Get in some quality time at a quality Brooklyn bar while you can this weekend. Photo: Montero’s Bar
The New York Times reported some sad news this week: it looks like Brooklyn Heights institution Montero’s Bar is not long for the world, now that the owners have agreed to put the building up for sale along with six others on the same stretch of Atlantic Avenue. It’s not clear when that sale will happen, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where luxury condos aren’t going up by the end of the year, so start celebrating Montero’s swan song by heading over on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday for one of its famous karaoke nights.
On Friday night, you can brush up on your selfie skills with a free iphone photography class at BKC in DUMBO. From 5:30pm-7, learn about lighting and composition tricks that will breathe new life into your Instagram feed, which apps are the most useful, how to use your phone’s built-in lens, and even what HDR is. Admission is totally free with RSVP. If you’d rather see someone else’s artwork on Friday, Sugarlift is throwing an opening party on its rooftop for its newest exhibit of six young, up-and-coming digital artists. Tickets are only $10 if you buy them in advance, and that includes all the local craft beer you can drink, which is pretty much the best deal in town.
Looking to stay up all night on Saturday at a dance party with awesome music and food from the likes of Mile End and Battery Harris? The annual Full Moon Fest starts at 3pm at the Brooklyn Mirage and goes until sunrise, and there are still some tickets available. Or perhaps you’d like to get out of town, in which case you should head to the Wassaic Project’s annual summer festival that brings together bands, films, art, food and camping on their 200-acre property.
Finally, if you still haven’t had your fill of blue crabs this summer, we’ve got some great news: South Slope gastropub J’eatJet is throwing a crab boil on Wednesday night from 5-10pm. For $40, you get unlimited crabs and sides, plus dessert, which is as good a way as any to get through Hump Day.
Read ahead for lots of other ways to entertain yourself this week–it’s gonna be a hot one!
Menage A Trois, a racy podcast that will make you laugh, is recording at a special live UCB event with guest Nicole Atkins. Photo: Menage a Trois Radio
Thursday, July 30
If you grew up listening to Loveline with Dr. Drew and are a fan of alt-comedy, you should check out Menage a Trois, a unique and hilarious podcast exploring “your hearts and parts” that is hosted by UCB alums and real-life lovers Diana Kolsky and Murf Meyer. Although the show is typically recorded in a studio with a special guest culled from the Park Slope couple’s circle of well-known comedian friends, this Thursday’s episode is changing things up: first, it will be recorded in front of a live audience at UBC and, second, the hosts will be joined by Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins. As always, you can expect a rambling, rollicking discussion about sex that flits about between between the straightforward and the silly, but is always open, warm, and very funny. Tickets are $5 each and the show starts at 9:30. –K.H.
Grove Alley is set up for another summer party, featuring a Silent Disco with Talib Kweli, art, food, and more, on Friday night. Photo: Gowanus Nite Market
Friday, July 31
Last year’s Grove Alley Paint Night, an interactive art show/alley party in Downtown Brooklyn, was one of my favorite summer memories, so naturally I was thrilled to see that the good people at the Gowanus Nite Market are bringing another evening of excitement and entertainment to the otherwise dingy, 250-foot space off of Hanover Place between Livingston and Fulton. This year, the plan is to hold a giant Silent Disco, with the help of hip hop legend Talib Kweli and DJs Beto, Chela, and Jora Bora, who will be spinning dance beats across three different channels that you can only hear through headphones that you rent for $5. RSVP here for free, and you can also take advantage of an interactive art display, pop-up retail shops, and food trucks selling beer and food from Kimchi Taco, Sweet Chili, Morris Grilled Cheese and Coolhaus. The party runs from 5pm til 11pm, so swing by on your way home from work or before you head out for a Friday night on the town.–K.H.
Over 100 loving dogs and cats like Amelia are going to be in Prospect Park on Saturday looking for awesome people to give them a home. Photo: Adoptapalooza
Saturday, Aug. 1
If you or someone you know has been itching to incorporate a cuddly, loyal, heartbreakingly cute furball into their life, Prospect Park is hosting a must-go event this Saturday from 11am-5pm. More than 150 dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and maybe even some rabbits, will be braving the summer heat at Adoptapalooza 2015, all in the hopes of finding loving owners to take them to their new homes. The event is free and will also feature swag like free pet IDs, photo booths, deals on pet health insurance, and complementary pet food samples. Please send pics if you go and welcome a new family member into your life!–K.H.
This plus wine and cheese is happening on Sunday night at Humboldt & Jackson. Photo: Courtney Harms Yoga
Sunday, Aug. 2
Need a little incentive to make sure you get your weekend exercise in? How does a glass of wine and a snack sound? On Sunday starting at 5pm, Humboldt & Jackson is hosting Vino & Vinyasa, a 90-minute yoga class by yogi extraordinaire Courtney Harms that will be immediately followed by a wine and cheese pairing. Basically, it’s everything you need to start a new work week calm, collected, stretched out and fully sated. The class is $35 per person and space is limited, so be sure to reserve a spot by emailing humboldtandjackson@gmail.com. — K.H.
If you’ve always wanted to try Le Barricou, or any other restaurant in the area, take advantage of the Grand Street Restaurant Week deals going on this week. Photo: Le Barricou
Monday, August 3
While NYC Restaurant Week is already underway, a more hyperlocal version of the biannual foodie tradition we all know and love is hitting Grand Street this week. Starting on Monday, sixteen East Williamsburg eateries, including French bistro Le Barricou, the Mediterranean-influenced Dar525, Forcella Pizzeria, and a host of other great restaurants across the food spectrum, will be offering up two-course lunch specials and three-course dinner specials at wallet-friendly price points as part of Grand Street Summer Restaurant Week. The event runs through Sunday, August 9, and at $7-$10 for lunch and $10-$30 for dinner, why not hit up as many of these spots as you can? Check out the full list of participating restaurants and menus here and bon appétit! –N.R.
Jay and Silent Bob will be on hand (for real) at a special 20th anniversary screening of Mallrats this Tuesday night at 50 Kent. Photo: Gramercy Pictures
Tuesday, Aug 4
If you’re a fan of the cult favorite Kevin Smith movie Mallrats, or would love to see it for the first time in a really cool place, then head to 50 Kent this Tuesday, August 4 for a special screening celebrating the movie’s 20th anniversary. Starting at 5pm, Nitehawk Cinema and Buzzfeed Throwback Theater are taking over the rooftop and providing live music, a screening of the oft-quoted 1995 film, and a Q&A with Kevin Smith (what, did Jason Mewes and Brenda Walsh have something better to do?). RSVP here for the free screening, but note that it doesn’t guarantee entry. The event’s first come first served with doors at 5pm until capacity is met. So arrive early, and be sure to bring cash for food and drinks and something comfy to sit on. –N.R.
Wednesday, August 5
Who says you have to go all the way to Manhattan (or drop more than $100) for good theater? On Wednesday night, our very own Brooklyn Theatre Club will debut its latest production of the Tony Award-winning one-act musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, at Muchmore’s in honor of the show’s 10th anniversary. Watch as six school-aged “children” (and four real audience members!) compete in a hilariously convoluted and sometimes inappropriate spelling competition while singing their little hearts out—all in in hopes of impressing their parents. Tickets are $15 if you buy them in advance and $18 at the door and, if you can’t make it this week, there’s another performance slated for Wednesday, August 12. The show starts at 9pm. –N.R.
Tips by Nikita Richardson and Kate Hooker.
