Happy Friday. In our rush to get out of the door into the snow yesterday, we forgot to switch on our Valentine’s Day survey. So please share your favorite VDay Hell’s Kitchen tip — and have the chance to win a $50 Amy’s Bread Gift Card here…
Dry January notwithstanding, in the midst of a dark, cold pandemic winter New York City is experiencing a drinking renaissance. And here’s some cheering news for drinkers and the hard-hit hospitality industry — on Wednesday, the New York State Liquor Authority approved a request by NATO (the National Association of Theatre Owners, not the military treaty organization) to seek liquor licenses for movie theaters. Details here…
“Staying here during the pandemic made me love New York City even more,” says Pennsylvania-born recording, cabaret and concert artist Travis Moser, who loves Hell’s Kitchen. Here’s Travis’s West Side Story…
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What we’ve been reading
Why this New Yorker stayed during the pandemic. (George Hahn)
Reopening the bathrooms is not a priority for resource strapped MTA. (amNY)
No butts — a campaign to rid the city of cigarette filters. (Gothamist)
The new Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg explains his controversial memo. (NY1)
The Kite Runner is blowing into Broadway this summer. (New York Times)
Freeze Frame
We’re glad to see construction is well underway on Pier 97. Hudson River Park Trust is expecting the pier to be completed for Summer 2023. Part of the plan for the pier has always been “to host a historic vessel on its south side.” Our story yesterday on the purchase of the Staten Island Ferry had a surprising twist last night, as Vulture reported that Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost and Pete Davidson were the buyers.
They invested alongside The Stand comedy club co-owner Paul Italia. “A rep for the group confirmed that the three plan to rehab the former 5,200-person capacity ferry into a live entertainment space and event venue with comedy, art, and food. They still have to find the boat — named the John F. Kennedy — a waterfront home where it will be docked permanently,” said Vulture. Funny that…