Good morning and welcome to the weekend. We’re in for a sunny, chilly Saturday — with the same temperatures tomorrow accompanied by rain. Watch out on Sunday evening for Chinese New Year Fireworks at Pier 84 (but as in previous years, no confirmation of timing yet).
It’s Football Sunday in Hell’s Kitchen, and while you may be prepared to gorge yourself for hours on end on bar burgers and beer, there is another way. Long-standing 9th Avenue sports pub Mercury Bar West is debuting a set of vegan menu options that are tasty enough to satisfy the vegan, vegan-curious and vegan-skeptic sports fan in your life. Read more…
New York’s latest economic numbers show a city still struggling toward pandemic recovery, with employment in construction, retail, and leisure and hospitality all lagging behind their pre-pandemic levels. Read more…
Here’s the rest of the news in Hell’s Kitchen this week…
Trevor Noah’s face no longer adorns its 11th Avenue billboard, but this week The Daily Show returned to Hell’s Kitchen — with a roster of celebrity hosts heading to the neighborhood. Read more…
The north wing of the Port Authority Bus Terminal has become an informal help center for migrants hosted by volunteers from Team TLC. Read more…
The neighborhood is full of posters trying to find Jordan Taylor who went missing on January 6. Local TV reported that his phone had been found on W47th Street — and that he had been to Q Club on 8th Avenue.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a Hell’s Kitchen smoke shop worker was shot. Police are searching for at least five men after the incident, which happened on the same day as New York City Council held a hearing about the unlicensed stores. Read more…
The Port Authority announced this week that the New Jersey-bound north tube of the Holland Tunnel is to close six nights a week for post-Hurricane Sandy repairs until 2025. The decision, more than 10 years after the superstorm, will lead to overnight traffic diversions to the nearby Lincoln Tunnel in Hell’s Kitchen. Read more…
If you’re looking for a little seasonal boost amid the winter darkness, head over to the Garment District for their newest free public art installation: the mesmerizing and interactive, Living Lantern, which was unveiled this week. Read more…
Manhattan Community Board 4’s Transportation Planning Committee praised the extended pedestrian space on 9th Avenue at their meeting this week — but called for action against NYPD cruisers occupying the new sidewalks on 9th and 8th Avenues. Read more…
Hell’s Kitchen’s first openly LGBTQIA+ state assembly member has spoken out after being banned from a Hockey Pride event at Madison Square Garden — ironically, for criticizing people being barred through the venue’s facial recognition technology. Read more…
Check out Sarah’s latest edition of Make Way for the Weekend for ideas of what to do to round off the week. Read more…
Pucks or paddles? The plan for a pickleball court in Hell’s Kitchen Park led to plenty of debate at a recent community board meeting. We also got to learn about local hockey heritage and the Mullen brothers! Read more…
On the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, Edge NYC has put together a seasonal, sky-high skating rink in a heated space atop Manhattan. Sarah and Naty went to check it out — and chat to locals enjoying the experience. Read more…
What we’ve been reading
Union membership is in decline, despite the highest approval rate in decades. (Politico)
Could the Garment District be converted to residential use? (Crain’s)
Dress rehearsals are underway with empty trains at Grand Central Madison. (Gothamist)
Restaurant owners getting fed up with TikTokers and influencers. (New York Post)
Hell’s Kitchen’s studios have been busy recording Broadway cast albums. (New York Times)
Freeze Frame
We are loving how local artist Frédéric Lère has started the year reimagining Port Authority in oil on canvas. “Summertime at Port Authority Bus Terminal: transforming the 42nd Street subway entrance into a swimming pool. George Bellows’ kids love it, but what about the pigeon!?” he said on Instagram.
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