Friday February 12
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Band: The Morgues
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Pete’s Candy Store
Food: Chimu
Drink: Union Pool
Miscellaneous: Eks
The Morgues feature members of Stellastar and the Brooklyn Tailors and have this great 60s vibe about them as they make melodramatic music with touches of the Velvet underground and other greats of the past. The band is playing every Friday night at Pete’s Candy Store in February, so don’t be afraid to discover new music. With so much good food in Williamsburg, you should not forget about Chimu. A Peruvian steakhouse right next to Union Pool, the rotisserie chicken and every other dish I’ve had here is amazing, and it won’t break the bank! For drinks, Union Pool is still one of the best bars in town. If you’re single, it’s a goldmine for ass, the drinks aren’t pricey, and the DJs play an eclectic mix of ridiculously good music. Not exactly Pinkberry, yet just as expensive, Eks is Williamsburg’s answer to the yogurt fad currently popping up.
Friday February 12
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Bands: Blkmarket Membership Presents Rebel Rave
Show time: 10 PM
Venue: Pacha
Food: Yoshinoya Beef Bowl
Drink: Rudy’s Bar and Grill
Miscellaneous: Peking Duck House
Offering up cutting edge dance music, Blkmarket Membership Presents Rebel Rave features music from DJ Damian Lazarus, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Deniz Kurtel, Taimur, Fahad (Blk|Market Membership) , plus Basement DJs: Leks, Cem & Rg, Bennett. Making fast food healthy, Yoshinoya serves bowls of rice, vegetables, and your choice of beef, teriyaki chicken, veggie, or a combo of meats. Super cheap, it’s a favorite spot of mine in midtown. A great dive, Rudy’s Bar and Grill serves up cheap beer by the pint or by the pitcher, and as for the grilling, that includes free hot dogs and popcorn! Though slightly on the expensive side, if you’re in the mood for duck and are a couple or in a group of four or more, Peking Duck House makes some of the best duck you will ever likely have.
Saturday February 13
Location: East Village, NYC
Music: Florence Henderson
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Joe’s Pub
Food: Oyama
Drink: Grassroots Tavern
Miscellaneous: Mudd Cafe
Before she was known as Mrs. Brady, Florence Henderson was a Broadway vet among other things, like a talk show host (remember The Florence Henderson Show?). Tonight she celebrates her birthday and Valentine’s Day with a musical performance taking the audience for a ride down her 50+ year career. With sushi that’s 50 percent off all the time, you might think, “Something’s wrong with that?†but at Oyama the fish is good and the rolls are inventive, making this one of the best low-priced sushi joints in the city. Though St. Marks all of a sudden lost its charm, Grassroots Tavern hasn’t. This large dive bar has cheap drinks, darts in the back, and old men behind the bar, things a good dive bar should have. Mudd Cafe offers excellent coffee served in a big mug and a healthy menu of food coupled with a year round enclosed outdoor backyard patio make this place a great little coffee shop in the area.
Saturday February 13
Location: Coney Island, Brooklyn
Event: Fourth Annual Valentines Night at the Russian Baths
Show time: 7 PM
Venue: Banya Russian Baths
Food: Nathan’s Famous
Drink: Ruby’s Old Tyme Bar and Grill
Miscellaneous: Brooklyn Cyclones
On the eve of Valentines Day, forget the chocolate and flowers and check out the Fourth Annual Valentines Night at the Russian Baths, where Balkan music from the Raya Brass Band take over every steam room and sauna. The band will perform two sets at 10 PM & 12 AM and there will be an open vodka bar from 9:30-10:30 PM. Joining them is DJ Joro Boro spinning an eclectic mix of music till 2 AM. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit. I’m not joking either. While you may not be Kobayashi, eating a hot dog, a corn dog, or even cheese fries at Nathan’s Famous goes back several generations. Expect long lines, but it’ll be worth it! Not just a tradition but an institution on the boardwalk, Ruby’s Old Tyme Bar and Grill is a great dive bar for cheap drinks and watching local drunks belt out Rat Pack songs. Even if this minor league Mets team isn’t playing a baseball game, The Brooklyn Cyclones stadium is worth the short walk over on the boardwalk to check out it’s size and beauty.
Sunday February 14
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Bands: Love, Lust, and Light – A Valentine’s Day Concert
Show time: 2 PM
Venue: Carnegie Hall
Food: Gordon Ramsey at the London
Drink: Social
Miscellaneous: Tuck Shop
You can either stick to the Valentine’s Day gameplan or try something new, like checking out Love, Lust, and Light – A Valentine’s Day Concert featuring classical music that will make your date swoon at Carnegie Hall with Vance George and Nancy Menk, Conducting. Everyone’s favorite celebrity chef, who most are likely afraid of, Gordon Ramsey serves a three-course French menu with international flare at Gordon Ramsey at the London. Make reservations early and wear a jacket, as the place only has 45 seats. If you’ve seen his shows, I’m sure you know that you don’t want to piss off this chef! Social, a three floor bar and lounge is big enough to never get bored in and is a great place in that area of town to drink and, well you know the rest! For something different, check out Tuck Shop. This small Australian eatery serves individual sized meat pies wrapped in pastry you have to try if you’re in the hood.
