Opening– Wayward Fare, Toyo Ramen Bar, Barbaco Tio; Pet Portraits, The Brooklyn Nutcracker, Birding in Peace, BKCM Holiday Extravaganza, "Elf" Drinking Game, & Feast of the Seven Fishes
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:
Big news! In January 2025, we will be launching 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!
Openings: Mediterranean restaurant Wayward Fare will open at 554 Vanderbilt Avenue (between Dean and Bergen Streets) on December 20th. Toyo Ramen Bar celebrated their soft opening at 349 7th Avenue (between 10th and 11th streets). Taqueria Barbaco Tio will celebrate their grand opening on December 14th at 339 2nd St (between 4th and 5th Avenues).
Closing: South Slope’s Naidre’s Cafe closed its doors last week after being in operation for over two decades.
Local restaurant news: South Slope’s Lore, headed by Chef Jay Kumar, receives a 2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand Award. Lore is one of only five restaurants in Brooklyn to receive the award, which recognizes restaurants offering quality food for a good value. [Gothamist]. North Slope’s Sawa is listed in “New York’s 14 Best New Restaurants of 2024” [The New York Times].
New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park has been cancelled due to the drought. Instead, a light show with illuminated drones displaying representations of famous NYC landmarks will take place at 10pm [The New York Times].
Our Park Slope Holiday Guide has been recently updated with all of the latest festive happenings in the neighborhood!
Plus, scroll to the bottom for three ways to celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes this year!
Happy holidays!
— Mychal
White Elephant Gifts & Stocking Stuffers at Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store
Make your holiday shopping a breeze with our playful white elephant gifts and stocking stuffers! From quirky to practical, we’ve got thoughtful little surprises that add an extra touch of joy to the season for everyone on your list.
We’re open late tonight and next week, with extended hours until 8 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to help you shop stress-free.
You’ll be entered into our weekly raffle drawing if you spend more than $50: winners are picked randomly on Saturdays at 5pm until 12/22 and get a $150 Annie's gift card!
Visit us at 232 5th Ave, Brooklyn (between President & Carroll St)
Or online at www.blueribbongeneralstore.com
[To get featured here as a Sponsor, email info@parkslopeliving for more info]
Our Top Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out- reserve tickets early!
Weekend Events:
The Brooklyn Nutcracker @ The Theatre at City Tech* (Thursday December 12th- Sunday December 15th): The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the heart of Brooklyn's cultural mosaic. From a mysterious pop and locking Herr Drosselmeyer to a bohemian Mother Ginger, the characters embark on an enchanting journey with detours through notable Brooklyn landmarks, including the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and a Flatbush Avenue subway platform. Tickets start at $35.
Winter Salon @ Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Red Hook (Saturday December 14th @ Sunday December 15th, 1-6pm) : The Park Slope Windsor Terrace Artists collective presents this gallery featuring art in variety of mediums, including painting, prints, photography, collage and paper relief. Check out the artwork on the 2nd floor of BWAC’s historic warehouse space, then head downstairs to visit the Red Hook Holiday Market. FREE.
Thursday, December 12th (Today):
Pet Portraits @ Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, 5-7pm: Illustrator Jordan Sondler will be drawing pet portraits in-store offered at a special price for Annie’s customers. Plus, enjoy a glass of wine as you shop! $55.
James Baldwin Exhibition Opening & Panel Discussion @ Brooklyn Public Library— Central Branch, 6-8:15pm: Join BPL in celebrating the legacy of James Baldwin. The exhibition Turkey Saved My Life: Baldwin in Istanbul, 1961–1971 will open with a live reading of commissioned essays. Then, a panel discussion will delve into the significance of Baldwin’s life abroad in Istanbul and his ongoing relevance to our culture and struggles for liberation. FREE— registration required.
Friday, December 13th:
Annual Christmas Party @ Whisk & Whiskey, 7pm-Midnight: Head to Whisk & Whiskey’s 3rd annual Christmas party for holiday vibes, a Rum Tasting sponsored by Ten to One Rum, drink specials, and music by DJ Cha Cha and RedRum Sounds to keep the energy high all night long. FREE.
Saturday, December 14th:
Self Care & Mindfulness for Chronic Pain (Part 1) @ Brooklyn Flow, 1-3pm: This two-part series will encompass how chronic pain can impact our lives and provide tools to manage and live with pain better. Topics will include mindfulness techniques for pain management and stress reduction, mindful restorative movement, and discussions around neuro biochemistry, anatomy, and the nervous system. $60.
Winter Wonderland Pawty @ Prospect Bark Daycare & Spa, 11am-5pm: Pups and their families are invited to join Prospect Bark for this winter wonderland event, featuring a holiday photo booth, refreshments for hoomans, a holiday treat bar for dogs, a kids crafting table, mini tours of the daycare, and more! FREE.
A Drinking Game NYC—Elf @ The Bell House, 7pm: In this series, talented actors perform a live staged reading of cult classics from the 80s and 90s. The movie comes with a list of buzzwords and phrases—when you hear one, a bell rings and everybody drinks! Plus, when someone says a name, the actor playing that character has to drink. As the evening progresses, the show's bound to get a little wacky. 21+. $25.05.
Wine For Me @ Public Records, 3pm: This monthly natural wine party celebrates community and aims to make wine culture more intersectional and inclusive. Their last event of 2024 features a brand new wine list and live DJs. $10.
Sunday, December 15th:
Birding in Peace @ Green-Wood Cemetery, 7:15-8:45am: Spend the early morning exploring the cemetery before the gates open to the public. Birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful early morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home. $15.
Erotic Drawing @ Please, 11am-1pm*: Draw spicy nude figure at a sex shop in Brooklyn! This class is composed of four poses, each for 15-20 minutes each. This is not an art class, but rather a space to draw freely with other like minded individuals. Suggested donation of $20.
Holiday Extravaganza @ Brooklyn Conservatory, 3-5pm*: Join BKCM for this multicultural, inclusive winter celebration featuring BKCM’s Klezmer Hanukkah Ensemble Christmas, caroling on the stoop, David Bertrand’s Calypso holiday band, a sing-along of Handel’s Messiah, a holiday music instrument exploration for kids, and more. Currently SOLD OUT— more tickets will be released on Friday, December 13th. $20 suggested donation.
Brooklyn Brandenburgers 2024 Family Holiday Concert @ Old Stone House, 3pm & 7pm*: This small chamber orchestra has been a part of Old Stone House’s programming since 2004. At this holiday concert, they will be performing works by Schubert, Eslava, J.S. Bach, Flanders and Swann (arranged by Henri Kling), Mozart, Cherubini, and Chasnoff. $28.52 (kids under 16 are free).
Monday, December 16th:
New Year, New Biz: A Brand and Web Design Virtual Q+A with Cowbird Creative, 6pm: If you’re a small business owner who feels trapped by your DIY branding or your outdated website, the Cowbirds can help. This female-owned creative studio in Brooklyn will answer your most burning questions so you can show up, get noticed and sell more in 2025! FREE.
Wednesday, December 18th*:
No Office Party @ Littlefield, 7:30pm-1am: The New York Groove presents this holiday party for freelancers, creatives, WFHers and everyone who doesn't like socializing with the people who sign your checks. Feel like Employee of the Year with Rockstar Karaoke's live-band karaoke and get a new flash tattoo that will make H.R. blush. $18.67.
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 Steals of the Week 💰:
We find the best deals happening in the neighborhood so you don’t have to!
Rider Gifts is hosting a Sip & Shop tonight, Thursday December 12th— enjoy non-alcoholic cocktails by Pentire Drinks and 10% off the entire store!
Looking for the perfect gift for a coffee fanatic, tea drinker, or health guru in your life? Shop 10% Off Wellness-Inspired Gift Bundles @ Grounded Cafe, plus a free gift box while supplies last!
Local Business Buzz: ✨
Heap’s Ice Cream is now offering delicious homemade sushi ice cream!
This brand-new treat is made of delicate ribbons of homemade mochi on top of vanilla or mango sticky rice flavors coated in coconut. Yum!
Insider tip: Sign up for their mailing list and receive a free ice cream on your birthday!
Weekly Ways to Give Back🎗️
Camp Friendship Toy Drive 2024
Camp Friendship, a non-profit food pantry in Park Slope, is accepting new, unwrapped gifts for children ages 0-18. Drop off on weekends at multiple locations.
Three Ways to Celebrate Feast of the Seven Fishes in the Neighborhood:
Enjoy this traditional Italian-American celebratory meal while supporting local businesses in Park Slope. These popular feasts will sell out early, so be sure to reserve in advance!
1. With a Five-Course, Seven-Fish Meal @ Krupa Grocery:
Reservations are available through Resy!
With a Creative Seven-Course Meal @ Cafe Mars:
Reservations available though Open Table.
At home with a BKLYN Larder Gift Basket:
Celebrate without leaving home! This unique take on the Feast of the Seven Fishes even includes two “fishes” for dessert.
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