Anna Rahmanan

It's freezing out there, and you probably need some new boots, coats and sweaters to deal with the frigid temperatures. The best place to revamp your closet? The top sample sales of the week in NYC, of course. Check out this week's listings—and get ready to shop!

In the winter doldrums of February in NYC, after a money-sucking December and a resolution-filled January, it’s time to double down and really enjoy the winter with the best NYC events in February. Our event calendar includes some of the best things to do in winter as well as some epic Valentine’s Day events. This month is also a good excuse to take advantage of our winter getaways list, so plan your escape from the city and keep your fingers crossed for a little bit of snow to add to the winter wonderland aesthetic. RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar

One of the best holiday attractions in NYC is its Christmas and holiday window displays at its department stores. Tourists aren’t the only ones who can enjoy these festive showcases in Herald Square and Fifth Avenue—even for locals, they hold a dreamy nostalgia that only comes once a year. These ornate holiday windows decked out with hundreds of Christmas lights and more winter wonderland decor are so impressive, they can be reason enough to stroll through midtown. Time Out tip: Just wait until after the majority of tourists have gone to bed to you can see up-close for yourself. For all the information you need to know about this year’s Christmas windows, read on below. And if you want to remain in the holiday spirit, we have recommendations on where to go ice skating in NYC, and then Christmas-themed bars (like Rolf’s) where you can go to warm up afterward.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York

This year started off strong as New York City started winning its war against rats, was named as the best city in the world and had an extremely packed spring season on Broadway. But then as 2024 unfolded, we experienced some pretty radical moments, like an incredible solar eclipse and an earthquake—and when Jennifer Lopez declared “if you know, you know” about her mystifying Bronx bodega order. From there, we ditched the dating apps and confoundedly found love at live dating shows and running clubs, and suffered heartache when we lost a few greats—RIP to the Rubin Museum‘s physical space (it’s still in operation), the Fotografiska museum of photography (temporarily at least), our beloved Flaco the owl, pandemic-era dining sheds and $15 congestion pricing (oh no!). But New York City is nothing if not resilient. We celebrated the Paris Olympics from afar, turned out to the U.S. Open, saw top-notch theater, welcomed back Kellogg’s Diner, Papaya King and Pioneer Works, and even held a Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest.  But so much more is worth celebrating this year, which is why Time Out New York editors—all of whom experienced these crazy NYC moments—are unveiling their top picks in the food and drink sphere, the world of theater, art and culture, nightlife circles and more. RECOMMENDED: Time Out New York’s 2023 Best of the City award winners

2025 is set to be a momentous year when it comes to travel. Citywide celebrations and milestone anniversaries will be taking place in Amsterdam and Rome, sparkling new cultural centres are flinging open their doors in Rotterdam, New York and Abu Dhabi, and there are fresh chances to see some wonderful wildlife in Australia, Singapore and Greenland – but that’s just the beginning. Read on for our roundup of the 25 coolest, weirdest and most adventurous new things to do across the world in 2025, no matter your whereabouts or budget. RECOMMENDED:🇬🇧 The best things to do in the UK in 2025🛍️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🎪 The world’s best music festivals for 2025🌃 The best cities in the world right now  

Finding the best hotel in NYC to stay at, whether on a trip here or a staycation, is paramount. Yes, you’ll likely be out and about and the hotel simply serves as a place to lay your head, but a good hotel can make or break your time in the city. New York prides itself on its hospitality and that is pretty clearly evidenced by its best hotels. Every kind of traveler can find their perfect holiday haven in this glorious city, from sleek boutique hotels in the city’s trendiest neighborhoods to opulent luxury stays near the top NYC attractions. You’ll even find some of the best spas and restaurants tucked inside their lobbies. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple or a local craving an inner-city staycation, these properties take the cake when it comes to hospitality and hotel perks. Cue room service. December 2024 update: We have completely revamped our list by visiting dozens of hotels across NYC this year, including The Carlyle, The Beekman, The Ludlow, The FiDi Hotel, Mandarin Oriental, and 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. So know that when you’re reading this list, you’re getting the most up-to-date information. RECOMMENDED: 🇺🇸 Click here to view our full guide to the best things to do in NYC🏨 Discover the best cheap hotels in NYC🌉 Explore the coolest Airbnbs in Brooklyn💗 Book one of the best boutique hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination c

New York City is full of free outdoor art that you don't even have to go to a museum to see. Sculptures, murals and photographs can be found in its parks, sidewalks and on its buildings! Locations such as the High Line, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and other NYC locales all have a wide variety of pieces awaiting you, from massive sculptures to eye-popping murals and graffiti. Best of all, it costs you nothing to pay a visit. Below, find the best outdoor art in NYC to stroll by for a DIY walking tour. RECOMMENDED: The best art shows and exhibits in NYC

Let's be honest: online Black Friday deals involve a greater variety of products than in-person shopping experiences do but, alas, sometimes, touching the dress and seeing the TV might spark something in you, which is why we've compiled a guide to where to shop on Black Friday in NYC if you're a traditional kind of shopper. From Target to Uniqlo, the MoMA Design Store to the Apple Store, there are plenty of good offers on the table this holiday season—making shopping one of the best things to do in NYC this holiday season, alongside visits to the top holiday markets in New York. What are you still waiting for? Hit one of the best coffee shops in NYC first to fuel up and then start checking items off your holiday shopping to-do list. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Thanksgiving in NYC

Sure, the so-called ‘golden age of television’ is generally thought to have launched in the early 2000s, but the proverbial jar was loosened in the previous decade. The ’90s is where TV started to take big risks. Where Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David turned the sitcom on its head. Where David Lynch actually got to bring his nightmare logic to primetime. Where The Sopranos and Sex and the City expanded the concept of what a television show could look like.  We now spend more time in front of our TVs than ever before. Yet it’s hard to imagine a time when television felt more important than the 1990s. Thankfully, if you weren’t around to experience it live, it’s easy to binge the shows that made the era what it was. Here are 35 can’t-miss suggestions, along with where to find them. Recommended: 📺 The 101 best TV shows of all-time💻 The 40 best Netflix original series to binge🎮 The best 50 ‘90s movies🎶 The 50 best ‘90s songs

There are plenty of reasons to get excited about the musical Death Becomes Her, which begins its Broadway run on October 23. For starters, the show is adapted from the iconic 1992 film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn as two women fighting for the same man. If that sounds predictable, we should remind you that the plot also involves a magic potion that promises the women eternal youth.  There is also the casting. Death Becomes Her, which premiered in Chicago earlier this year, stars Megan Hilty (as Streep’s Madeline Ashton) and Jennifer Simard (as Hawn’s Helen Sharp). They’re two of the most charismatic and vocally exciting stars on Broadway—and also, not coincidentally, two of the most hilarious. So much so that we featured them on Time Out New York’s Fall Preview digital cover this month, which is set in the the cemetery of Trinity Church downtown. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out New York (@timeoutnewyork) What’s perhaps most exciting about Death Becomes Her is that it is an old-fashioned musical comedy: Marco Pennette’s book and Julia Mattison and Noel Carey’s score promise laugh-out-loud hijinks that stand out amid the darker, more serious productions that have dominated Broadway in recent years. Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary!, a spoof on the life of Mary Todd Lincoln, may be closest in vibe to what Death Becomes Her hopes to be. That is not lost on the stars themselves, who are excited to revel in the joy and laughter of it all.  “Br

Sandwiches are among the world’s most inspirational foods. It would be a Sisyphean task to even begin to enumerate all possible combinations here. They are there at some of life’s happiest moments. Picnics in the park. Half-imaginary tea parties. The big game. When people talk about “sad desk lunches,” they are usually talking about salads. If you’re ever feeling blasé, find motivation in the myriad possibilities of the sandwich. If you can dream it, a sandwich can be it. Unless it’s a hotdog.   RECOMMENDED: The 25 most spectacular sandwiches in the world

After a long day of political mayhem, lobbying gossip, and handling nuclear codes, sometimes all you want to do is kick off your shoes, loosen your tie, and enjoy a good cocktail—or two (or three). Luckily, D.C. knows how to let off steam and has plenty of bars to do just that. In true D.C. fashion, a few of its bars are steeped in history. At the Round Robin, you’ll be drinking where Mark Twain once drank, and at the Old Ebbitt, you’ll be dining in the shoes of President Johnson. But while the famous ones are well worth checking out, it’s not all history around here. In our guide, we’ve included trendy ramen joints, rooftop terraces and design-your-own-cocktail bars. We’ve ranked them based on what you absolutely should not miss, but feel free to bar hop along your own route. Here are the best bars in D.C. right now. RECOMMENDED:🍺 The best singles bars in D.C.🎷 The best jazz clubs in D.C.🍽️ The best restaurants in D.C.🏘️ The best Airbnbs in D.C.

In what is likely to be the most New York-way to ring in the New Year, dance to electrifying beats by DJ Kristaval, who will be performing 1,000 feet above the city at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt on December 31. You can also expect two complimentary cocktails of your choice, a complimentary champagne for a midnight toast, and a dessert bar with plenty of gourmet bites.  For $300, you'll gain access to all three floor sof the space until 2am, including the beautiful rooftop. You can purchase tickets right here.

If Netflix’s Squid Game was one of your favorite shows and you’re looking forward to the new season premiere this December, you’ll want to try your hand at some of the challenges at Squid Game: The Experience here in NYC. Set within Manhattan Mall (100 West 33rd Street by Sixth Avenue), you get into teams of up to 24 people each to complete challenges across 60 minutes, including those that appeared on the TV show (yes, you’ll get to try your hand at the iconic Red Light Green Light) plus a number of brand-new ones built specifically for the experience.  Once done playing, you can enjoy a night market offering a variety of Korean and international sweet and savory foods—plus drinks! As the event's official spirits partner, Johnnie Walker is serving signature cocktails inspired by the show such as The 456, at the Johnnie Walker Black Label bar.

The ultimate family concert experience, the Kidz Bop tour is hitting New York's Beacon Theatre with 90 minutes of pop tracks sung by children... for children. The concert coincides with the group's latest album Kidz Bop 2024 Vol. 2. This year's Kidz Bop Kids—Aleah, JJ, Shila and Tyler—will perform songs like "Dance the Night," "Shake it Off," "TEXAS HOLD 'EM," "Sunroof" and "Uptown Funk," among others. A few things to keep in mind: the show features an intermission and you are more than welcome to snap photos of the experience before, during and after the producion. A message to fans: every Kidz Bop tour is different, so expect an all-new set design, novel costumes, choreography and more at this year's shenanigans. You can snag tickets to the Beacon Theatre concert right here. 

Is the role of a hotel to shield its guests from the outside world or render them participants to the goings-on of the city they get to temporarily call home? If you’re leaning towards the former, then the Greenwich Hotel, the eight-story luxury abode near Tribeca that's partly owned by actor Robert De Niro, is where you’ll want to stay while in town.  Nestled on the corner of North Moore Street and Greenwich Street right by the West Side Highway, the building boasts 73 rooms, some of which overlook an interior courtyard, 11 suites and two duplex penthouses that are aptly named The Greenwich and The North Moore.  On a recent visit while staying in a luxurious suite on the second floor, I was struck by one aspect of the experience: I forgot I was in New York. When looking out the window and into the courtyard, I noticed the absence of the very things that make the city what it is on a visual level. There were no buildings, no people rushing down the street and all was… quiet?  Despite the disconnect from its surroundings, the hotel offers a premium experience when it comes to your actual stay: the beautiful bathroom, complete with a shower and a bath, was stocked with Red Flower products developed specifically for the hotel and the bed, by British company Savoir, was particularly comfortable.  But there’s more: guests receive a complimentary newspaper every morning and the mini bar is filled with non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to be enjoyed completely gratis (keep in mind tha

Sabrina Carpenter’s sixth studio album, Short N’ Sweet, is set to drop this Friday. And Angelenos will get to celebrate the much anticipated new record with a visit to this exclusive pop-up experience, courtesy of Complex L.A. at 433 North Fairfax Avenue. Friday, August 23 through Sunday, August 25 from 11am to 7pm, folks can shop exclusive merchandise inspired by and dedicated to the 25-year-old singer and actress. From T-shirts to tanks, hats, totes, CDs and vinyl records, the roster of products on offer run the gamut in terms of style and genre, but each one pays homage to the artist behind the hit “Espresso.”

This luxury hotel by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson opened in 2023 in the NoMad district with over 450 guest rooms, suites and penthouses, plus an outdoor pool club only accessible to guests, event spaces and Everdene, a 4,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor dining and cocktail destination that will also feature nightly entertainment. Brooklyn-based firm MARKZEFF joined architecture gurus at Stantec to design the hotel, which, among other interesting characteristics, features subtle nods to nearby Madison Square Park while paying homage to the sort of bolder elements that the Virgin brand is known for—including the signature red staircase that connects the third and fourth floors of the property.  If you’re going all out or are perhaps looking for an interesting staycation option, consider booking the Sir Richard’s Flat, the 2,800-square-foot suite on the hotel’s 35th and 36th floors. The two-bedroom duplex includes a walk-in bathroom with luxe amenities, a kitchenette, a curated art collection within the space and, perhaps most notably, 24-foot windows with panoramic views of New York.

Angelenos will soon be able to taste one of the most iconic dishes served in New York when Katz’s Delicatessen, perhaps the most recognized deli in all of the East Coast, will open in L.A. for one day only this Saturday, June 29 from 11am to 6pm. Brought to this side of the country by Postmates and West Hollywood spot Bar Next Door, where the activation will be setting up at 9159 Sunset Boulevard, the pop-up will be serving a limited number of Katz’s famous pastrami sandwiches on rye with a side of the legendary house-made mustard and pickles. You can opt for either pickup or delivery on Postmates, and in addition to the app, there’ll be a limited number of sandwiches available at the bar for walk-ups (though you’ll likely need to wait in a standby line). Fair warning: The culinary delight will cost you $25 for half a sandwich and $45 for a full one. But trust us: The food is worth the price tag. Guests will also be able to look through limited-edition branded merch.

Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology is a unique new immersive museum created by Roy Nachum, the artist behind Rihanna’s famous 2016 “Anti” album cover, and his business partner Michael Cayre, a real estate developer.  The 36,000-square-foot space opened in early 2024 at 21 Dey Street, inside the bank building that used to be part of the now-nextdoor Century 21. There are a total of 15 different rooms to explore, each one attacking all the senses upon entrance. Some outstanding installations include the one that the staff refers to as "The Dragon," where a total of 500,000 individual LED lights hung on strings adorn a room and are lit up to created 3D videos, including one of a galloping horse, that will catch your attention. Towards the end of the walkthrough is what can only be described as a cave of beautiful pink flowers (plastic ones), where there will soon be a bar as well. This is perhaps the most Instagrammable space within the museum as a whole, one that will likely come to represent the destination on social media once it officially opens. An installation of a robot will also delight. Dubbed Kuka Robot, the machine is found behind a glass in the middle of a bed of sand. The robot makes sand castles, sketches and more while visitors look on wondering how it's all possible. Taking a tour of the new Mercer Labs is something you might want to consider doing with kids. Not only are the visual elements striking and entertaining but certain rooms are specifically targ

A new public art installation by artist Curry J. Hackett has just taken over The Plaza at 300 Ashland in Brooklyn, and it's as futuristic as art gets these days: the piece, dubbed Ugly Beauties, features panoramic, AI-generated images of Black folks among various native weeds. According to an official press release, the work, on display through May 2, highlights a “metaphorical connection between society’s perception of these species and its treatment of Black people.” Upon approaching the structure, the viewer will immediately notice the juxtaposition of the various elements depicted, prompting all to think of our perception of what is beautiful and what is part of society at large. “Ugly Beauties expands on Downtown Brooklyn Partnership’s commitment to activating itsshared spaces with art installations that enliven the public realm and capture the spirit of theneighborhood,” said Regina Myer, President of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, in a statement. “With residents, shoppers, workers, diners, and other visitors rushing around the neighborhood, we hope this piece will impart a moment of reflection and help Brooklynites to realize the beauty all around them. ”

There is something simultaneously spooky and romantic about walking through the Queens Botanical Garden after sunset—especially while participating in this year's Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars. A total of nine different installations are set up throughout the trail, each one capturing your attention in different ways, all embracing the power of light as their medium of choice. If it's an out-of-the-ordinary Christmas-adjacent light experience that you’re after, look no further than Astra Lumina.

If it's an eclectic kind of skating activity that you're after this holiday season, look no further: Sky Skate, the highest skating rink in the city, is officially back at the Edge in Hudson Yards starting November 15 through January 14, 2024.  Make no mistake: although the rink is set up in the indoor portion of the famous sky deck, you're still 1,131 feet in the air, on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards. That is all to say: perhaps opt for something a bit different if you're scared of heights?  But if you do decide to partake in the seasonal activity (tickets are available for 30-minute slots right here), make sure to also peruse through the site's other offerings, including City Climb, the highest external skyscraper climb in the world that challenges guests to scale the outside of a 1,200-foot building then lean out from the outdoor platform at the top of structure, according to an official press release.  We are, indeed, shivering with fear.

Always wanted to be a zookeeper? Now you can. The Central Park Zoo is currently offering exclusive early access to those interested in getting hands-on with animal caretaking activities. The first and only adult event of the season will allow you to pretend to actually work on site, interact with the animals before fellow humans start exploring the grounds for the day and just feel cool all around. The program is taking place on Saturday, October 14 from 8:30am to 10:30am but additional dates will open up in December and January as well.  Member tickets cost $80 while regular ones go for $96. You can snag a pass right here.

As New Yorkers continue to regularly pride themselves of living right by some of the best restaurants in the world, a new ranking proves them right: La Liste, which bills itself as "the most selective global guide of restaurants, pastry shops and hotels, for gourmets and international travelers," has just released its list of top 1,000 eateries in the globe for 2025, based on a "compilation of thousands of publications, hundreds of guidebooks and millions of online reviews." A whopping 27 New York spots have made the list. Before we get to the list itself, here is a bit about the method behind the ranking: according to the website, the staff aggregates reviews from over 1,000 guidebooks and publications, puts them in a database and then gives all entries a score from 0 to 100 based on standard grades. It gets even more specific than that: chefs around the globe are asked their opinions about the various guidebooks so that the outlets themselves can be given a "trustworthiness index" score that will affect the standard grade given to the restaurant. After all that, customer reviews are taken into account and a final "La Liste score" is given to all entries.  The highest rated New York entry is Le Bernardin with a score of 99.5. No surprise there, of course: with three Michelin stars and a long history in New York (the space opened in 1986), Eric Ripert's French seafood restaurant has come to define much of the city's culinary scene. Another French staple, Daniel, also makes

Update (December 23): Both the Central Park and Prospect Park fireworks will now be drone shows that’ll happen at midnight. The Times Square fireworks show will go on as usual.  This New Year's Eve, don’t expect to celebrate the arrival of 2025 with the usual fireworks over Central Park and Prospect Park. Authorities have officially canceled the sparkling festivities due to the ongoing drought conditions the city is still facing. "Though hosting firework shows has long been a tradition in New York City’s parks, the unprecedented number of brush fires we’ve seen devastate our green spaces over the past few weeks require us to make smart decisions to help keep our city safe," said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue in an official statement. As sad as we are about the changes, we can't help but agree with officials who don't want to risk stray sparks igniting nearby trees or patches of grass. Think about it: just last month, Prospect Park was the site of a two-acre fire that took hours to get under control. But don't despair just yet, although official plans have not yet been announced, nonprofit New York Runners, the organization that coordinates both the fireworks and the four-mile Midnight Run that takes place on the inner loop of Central Park on New Year's Eve, told the New York Times that they "are exploring other festive options." In Brooklyn, on the other hand, a 2025 extravaganza will kick things off in Grand Army Plaza at 10pm on December 31, followed by a light show power

If there's a group of people able to offer a proper guide to the holiday season in New York, it has to be the anchors and correspondents on Good Morning America. After all, the city is not just their home but a big part of their daily show, which is currently filmed in Times Square but is expected to relocate to Hudson Square in 2025. Below, the likes of Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos and Michael Strahan reveal their go-to family traditions (ice skating and hot chocolate seem to reign supreme!), note local hidden gems and share their favorite spots to enjoy a warm cocktail on a cold winter night. Follow their suggestions and—who knows?—you might end up sharing a hot toddy with Lara Spencer on the Upper East Side. Robin Roberts Photograph: Lorenzo Bevilaqua Do you have a favorite holiday tradition in NYC? “Ice skating at Bryant Park is always a holiday highlight. The rink, surrounded by the city skyline and twinkling lights, feels magical. After skating, it’s fun to grab a bottle of Prosecco, people-watch, and then head to Bryant Park Grill for a cozy, delicious meal to end the day.” Where do you like to do your holiday shopping? “A favorite holiday tradition of mine is walking through Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market. It’s the perfect place to discover local small businesses and find unique gifts, and the atmosphere is so festive. I love browsing the stalls, especially with a delicious cup of hot chocolate in hand.” Any hidden gems or special spots in NYC that m

The Camp store does it again (and even better this time around!): the popular toy store recently launched its newest immersive experience, this year dedicated to the Australian animated TV series Bluey, and, although previous on-site activations (Encanto, Trolls) certainly delivered, this one feels like a notch above the rest.  The entire space is transformed into Bluey's home, the prevalent setting on the cartoon, so guests actually feel like they've been catapulted into the cute puppy's very life with his family. Although both the Encanto and the Trolls experiences were wonderful feats of engineering, in Bluey's home, the staff is more involved than ever, adding an extra layer of fun to the outing and guiding the timed groups through the space in a manageable and very enjoyable manner. Inside, you won't just get to play around Bluey's house (complete with a cardboard box castle with a slide, a pillow fort, tons of toys and shopping opportunities) but also look for the characters, listen to a story and try to cook some food in the kitchen.  Check out some photos from inside the experience right here:  Photograph: Courtesy of CAMP   Photograph: Courtesy of CAMP   Photograph: Courtesy of Camp   Photograph: Courtesy of CAMP

Full disclosure: Taylor Swift actively irritates me.  Although I marvel at her success and sometimes find myself listening to some of her songs—"Love Story" and "You Belong With Me," courtesy of my Swiftie daughters—there is something about Swift the celebrity that just rubs me the wrong way.  According to my unofficial self-therapy sessions, it’s Swift’s constant nags about her breakups—which, let’s be honest, have fueled her wild success—that paint this unlikable picture of her in my own eyes. After all, we’ve all been there. My heart has been broken by men and friends, without the cushion of millions of fans supporting me through it, and here I am not complaining and not constantly talking about it. New York, in my head, belongs to the sorts of people that, yes, complain, but are resilient and move on to the next thing in no time, without dwelling on the past too much. Given her deep ties to Kansas City, where her boyfriend Travis Kelce plays professional football, Nashville and Los Angeles, can’t Swift just leave New York alone? Photograph: Anna Rahmanan Photograph: GetYourGuide Given all that anger, when I got an email from On Location Tours and GetYourGuide about their newly launched NYC guided tour for Swift fans, I just had to go, at least to better direct my annoyances. How dare Swift, a darling of the country music world, lay claim to my city, one that she has written about and owns (beautiful!) real estate in but is only one of many towns that she has homes in

Step inside Night on Earth, a new bar just south of Universal Studios Hollywood in the Cahuenga Pass, and you’ll feel like you’ve taken a spaceship directly to the future. Boasting neon signs constructed from recycled plastic appliances, an overall Day-Glo vibe and creative takes on classic cocktails (including a blueberry espresso martini), the destination comes courtesy of the team behind Thunderbolt, recently named one of the best bars on the planet by World’s 50 Best Bars, as well as our own top pick for the best bar in L.A. (It’s also, like the Echo Park originator, right on the 101, albeit this time on the Valley side of the Hollywood Hills.) Although presenting itself as a neighborhood destination, Night on Earth certainly caters to the party crowd as well: The space features a full DJ booth, a high-tech sound system and lounge-style seating. Photograph: Courtesy of Night on Earth   Photograph: Courtesy of Night on Earth According to a spokesperson, that ethos carries through the menu as well, with a series “of reimagined party drinks made with quality ingredients and zero waste.” On that roster is the Ay! Contact, a Miami Vice (basically: strawberry daiquiri and piña colada) made with Sotol; the Disco Nap, a blueberry espresso martini; a frothy riff on the Midori Sour made with fresh melon dubbed Space Crush; and a clarified and carbonated Zombie aptly dubbed the Reanimator. Photograph: Courtesy of Night on Earth Staying away from liquor? Worry not: The Swamp Th

For the first time ever, NYC's three public library systems—the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library—have joined forced to release a citywide list of top checkouts for 2024. Gathering data from all of their branches across the five boroughs, the libraries unveiled the most popular titles in three categories: adults, young adults and children. Before diving into the details—which take into account all formats: e-books, audiobooks and physical books—a shout to author Gabrielle Zevin, whose 2022 tome Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow was the most checked-out title across all three library systems. You can access the 2024 top checkouts per system across categories on the individual websites (New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library) and also browse through a list of the best books of 2024 according to the New York Public Library's staffers right here.  Feel free to consider all of the rankings part of your 2025 reading list! The most checked out library books in NYC in 2024  Adult titles: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Happy Place by Emily Henry Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Yellowface by R.F. Kuang The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

UPDATE 12/19/2024:  According to Eater, Governor Hochul is scheduled to sign the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act into law today, officially putting an end to "the predatory black market for reservation reservations."  As we previously reported, the new guidelines will basically force all third-party online reservation platforms to act as OpenTable and Resy already do: work with restaurants to offer potential diners reservations that are actually available. "We’re putting an end to the predatory black market for restaurant reservations — protecting consumers and businesses, and giving everyone a chance to get a seat at the dinner table," Hochul said in a press release from her office exclusively obtained by Eater. "New York is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, and whether you’re returning to your favorite local spot or trying out the latest in fine-dining, you deserve a fair system." --- The hardships involved in securing a table at some of the most popular restaurants in NYC—from Carbone to Polo Bar, Theodora, Torrisi, Bangkok Supper Club and more—have become almost comical. It's now nearly impossible to snag a reservation any day between 6pm and 9pm. The well-earned reputation of the various restaurants and New Yorkers' propensity for dining out, however, are not the only reasons why being able to actually eat at the destinations has become so hard: new software has also flooded the Internet, taking over available tables as soon as they are released a

With Hanukkah just around the corner (this year, in a beautiful calendar coincidence, the first night of the Jewish holiday coincides with Christmas), restaurants around the city are preparing to dish out delicious sufganyot (donuts filled with jelly, custard or more creative options) and crispy latkes (potato pancakes), dishes endemic to the Festival of Lights. For general reference: tradition calls for celebrants to eat foods that are fried in oil as a symbol of the miracle that happened on the day of Hanukkah, when a single day's worth of oil lasted for eight days in the Temple, lighting the menorah for over a week and allowing for more oil to be prepared. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or not, we recommend visiting these spots to savor festive flavors that will delight your taste buds for well over eight days. 12 Chairs Cafe Photograph: Courtesy of 12 Chairs Cafe Indulge in a latkes pita sandwich topped with labneh that will make you wish it was Hanukkah all year long or, perhaps, order 12 Chairs Cafe's traditional latke with lox and labneh. To be quite honest, we suggest you try both. Multiple locations 2nd Ave Deli   Photograph: Courtesy of Goldbelly   Available on site and for nationwide shipping on Goldbelly, 2nd Ave Deli's latkes are slightly longer and denser than other forms of the treat found around town. They are served with apple sauce, as tradition calls for, or tofu sour cream. 162 East 33rd Street Breads Bakery   Photograph: Courtesy of Breads Bakery  

Just in time for the last few dates of Billie Eilish's much-anticipated five-night run at the Forum, Complex L.A. is launching an exclusive, limited-time holiday pop-up shop in honor of the L.A. artist starting Friday, December 20 through Sunday, December 22, from 11am to 7pm. Inside the space at 433 North Fairfax Avenue (just a couple of doors up from Canter’s), patrons will get to look through exclusive holiday merchandise—vinyls, hats by Mitchell & Ness and GAS trading cars featuring the Grammy-winning artist—and a special Billie Eilish Complex magazine issue that will only be available for purchase at the pop-up shop. This isn’t the first event of its kind to hit the L.A. storefront this year: A Sabrina Carpenter pop-up was installed on site back in August, and artists like Eminem, Chappell Roan, Big Sean and Olivia Rodrigo enjoyed a similar treatment, as well. According to an official press release, additional celebrities will soon join that long roster of subjects. But back to Eilish: If you haven’t been able to catch her first few Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour dates at the Kia Forum just yet, we suggest snagging tickets to last few shows ASAP. Eilish will be taking the stage this Saturday and Sunday nights. Although passes seem to be currently sold out on Ticketmaster, you can try your luck on the secondary market, where tickets are still available.

As anxiety-inducing as big snow storms are, there is something oh-so-pleasant and beautiful about just a little bit of white powder—which is exactly what might hit Chicago tomorrow afternoon into Friday morning. Chatting with Block Club Chicago, National Weather service meteorologist Kevin Doom warns about a "clipper system" that moved from the Pacific Northwest and is on track to bring "a coating of snow" to Chicago tomorrow. "It’s nothing too crazy, no white-out conditions," the expert said to the outlet. "Decent snow, a little windy to help blow it around. The 'Alberta clipper' is a common type of storm system. [...] It's just not one of the big snow producers."  In case you were hoping for the bit of snow to portent a bigger storm come Christmas, think again: Doom tells Block Club Chicago that Christmas Day is likely going to be even warmer than the rest of the week—think highs in the 40s—with no precipitation on the horizon. We're confident, though, that we'll soon be able to have some outdoor fun on the best sledding hills in Chicago. And, until then, you'll find us scrolling through photos of the first snow in Chicago, which descended upon us back in September. Keep warm, folks!

Although theater buffs are intimately familiar with the works of the late Jonathan Larson—the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning writer behind Rent and Tick, Tick... Boom!—casual Broadway dabblers don't necessarily know much about him, mostly because of his sudden death at the young age of 35 back in 1996.  This February, though, the general masses will have a chance to pay homage to the creative genius when catching a new Off-Broadway musical celebrating Larson's life and work. Aptly dubbed The Jonathan Larson Project, the musical will feature "the dozens of unheard songs, unfinished and unproduced musicals, and pop songs found in files and boxed when the visionary writer" passed away, according to an official press release. The Jonathan Larson Project is scheduled to begin previews on February 14 at the Orpheum Theatre at 126 Second Avenue near St. Marks Place, with an official opening date of March 10. Casting details and tickets for the 16-week limited engagement have not yet been released but you can find more information about it all right here. Audience members should expect to hear songs that were cut from both Rent and Tick, Tick... Boom! in addition to tracks from unproduced shows like 1984 and Superbia. The musical will also feature "songs written for theatrical revues and for the radio and, most importantly, songs never publicly performed or recorded before The Jonathan Larson Project," reads the release.  If some of this sounds familiar, that's because The Jonathan