June 1st officially marks the beginning of pride month for several cities and states, notably New York City, who will be celebrating in a truly amazing way during the weekend of June 22nd through the 24th.
The weekend is chock full of some wonderful events, including a headlining performance by the one and only Kylie Minogue, however its always good to know some of the best places to dine and dish at while getting your "pride" life throughout The Big Apple.
For our weekly series called Travel Thursday, we are letting you know about some of the fabulous spots to hit up, either right before or during pride, that will definitely fill you up and get you ready for the incredible days ahead. Take a look.
From the sales of its color-changing cocktail, HandCraft Kitchen & Cocktails (367 Third Avenue, NYC, 212.689.3000, www.handcraftnyc.com) will donate $2 from each Empress' New Clothes sold during Pride Week (June 14th – 24th) to SAGE, an organization that provides advocacy and services for LGBT elders.
HandCraft Kitchen & Cocktails brings excitement and innovation to the overall bar experience through an extensive craft beer list, fresh inventive cocktails made from scratch, and elevated American comfort food. Happy Hour takes place daily from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Dinner is served nightly along with a late-night menu Monday through Friday, and brunch is served on the weekends from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
"Mouth Full? A food storytelling show with snacks…sometimes" debuts with a special Pride Week Edition at the Fisher & Paykel Experience Center on Wednesday, June 20th at 6:15 p.m. The show will feature six LGBTQ storytellers sharing their personal and true histories, memories and stories – whether funny, inspiring or sorrowful – about food. Themed snacks and beverages will be available before and after the show, compliments of the performers and the sponsors.
"Barriers such as race, nationality, politics, gender, etc, can seem insurmountable until we get on the subject of food, and then we all seem to find commonality and connection," says Jackie Gordon, Co-founder and Host of Mouth Full?. "Mouth Full? celebrates inclusiveness and invites all walks of people to take a seat at our dinner table," adds Co-Founder and Producer Lora Wiley-Lennartz. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $37.50 per person. An Early Bird special offering tickets for $27.50 will be available until June 6th. For those unable to attend the live show, Mouth Full? A storytelling show with snacks…sometimes" will be streamed live on Facebook and Instagram.
Pride Weekend 2018 = Party time at The VNYL. On Thursday 6/21, come show off your wildly creative style at The VNYL’s A.B.C. Party*. Yep, you guessed it…dress code: Anything But Clothes! You can wear a kitchen sink skirt. You can be bedsheets chic. Wear your favorite pleated pillow pants and curtain corsage. Just don’t wear clothes…it’s that simple 😉 Make sure your outfit is made for dancing though because a DJ will be spinning all night.
Take advantage of the gorgeous weather during Pride Week at North River Lobster Co. at Pier 81. For the full week they will be serving up a selection of fun rainbow-colored shots* that are sure to take your Instagram to the next level. Of course, you can also expect lobster rolls, a fully stocked raw bar, buckets of cold beer and frosé – all while cruising on the Hudson River with stunning views of the New York City skyline.
Have you gotten a chance to check out the newly opened Woodstock yet? This happening pizza bar and cocktail lounge in Meatpacking District serves up good spirits only in addition to their delicious (and affordable!) pizzas and specialty cocktails. Come celebrate the week at The Woodstock’s Pride Day Pizza Party*. On Sunday, 6/24 starting at1:00PM, in addition to their normal menu, they will be offering a Pride of ’69 cocktail and All You Need Is Love dessert pizza – yum! DJ will be spinning all day of course.
Pondicheri is known for serving authentic Indian cuisine all-day, but the restaurant also gives back to charity through their monthly Community Breakfast. To honor Pride Month, proceeds from the June 8 breakfast will go The Center – a home and resource hub for the LGBTQ community. On the second Friday of every month from 8 am to noon, Pondicheri hosts a Community Breakfast where 50% of all sales are donated to a local organization that assists minority groups. The Center fosters a welcoming environment for LGBT communities of New York through health and wellness programs, arts and cultural events and family support services.
Celebrate Pride at Moxy Times Square throughout the entire month of June with an assortment of exciting programming. Ranging from their ‘Proudest Day Ever’ celebration on Wednesday, June 20th, to a limited-edition Pride themed bode yoga class, to their curated ‘Oh My What A Really Big Package’ package – Moxy Times Square will be the perfect home base all things Pride!
‘Proudest Day Ever’ – Wednesday, June 20th
- Experience a walking tour of famed LGBT sites in the West Village with NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project
- An exclusive series of evocative Madboots Dance performances throughout the hotel in conjunction with their upcoming Joyce Theater debut.
- A special Pride edition of their Wednesday night programming ‘Hey Moxy!’ at Bar Moxy at 6 p.m., hosted by NY’s favorite downtown denizen, Ty Sunderland and Drag Queen of the Year, Ruby Fox.
- Baked by Melissa limited-edition Pride cupcake giveaways
#xPride edition – Thursday, June 21st
bode Yoga Pride-themed class on the Magic Hour rooftop, featuring a playlist of your favorite celebratory anthems led by trainer Sam Given (we hear alter ego and killer queen Millie Grams will be making an appearance!).
“Oh My What a Really Big Package” package – All month
- Complementary Sugar Daddy & Vitamin D specialty cocktails
- Museum of Sex tickets
- Out Magazine subscription
- Priority access to their always LGBTQ+- friendly programming
Celebrate Pride with a special LGBTQ-themed package at Hotel Indigo Lower East Side. Stay during the week of Pride and you’ll receive a bottle of Chandon California Brut 750ml, Hotel Indigo PRIDE Luggage tag, a Hotel Indigo PRIDE postcard, plus a 3pm check-out so you can fully enjoy the festivities 😉 Book your Pride Week reservation HERE.
Interested in soaking up the sun, while sippin’ on some delicious cocktails? Assuming that’s a yes, so while you’re there, grab a table or spot by the pool at Mr. Purple, the vibrant rooftop bar perched on the 15th floor. The breathtaking 360-degree views of downtown Manhattan will not disappoint, trust me.