There’s so much to do this weekend that it’s almost unfathomable to think I can give you the entire nightlife rundown for the three-day weekend. But I will give it a chance anyway. Here are Labor Day Weekend’s parties and events for young, black professionals in New York City.

Friday, September 3, 2010

The BEATdown – 11:55pm
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (307 W. 26th Street)

If you thought finding an actual freestyle battle was impossible, think again. The people at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre are putting on a freestyle rap-face off that features some of New York City’s best-unknown talent. That’s right—I said that! So if you’re looking for a few local lyricists, this is the place to be. Even if they’re not good, you have something to keep you laughing for the rest of the night!

Pop Life Fridays – 10pm
Providence Nightclub (311 West 57th Street, NYC)

The only thing better than a Friday night is a Friday night at Providence Nightclub! Nothing says sexy like a bunch of latino and black people getting together to dance the night away during what has been one of the hottest streaks of weather this summer. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of air conditioning at Providence—although it comes at a price. Ladies are free until midnight while the fellas are reduced. To help ease your cash flow though, there are 2-for-1 drinks from 10pm to 11pm and big birthday parties are free! As for the party itself, there are two floors, so you can get your fill of reggaeton upstairs and your hip-hop music downstairs. Of course, if you’re smart, you will peruse both floors in search of diversity—and I’m talking about diversity in music, of course!

Friday Night at K Lounge – 10pm
K Lounge (30 W. 52nd Street, NYC)

K Lounge is a great place to spend any night, but on Friday, it’s that much better. If you’re looking to avoid the typical New York City nightclub experience and want to chill, relax and sip on a few drinks, K Lounge is your best option this Friday. Not only is the atmosphere chill and professional, but also so are the patrons. The 2-for-1 drink special last to 11:30pm and should loosen everybody up for what ought to be a fun, entertaining night at K Lounge, yet again!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Unlimited Labor Day Weekend Cocktail Brunch – 11am
Paradou (8 Little 12th Street, NYC)

The best way to relive Friday night is to do it over breakfast and drinks! Well, for one of the best brunch experiences in New York City, you need to head over to Paradou, where they are serving unlimited cocktails and entrees for $29. The caveat is that the cost of an entrée and cocktails is $29, but given that you can have all you can drink, that’s a pretty damn good deal! Belinis and mimosas make for one hell of a combination when you combating the slight hangover from Friday Night’s Talib Kweli concert. Unfortunately, you aren’t the only one who reads Black Oak Nights or knows about this party, so you will have to RSVP as soon as possible if you plan on taking advantage of this Labor Day Weekend special!

Heads Art Fair – 11am to 6pm
Governor’s Island – Landmark Barracks

With good weather in the forecast, why wouldn’t you make your way outside this Labor Day Weekend? Chances are that you don’t have anything to do on a Saturday afternoon. But if you catch the ferry to Governor’s Island, you can run into all kinds of things, including the 4Heads Collective Art Fair, which will feature of some of the New York City’s area most appetizing artists. Artists will be allowed to design an entire room, which will then be viewed by patrons like yourself. After you have negotiated your painting’s price, you can then enjoy the park and the other 20,000 weekend visitors that make it out to Governor’s Island every weekend.

Music Release Party – 11:25pm
Brooklyn Bowl (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

If you haven’t been to Brooklyn Bowl, you are missing one hell of an experience. While an awesome night will probably run you $60 to $75 per person, the fun is you have is undeniable. While I won’t go so far as to say that that amount of money is worth the amount of fun you will have, I will admit that the $75 includes two-hours of bowling. Saturday night you have extra reason to go, because there is a music release party going. While the album and the performers that will take the stage aren’t exactly of the Black Oak Nights demographic, such nights are usually pretty fun and plenty of celebrities and hot shots come through here on a nightly basis, so you never know who might spruce up your Saturday night!

Afrokinetic – 11pm
Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street, NYC)

If you want music straight from the motherland and don’t want to pay the five at Brooklyn Bowl, then perhaps this out of the way event and venue will make your Saturday night. At Poisson Rouge, Chris Annibell is having his annual party devoted to Afro and Latin-laced sounds. Most of the music fits within the genres of disco and house, but it’s an interesting twist on some of the more natural music you will here this side of the Atlantic.

Melting Pot Global – 6pm
Water Taxi Beach South Street Seaport

From timeout.com: “Veteran spinner Kervyn Mark, his fellow Melting Pot resident Kamala and Johnny Toto Rivera take to the decks at the beach-themed north side of Pier 17 to spin soulful house, classics and more. Top guests regularly pop by.”

Godfrey the Comedian – 10pm, 11:45pm
Gotham Comedy Club (208 W. 23rd Street, NYC)

Godfrey has been in this business for a long time now, and his ability to continue booking gigs in New York City is only a testament to this black man’s hustle! It’s hard to stay on the circuit this long when you’re not getting nearly the national attention you used to get. Not to mention, he does well with people outside of the black race, which is pretty impressive for a guy without the stature of a Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle. Anyway, Saturday night Godfrey will be at Gotham Comedy nightclub, doing his thing and making folks laugh. The cover charge is unusually high because he is the house, so be ready to shell out $25 plus the 2-drink minimum. Having been to one of Godfrey’s shows, it should be a good time. And if you don’t ask him about being the 7-Up pitchman in his past life, I’m sure he won’t completely hate you either!

Centerfold Saturday Party – 11pm
Room Service (35 E. 21st Street, NYC)

There shouldn’t be any problems with the weather on Saturday, making a trip outside quite mandatory. However, you should definitely end your night at Room Service, where many young, black professionals will embark upon this New York City nightclub in full party mode. To get the party started, everyone is free before midnight, which gives you the opportunity to spend more money Grey Goose bottle package, which is just $200 a bottle. Or you could use the extra funds on their top shelf open bar packages to get more for your money. That said, you might not even need a drink to feel loose in here. With so many effervescent, buoyant, dancing individuals in the house, you should have no trouble breaking down and getting crazy sans alcohol.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Three Kings Labor Day Eve Party – 10pm
Providence Nightclub (311 W. 57th Street, NYC)

The ThreeKings are at it again, doing their best to bring another Sunday night into the young, black professional world. Since you have Monday off (most of you anyway), this is a great chance to be around the black community, dance, drink and get a little tipsy on a school night! Ladies are free before 11pm and there are 2-for-1 drink specials ALL THE WAY until 11pm.

Brooklyn Yards Presents: Parked – 1pm
Governor’s Island (Battery Maritime Building Slip 7)

This Sunday, somehow, somebody is getting a food truck over to Governor’s Island! I don’t know what kind of magic that entails, but I certainly welcome the challenge of eating food out of a truck. In May, this same event drew over 3,000 people, and with this being Labor Day Weekend, I am certainly going over that precedent. If you make it out to the island, you will get to enjoy soul food, bb1, ice cream, pizza and even key lime pies! Oh yea, it’s going down, acid-reflex style this Sunday on Governor’s Island.

Empire State of Mind at Party – 10pm
Webster Hall (125 E. 11th Street, NYC)

Okay, so I’m not sure how Webster Hall thinks they are getting away with $40 tickets, but if you want to pay the five, we’ll tell you about it! This Sunday night, Webster Hall is pulling out all of the tricks with one of their biggest bashes of the year. The first 355 people get in for free, and there are $5 drinks from 10pm to 11pm. The music will be off the chain with guys like DJ Spynfo, Young Chow and DJ Kaos in the building. So if you’re looking for an expensive, fun, dance-filled night on Labor Day Weekend, this is the spot for you and all of the other young, black professionals not feeling the effects of the recession.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labor Day Rooftop BBQ – 5pm
Empire Rooftop Hotel (44 West 63rd Street, NYC)

Who says you need to have friends in order to enjoy an outdoor BBQ? In case you’re one of those young, black professionals that works so hard that you don’t have time to waste your time talking and drinking with a regular cast of people, I have an event that allows you to have some BBQ on one of your few days away from work. At the Empire Hotel Rooftop, you can get all of your favorite BBQ entrees as you enjoy being out in the sun for what could be the last time this summer! Admission is free, the food is not, but the prices are reasonable. Since nightclubs make their money off drinks anyway, Empire Hotel is only charging $6 to $15 for multi-course meals, so you can get full without breaking the proverbial bank. So come through if you don’t have any other place to be, because the food, drinks and the people will all be flowing at Empire Hotel Rooftop this Labor Day!

Central Park Summer Stage – 12pm
Rumsey Playfield in Central Park

It’s the 25th anniversary of Central Park’s summer stage. There will be all kinds of performers this Labor Day, and they won’t all be at Central Park. To mark this anniversary, 16 New York City parks are hosting their own musical festivities and parties throughout the five boroughs. So check out a park calendar near you and find the musical destination of your choice. Of course, if you’re feeling lazy, there will be thousands of people at Rumsey Playfield this Monday afternoon.

Big Boi Performance – 9pm
Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

He’s no Andre 3000, but he was the better actor in “Idlewild.” At Brooklyn Bowl this Monday night, Big Boi (formerly of Outkast) will be performing at Brooklyn Bowl on what should be one of the best night’s this place has ever seen. Tickets to Brooklyn Bowl will run you $40 for this performance, so don’t expect this night to be a cheap one. But if you loved Outkast, you will love Big Boi’s new music, and I have heard that he is one heck of an on-stage perform. Check him out and end your Labor Day Weekend in style!

Related Posts

1. Black Nightlife, Events & Parties, NYC: August 20, 2010
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SPiN New York

Friday night is here! The weekend is here! The sun is out! And it’s time to party with the young, black professionals of New York City as we approach what is, more or less, the penultimate weekend of the summer! So get ready for a nice little listing of activities from us. Here is the Friday Nightlife Rundown for August 27, 2010.

Drink Free at Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar – 5:30pm
Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar (44 West 63rd Street): Hey, if you like drinking for free, chilling on the New York City skyline and hanging around interesting, young, black professionals, then you might want to try coming through Empire Hotel afterwork this Friday evening. From 5:30pm to 7:30pm, they are giving away free vodka cocktails and there is no cover charge either when you RSVP. Just go to overtimenyc.com/rsvp for the details, and you should be enjoying free drinks and great company in no time! Of course, just because it’s sunny outside and summer is winding down doesn’t mean you can pull out the old tank top for this party. So make sure you’re dressed in either casual dress or summer sexy if you don’t want to have any troubles with doorman!

Beauty and the Geek – 10pm
Crimson Nightclub (915 Broadway): With summer winding down, I cannot think of a better time to get your butt over to Crimson, which oddly enough, only seems to get popping during the warmer months of the year. Ladies are free tonight, as DJ Get Live runs the music for the duration of this event, filling your eardrums with the best in r&b, old school, reggaeton and hip-hop music. The dress code is not what you would expect though. Certainly, coming dressed to impress won’t hurt your chances of getting in the nightclub, but come dressed in “geek” attire isn’t forbidden either. So whether you’re feeling sexy or geeky tonight, Crimson is the place to be—especially for the ladies, who get a free open bar during the first hour of admission!

Upscale Friday Nights – 10pm
Element Nightclub (225 East Houston): You have to pay a hefty price to get into New York City’s Element tonight, but given the sexy, young, latino and black professionals that will be in the building, you might find that tonight’s event is well worth a few of your dollars. DJ Young is in charge of the music, and while that will certainly give way to a few soca and salsa songs throughout the night, there will be plenty of rap and r&b on the speakers for you to get your dance on to. The dress code tonight is super fashionable—they don’t even want brothers with polo shirts in the club! So make sure your game is tight and you put a little effort into this one guys and gals, because Element is no joke this Friday, so your attire shouldn’t be a joke either.

Pop Life Friday Parties – 10pm
Providence Nightclub (311 West 57th Street): For one of the sexiest venues in New York City, you have to come through to Providence Nightclub tonight. First and foremost, this party is long-running, always features the hottest DJs and is located at one of the most spectacular venues in Manhattan. Secondly, this party is going to be full of sexy, sexy people! In fact, I’m willing to bet that over 50% of New York City’s most beautiful young people will be at Providence tonight! Okay, maybe I’m overdoing it, but if you have been to Providence on a Friday Night before, you too would share my sentiments. It’s a latino-dominant affair, but with two rooms (one for straight hip-hop and r&b music) the party does itself justice and keeps everyone happy. Ladies, you get in free till midnight, and fellas, you can your favorite lady a drink during the 2-for-1 special that lasts until 11pm. And everybody, get your sexy on tonight, because it’s going down at Club Providence this Friday!

Friday Nights at SPiN New York – 10pm
SPiN (48 East 23rd Street): From GuestofaGuest.com:

Spot SPiN New York is a unique 13,000 square foot table-tennis social club located off of Park Avenue in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. The club sports up to 16 top-quality table-tennis courts on cushioned Olympic-competition flooring, including a stadium-like center court. SPIN New York houses a pro shop, our restaurant Ducks Eatery, bar, private room, and over a dozen internationally known professional coaches and champion players who are available for private and group instruction… Opens at 10pm… Ladies Free all night… Guys are free B4 12am on the Clubhopperz Guestlist… For parties of 20 or more contact eddie@clubhopperz.net.

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Pacha NYC

Attention: Young, black professionals of New York City, the race for the weekend is finally over! So get those silk Polos, 3-inch pumps and wads of cash ready for the weekend, because Black Oak Nights wants to do Friday night up in style! Here is the Friday Nightlife Rundown for events, parties and nightclubs on August 20, 2010.

Super Casual Fridays – 10pm
Pacha (618 West 46th Street): Casual Fridays are no longer just for the office! At Pacha tonight, the dress code is super casual—meaning no pants necessary. Now, I’m not exactly sure what that means for the ladies, but for the fellas, that’s a painfully obvious dress code. Of course, it’s not necessary, but they will let you in for free if you check your pants at the door. Over 1,000 young, sexy, diverse New York professionals will be in the building for this party, so don’t choose this Friday night to be shy. Fellas drop those drawers, ladies do what you do, and have a good time at Pacha, because at the end of the day, we’re all going to die sometime, and we can’t take our pants with us.

Rooftop Films: Rooftop Shots – 8pm
Old American Can Factory (232 3rd Street, Brooklyn): Okay, the title on this one may be a little misleading, because as outgoing, young, black professionals, if you read the words “rooftop shots,” either alcohol or the shame the DC sniper placed on our race should come to mind. However, with Rooftop Films, rooftop shots refer to the absolute poignancy, power and prominence tonight’s short films contain. This is the final Rooftop Film session of the 2010 Summer Series, so if you haven’t been yet, you better go tonight. The movie doesn’t actually start playing until 9, and with an estimated 11pm end time, you will have plenty of time to avoid the cover charge and get in for free at your favorite Lower East Side club. So grab your boyfriend or girlfriend, and head over to Brooklyn tonight to take in the view, catch a movie and fill up on rooftop shots this Friday night.

Rooftop Singles Party – 7pm
Hudson Terrace (621 West 46th Street): In yet another diverse affair, Hudson Terrace is opening its doors to the lonely and/or lusting young, singles of New York City that need someone in their lives—or at least someone in their beds. Either way, it’s pretty hard to find a better place to meet your next date than at a singles mixer. Sure, the scent of desperation, loneliness, loser body odor and tears aren’t exactly the first thing you want to smell on a Friday after you get off work, but it’s better than being alone! No, I’m just playing! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a singles party. Hell, I don’t think there are enough of them in New York. With all of the single men and women running around Manhattan, they need to open a chain of single-person fast food chains. That way, if you don’t pick up a date at the venue, you can pick up a burger instead. And we all know comfort food is a healthy replacement for companionship, right?

Pop Life Fridays – 10pm
Providence (311 West 57th Street): Hey, they’re doing it up at Providence again, which means the young, black professionals of Black Oak Nights need to show up and represent for the black race! As you know, there will be plenty of beautiful, sexy, aspiring, young latinos at Providence tonight, but the affair is ever so welcoming to the black contingent as well. Don’t believe me? On the entire bottom floor of Providence, nothing but straight hip-hop, r&b, reggae and old school music will find its way through the speakers, and that’s courtesy of DJ Bruce Spinning. Of course, you’re always welcome to get your salsa on upstairs, but make sure you’re ready, because there won’t be any lessons tonight—Friday is for the pros!

Pure Fridays – 10pm
Taj Lounge NYC (48 West 21st Street): Taj NYC always keeps it real on Fridays, which means you should keep it real too. Taj is the perfect place to stop by for an early drink, a decent appetizer and a nice round of music. The later it gets, the wilder it gets, and to be honest, that’s fine by me on a Friday night. Of course, if you’re looking to chill, there’s always the VIP area, which is boasting several bottle specials on top of the 11 to Midnight 2-for-1 drink special open to the entire nightclub.

Related Posts

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Summer Rooftop Films: Last Train Home – 8pm
The Old American Can Factory (232 3rd Street, Brooklyn): So you thought you knew everything there was to know about China, huh? You know, with all of our jobs going there, there’s more reporting on this country than there is on some of our own culture. Despite the influx of information, I still didn’t know that China undergoes man’s greatest migration year after year. Every New Year, 130 million Chinese citizens leave city and return to the countryside to make up the world’s largest human migration. This documentary, “Last Train Home,” profiles a family as they make their way back in this sea of people. Tickets here: http://rooftopfilms.com/

The Black Out – 10pm
40/40 Club (Do I really need to say where this place is?): Shouldn’t any event at the 40/40 Club with the word “black” in it just be automatically changed to “black album”….? Then again, how about “Black Oak?” It’s just a thought…Tonight at the 40/40 Club, DJ Jus hits the club, and no place bearing Jay-Z’s brand is going to let some sucker DJ run the 1’s and 2’s. I know the 40/40 Club has gotten somewhat played out over the years, and it has become the crowing spot for some of our considerably not so young, black professionals to congregate, but if the Black Oak Nights contingent shows up in moderate force, I’m sure we can make the 40/40 Club king for a night, no? There will be prize giveaways and an Open Bar from 10pm to midnight, so it’s definitely worth your time.

Fridays at Hudson River Café – 11:30pm
Hudson River Café (697 West 133rd Street): Make your way to (or keep your butt in) Harlem this Friday night, as the party at Hudson River Café gets jumping with a slew of New York City’s young, black professionals. The music is always popping here and the turnout keeps it super sexy. So if you’re down for chatting it up with some fine, young brothas and sistas, it’s going to be hard to beat the amount of chocolate at Hudson River tonight!

Death from Above – 7pm
Columbia University, Pupin Hall (2960 Broadway): It’s not often my alma mater does something for free (especially given what I owed in student loans), so when they do, you know I’m going to make a mention of it on Black Oak Nights. Tonight they will air a free screening of “Deep Impact,” you know, the movie starting Elijah Wood and Robert Duvall with a plot centered around the complete destruction of the Earth? Yeah, that one! Anyway, it’s more than just a movie showing, it’s also a scientific discussion. After the movie, they will have a civilized discussion on the merits of the movie and how likely such a scenario is to happen in the future. Afterwards, you get to go on the roof of Pupin and look at the starts from one of the highest points in Manhattan. Hard to beat, no?

Restaurant of the Day
The Burger Bistro (7217 Third Avenue): I haven’t mentioned a good burger here in a long time, so why not today. If you’re looking for the perfect meal after you watch your scary movie (or get sick of gazing at the stars!), head East to The Burger Bistro, where some of the best burgers in New York City are prepared every day! The Burger Bistro is renowned for the flavor of its burgers and the unique toppings they offer, such as avocado, cherry peppers, pickled jalapeños and fried egg. They also have some tasty sauces and breads that are atypical, to say the least. Try it out; you won’t be disappointed!

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Fridays at Taj – 11pm
Taj NYC (48 West 21st Street): Fridays at Taj are always popular, and with good reason. The best thing about it is that you really don’t have to go outside of your way to have a good time here. Get dressed up, but not pimped out, leave your money at the ATM and be ready to dance, socialize and drink the night away with a bunch of other young, black professionals. As I alluded to, everyone is free until midnight, the dress code is stylish and there are 2-for-1 drinks from 11pm to 12am. So go join your fellow nightclub crawlers at Taj Lounge, where the music is always bumping and so are the people.

Rooftop Films – 9pm
Automotive High School (50 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn): Make that trek out to Brooklyn, where you can sit atop the Brooklyn skyline, snuggle up with the one you love and watch a movie underneath whatever stars you can see in our ever-so-lightly polluted sky. Here’s a brief description of tonight’s movie, “The Devilles,” from the director, Nicole Nielsen Horanyl:

For me it’s without a doubt a documentary. The “wrapping” may make it feel and look more like a fiction, but I’ve been very true to the reality of their relationship. Parts have been lightly staged, but not in terms of what they should say or feel. It was more a matter of research, to know where and when the action would unfold and then put the camera there…before it actually started. – Rooftopfilms.com

First Kiss Fridays – 11pm
Suzie Wong’s (547 West 27th Street): Suzie Wong’s is getting super sexy tonight, and it’s not even funny. Given all of the skin, sexiness, and lack of inhibitions that will be present at Suzie Wong’s tonight, I don’t’ know how anybody cannot attend this event and look at themselves in the mirror Saturday morning. Yes! It will indeed be that crazy, that sultry, that wild, and if you miss out, why even go out in Manhattan ever again?

Grown and Sexy Black Folks – 10pm
Honey (243 West 14th Street): Let’s get the party started tonight at Honey, where plenty of young, black professionals will be in the building, talking it up, living it up, being the incredible black, bourgeois folks that we know how to be. Nah, I’m just playing—or am I? To be truthful, the mood at Honey can be quite evasive, but it never veers too far away from “chill.” Nevertheless, there are plenty of hard-working buppies that will be all up in Honey, celebrating Friday like there is no tomorrow. Of course, there is a tomorrow, it’s called Saturday, and it’s when everyone will do all of this again as if there were no yesterday.

Related Posts

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Honey NYC

Friday is among us, and that can only mean one thing: IT’S PAYDAY! At least for most of you it is. Those of you who get paid on the semi-monthly basis probably already have your money in the bank. Those of you who don’t have the luck of collecting your servant money this week—well, there’s always next Friday! However, to help everyone involved save a little cash during the recession and beat the summer heat, we have a couple of air-conditioned and free-admission events you can take advantage of this Friday night. So leave your money in the bank tonight, because Black Oak Nights is taking care of the bill. Here is your Friday Nightlife Rundown for July 30, 2010.

Summer Fridays – 9pm
Empire Hotel Rooftop (44 West 63rd Street): Even if you don’t get Summer Fridays at your job, act like you do and come through the Empire Hotel for an event that will make it feel as if you didn’t go to work earlier in the day. With sexy people hanging around here all day like they have no care in the world, it would be impossible to mistake any of the night’s guests as hard-working individuals. Of course, they everyone here probably works quite hard, but when you’re knee deep in your fifth margarita and are looking at the New York City skyline with that inebriated clueless look, then it’s hard to take you seriously. Anyway, if you plan on coming through, leave the dollars at home, make sure you bring your dancing shoes, and come out and enjoy nightlife at one of New York City’s finest rooftop bars.

Late Night Eats
The Underground Lounge (955 West End Avenue): We got a little feedback from our “Late Night Eats” entries a few months ago; thus the reason you are seeing it here for the second day in a row. For the music-lover in you that embraces the “later” side of life, how about a lounge that keeps its doors open all night long for some great musical acts. The Underground is a great place to check out some of New York City’s undiscovered talent. With underground sounds bringing down the roof of this place every weekend night, you can be a part of a uniquely, New York experience that puts the “Up” in the Upper West Side. Even if you’re just looking for a bite to eat, The Underground has you covered with a kitchen that stays open late and serves up some really great food. From “Rip-Roaring Crab,” to “Corona Battered Fish-n-chips,” their menu is unlike any other. Don’t worry vegetarians, they have a few non-artery-clogging treats too, including the “Warm goat cheese and apple salad,” as well as the “Baja Mini Fish Tacos” for your pescatarians masquerading as vegetarians.

Pleasure Fridays – 8pm
Promenade (215 West 28th Street): Indulge your wild side tonight with a little bit of dancing and prancing at Promenade tonight, where DJs Wreck and Robbie hit the 1’s and 2’s like two mad men. The hip-hop mashups that will fly off the fingers of these two’s turntables will make for one of the best dancing environments in New York City tonight! However, just because this is a sure-fire dance party doesn’t mean you can get into Promenade looking like a two-bit street dancer. Nah, you’re going to have to freshen-up and get dolled up for this one, because “chic” is the dress code for the night, which means no scallywags are going to get into the building this Friday night. So if you want to party like a rock star at Promenade tonight, make sure you come dressed the part. If you do, and you get there early enough, you may just get in free too!

Grown & Sexy – 10pm
Honey (243 West 14th Street): Let’s not forget about one of our favorite Friday night locales: Honey Lounge! With a groove that can’t set anybody’s mind at ease, Honey NYC is always one of the more chill spots on the Manhattan nightlife circuit. Some of the best DJs often find themselves here on Friday nights, and the young, black professionals that make this place theirs on a Friday are even better. There’s nothing but the best in hip-hop on the speakers, and the best in nightlife on the scene. From drink specials to food that’s not your typical bar stool slop, Honey has you covered from here to Sunday—and by the way this isn’t a bad place to be on a Sunday night either!

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Tracy Morgan

Friday is finally here, and you know what? It didn’t take long for it to arrive! Maybe it’s just because we’ve been so busy taking advantage of Restaurant Week, open bars and chilling on the Long Island City “coastline” that the week just flew by us! Anyway, in case your week wasn’t as eventful as it should have been, let’s try to get you on the right track for the weekend with a couple of events more than worth your while. Here is the Friday Nightlife Rundown for July 23, 2010.

Restaurant Week
Nobu (105 Hudson Street): Nobu is about as “sexy” as it gets when it comes to Restaurant Week. Everybody in their mommas tries to get into this place every night, especially on a Friday when this place goes from mere restaurant to weekend hot spot. Besides its unbelievable cache and cool atmosphere, Nobu does actually serve up some really good food. This popular Japanese-Peruvian restaurant is like good food on steroids, and during restaurant week, the prix fixe menu is nothing to sneeze at either. For an appetizer, you can choose between the Yellowtail Tartare, King Crap Tempura or the Heirloom Tomato Ceviche. Your entrée options consist of Broiled Black Cod, Beef Toban Yaki and Assorted Sushi. And for dessert—well, it appears a Bento Box will suffice you. I will admit, at these prices, you’re probably better off spending your money at nearby pizzeria if you’re looking to stuff your belly. But for one of the most trendy and fashionable experiences you have ever had at a high-quality restaurant, you can’t miss with Nobu.

Strictly the Best – 11pm
BLVD (199 Bowery): Tonight’s hotspot has to be BLVD, where sexy is in full swing this Friday night. I’m telling you, if you are looking for a Friday not spot with more sexy, young, black professionals than BLVD, then you are sure to be out of luck. This party is sure to be full of showstoppers and stunners, as bottles get popped, models do walks, and both ladies and fellas fall over themselves with all of the beautiful people that will be packed into this venue. Tell them you’re on the NiteLife guestlist, and you get in for free before 11. Also, there is a 2-for-1 drink special from 11pm to midnight, so make sure you take advantage of that. And of course, make sure you come dressed correct, because once again, this place will put you and your everyday work clothes to shame if you try to come here with anything other than you Weekend’s best. I’m telling you, for a black nightclub in New York City, BLVD is where you need to be this Friday night and every Friday night. Tell them Black Oak Nights sent you, and have one hell of a good time!

Moth Story SLAM – 7pm
Housing Works Bookstore Café (126 Crosby Street): On a Friday night, what’s better than a good story? Well, you can have 10 stories told to you at Housing Works tonight, when a couple of famed writers read their short-stories for to benefit this New York City venue that helps put people in better living situations. For the price of a $7 ticket, you get to hear some local, New York City scribes read stories all set along a specific theme. They will compete against each other for the most spontaneous and outrageous story. The winner gets a prize, you get a great story, and the people that Housing Works helps benefit get closer to living in a home.

Rooftop Films – 9pm
Brooklyn Tech (29 Fort Green Place, Brooklyn): Of course, maybe a book reading isn’t your thing, and your Friday nights are better spent in front of the silver screen. No! Not your laptop, but at the movies. Tonight’s Rooftop Film is “The Ape,” which was directed by Jesper Ganslandt from Sweden. From Rooftopfilms.com:

Rooftop and the Swedish Film Institute partner to presemt The Ape, an intense and riveting psychological thriller from one of Europe’s most daring new filmmakers. To convey a sense of perpetual disorientation, director Jesper Ganslandt used an unconventional method: the lead actor, Olle Sarri, was never allowed to read the script. Instead he was led to locations and given a set of instructions before the filming of each scene, unaware of the full plot until filming was completed. The result is at turns mesmerizing, disquieting and genuinely harrowing, but never is the film anything less than unique.

Tracy Morgan, Stand Up! – 7:30pm
Caroline’s on Broadway (1626 Broadway): Hey, Tracy Morgan is on fire right now! He’s been on the ESPYs, The Tonight Show, is a part of an award-winning show, and has been on The Daily Show, I swear like 500 gazillion times. Well, now he’s taking his act to Broadway, where he will be do his unusual comic spiel all weekend long. So if you have a few dollars and can hurry and purchase a ticket to Caroline’s small venue, you can see our boy Tracy Morgan being Tracy Morgan without the national television censoring that is typically a part of his comedic nature.

Related Posts

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2. Friday Rundown: May 28, 2010
3. Friday Rundown: February 26, 2010

Park Avenue Summer

It’s Friday! Time to get that paycheck, roll out the door, and get ready for one, sweltering hot Friday in “Manhatta!” Then again, your plans may take you out east to The Hamptons, or up north for greener pastures. Hopefully, whatever you’re doing makes you happy and proud to live in New York City. For those of you without any definite plans, we have a few parties, nightclubs and people that can help make your weekend worthwhile too. Here is your Friday Nightlife Rundown for July 16, 2010.

Restaurant Week
Park Avenue Summer (100 East 63rd Street): Who says you can’t find a good meal on the East Side? Okay, nobody actually says that, but most East Siders would have to agree that the West Side has a more eclectic selection of restaurants. Still, eclectic doesn’t mean better, and Park Avenue Summer is proof positive of that. They are offering the both the Restaurant Week lunch and dinner specials, and they give you more than a mouthful for your $24.07 or $35. Appetizers include the “Butter and Sugar Corn Soup, which taste better than it may sound. For an entrée, you can choose from two gourmet cheeseburgers with in-house potato chips, the free-range chicken, the Dr. Pepper Ribs and several other delectable choices as well. Trust me, once you get there, you will never enjoy a simple burger or ribs in the same fashion. You can thank me later.

Fridays at Club Providence – 10pm
Providence (311 West 57th Street): DJ Ju Crazy will be in control of the music at Providence tonight, which means tonight’s party is sure to be off the chain with incredible music and dancing all night long. DJ Crazy is known for his great mashups that span across all kinds of music, especially meringue and reggaeton. Of course, if you’re interested straight hip-hop and Top 40 music, then you can easily just hit up the downstairs part of the nightclub, where plenty of young, black professionals will hit the dance floor with music that’s a little more customary of our nightlife scene. Either way, get here early, because ladies are free before midnight and there are 2-for-1 drinks from 10pm to 11pm. The entire latino community will be out for this one, so if you want to get down with our latin brothas and sistas, don’t miss your opportunity to do so tonight.

Rooftop Films: “We don’t care about music anyway” – 9pm
The Old American Can Factory (232 3rd Street, Brooklyn): The New York City premiere of “We don’t care about music anyway” is sure to be a stunning and eye-catching documentary for anybody who isn’t aware of the Japanese music scene. This film follows the Japanese music makers and groundbreakers as they turn anything and everything into musical instruments and seem to make poetry out of every noise ever known to man. The film will be screened a top the Old American Can Factory, and given how beautiful the last couple of nights in New York City have been, watching this film outside will be an enjoyable and delightful experience.

Friday Lounge – 10pm
Taj Lounge (48 West 21st Street): Oh, will Taj be popping tonight or will Taj be popping tonight! One of New York City’s best nightclubs/lounges is on the hot seat tonight, as tons of young, black professionals come through to start their weekend off in the right manner. DJ Quiz will be in charge of all the music, and he is nothing but a straight hip-hop and R&B type of dude. Of course, you won’t hear the music if you don’t come dressed correct, because the doorman gets stricter and stricter with every passing week it seems, just because they can. So you’ve been warned! That being said, once you get in, the level of sexiness will probably put you to shame anyway, while the 2-for-1 drinks will subsequently rid of all those inhibitions. Everyone is free until midnight, and the 2-for-1 drinks won’t last all night, so get here early, get your drink on and two-step on, and get your weekend off on the right foot tonight at Taj Lounge.

African Fashion, Music and Photography Rocks 2010 – 9pm
Studio 580 (580 Eighth Avenue): From Amebor.com:

On Friday, July 16th, 9pm – 2am, Mon Utopie Idéale, a boutique public relations firm in New York City, will host the official launch of Rookie Photography and the celebration of African Fashion, Music and Photography Rocks (AFMPR) at a private Manhattan loft… Founded 6 months ago by Wole Onafowora, Rookie Photography recognizes that there is more that meets the eye when it comes to photography. According to Onafowora, what sets his studio apart from others is “the rookie photography studio never shies away from using imagination to produce images that will become a new pulse to something or an inspiration for someone”. Onafowora adds that “Rookie Photography can be seen as the new megaphone for images that incorporate artistic concepts and commercial styles of photography”… AFMPR, a vibrant grassroots campaign aimed at the development and recognition of African art professionals in Fashion, Music and Photography will premiere new images from Rookie Photography’s portfolio book, new designs by three fashion houses—Kreatif Designs, Roshe Dousuah and Studio Alade— and new records by two rising international artists—Kanja “The Afrikan” King and Sheilla “Safari” Akwara.

Related Posts

1. Friday Rundown: May 28, 2010
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