Location: Chelsea, NYC
Bands: Pet Shop Boys Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Hammerstein Ballroom
Food: Supermac
Drink: Stout
Miscellaneous: Jack’s 99 Cent Store

Dancehall icons Pet Shop Boys return with a new album Yes, which pretty much says it all. But if you want more, the boys from the UK will have some dynamic stage design and choreography, and yes, play plenty of their hits. Though small, Supermac packs a hearty punch with it’s gourmet mac & cheese’s like the Mac Cheesesteak with shaved steak, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, cremini/shitake, provolone, and white American ($8.25 mini; $10.95 mega). A great place in NYC to get a full-bodied dark beer is at Stout. With a very detailed beer list with descriptions, I’ve never had a bad pint at this bar and restaurant, plus the food menu is American and quite good. Probably the biggest 99-cent store in NYC, Jack’s 99 Cent Store is three floors of some of the finest values you can find, especially in an overpriced area like Herald Square.

Location: East Village, NYC
Book Launch: Into The Briar
Show time: 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Venue: St. Mark’s in the Bowery, Parish Hall
Food Minca
Drink Ace Bar
Miscellaneous Le Gamin Café

In celebration of New York-based thriller writer Rhodi Hawk’s first installment of her Southern gothic series, she releases A Twisted Ladder, at this event Into The Briar featuring New Orleans inspired cocktails, a banjo performance with songs written by Hawk, and Supernatural author Gary Frank performing on guitar. Close by is the ramen noodle bar called Minca. After recently trying this place, I’d highly recommend it. The ramen noodles are made fresh and way better than those you’d buy and boil. What makes the soups here great is the broth. Take the Minca Ramen, a mild broth with pork, chicken and dried seafood ($8.50), it has impeccable flavor that hits the spot. Plus it’s way less expensive than other ramen specialty restaurants and just as good. Right across the street from Minca is the Ace Bar. Sort of divey, it’s also where you’ll find people playing skeeball and shooting pool, while drinking some decent beers on tap. For dessert and coffee, Le Gamin Café is the place for crepes.