Openings—Vato & Macario! Plus, Bid Farewell to Summer With End-of-the-Season BBQs.
Also this week: Paddle under the full moon on the Gowanus Canal, shop sustainable art, sip mocktails & paint, and dance the night away at a funk party.
Presented By
Here’s what’s happening this week:
✨Openings: ✨
Vato, from the team behind NYC’s Michelin-starred Corima, will open this fall at 226 7th Avenue between 4th and 5th streets. According to The Strong Buzz, Vato will be a cafe-by-day, serving Chihuahuan-style burritos, Mexican-influenced pastries, and sourdough flour tortillas by the dozen. In the evening, it will transform into a casual neighborhood restaurant.
Folk, a new cocktail bar concept by Chef Jay Kumar of the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Park Slope restaurant Lore, will open soon. Check out The Strong Buzz for exciting updates on their offerings!
Mexican Lonchería Macario is now open at 463 4th Avenue between 10th and 11th streets.
A new Groundswell mural titled "The Heartbeat of Gowanus" was unveiled, celebrating the neighborhood’s history, present, and future: “The mural depicts the evolution of Gowanus from Lenape lands to industrialization, community protest and a hopeful future.” [Brooklyn Paper]
Waymo launched a pilot program in NYC, with up to eight self-driving Jaguar SUVs now testing in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn through late September- each with a safety driver onboard but no passenger pickups allowed yet. [Curbed]
The critically-acclaimed, Sundance-premiering modern romance movie LOVE, BROOKLYN- featuring scenes shot in the neighborhood - will be playing in theaters nationwide September 5. Three Brooklynites navigate love, friendship, and careers against the rapidly changing landscape of their beloved city.
See LOVE, BROOKLYN showtimes here. In an attempt to reduce mosquito activity, the NYC Health Department will be spraying pesticides in sections of Brooklyn beginning Thursday, September 4 & 5th. Read more here.
You may remember when the community came together a couple months ago to raise money for a local man’s shoeshine stand. Well, good news— the goal was reached, and Byron has a new stand which will be unveiled on Saturday, September 6th at 2pm on the corner of 5th Ave and President Street. Swing by & show your support!
(Have a story we should know about? 🗞️ Send tips (anonymously here) and press releases to info@parkslopeliving.com)
-Mychal
Special Feature: BAX 2025 Fall Semester Registration Is Open!
BAX’s Youth Education offers weekly after-school & Saturday classes in Dance, Drama, Drag Arts, Tumbling & Creative Movement for ages 3–18, led by professional teaching artists. Programs foster skill-building, creativity, collaboration, performance & community. Sliding scale tuition, school pick-up & trials available.
Try free sample classes at the Fall Open House, Sat Sept 6 at 9:30am-2:00pm, Old Stone House & BAX!
Learn More about BAX Youth Education | RSVP for Open House
Our Top Weekly Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out—reserve tickets early!
Thursday, September 4th (Today):
Catherine McCafferty Presents: Pretty Gay @ The Bell House, 7:30pm: Join The Bell House for Pretty Gay, the live version of the viral comedy dating show hosted by Catherine McCafferty! Watch Catherine go on a very special date with a queer comedian, plus fan-favorite segments & more! It's fun, spicy & guaranteed to be awkward. Feeling bold? You might be selected to join the audience speed dating round, where Catherine goes on rapid-fire mini-dates w/ 3 lucky audience members. $32.05.
Friday, September 5th:
Funky Fridays @ Leland Eating and Drinking House, 1-4pm: Slide into the weekend with fresh Julia cocktails, food specials and live DJ vinyl sets at Leland! FREE entry.
Saturday, September 6th:
Dance Fitness with Shape Up NYC @ the Prospect Park Boathouse, 10-11am: Join Prospect Park Alliance and Shape-up NYC for a fun-filled dance fitness zumba class at the Boathouse! Zumba is a fusion of Latin, International and popular music dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system. All levels are welcomed and encouraged. Whether you want to learn some new choreography or need a space to step-touch and sing, this class is for you! FREE.
Chill & Grill @ Whisk and Whiskey, 3-10pm: One last sizzle before the summer says goodbye! Whisk & Whiskey’s final Grill & Chill of the season is here — and they’re going out with a bang. This Glizzy Edition is loaded with Trinidadian & Cambodian inspired toppings, complimentary tastings, games, and vibes all day. Sounds by Redrum & Cha Cha. FREE entry.
Pig Island @ Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (Staten Island), 11am-4pm: The 16th annual event of this massive all-inclusive BBQ festival features more than 20 local chefs and restaurants cooking up both traditional BBQ and global flavors. Find exclusive Pig Island NYC™ collaborations and enjoy plant-based selections from the vegetable grilling station and more. Cool off with hard cider, wine, spirits, and craft beer, and cruise down Hot Sauce Alley to sample hot sauces from artisan producers. $70.42.
Sunday, September 7th:
Artist Market @ Ginger’s Bar, 2:30-5:30pm: Join Ginger’s for an artist market featuring makers who turn recycled materials into amazing art, jewelry, crafts, and wearables. Shop sustainably, grab a beer, and soak up the good vibes. Plus, gently used art supplies will be on sale—all proceeds support Brooklyn Creative Reuse and their mission to make art more sustainable and accessible. FREE.
Life Drawing @ The Old Stone House, 7-9:30pm*: Artists of all skill levels (including beginners) are welcome to join this evening session with a professional life model. Bring your favorite supplies (no oils or sprays please) and get sketching! There will be a variety of short and long poses. Chairs and drawing boards will be provided. $15.71.
Full Moon Voyage @ Gowanus Dredgers, 7-9pm*: Join the Gowanus Dredgers Crew on a full-moon guided adventure! More romantic than a candlelit dinner, the magic of canoeing the Gowanus Canal under a full moon will leave you in awe. $28.52.
Tuesday, September 9th:
Sip & Paint @ Mockingbird, 7pm: Join zero-proof bar Mockingbird for this fun series held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month! Grab a drink, pick up a paintbrush, and let your creativity flow. Talented instructors will guide you through creating your own masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just looking to unwind after a long day, this event is perfect for everyone. $21 (goes toward bill).
Wednesday, September 10th:
Fred Thomas of the JB’s @ Freddy’s Brooklyn, 9-11pm: Legendary Bass Player Fred Thomas of the JB’s makes his return to Freddy’s Backroom, with an all night funk-dance party. FREE.
Book Ahead For This Popular Event:
Nightfall @ Green-Wood Cemetery, 7-10pm*: Welcome to Nightfall, where the sacred meets the spectacular and centuries-old pathways become stages for the extraordinary. Step through Green-Wood’s gates and watch as their historic grounds come alive with creative energy and artistic vision. This year’s Nightfall is MC’d by the dazzling Creatine Price, showcasing their operatic vocals and incomparable glamour under the Gothic Arch. Expect circus acts among the gravestones, candlelit storytelling, and cinematic visions projected through the darkness. $85 GA ($65 for members).
Did we miss anything? Add in comments below. 👇
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Business Buzz ⚡️
Dilly Dally is bringing the best of Maine to Brooklyn. For one week only, they’re channeling that Maine magic, including lobster rolls, Maine-brewed beers by @allagashbrewing, blueberry cake, biscuits with blueberry jam, and blueberry cocktails made with Maines own @wymansfruit, whoopie pies from Lewiston legend @labadiesbakery, and even a soundtrack to make you feel the sea breeze
So grab your friends, pull up a chair, and take a trip to Maine — no long drive required.
Educated pleasure shop Please will be celebrating the grand-reopening of their new location on September 6th. Visit them at 635 5th Avenue, and check their page for information on giveaways and free gifts with purchases all week long!
Real Estate News 🏡
Alloy Development and Vistria Group closed a $535 million construction financing deal for One Third Avenue, a 730-foot, 62-story mixed-use tower in Downtown Brooklyn. Once complete, it will be the tallest Passive House-certified building globally, bringing 583 mixed-income units - including 153 permanently affordable homes with rents starting at $1,023 per month - alongside office and retail space. [BKReader] [6sqft]
Developer Yitzchok Katz (through Goose Property Management) has acquired 264 Butler Street in Gowanus for approximately $15.3 million. The industrial site, totaling 17,413 sq ft with 35,000 sq ft of buildable air rights, is likely designed as an apartment building where 25% of units will be set aside as affordable housing. [Brooklyn Eagle] [PincusCo]
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