Happy New Year! Opening— Java Andina, Sunrise Espresso Bar, Emack & Bolio's; Rainbow Rocks, Study Hall, & Brooklyn Slow Jam
Park Slope's first weekly newsletter since 2021!
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Welcome to Park Slope’s weekly newsletter, Park Slope Pulse. We spend hours curating the most important news and events each week ✨ for free ✨ to save you time sifting through listings and articles! Park Slope Pulse gives you the first insights to make plans or start conversations.
Here’s what’s happening this week:
Next week, we will launch our all-new Brooklyn Families newsletter. This free weekly email newsletter will feature local news, family-focused tips & resources, and a curated list of the best Brooklyn events for families and caregivers with children. Sign up here!
Opening: Sunrise Espresso Bar, serving coffee & light bites by day and Mexican cuisine by night, opened on December 30th at 652 5th Avenue between 19th and 20th streets. Colombian Bakery Java Andina opened in the former Miss American Pie space at 86 5th Avenue between Warren and Baltic Streets. Ice cream shop Emack & Bolio’s will open near Prospect Park West & Prospect Ave- opening date is TBD.
The South Slope Parks Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring, beautifying, and maintaining the parks in South Slope, launched in late December. Check them out & learn more about volunteering or becoming a member!
A Park Slope pup, Katie, has taken the war on rats into her own hands (er—paws). She killed about 500 rats in Park Slope & Gowanus last year [The New York Times].
Lyft Hikes Citi Bike Fees For Third Time Since Start of 2024. “Starting Jan. 6, e-bike fees will increase from 24 cents per minute to 25 cents per minute for members and 36 cents per minute to 38 cents per minute for non-members. Citibike annual membership stays the same as last year, $220 a year.” [Streetsblog NYC]
Happy New Year! We’re so happy you’re part of our community, and we look forward to sharing the top local news and neighborhood events of 2025.
— Mychal
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Our Top Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out- reserve tickets early!
Thursday, January 2nd (Today):
Rainbow Rocks @ Brooklyn Bouldering Project, 6-8pm: This series is held on the first Friday of every month. Meet fellow lqbtqia+ climbers and climb to new heights together! If you’re new to climbing, this is the perfect space to get connected with community. Intro to climbing instruction will be available. FREE for BBP members/ $22 for non-members.
Friday, January 3rd:
Lightscape Sensory-Friendly Early Entry @ Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 4pm: This early entry time at the illuminated spectacular Lightscape is designed for adults and children with disabilities or sensory sensitivity. Capacity is limited to ensure that the Lightscape trail remains less crowded and more relaxed. The trail is fully accessible, and wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the entrance. At 4:15 p.m., visitors who are blind or have low-vision can join a guided tour of the trail that offers live verbal description of the light installations. Personal care attendants enter for free. $22.63 for kids/ $41.76 for adults.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Premiere @ Parklife, 8pm: RuPaul’s Drag Race is back with a new batch of queens competing for the cash grand prize and the title of America’s next drag superstar! Swing by to find out what twists and drops Ru has in store for us this season. RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked will be aired immediately after the premiere episode, plus the bar will have drink specials galore to indulge in! FREE admission with drink or food purchase.
Saturday, January 4th:
Coffee Bark @ Prospect Park, 7:30-9am: Join FIDO of Brooklyn for the first Coffee Bark of the new year. Held on the first Saturday of each month, Coffee Bark is an opportunity for Brooklyn dog owners to chat over coffee and pastries while their dogs romp and play over dog biscuits. With dozens of dogs and people, Coffee Bark is an amazing sight. Look for coffee, pastries, dog biscuits and information about off-leash activities just south of the Picnic House. FREE.
Brewery tour @ Brooklyn Kura, 1 & 1:30pm: Get an Inside look at New York's First Sake Brewery! See first hand how they turn rice and water into delicious Brooklyn-made craft sake. Lead by Kura’s expert brewery staff, this experience will walk you through the production facility and allow you to take in the sights, sounds and delicious smells of New York's premier sake brewery. The tour concludes in the taproom where Brooklyn Kura sake is available for purchase. $16.33.
Hot Gossip with Jonathan van Halem @ Union Hall, 10pm: Comedian and local gossip Jonathan van Halem (Clickhole, Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out The News) is pausing his perpetual gab sesh to host an evening of stand-up comedy. Lineup includes Devon Walker (SNL), Jaboukie Young-White (Netflix/ Jimmy Fallon/ Comedy Central), Caitlin Peluffo (Stephen Colbert), and Kyle Gordon (Comedy Central). $18.98.
Wednesday, January 8th:
Plum Paper Craft @ Brooklyn Public Library, Park Slope Branch, 1-2:30pm: Brighten winter days with this fun crafting project! Learn to fold an eight-pointed star using squares of translucent colored kite paper. Placed in a sunny window, the star's paper folds create a kaleidoscope effect. Supplies provided & beginners welcome. FREE.
Brooklyn Traditional Slow Jam: First Wednesdays @ Old Stone House, 6:30pm: Join the Old Stone House for a welcoming slow jam, and play some good tunes with good people! Slow Jams are for playing traditional tunes at a slow to moderate pace, perfect for learning by ear and exploring your instrument. FREE.
Book ahead for this popular event:
Plan for Growth: Finance Edition @ Industry City (January 22nd- March 19th: For over 40 years, the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation has provided vital services to industrial business owners and the workforce in Gowanus, Red Hook, and Sunset Park. This program of six high-impact classes covers the A to Z of what small business owners need to know about business finance & accounting. If the state of your finances are crowding your head space, now is the time to take a deep breath and tackle it—with a little help. If you’re ready to bring your business acumen to the next level, apply now! Applications accepted through January 13th. Learn more & apply here.
Submit an event to be considered for this weekly events roundup!
Note that a limited number of events are selected for this newsletter, and event listing promotions are available to guarantee the inclusion of your event (email us for more info).
Did we miss anything? Add in comments below. 👇
Slope Steal of the Week 💰:
January birthdays get 15% off custom cakes all month long at Whisk & Whiskey!
Local Business Buzz & Neighborhood Happenings: ✨
Farm.One is launching Study Hall on January 3rd. Designed to be an alternative to working in a coffee shop or library, the Prospect Heights farm space is encouraging folks to bring a book or laptop and enjoy a quiet space with free WiFi & cold brew on tap.
Brooklyn residents skate FREE at Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sundays from 10-11am and Mondays from 5-6pm. Free tickets are on a first-come, first-served and must be booked in person with a valid Brooklyn address on your ID.
Mulchfest runs at multiple locations through Sunday January 12th. Join NYC Parks in the NYC holiday tradition of recycling your Christmas tree! Drop off your tree at any Mulchfest location during park hours.
Weekly Ways to Give Back🎗️
CHiPS, a soup kitchen & a shelter for homeless pregnant women and infants, will re-open after the holidays on January 2nd and is in need of sandwich donations.
Drop off individually wrapped & labeled sandwiches at their location on 200 4th Avenue on January 2nd, 3rd, and 4th from 9-11am.
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