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Brooklyn has at least one of everything and bars are no exception. One could spend a lifetime in the borough of Kings and perhaps merely glimpse every dive, wine bar, beer garden and classic drinking emporium. Each one is special in its own way, and the best of them shine with excellent cocktails, hospitable ambiance and qualities that simply keep you coming back.  Updated December 2024: We added BierWax, Dick & Jane's BarRoom, Sauced and The Rogers Garden. We removed Sally Roots (now closed), Brooklyn Social and Bunton's World's Famous (temporarily closed due to fire).

Earlier this week, the editors at Time Out named our list of the best new things to do all over the world in 2025, giving you a whole slew of options for New Year’s resolutions, travel destinations and more. While there are other spots included across the U.S., including a tantalizing Museum of BBQ in Kansas City, one New York City attraction was on the list—and it comes after a nearly seven-year wait! The Studio Museum, Harlem’s haven for work by Black artists, is reopening next fall. After a long history at 144 West 125th Street, the museum decided it was time to rework the space, which led to its closure back in 2018. Now, with a new, expansive building, the studio is reopening with a celebration of sculptor Tom Lloyd, whose work was a part of the institution’s first shows in 1968. Across five stories, the new space provides 82,000 square feet of expanded potential for the well-loved museum.  RECOMMENDED: The 25 best new things to do in the world in 2025 Photograph: By Lorraine O'GradyPArt Is...(Girlfriends Times Two ) by Lorraine O'Grady, 1983/2009 It’s not the only museum on our list either, with inclusions ranging from London’s Victoria & Albert Museum to FENIX in the Netherlands. But few places can match The Studio Museum’s scope, as one of the reopening shows will look across the studio’s collection of nearly 9,000 pieces of artwork. The reopening will continue on the legacy of the artists, activists, and philanthropists who founded The Studio Museum in 1968 with...

We've been told time and time again, the first meal of the day is the most important. For a New Yorker, this usually translates to a meal on the go, usually a cup of coffee and hopefully a bagel before descending into the subway. But for Roberto Levinson, the ultimate breakfast is found in Mexico. Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, Levinson would spend his mornings with his family over a traditional Mexican breakfast. Every Sunday, his table would be filled with a range of sweet breads, breakfast tacos and chilaquiles. While he has now lived in New York for the past 15 years, he’s always had an eye out for the flavors of home. So, he decided to bring his little slice of life to NYC.  RECOMMENDED: NYC’s 27 best breakfast spots Photograph: Seth Caplan| Interior of Ánimo! Since October, Ánimo! has brought the magic of an authentic Mexican breakfast to Midtown East. In this way, Levinson has brought the magic of his favorite meal to the city.  “As a Mexican native living in New York City, I found myself longing for the flavors and breakfast traditions of home but struggled to find a spot that truly captured its essence,” says the founder in a press release. “In my experience, there’s an unmatched magic to Mexican breakfast and we can’t wait for people to try it here.” Reflecting its ties to Mexico, the corner cafe features colorful folk art and hand-painted murals throughout the space. If you can, make a visit to the restroom for sights and inspired by jungles of Mexico. ...

A haven for students. Home to a beautiful fountain. A spot for artists and activists. Beloved hangout for skateboarders. Washington Square Park fits all of these well-known monikers and more. But it also fits some lesser-known descriptions that dig into its history and mysteries.  Every day, 50,000 people visit this greenspace, making it one of the most popular parks in the city. But those park-goers likely don't know the secrets beneath the surface. With help from Will Morrison, executive director of the Washington Square Park's Conservancy, we dug into 10 of those lesser-known facts from the park's earliest days through its official founding in 1827 and beyond. RECOMMENDED: Greenwich Village neighborhood guide 1. The park was a gathering place for Indigenous communities  From becoming a site for activists like Jane Jacobs to hosting an annual dog Halloween costume contest, the land has long served as a gathering place. In its earliest known history, the area was a mix of marshland and grassy fields used as a Lenape village called "Sapokanikan," a satellite location away from their main gathering space near the Hudson River. After that, when the Dutch took over, they allowed free African property owners to farm land on the western half of Washington Square Park. When the British arrived, they kicked off all of the people on the property, giving ownership to just two white people. It stayed that way until the land became the United States'.  Photograph: Courtesy of NYC...

Bryant Park, that grand patch of green in the New York Public Library’s backyard, is a respite for office workers from the westernmost reaches of Times Square, clear to Grand Central Terminal and beyond. It’s one of midtown’s finest features, replete with ice skating, a holiday market and a darling carousel. It’s a nice place for tourists, sure, but, unlike some others, it's also a destination for everyday New Yorkers, and some terrific restaurants in the area live up to area expectations. These are the best places to eat and drink near Bryant Park.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Everything at the Mandarin Oriental, New York is elevated, even from the very first impression. As I stepped off of 60th Street in midtown Manhattan and into the hotel’s foyer for a stay this fall, I was quickly whisked up an elevator to the 35th-floor lobby. Tucked away from the noise of the city on ground level, I noticed a botanical glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly emerging out of a moss garden. As I adjusted my eyes, staggering skyline views came into focus out the window. The 244-room luxury hotel is regularly named among the city's best—and I learned that's for good reason.  RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in NYC After checking in for a comped review, I headed up another elevator to the Hudson River Suite on the 53rd floor. Prices per-night for the suite range from $2,100 to $4,595, bookable here. Once inside, I was struck by the size of the space. Coming in at 800 square feet, the suite is bigger than my Manhattan apartment. There's a spacious living room area with two sofas, a table for working or dining (I did both during my stay), a bedroom, a full bathroom with a robotic toilet, and a powder room. Each space exudes a quiet luxury with thoughtful details. Photograph: Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out New York | The view from my room. Despite the contemporary artwork, the giant TVs, and even a TV in the bathroom hidden in the vanity mirror, I was most drawn to look at the panoramic views. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the suite boasted both Hudson River...

It’s a sad day for our local culinary scene: Ugly Baby, the Thai eatery that once made it to the top of our best restaurants in New York list, announced that it will be closing permanently after last service on December 22.  “We’re closing because chef Sirichai is just really tired and needs a long, long break,” one of restaurant’s owners wrote to Grub Street in an official statement. “While we’ll miss the restaurant and all the great things that come with it, the upside is that this will give chef Sirichai the chance to work on a cookbook, which he’s long been wanting to do.” The Carroll Gardens eatery made the announcement on Instagram earlier this week. Under a photo of the words “Goodbye, Ugly Baby!” the team waxed poetic about its experience in the neighborhood. “We are not here to fit in. We come to change. We think the concept is simple, yet stirring. Being true to the core! Since when is celebrating herbs and spices with bold flavors is too much in Thai cuisine, anywhere? At least not here in Brooklyn right after the Baby was born. It’s all about experience here at the restaurant that was built by literally two hands and two pieces of stone,” reads the post. “We have pounded batches of curry paste everyday for 7 years. That’s what we are proud of the most. We do what we think best. We keep reinventing ourselves, better ourselves everyday. All is just to impress you. It’s been ups and downs. It’s been really hard. It’s been a long long time, our friends. Goodbye,...

Yes, we know: we take food a bit too seriously here in New York. Add to it the fact that our jobs revolve around discovering the new, the most delicious, the creative and the exciting and you've got yourself a group of people—that would be us, your trusty Time Out New York editors—that really take pride in their recommendations, especially when it comes to the culinary. That is all to say, when tasked with listing our selections for the very best dishes we’ve had the honor of tasting throughout the past 12 months, we took our time in crafting our choices. After all, we consider the list below—a ranking of the best food we’ve had at NYC restaurants in 2024—sort of like an end-of-the-year to-do list, a compilation of dishes that have defined the city’s culinary character throughout the past few seasons.  If you're familiar with any of the mentions below, consider this your sign that you should taste the combination of ingredients once more before year's end. Haven't had the pleasure of trying out any of these dishes? Well, there's no time like the present. As they say in Italy, buon appetito! Crispy rice salad at Little Grenjai in Bed-Stuy Photograph: Nick Castle "Little Grenjai first came into my orbit with the call of Thai smash burgers via a roaming pop-up. While the pop-up moved into a permanent Bed Stuy residence late last year, the gas was finally turned on this January, allowing chef/owners Trevor Lombaer and Sutathip Aiemsaard to showcase the breadth of their Thai...

Cue the Mariah: Christmastime is finally here in NYC! You’ve got your mug of hot chocolate (or your fireplace cocktail) in hand, you’re taking in the stunning holiday windows and sparkling holiday lights and you’re feeling the holiday cheer…now you just need to figure out where to eat! While a lot of spots might be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in NYC, we’ve found the best restaurants that are keeping their doors open on Tuesday and Wednesday for you to celebrate in style. These are the very best restaurants in NYC open on December 24 and December 25, 2024.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Searching for holiday gift ideas for someone who’s one of a kind? Luckily, so are the NYC gifts from New York’s brick-and-mortar institutions. Before you start pinning through your BFF’s Amazon wish list, take a moment to sift through the unique gifts that can be found at the best places to go shopping in NYC. To get you started, we’ve curated a list of home decor stores with stunning antiques, the best bookstores with cute-as-hell merchandise, NYC’s specialty food stores and more only-in-New-York gift shops with extraordinary presents. Happy shopping! RECOMMENDED: The best NYC-themed gifts for the holidays

Brownstone Brooklyn's newest attraction is a win-win for kids and parents.  While you're sipping a hot chocolate (perhaps with a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream), your kiddos can whip around Court Street Tavern's debut ice skating rink. The newly opened Carroll Gardens restaurant has taken outdoor accommodations and upped the ante; while most eateries have opted for heated tents, this South Brooklyn spot has created its own destination for winter fun.  Meet the Court Street Ice Rink. Photograph: Time Out / Danielle Valente Photograph: Time Out / Danielle Valente Photograph: Courtesy Emily Bartlett Perfect for ages 13 and under, the super-cute "glice" rink from Matt Shendell of Paige Concepts is open daily from 12:15–7:15pm for $25 per child (including skate rentals). Parents can make reservations on Resy for 45-minute sessions and walk-ins are welcome. For an additional $10, moms and dads can rent a skate aid seal—an adorable buddy looking to help your little skaters keep their balance. Note that lockers are not available, so be prepared to hang onto those winter boots.  Plus, there's more good news. TVs are stationed right above the rink, so you can have your eyes on the game, your lil' winter Olympian and that tasty Hot Toddy. We told you this would be a win-win for everyone! Court Street Tavern is located at 449 Court St in Carroll Gardens.  Most popular on Time Out - Awesome things NYC families can’t miss in 2021- New kids’ movies coming out in 2021 that you can’t...

Are your little ones missing their favorite reading circle? Don’t worry, Mom and Dad: We have the perfect solution! Time Out is partnering with the New York Public Library to present digital storytimes for pint-sized bookworms. Beginning August 10, families can tune in Monday through Thursday at 10am—right here—for a remote read-aloud. Curious about the lineup? The Time Out New York Kids newsletter will reveal forthcoming story time schedules on Fridays, so sign up today! Monday, January 4 Susan Burkhardt from Van Cortlandt Library in The Bronx The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock by Jim Aylesworth and I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon Tuesday, January 5 Dana Keddy from Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library in Staten Island I Went Walking by Sue Williams and Boo! by Ben Newman Wednesday, January 6 Ruth Guerrier-Pierre from Kips Bay Library in Manhattan Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson Thursday, January 7 Nanette Rivera from Mulberry Street Library in Manhattan Perfect Square by Michael Hall Friday, January 8 Katie Loucks from Mosholu Library in The Bronx Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush and Rock-a-bye Baby by Jane Cabrera

Update: The completely redesigned Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will now open in spring 2021 as opposed to February 2021. An exact date has not been revealed. We'll be sure to update you as soon as we know more.  Looks like we're going to have to be patient.  The Museum of Natural History's completely redesigned Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will now open in 2021 as opposed to this fall. But judging from the details, we have a feeling it'll be well worth the wait. On Feb 17, 2021, the family attraction will welcome visitors to the 11,000 square-foot space that house roughly 5,000 pieces from 95 countries. Guests can catch a glimpse of a 3,000-pound block of iridescent green and blue labradorite, the Singing Stone from the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and the new "Beautiful Creatures" exhibit, which will celebrate historic and contemporary jewelry inspired by animals. Patrons will be able to find it in halls’ first temporary exhibition space. Plus, as an added bonus for the little learners in your crew, the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will be the perfect spot for children with an interest in earth science, as it promises to be an invaluable resource for schools and camps.  Courtesy AMNH “Generations of New Yorkers have loved the Museum’s mineral and gem halls, storing up memories of family visits and marveling at the glamorous displays of utterly spectacular minerals and gems,” Ellen V. Futter,...

A library card goes a long way in New York City.  Today, the New York Public Library, Queens Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library announced that Culture Pass will resume for 25 attractions—with limited capacity—on Nov 1. This program provides New Yorkers with library cards free access to their favorite family attractions.  The 25 institutions participating:  Alice Austen House Museum American Museum of Natural History Asia Society Museum Brooklyn Museum The Drawing Center Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Fraunces Tavern Museum International Studio & Curatorial Program The Jewish Museum King Manor Museum Kingsland Homestead The Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) MoMA PS1 Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum of Arts and Design Museum of the City of New York National Lighthouse Museum New Museum New York Botanical Garden The Noble Maritime Collection The Noguchi Museum Poster House The Rubin Museum of Art SculptureCenter How to snag a freebie:  Beginning Nov 1, in-person passes can be reserved up to one month in advance on culturepass.nyc. (Learn more about Culture Pass rules.)  More good news:  Additionally, Culture Pass is rebroadcasting virtual arts and cultural programs for all ages from NYC's favorite institutions through Nov 21.  Besides mapping out your Culture Pass plans, be sure to check out the best new and upcoming exhibits at our go-to kids' museums, sit in for virtual storytimes from the New York Public Library every Monday through Friday and see what...

November 3 is quickly approaching, and the New York Public Library is in a political state of mind.  In honor of the upcoming election, the NYC institution has released a 2020 Election Reading List for three age groups: children, teens and adults. The selections focus on voter issues such as climate change, foreign policy and healthcare, among many others.  If your little bookworms are curious about this historical moment in our nation's history, have a look at some of the inspiring kids' books below that have landed on the ballots!   2020 Election Reading List for Kids Around America to Win the Vote by Mara Rockliff  Dreamers by Yuyi Morales Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson Out of the Ice: How Climate Change Is Revealing the Past by Claire Eamer Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Doreen Rappaport Courtesy: NYPL 2020 Election Reading List for Teens Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook & Ryan Estrada Displacement by Kiku Hughes Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Life & Work by Victoria Ortiz Election Manipulation: Is America's Voting System Secure? by John Allen It's Getting Hot in Here by Bridget Heos Courtesy: NYPL For the full list for each age group, visit nypl.org/election2020. While you're at it, be sure to check out Time Out's daily virtual storytimes with the NYPL and get homework assistance with the NYPL's free virtual tutoring—a game-changer for parents.   Most popular on Time Out - NYC schools closed: a running list of building...

Milk & Cream is at it again!  After the success of the limited-edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle treats (ice cream pizza!), the Instagrammable dessert spot is continuing the fun with a second installment of the Nickelodeon flavor takeover (#NICKFLAVORTAKEOVER). This time, the focus is on Blue's Clues.   Show one of your favorite TV shows for kids some love by stopping in for a snack. Now through Oct 25, the shop will offer Blue's Snack Time Treat, an ice cream sammie with cookie dough, chocolate chips and dark chocolate-covered pretzels and Josh's Ultimate Ube Surprise, a purple yam ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate wafers and dusted off with chocolate crunchies.    Courtesy: Milk & Cream Cereal Bar   Of course, the ice cream hotspot will be decked out in all-things Blue's Clues, so make sure there is room in your camera roll. (We did tell you this was an Instagrammable dessert spot, after all.) Plus, temporary tattoos will be given out with your Blue's Clues purchase.    Courtesy: Milk & Cream Cereal Bar   If all of these dreamy desserts have given you a hankering for the Nickelodeon of yesteryear, check out where you can stream the coolest old-school cartoons (Doug, Hey Arnold, Ren and Stimpy, etc.).  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC School Calendar for 2020-2021- A drive-thru fair food festival headed to New York this fall- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is opening a second location this year-...

Sleeping is overrated when there is a good book to finish.    Now that the New York Public Library has released its list of "125 Books We Love for Teens," a good night's rest will likely be few and far between. This brand-new collection of YA goodness joins the ranks of the Library's 125 favorite books for adults and children, both of which are in celebration of the attraction's milestone anniversary.  Now readers 12-18 (and the young at heart, of course) can enjoy tales of identity, self-discovery and love. (It's not all about unrequited crushes and the cool clique in homeroom, though there's plenty of that.) Curious what books made the list? Have a look at some of our favorite selections:  Go Ask Alice Anonymous The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier The Giver by Lois Lowry The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes You can take a gander at the full list on the NYPL website and download your favorite selections (aka everything) on the SimplyE app.  Have younger readers in your crew? Check out daily storytimes from Time Out New York Kids and the New York Public Library, where you can sit in on a digital read-aloud of your favorite kids' books.  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC...

Museums in New York City were given the green light to reopen at limited capacity on Aug 23. Although family attractions such as The Museum of Natural History and The Met started welcoming back visitors, most of our favorite children's museums only remain active online. However, the Children's Museum of the Arts just announced its plans in a Sept 18 newsletter.  "After evaluating options to reopen safely, we have made the difficult decision to stay closed for the remainder of the year," the note read. "Though our doors remain shut, we are more dedicated than ever to pursuing our mission of providing transformational and accessible arts opportunities through online content and programs." There are still plenty of ways to enjoy the best of the attraction: Art pods, parent workshops and virtual kids' classes are some of the offerings that'll keep the creative juices flowing this fall. No matter your little artist's interest, CMANY has the perfect fit, from its graphic novel club to animation and character design, among other cool after-school programs. Check them out! You can stay up-to-date on kids' museum reopening plans at Time Out New York Kids.  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC School Calendar for 2020-2021- A drive-thru fair food festival headed to New York this fall- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is opening a second location this year- The best apple picking NY kids and families love Get us in your inbox!...

Summer vacation is practically in the rearview mirror, so now is the time for kids to soak up that last bit of freedom.  Plus, there are a few end-of-season perks to enjoy. Some of NYC's best family attractions are offering free and discounted admission for students before the first day of school on Sept 21. Count us in! “Arts and culture are a critical part of New York City’s social fabric, and we thank these organizations for providing our kids with safe, educational activities before schools open next week,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said during his Sept 14 press briefing.  Making day trip plans? Here are the participating institutions, according to the city's website:  American Museum of Natural History: The museum welcomes NYC schoolchildren and their caregivers back, with a hall to visit for every grade and every age. Tickets are pay what you wish for NYC residents. Reserve on their website: https://ticketing.amnh.org/#tickets. Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Met is welcoming students and caregivers back to both their main building on Fifth Avenue, and to The Cloisters. For NYC residents, admission is pay what you wish. Closed to the public Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reserve a timed ticket on their website: https://engage.metmuseum.org/reservation. Morgan Library and Museum: The Morgan Library & Museum is providing free tickets to school-aged kids aged 18 and younger and their caregivers on September 16, 17 and 18. Advance reservation required. Families can...

Update: You can snag 50 percent off a child's ticket (with the purchase of one adult ticket) when children where their costumes to Boo at the Zoo. Use "COSTUME" at checkout to claim the offer.  In a spooky state of mind? You're not alone.  Tickets have just gone on sale for the Bronx Zoo's annual Boo at the Zoo festival, and this year's celebration is chillingly wicked—in a good way!  Thursday through Sunday from Oct 1 to Nov 1 is your chance to revel in the Halloween fun, from magic shows and pumpkin carving demonstrations to mind reading and trips through the spooky extinct animal graveyard. Each day, animal-themed costumed stilt walkers and Halloween animal puppets will put on a "MASKerade" while the Wildlife Theater will pull out all the stops with performances in Astor Court.    Photograph: Courtesy Julie Larsen Maher   Like other family attractions, the Bronx Zoo had to make some adjustments to this year's festivities, but that certainly doesn't mean Halloween is canceled—far from it. All guests 3 and up are required to wear a mask and social distance when on the grounds. Additionally, advanced tickets are required before attending and reentry is not permitted. A full list of health and safety guidelines is available on the zoo's website.  You can snag tickets online ($39.95 adults, $29.95 children ages 3–12) and map out your other fall activities. We suggest apple picking, checking out Six Flags' new HALLOWFEST and, of course, marveling at the pumpkin artistry on...