Time Again's Magical Parking Lot, Cowboy Craze, and A Life Update
I'm leaving NY.
I’ll admit I had a very nice time with Medium Rare. But I got homesick. I’ll be writing from Nikole’s Substack though I still highly recommend subscribing to Medium Rare for salient, cutting-edge takes on NY. No one does it quite like him.
I’m also, sadly, leaving New York for Boston. On occasion, it’s healthy to shock your system with mediocrity to remember how good you once had it. I’ll be getting my MBA at Harvard Business School, where I’ll bring the wealth of knowledge I’ve amassed from Baby’s, Jean’s, Time Again, Gonzo’s, The Shop, Paul’s, Russian Samovar, etc. to the classroom.
Here’s my plan for the semester:
Sporadic NY posts (covering the usual stuff)
Boston posts on whatever I uncover in the city and in school — send recs if you have!
Mirror selfies, always, to keep me sane
I’m also looking to host a few concerts and parties in Boston. If you’re a musician, DJ, entertainer, tastemaker, etc. and want to plan a party, send me a DM or email: nikolenaloy@gmail.com
Feel free to unsubscribe if this isn’t enticing to you. No hard feelings, grateful to you all.
Once Upon A Time Again in New York
Time Again has given us the magical fairytale NY summer we’ve all dreamt of — drinking modelos on colorful plastic stools in a parking lot at the foot of the Manhattan bridge. The bar, restaurant, gathering spot struck real estate gold — nuzzled between a high school, the Forsyth park, a bus stop, and the bridge, it’s the perfect location for downtown’s never-ending block party.
On any given day this summer, something’s been going on there. The programming has been epic — a kiddie pool party with Delz Dogz and Yola, Denim Tears and Clipse, Nick Cheo and Lantern Beverages, Kareem reading for Byline’s first birthday…golf brands, art galleries, fashion brands, magazines, and tomato sauce companies have all fit themselves one way or another into Time Again’s programming.
Rapper and owner Despot doesn’t see it slowing down anytime soon, regardless of the impending cold weather. They’ll find a way around it. Cigarettes keep New Yorkers warm anyway. You can find upcoming events here.
Georgia McCann, founder of Channel1 and Miles McCann:
I love Time Again — it’s like a suburban block party but for the LES.
Zoe Nochlin, Grailed social director:
Time Again has an eclectic mix of programming that brings something new to the table unlike the usual party spots. It’s a block that can be molded into whatever the vibe of the party is which is perfect for featuring emerging brands, chefs, and restaurants.
Nate Kuo, downtown music lawyer:
The dystopian migrant bus stop to art hoe scene girl pipeline is unfortunately alive in downtown and truly a thing to behold on an oppressively humid and sticky Friday night.
Izzy Capulong, of Everyone’s Sober Girlfriend and Office:
Parties are good but I don’t think any memories I have are substack appropriate.
Angelina Hazzouri, of Lunch On Friday,
It’s exactly where I know to go if I want to run into friends, opps, idols, exes, and everyone I know from the internet.
This month
If I were in the city this month, this is what I’d be doing. Mainly music stuff, August is always slow on the party front.
Tonight —
Newly-opened Desert 5 Spot features a mechanical bull and Dolly Parton corner, leaning into the Western craze that’s taken over this city. Private Browsing is celebrating the first album release out of their “6 albums in 6 weeks” marathon. The band will be performing alongside Theophilus London, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Elizabeth Covington, and Zaniah. Pretty Good will be djing.
Club Sensacional is coming to Jean’s tonight with Gogito, Las Flaquitas, and Papi Weli for a banger. Pull up looking good and ready to dance.
Orson is holding down the fort at Paul’s Casablanca for Down tonight, the 15th, and 29th. Always a good time.
Rest of the month —
To continue their celebration of “Everyone in McKinney Is Dead,” Private Browsing will be partying at Gonzo’s Friday night. Brooks and Jonny Sum (Emotionalist LA) will be djing.
Farmer’s Wife continues their East Coast tour at Union Pool on Saturday.
Chris Kronner is making burgers at Time Again on the 13th.
Great show on the 14th — Boyfriend Network, Le Keep, and Monica Bang are performing at Baby’s.
Words as Flings is featuring a lengthy roster of very cool downtown kids on the 15th — Izzy Capulong, Finlay Mangan, Maddie VBaby, Elizabeth Clayton, Leg5, Peter Vack, MEH, and many more.
Somewhere Special is at Elsewhere with Harto Falion and Jack Powers on the 15th.
Pan Arcadia is playing Bowery Ballroom on the 16th.
Catcher, My Transparent Eye, and Harry Teardrop are at Baby’s on the 17th.
Chicest Party Series returns for “Summertime Happiness” on the 23rd. Kiki Kramer, Bella Pietro, and Jade New York are directing the extravaganza with additional hosts Sophia Lamar, Din Lush, Isabel Jordan, and more. There will be tarot, vendors, performances, and art at 161 Bowery. Afterparty at Flings.
There’s a very special show featuring a very special project at The Shop August 30th with Voyeur, One, and DJ Moonbby.
Terms Eccles is planning a 24-hr marathon radio event sometime in late August that will broadcast a semi-serious, satirical, and light-hearted debate on an array of topics. If you’re interested in participating, DM Diego Segura and check for updates here.
Nicolas Belanger and Felix Semibratov are producing another extravaganza at Early Terrible in late August featuring a sick new line of merchandise (I’ve seen it, it’s very sexy). They’ve been throwing great parties since taking over the former Canary spot.
Mirror Selfies
I’ve been dressing terribly this summer. I don’t like the genre — perhaps I haven’t invested in a fitting wardrobe — so I’ve kept to a rotation of boxers and t-shirts as my uniform. A few days ago, I decided to go back to my winter wardrobe. And despite the terrible clingy feeling of leggings on sweaty skin, I felt like myself again.
Love,
Nikole