A new cocktail bar celebrates its grand opening tonight! Plus, where to buy your Christmas tree & a guide to shopping small for the holidays.
Also this week: Brooklyn's largest Menorah lighting, country line dancing, a Holiday Extravaganza @ BKCM, and the best croissant in Park Slope
Presented by Be You Dance Studio
Openings:
Folk, a new cocktail bar behind the Lore team, is set to open tonight, December 11th - Resy link is live. Sign up to Park Slope Pulse to get the First Look!
5th Avenue Fitness is moving to their new home on 688 Union Street.
Sit Still Kids, a modern kids hair salon & shop, is opening this Saturday. See the Secret Slope section at the bottom of this newsletter for our First Look!.
Lidl opened on 5th Avenue on December 10th.
Local News:
Park Slope resident and outgoing NYC Comptroller Brad Lander announced on Wednesday that he’s running for Congress. [Gothamist]
The team behind Gowanus venue Public Records is opening a new 1,000-capacity live music and arts space next year - late 2026 - at MADE Bush Terminal in Sunset Park. [Commercial Observer]
Park Slope Pulse is taking nominations for Best Croissant in Park Slope! Submit your nominations here all through December.
Brooklyn Magazine’s “Ultimate Guide to Eating at Barclays Center” maps out the best food and drink options inside the arena. [Brooklyn Magazine]
The new Atlantic Yards proposes taller towers and 3,600 more apartments, with “affordable” units aimed at individuals earning up to $130,000 and families of three up to $200,000 - higher than the thresholds in the original plan. [Gothamist]
Speaking of affordable housing - Beckett Zahedi, a Carroll Gardens local and student at Brooklyn Friends School in Downtown Brooklyn, and his classmate Derrick Webster Jr., built a website called Realer Estate, aiming to offer New Yorkers a simpler way to find affordable and rent‑stabilized apartments. Their platform combines public data with real estate listings, helps users identify below‑market units. [The New York Times].
This week, a new ferry route was launched connecting Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to the north shore of Staten Island, marking the first direct, car-free travel route between the two boroughs in over 50 years [BK Reader].
Looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit? Check out our recently updated local holiday events guide.
-Mychal
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Presented by Be You Dance Studio
KPop Demon Hunters After-School Dance
Unlock your child’s confidence with Be You Dance’s high-energy KPop Demon Hunters after-school program! Students learn bold choreography, teamwork, and expressive performance skills - all in a fun, supportive space. Each class ends with a calming yoga cool-down.
Mondays include school pick-up (PS 321 & PS 282), snack, playground time, and a full dance/yoga session.
Be You Dance’s studio is located at: 748 Union St. Brooklyn (near 6th Ave). There will also be a new dance class Mondays for teenagers from 5:30–6:30 PM!
Our Top Weekly Picks:
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out—reserve tickets early!
Thursday, December 11th:
Ramy Youssef @ The Bell House, 10pm: Golden Globe winning Egyptian-American actor, comedian, producer, director, and writer best known for his Hulu series Ramy returns to The Bell House for what is sure to be a hilarious evening. $47.25.
Saturday, December 13th:
“The Good Stuff” Holiday Market @ Brooklyn Flow 11am-5:30pm: Join Brooklyn Flow for holiday gift shopping + merriment with local makers and artists. FREE.
Gingerbread House Workshop @ Buttermilk Bakeshop, 12-4pm: Join Buttermilk Bakeshop for a cozy afternoon of gingerbread fun at Buttermilk Bakeshop! Families will decorate a fully assembled 6-inch homemade gingerbread house right inside the kitchen side of the bakery — a special behind-the-scenes holiday experience where you can simply decorate, sip cocoa, and relax. You’ll be surrounded by 3-ft gingerbread men, giant candy canes, festive holiday music, and every guest receives a free hot cup of cocoa to enjoy while decorating. $52.
Holiday Market @ Greenwood Park, 1-6pm: Shop local this season! Find gifts, art, vinyl, vintage, sweets, home decor and more. Plus, enjoy photo opps with the Grinch & Santa (reservations recommended). Market entry is FREE.
Sip & Shop @ Bar Louise, 1-4pm: Still looking for that perfect gift? Grab your friends and join Rider Gifts for a Sip + Shop at Bar Louise this weekend! Enjoy wintery cocktails and delicious bites paired with a curated selection of gifts from Rider. What a way to spend a Saturday afternoon! FREE entry.
Country line dancing @ Union Street Brewing Co, 7-10pm: Get on your boots and get ready to scoot! Union Street Brewing Co is having their first Country Line Dancing Night, and all are welcome! Instruction will be provided. No cover, 21+. FREE.
Sunday, December 14th:
Holiday Extravaganza 2025 @ Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, 2-4pm: BKCM’s brownstone transforms to celebrate the holiday season for this second annual Holiday Extravaganza, a multicultural, inclusive winter celebration. Expect photos with Santa Claus, a performance by BKCM’s Klezmer Hanukkah Ensemble, Carols & Carmina Burana with the BKCM Chorale, Music from Mehrnam Rastegari’s amazing band to mark the Persian holiday of Yalda, Dance lessons for Kwanzaa with Harambee Dance Company, Musical improv with Babadoos, Holiday karaoke for all ages, The BKCM Holiday Brass Band, and more. $12 kids/$20 adults.
Menorah Lighting @ Grand Army Plaza, 4pm: At the largest Menorah in Brooklyn, every night of Chanukah is celebrated with live music, hot latkes and gifts for the children. This special kickoff evening features Pumpidisa live in concert. FREE.
Tuesday, December 16th:
Holiday Gayli @ Ginger’s Bar, 7pm: Get merry & learn some of the basics of Irish dance in a queer-friendly space, go over some old moves, meet some new friends for a lesson, and dance-out and a pint. All levels and all bodies welcome - sign up below and see you on the dance floor! FREE- RSVP recommended. FREE.
Wednesday, December 17th:
QTPOC On the Rocks Meet Up @ Brooklyn Boulders 7-9pm: Join this meetup designed for Queer & Trans POC climbers ages 18+ to come together and climb. A safe space to mingle, climb, and make fun memories with community! $15 day pass/ $0 members.
Ongoing Event:
Lightscape @ Brooklyn Botanic Garden (thorugh January 4th): Now in its fifth year, Lightscape has dazzled visitors with light-splashed landscapes and luminous installations highlighting the beauty of the Garden in winter. Stroll through a glittering winter trail and be transported to an enchanted forest—right in the heart of Brooklyn. An all-new experience awaits with fresh and reimagined art, music, and special attractions. Make your plans now to experience NYC’s newest holiday classic! Gather with friends and family and make lasting memories at Lightscape. Tickets start at $15 for kids/$29 for adults.
Submit an event to be considered for this weekly events roundup! Add any events for this week in comments below.
Neighborhood Job Board
Jobs are reviewed/updated daily, and each week we create a new job board link with the latest local listings! Sign up for Park Slope Pulse to get the latest job board delivered to your inbox.
This week: General Manager for a new kids’ play space, Operations Associate at Center for New Jewish Culture, Stretchologists (free 1-week training provided), Social Media Creative Strategist
List a job for free
Shopping Small This Holiday Season 🎁
Read local designer Christine Alcalay’s thoughts on community and how to support small businesses in “The Human Impact of Shopping Small” by Leda Strong.
For a comprehensive list of the 5th Avenue Business Improvement District’s best shops for gifts, apparel, shoes, jewelry, home goods, thrifting, arts and more, check out this guide!
Where to Buy Your Christmas Tree 🎄
Still searching for the perfect tree? Check out our list of local tree stands here.
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✨ Secret Slope ✨
This week’s Insider section includes:
A top, world-renowned design school in NYC explores sustainable design with dog hair from a local business • A hidden spot to satisfy Japanese curry and street‑food cravings from a cozy winter takeaway shack • First look at Sit Still Kids salon + Sweat440’s preview week with Viv • A new preschool for ages 2-5 (including interest submission form) and a large gym opening in Park Slope & Gowanus luxury apartments
~~~ Paid section continues below ~~~