'Bridgerton' experience and more new things to do in New York City this summer
Guests visiting the Malibu Barbie Cafe pop-up restaurant, located in Manhattan, can pose for the camera while inside a life-size mock-up of a Barbie doll package. Credit: Malibu Barbie Cafe
There are always new things to try in New York City, even if you're just a daytripper. From a "Bridgerton" experience where guests can imagine themselves in the Netflix hit to new shops, eateries and nightlife, here are the top things to do this summer in the Big Apple.
THE MALIBU BARBIE CAFE
The interior of the Malibu Barbie Cafe pop-up restaurant, located in Manhattan. Credit: Mattel
Fans of Barbie can now see her world come to life at a cafe inspired by Mattel’s Malibu Barbie doll. Open with seating available through Sept. 15, this pop-up eatery features décor that recalls Barbie’s SoCal shoreline toy line. The space features photo installations for guests like a life-sized Barbie box. The space will feature pop tunes playing and exclusive Barbie merchandise for sale. Menu items by chef Becky Brown ("MasterChef" finalist), also follow the beat, with sunny dishes like Pacific Paradise Rainbow Pancakes, the West Coast Wave Wedge Salad, a Beach Burger, The Golden Coast CALI-flower Bowl and a variety of cocktails and desserts. A table for two starts at $50, a single bar seat starts at $25; seatings are timed for 90 minutes and reservation can be made in advance online.
INFO 19 Fulton St., Manhattan; bucketlisters.com
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
The Harry Potter: The Exhibition celebrates all things Harry Potter with exhibits, photo-ops and more. Credit: Getty Images for Harry Potter: The Exhibition/Ilya S. Savenok
For a deep dive into the world of wizardry and fantasy, this 30-minute presentation takes attendees through scenes and exhibits based on Harry Potter movies, plays and books. Guests can select a wand, spell and a house from the Hogwarts School, then explore the installation which includes photo-ops, costumes and props from various productions. Open through Oct. 15; tickets start at $29.99, $25 for ages 3-15.
INFO 50 W. 34th St., Manhattan; 833-208-9151, harrypotterexhibition.com
"THE QUEEN'S BALL: A 'BRIDGERTON' EXPERIENCE"
A scene from "The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience," an immersive show based on the Netflix program "Bridgerton." The event is running in NYC at the Mediapro Manhattan Studio in Manhattan through July 2. Credit: Netflix
With tickets available Wednesdays-Sundays through July 2, this immersive experience has already appeared in nine cities across the U.S. and Canada, and is now happening on the west side of midtown Manhattan. Based on the Netflix series set during the English Regency era, attendees can dance and sip cocktails while actors tell a love story through scenes, costume and dance in a period ballroom setting, all hosted by “The Queen” herself. Tickets start at $49 (sessions are 90 minutes).
INFO Mediapro Manhattan Studio, 508 W. 37th St., Manhattan; bridgertonexperience.com
MOXY WILLIAMSBURG
The interior of the Jolene Sound Room nightclub, located at the Moxy Williamsburg boutique hotel in Brooklyn. Credit: Michael Kleinberg
A fresh place to play, dine or stay (or all of the above), this boutique hotel in Williamsburg opened in March and features a Tel Aviv-inspired restaurant, Mesiba, and an all-day café-cocktail bar dubbed Bar Bedford. Summer guests also can enjoy its LilliStar rooftop bar equipped with city skyline views. Party people can head down to the Jolene Sound Room, a lounge where DJs from around the globe will spin. Summer rates to stay in the hotel start at $279.
INFO 353 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn; 718-782-6699, marriott.com
THE RED PAVILION
The scene at The Red Pavilion in Brooklyn, a traditional Chinese medicine-inspired teahouse and apothecary that turns into a nightclub and performance space at night. Credit: The Red Pavilion
By day, this Bushwick spot serves as a traditional Chinese teahouse and apothecary, but by night, it turns into a nightclub and performance space. Friday nights, the venue hosts an ensemble performing jazz, blues and other classic songs from the 1920s through the 1940s, from Chinese, American and French influences (tickets are $10 and available in advance or at the door; seating on first-come, first-served basis; table service requires a two-drink minimum). The event calendar also features a variety of dance parties and live shows. Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., catch the Cha Cha Yum Cha Dim Sum Brunch, featuring a variety of dim sum, medicinal desserts, cocktails and tapas, followed by a 1960s Tropicana Dance Party powered by live bands playing musical styles including boogaloo, mambo, salsa and cha-cha.
INFO 1241 Flushing Ave., Brooklyn; theredpavilion.com
THE GATSBY MANSION AT THE PARK CENTRAL HOTEL
The Immersive "Great Gatsby" experience begins its New York City run May 23 at the Park Central Hotel in Manhattan. Credit: Mark Senior
This immersive theatrical production born in the U.K. puts guests into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” The hotel space transforms into an interactive ballroom where guests enter into a speak-easy-styled show hosted by none other than “Jay Gatsby.” Other characters from Fitzgerald’s iconic story are portrayed, and attendees are invited to arrive dressed in Jazz Age get-ups. Tickets start at $99 (select dates between May 23 and Sept. 3).
INFO 870 Seventh Ave., Manhattan; immersivegatsby.com
CITYPICKLE
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, Central Park has opened a new place to play. Open daily 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., through Oct. 9 (weather-permitting) at Wollman Rink. CityPickle features 14 courts that can be played by all skill levels. Court rentals are $80-$120 per hour and custom paddles can be rented for $6 (participants can also bring their own). Open play, lessons, clinics, league play and tournaments are available.
INFO 830 Fifth Ave., Manhattan; city-pickle.com
A BEACH IN MANHATTAN
Set to open in the late summer at Hudson River Park, the Gansevoort Peninsula is an oasis with a riverside spot where kayakers and other small watercrafts can launch (no swimming allowed). The peninsula will include an art installation and a salt marsh habitat with native plants, as well as information regarding the ecosystem’s environmental value.
INFO 427-429 Gansevoort St., Manhattan; 212-627-2020, hudsonriverpark.org
RICHARD GILDER CENTER FOR SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND INNOVATION AT AMNH
Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation at the American Natural History Museum in Manhattan. Credit: Neoscape, Inc./© AMNH/Timothy Schenck/©AMNH
The American Museum of Natural History has introduced a new multilevel building, the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation, which holds a number of features such as a new butterfly vivarium, an insectarium, scientific collections, a library and an art-meets-science immersive experiences. Advance timed-entry ticket purchases are required. General admission starts at $25 for NYS adult residents, $14 ages 3-12.
INFO 200 Central Park W., Manhattan; 212-769-5100, amnh.org
‘I SPEND EACH DAY EMBRACING FLOWERS’ AT DAVID ZWIRNER GALLERY
This free exhibition at the David Zwirner gallery in Chelsea features an Infinity Mirror Room, new paintings and sculptures by contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. Open to all ages, guests may take photos (without flash) within this colorful, ornate setting available on a first-come, first-served basis (timed experience).
INFO 525 W. 19th St., Manhattan; 212-727-2070, davidzwirner.com
UNIVERSAL STANDARD’S FIRST SHOWROOM
A view of the showroom of the Universal Standard clothing boutique, located in Manhattan. Credit: Universal Standard
The new SoHo boutique (the brand's first brick-and-mortar space) features a wide range of upscale women’s clothing, with garments ranging in size from 00 to 40. Clothing collections will span styles from workwear and everyday fits to athletic wear and dresses for various occasions. Its showroom also includes artwork, a communal lounge and a full-service kitchen where guests can grab snacks and bites. Stylists are available by appointment.
INFO 192 Mercer St., Manhattan; 917-275-7756, universalstandard.com
SILO
Open since February, this East Williamsburg nightspot was converted from a former hangar-shaped auto garage into a space where DJs from around the world come to spin. Tickets (prices vary per event) are available either online or at the door, and its drink menu features a selection of $15 signature cocktails.
INFO 90 Scott Ave., Brooklyn; silobrooklyn.com
