Maddy McArn

There was no shortage of cheese or Brooklynites at Time Out New York’s annual Mac & Cheese Smackdown at Brooklyn Expo Center on Sunday. Attendees were treated to 15 of NYC’s best spots for the dish, with plenty of booze to boot.  Dairy aficionados and a panel of mac experts had their fill throughout the day, and voted on their favorite vendors. Our experts awarded the Judge’s Choice award to Korilla BBQ, and Murray’s Cheese won the popular vote to take home the People’s Choice award. Still, our other 13 participating cheesemongers did not disappoint. They included Jacob's Pickles, Hill Country Barbecue Market, Red Rooster Harlem, Queens Bully, HandCraft Kitchen & Cocktails, Trestle, Mac Shack, Mekelburg's, Harlem Public, Sands Jerk Hut, Claw Daddy's NYC, Ladybird and Rib In A Cup. In collaboration with Hooters, our Basketball Viewing Lounge was a haven for our stuffed fans who were looking to catch up on March Madness and watch their brackets get busted. And no tasting event would be complete without a rehydration plan, which is where Coney Island Brewery stepped in to feature their Merman NY IPA and Mermaid Pilsner which paired perfectly with the day's mac and cheese dishes. With a VIP ticket, guests were able to enjoy the Jack Daniel's VIP Lounge, where they could pull up a chair and sample from two different winter-themed cocktails. A Chohula® Hot Sauce Flavor Station was perfect for those looking for a little more kickl Check out highlights from the event below and a full

Boozy boat tours were all the rage this summer, and we spent one of the last days of summer on a Sunset Sail admiring the Manhattan skyline and an up-close look at Lady Liberty. Pairing the dazzling views with with pours from the Francis Coppola Diamond Wine Collection only added to the evening’s fun festivities. Tattly supplied temporary tattoos made by professional artists, and Hornblower Cruises kept the food and the music flowing. Even if you missed this bash, it's not too late to hop on a boat tour in NYC before winter arrives!                   Photographs: Kelsey Dubinsky

Floaties, leis and sunglasses were abundant this summer at our various pool parties around the city. At our end-of-summer bashes, DJ Jeronimo kept the party going while guests enjoyed open bars featuring La Marca Prosecco, Prosecco Consortium, Tanqueray TEN Frosé, CORE Organic Cocktails with Deep Eddy Vodka and Jose Cuervo Palomas. The only thing more plentiful than the drink list was the number of carefree, swimsuit-clad guests floating around our two featured pools, The Beach at Dream Downtown and McCarren Pool.                       Photographs: Filip Wolak

This past Saturday’s Donutfest was a sweet memory for all! To go taste some of the best donuts in NYC and NJ, guests braved the rain and arrived at Marquee to taste the various deep-fried creations with flavors ranging from kimchi to strawberry buttermilk. There were contenders from Underwest Donuts, Glaze Donuts, Forbidden Donuts, Gossip Coffee, Montclair Bread Co. and Schnackenberg’s Luncheonette, and the drag queens dancing through the afternoon made the day even sweeter. And what doughnut event would be complete without spiked coffee and sweet wine? Thanks to Kahlúa, Bluestone Lane and Bartenura Wines, guests were treated to coffee cocktails and Moscato to keep their sugar buzz going all day long. From the saccharine inspired DJ beats to treat-themed temporary tattoos from Tattly to a surprise visit from comedian Lisa Lampanelli giving guests a sneak peek at her upcoming Broadway show, Stuffed, Donutfest was the perfect sweet escape for New York’s pastry fiends!                             Photographs: Filip Wolak

Kickoff to summer indeed! Just under one thousand local New Yorkers boarded Hornblower’s Infinity Yacht last Thursday for an evening that offered far more than just stunning sunset views. Each floor of the luxury vessel provided a stimulating experience for guests, whether it was a Curaçao Island-themed photo booth, a braid salon courtesy of the pros at Hairroin Salon, nautical-themed temporary tattoos from Tattly, a ping pong lounge from the masters at SPiN or a thrilling virtual reality experience from The Mill. None shied away from the free open bar and amazing beats that coursed through the boat all evening long. It was a night of boats, booze and views for all! Check out some photos of the event below. Photograph: Courtesy Savenok Ilya   Photograph: Courtesy Savenok Ilya   Photograph: Courtesy Savenok Ilya   Photograph: Courtesy Savenok Ilya       Photograph: Courtesy Savenok Ilya   Photograph: Courtesy Savenok Ilya            

Name the social media account you show the most skin on. No one said LinkedIn, right? Great, you passed my test! But just in case you’re confused, this Public Service Announcement is for you. One morning, seated at my desk at my professional workplace, I decided to check my LinkedIn to see if there was anyone who would “like to connect” with me. As the page loads, I see a familiar face who would like to “join my network,” and I quickly scroll through my mental Rolodex. After exhausting past colleagues, intern pals and college classmates, it clicks: This is a blind date from four years ago. RECOMMENDED: See more New York rants Something tells me this guy isn’t here to look at my résumé. I’m not a professional connection or a friend; in fact, we haven’t seen or spoken since I last said bye to you outside of that bar and hopped in a cab. Which begs the question: Why the hell are you adding me on LinkedIn?!? Exes of the world, listen up! Snapchat is for nudes; Facebook is for your aunt to leave random, possibly offensive articles on your wall; LinkedIn is for none of the above! You, sir, do not belong here. How far down the social media rabbit hole have you gone, exactly? Did you already scan my Facebook and scroll back a few months on my Instagram before ending up here? I don’t have any room in my meticulously groomed collection of connections for someone whom I have no reason to speak to ever again. The date we went on wasn’t even awful, but the fact that you’re still using the

Herradura and Time Out New York's second annual Tequila Express was nothing short of a full-blown fiesta! Specially-crafted tequila cocktails and a giant queso fountain (yes, you read that correctly) greeted guests as they entered Tex-Mex hot spot El Original this Sunday for the South of the Border-themed celebration. Throughout the afternoon, DJ Jeronimo kept everyone on their feet and guests made ample use of the venue's vintage photo booth. On top of the impressive amount of tequila drinking, 15-minute mini classes educated the crowd on topics like Tequila 101, Make Your Own Margarita and Food Expression. Needless to say, by the end of the event there wasn’t a dry cup in the house. Want to see more? Check out the photos and video from Tequila Express. Photograph: Stephanie Brescia Photograph: Stephanie Brescia   Photograph: Stephanie Brescia   Photograph: Stephanie Brescia   Photograph: Stephanie Brescia   Photograph: Stephanie Brescia  

...Houston Hall! Béchamel, gruyere, bacon, and even Fritos—no ingredient was left behind in the race to win the coveted title of Best Mac N Cheese. At our cheesy smackdown on Saturday, noodle after gooey noodle was washed down by Houston Hall’s refreshing draught beers as guests pondered their decision. With seven top-notch vendors to sample—including the Ainsworth, Atwood Kitchen & Bar Room, Black Swan, Lucy's Whey, HandCraft Kitchen & Cocktails, and Hill Country Barbecue Market—the chefs had their work cut out for them. In the end, Houston Hall’s Skillet Baked Cheddar Bacon Mac and Cheese—which is a mouthful, literally— took the cake (or, er, the macaroni). Their recipe featured Nueskes smoked bacon and aged New York cheddar, a combo that led to a well-deserved victory. See photos from the event below. Photograph: Andrew Werner       Photograph: Andrew Werner       Photograph: Andrew Werner       Photograph: Andrew Werner       Photograph: Andrew Werner