Friday December 11
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Band: Dr. Dog
Show time: 9 PM
Venue: Brooklyn Bowl
Food: Relish
Drink: Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Miscellaneous: Zebulon
How can you not love Dr. Dog? with their Beach Boy harmonies and killer riffs, this indie rock outfit writes some amazing songs. Though Relish looks like a 50s diner, this restaurant offers up some gourmet treats for dinner. With influences from all over the globe, Relish features diner classics like burgers and onion rings, and step it up with the likes of Blackened Yellow Fin Tuna ($21). Williamsburg’s first beer garden, Radegast Hall & Biergarten, has a beautiful all-wood interior, an enclosed outdoor backyard, and 12 German/Austrian beers on tap and more than 30 bottles. Another great bar in the area, Zebulon offers free live jazz and afrobeat. The drinks here are inexpensive, and I’ve never seen a bad show here.
Friday December 11
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Bands: Arctic Monkeys Get Tickets Here
Show time: 7 PM
Venue: Terminal 5
Food: Eatery
Drink: Valhalla
Miscellaneous: Central Park
Uk sensation Arctic Monkeys are well know for writing some very literary songs with great riffs to match. With their new album Humbug, they seem to have picked up steam, solidifying them as a consistently good band, which is hard to do in music period. Nearby and delicious, Eatery offers a new American menu that’s asian influenced. Try the Red Curry Chicken Breast over roti pancake, with baby carrots and red curry coconut sauce ($16.95). Valhalla’s minimalist space is chill, letting the 24 brands of beer from all over the world on tap be the main attraction at this bar. While its warm out, waste a little time walking through Central Park, relax, and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. Just watch your step. The working horses tend to leave surprises behind them!
Saturday December 12
Location: East Village, NYC
Art: Joshua Wildman: I Have Known you Too Long
Show time: See website for details; Through January 2
Venue: Fuse Gallery
Food: China 1
Drink: Hi Fi
Miscellaneous: Second on Second Karaoke Bar & Lounge
Photographer Joshua Wildman documents life in and out of NYC nightlife through his images in his exhibition I Have Known you Too Long. Part restaurant and part club, China 1 serves up more upscale Chinese food than you’re used to. With décor that’s more dungeon lounge than China, this is a fun place to hang. With an MP3 jukebox that has 3000 albums to choose from, nicknamed “El DJ,†Hi Fi is a rock lover’s wet dream. With daily drink specials, this place is cheap, and that’s a rare thing in NYC these days. If you’re still in the mood to party after this early reading, hit up Second on Second Karaoke Bar & Lounge for some karaoke, where you can sing till your throat is sore!
Saturday December 12
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Band: Vivian girls
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Death By Audio
Food: The Lodge
Drink: Hope Lounge
Miscellaneous: The City Reliquary
Brooklyn based all-girl group the Vivian girls are a surf and 60s psych and garage rock inspired band getting a lot of well-deserved hype. Check them out. For dinner, The Lodge, with décor reminiscent of a log cabin and a menu coming from the same forest, serves comfort food in a warm and inviting setting. For drinks, Hope Lounge is a great stop. Exposed brick and earth tones mingle and the outdoor patio is big. The drink list is deep with beers from all over the world and tonight, expect a DJ to spin classic party jams. You may or may not have noticed The City Reliquary, a small storefront museum that shows artifacts of NYC, including a flashlight collection, but this place is definitely interesting to check out.
Sunday December 13
Location: Union Square, NYC
Bands: Gwar Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
Food: Souen
Drink: Revival
Miscellaneous: Trader Joes
When Gwar comes to town, it’s not a matter of getting tickets, it’s a matter of what you will be sprayed with by the band at the show. It’s Gwar’s 25th Anniversary and I’m sure their new album Lust in Space will be just as sick and depraved as their legendary live shows. Awesome! For fans of the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle or if you want to try something new, Souen is one of the best places to go for macrobiotic food. With a menu offering mostly tofu and seitan, the closest you will get to any meat is fish if you can’t handle a meatless meal. Speaking of revivals, Revival is a two story bar nearby with a lounge up top and a cozy garden in the back open till midnight on weekends. If you’re feeling dangerous, step into Trader Joes. Once you get over the insane shoppers and lines, the very moderately priced gourmet goods will make you understand why the lines here are never-ending.
