies, which are available at different places in New York. They are an absolute MUST DO in the summer, so you should definitely plan the Free Summer Movies for yourself. But you can also go one floor higher: with the cinema events on the roofs of hotels or bars. The Rooftop Film Club on top of the Skylawn Embassy Suites show films in lofty heights on several days during the summer.

Picture: Christian Reimer – many thanks for this!!!

2Since 2017, the neighborhood of DUMBO celebrates its community with an annual block party during which thousands of tiny toy elephants will be released from the roofs of Washington Street. We’ll share everything you need to know about the so-called “DUMBO Drop” here.

What is The Great DUMBO Drop?

The Great DUMBO Drop is an annual block party created for DUMBO locals. If you’re in the area during the event, expect to be entertained with live performances, a variety of food stalls and the famous “DUMBO Drop”, after which the street festival was named. Even though it all sounds like great fun, there’s more behind the street festival: a fundraiser. The collected proceeds from the DUMBO Drop will benefit local schools, which are actively participating in the festival.

Whether you are a local or a visitor, everyone is welcome to join the celebration. The more the merrier! It’s completely free to be part of the festival. Here’s what you can expect.

When the clock strikes 6 pm, the long-anticipated DUMBO Drop kicks off. Thousands of tiny toy elephants will fly onto Washington Street – one of the most photographed streets in New York City. The elephants, however, don’t expand their ears to fly like Dumbo the elephant himself. Instead, the toy elephants are equipped with little parachutes that let them glide onto the cobblestone street. Each parachute has been individually designed by local artists. There are so many of them that the entire drop lasts for about 10 minutes. It’s certainly the highlight of the annual street festival in DUMBO.

That’s still not all! You can also be participating in the DUMBO Drop competition. How? Those who donate $25 can adopt an elephant. The person whose elephant lands closest to a predetermined target wins a prize!

DUMBO Drop Prizes 2023

1. Winning the main prize will entitle you to a 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Staycation plus $200 for dinner at The Osprey (it is part of my list of the best Staycation Hotels in NYC). (value $1,500)
2. The second prize is a dinner at Gran Eléctrica, Em Vietnamese and Cecconi’s! (value $650)
3. Free six month membership at Gleason’s Gym (value $660)
4. Free coffee at Joe Coffee (value $300)

*The deadline to enter the competition is the day before the DUMBO Drop!

Where there is a street festival, there is food! At the Great DUMBO Drop, you’ will only find specialties from local restaurants, like Bread and Spread, Juliana’s Pizza, Westville, Time Out Market, Sugarcane and many more.

• Activities for kids and adults

Along Washington Street, you will find everything from games, face painting, art exhibitions, do-it-yourself workshops to photo machines ensuring you will be entertained for a whole evening.

• Entertaining live performances

The block party’s line up features everything forms local musicians, to school performances and cheerleaders. Be sure to check the schedule or you may miss a performance.

Directly after the Disco Drop wrapped up, the After Party begins. Here, you can sing and dance all night until the end of the festival (or maybe even beyond).

Where does The Great DUMBO Drop take place?

The community festival is celebrated on Washington Street in DUMBO. Washington Street serves as a hotspot for the popular photo op of the Manhattan Bridge giving you perfect views of the Empire State Building through its arch. A major part of the street is closed off for the festival beginning early in the morning.

When will The Great DUMBO Drop take place?

The DUMBO Droptakes place on June 2, 2023. Officially, the festival starts at 4 pm and ends at 8 pm. If you plan to attend the DUMBO Drop next year, plan to spend a whole evening here. There’s enough to do to keep you entertained. Here is an example of this year’s events:

• 4 pm: Opening Ceremony
• 6 pm: Great DUMBO Drop
• 7 pm: Disco Drop

Wait! What is the difference between the DUMBO Drop and the Disco Drop?

The Disco Drop is similar to the DUMBO Drop with the subtle difference that the elephants’ parachutes are now also illuminated resembling shooting stars dropping from the night sky.

The August Wilson Theatre opened in 1925 and was renamed very regularly through various changes of ownership. In 1925 it was called Guild Theatre, from 1950 ANTA Theatre and from 1981 Virginia Theatre. It was only in 2005 that it was given its present name in honor of August Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize winner.

It reminds us a little of the Walter Kerr Theatre, which, like the August Wilson Theatre, has retained its old New York charm to this day.

Ticket information

See ticket

August Wilson Theatre Seating Plan

Compared to other Broadway theaters in New York built at the same time, you’ll have more space between rows and seats. With a capacity of 1,225 seats, it is still one of the smaller theaters, which is divided between the Orchestra and Mezzanine.

Where Are the Best Seats at August Wilson Theatre Located?

Value Seats: Funny Girl features some staircases on either side of the stage, which may not be fully visible if seated too far back in the Orchestra section. However, as most of the performance unfolds center stage, middle rows of Orchestra Left and Right offer cost-effective and close-up viewing options. The rear of the Mezzanine, while a bit distant, offers budget-friendly tickets with a satisfactory overview of the stage.

Premium Seats: For an iconic musical like Funny Girl, the finest seats at the August Wilson Theatre are in Center Orchestra rows E – J. Positioned at the perfect distance, these seats offer complete views of the dance sequences and the entire set. Rows B and C of the Center Mezzanine also deliver impressive views, enabling spectators to enjoy an unobstructed panorama of the entire stage.

Current & Upcoming Shows

Pro tip: Funny Girl is one of the most popular shows on Broadway right now. And since the musical can only be seen until September 3, you should act fast if you can still find tickets for your desired period!

Tickets for the Funny Girl are available here 👇

GET TICKETS

Past Shows

• Slave Play (until January 23, 2022)
• Pass Over (until October 10, 2021)
• Mean Girls (until March 11, 2020)
• Jersey Boys (until January 16, 2017)

Kimberly Akimbo is a unique story about a New Jersey teenager who appears to be 72 due to an aging disease. Victoria Clark, a Tony Award-winning actress, stars as Kim – an otherwise normal teen grappling with potential legal issues, difficult personalities, and family secrets while striving for happiness against all odds.

Here in my article you will find everything you need to know. Enjoy!

Ticket information

See ticket

Kimberly Akimbo Tickets

Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and Jeanine Tesori, a Tony Award winner, this is the most moving and funniest play to hit Broadway in decades.

Tickets for Kimberly Akimbo are available here 👇

GET TICKETS

The Story

Imagine being a teenager from New Jersey who happens to look like she’s 72 years old. That’s precisely what you get with Kimberly Akimbo. This show stars Victoria Clark, a Tony Award-winning actress, who stars as Kim. She’s just your average funny and bright teen girl from Jersey.

Or is she? Not exactly! She has an aging disease that makes her look old. Yet, that’s not even the worst of her problems. Between possible felony charges, borderline personalities, and maneuvering family secrets, Kim tries to be happy even when the universe seems to be against her.

Did You Know It?

Kimberly Akimbo has been nominated 8 times at the Tony Awards 2023. If you’re interested in the topic, learn all about the Tony Awards including some incredible (fun) facts and stats here!

The Cast

For the musical adaptation of Kimberly Akimbo, Lindsay-Abaire collaborated with renowned composer Jeanine Tesori, known for Fun Home and Shrek: The Musical. The pair crafted Kim’s unique, heart-wrenching tale into a humorous yet touching musical, premiering at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2021. It won various Off-Broadway awards, earning widespread praise. Like The Band’s Visit, which originated from the same theatre, Kimberly Akimbo’s Broadway run at the Booth Theatre is expected to be successful.

Where will Kimberly Akimbo be performed?

The location for the show is the Booth Theatre on Broadway (Address: 222 West 45th Street).

Funny Girl is a love letter to Broadway that has it all! This show features one of the most beloved scorers of all time by Bob Merrill and Jule Syne, a Harvey Fierstein revised book that’s based on Isobel Lennart’s original, tap choreography, and Michael Mayer’s direction.

Funny Girl Tickets

“Here Lies Love” was initially a hit during its Off-Broadway premiere at The Public Theater in 2013 and returned for an encore run in 2014.

After years, it finally returns to New York for its Broadway premiere, bringing back the original creative team of David Byrne, Fatboy Slim, Alex Timbers, and Annie-B Parson. Therefore, book your tickets as early as possible.

Tickets for the Funny Girl are available here 👇

GET TICKETS

The Story

The bittersweet comedy does an amazing job telling the story of the determined Fanny Brice, a Lower East Side girl who dreamed of performing on the stage. Though everyone in her life said she would never be a star, something quite odd happened – she became one of history’s most iconic performers!

Did You Know It?

Funny Girl, featuring Barbra Streisand as the lead character, debuted on Broadway in 1964. The show achieved significant success, staging more than 1,300 performances over a span of three years, and was nominated for eight Tony Awards.

The popularity of the production led to a successful film adaptation in 1968, which was recognized with eight Academy Award nominations. Streisand, returning to her original role, secured the Best Actress award.

The Cast

It brings a phenomenal cast with Lea Michele, the Drama Desk Award Nominated actress, as Fanny Brice, and Ramin Karimloo, a Tony Award nominee. Funny Girl dazzles with comedy and music. Expect to hear songs such as “People,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade.”

Where will Funny Girl be performed?

The location for the show is the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway (Address: 245 West 52nd Street).

Looking for tickets to upcoming Broadway shows? Then you’ve come to the right place! I’ll show you the latest Broadway shows and all the musicals premiering soon here.

If smaller theaters excite you, you should check out the Off-Broadway shows. For more new musicals, check out the Off-Broadway shows opening soon.

My tip: I have all the Broadway shows and Plays on Broadway for you here.

1. 01 Once Upon a One More Time

   Once Upon a One More Time, a musical that flips the script on your favorite fairy-tale icons is premiering at the Marquis Theatre. Featuring the chart-topping hits of Britney Spears, this original story follows a group of heroines who gather for a book club every fortnight to discuss Grimm’s Fairy Tales, the only book they’ve ever known.

   • Previews: May 13, 2023
   • Opening: June 22, 2023
2. 
   

   02 Here Lies Love

   The musical Here Lies Love tells the story of the rise of Philippine First lady Imelda Marcos and how she was eventually overthrown by the Philippine People Power Revolution. Penned by Grammy winners David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, the musical transforms the theater into a dance club where audience members can immerse themselves in the storyline.

   • Previews: June 17, 2023
   • Opening: July 20, 2023
3. 
   

   03 Back to the Future

   Experience the epic adventure of Back to the Future as it comes to the Winter Garden Theatre. The story begins when Marty McFly is transported back to 1955 in a time machine constructed by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown. After he accidentally changes history, he must race against time to fix the present, outrun the past, and get himself back to the future. Follow Marty on this exciting and unforgettable journey through Hill Valley as he navigates the twists and turns of time travel!

   • Previews: June 30, 2023
   • Opening: August 3, 2023
4. 
   

   04 The Cottage

   “The Cottage” tells the story of a married woman who decides to reveal her affair with a married man to both her husband and the man’s wife. This event triggers a chain of humorous and potentially dangerous revelations.

   The play draws inspiration from the works of celebrated writer Noël Coward, whose comedies often featured the high society of early 20th-century England. Similarly, “The Cottage” is set in the English countryside in 1923.

   • Previews: July 7, 2023
   • Opening: July 24, 2023
   • Closing: October 29, 2023
5. 
   

   05 Here Lies Love

   The musical Here Lies Love tells the story of the rise of Philippine First lady Imelda Marcos and how she was eventually overthrown by the Philippine People Power Revolution. Penned by Grammy winners David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, the musical transforms the theater into a dance club where audience members can immerse themselves in the storyline.

   • Previews: June 17, 2023
   • Opening: July 20, 2023

The Broadway show Here Lies Love is known for its immersive experience where the audience stands and dances alongside the performers, the Broadway Theatre is transformed into a dance club setting.

It follows Marcos’ life journey from her younger days with political aspirations, through her time in power alongside her husband Ferdinand Marcos, and eventually to her downfall during the People Power Revolution of 1986.

Ticket information

See ticket

Here Lies Love Tickets

“Here Lies Love” was initially a hit during its Off-Broadway premiere at The Public Theater in 2013 and returned for an encore run in 2014.

After years, it finally returns to New York for its Broadway premiere, bringing back the original creative team of David Byrne, Fatboy Slim, Alex Timbers, and Annie-B Parson. Therefore, book your tickets as early as possible.

Tickets for the Here Lies Love to the Future are available here 👇

GET TICKETS

The Story

The musical Here Lies Love tells the story of the rise of Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos and how she was eventually overthrown by the Philippine People Power Revolution. Penned by Grammy winners David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, the musical transforms the theater into a dance club where audience members can immerse themselves in the storyline.

The Cast

It is a collaborative effort by David Byrne, an Academy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner, and Fatboy Slim, a Grammy Award winner. The musical has received high praise from The New York Times, with its choreography by Annie-B Parson, an Olivier Award nominee, and direction by Alex Timbers, a Tony Award winner.

David Byrne, known for his frontman role in the Talking Heads, has previously collaborated with Parson and Timbers on his Tony-winning theatrical concert “American Utopia,” which had two successful Broadway runs in 2019 and 2021. He has also written music for “Everyday Rapture” and “Twyla Tharp Dance” on Broadway.

Where will Here Lies Love be performed?

The location for the show is the beautiful Broadway Theatre on Broadway (Address: 1681 Broadway)