🗽 Top 10 Places in NYC — Summer Edition ☀️🍸
Summer flings come and go, but these NYC moments are forever. From skyline sunsets to music under bridges, disco-ball bathrooms to Broadway chills, this season gave me the kind of memories that last a lifetime. These picks are snapshots of a season that reminded me how much magic this city packs into a few short months ✨
10. The Little Owl -Where Mediterranean flavors meet surprise desserts.
A quaint gem in the West Village serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Second time here and both times were amazing. The service is the only thing better than the food — plus, both times I was surprised with a complimentary dessert I didn’t ask for but oh-so-thankfully devoured. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like a regular, even if it’s your first visit.
9. Cafeteria - School lunch, but make it chic.
The menu is a twist on American comfort food. think elevated cafeteria vibes including signature mac and cheese dishes. And if you come on a Friday night? You’re treated to the funky sounds of Lina Bradford, who is not just a DJ, she is a literal icon 🙌🏻. It’s comfort food with a side of fabulous nightlife energy.
8. Starchild - Rooftop views + martinis = instant summer magic.
A gorgeous Midtown rooftop perched on the 27th floor with iconic sunset views and a seriously good martini lineup. The vibe is sleek but playful, the kind of place where golden hour effortlessly turns into a night out. And did I mention the rainbow disco ball bathroom? Yes, it is just as fabulous as it sounds 🪩.
7. Le B - Yes, the burger is worth the hype.
Known for its legendary hamburger, this place did not disappoint. I opted for the six-course menu, which included a bite-sized version of the burger, and now I need the full thing. Still dreaming about the table-side dessert. It’s indulgence wrapped in elegance, the kind of meal that lingers in your memory.
6. 4th of July Waterfront Day Party - Skyline, sunset, and beats: the holy trinity of NYC summer.
You haven’t lived until you’ve danced at a day party on the East River. The music hits different when you’re surrounded by the buzz of the city, the sky shifting from blue to golden to fireworks-lit magic. Great beats, a gorgeous skyline, that golden-hour glow, it all collides into one of those nights you wish you could bottle up forever. It’s the definition of what summer in New York feels like: loud, electric, and unforgettable.
5. Cabaret - Billy Porter. Enough said.
The moment I found out he was starring in this Broadway classic, I knew I had to go and he was absolutely breathtaking. The theater itself was purpose-built for the show, with a stage in the center and seats wrapped all around, making you feel like you’ve stepped right into the nightclub. Beyond the spectacle, the message resonates so deeply with everything happening in the world right now. It’s theater at its best: immersive, timely, and powerful enough to make you forget life outside those walls.
4. Crown Shy - Don’t just take the elevator upstairs.
While most people make a beeline for Overstory, the restaurant downstairs is a destination in its own right. The warm pesto-stuffed bread alone could have been the entire meal, but then the pork katsu arrived and completely stole the show. It’s understated luxury at its finest: the kind of spot you’ll quietly brag about discovering before everyone else does.
3. Tokyo Record Bar - Dinner, DJ, and dancing — all in one bite-sized package.
Not just because my friend manages it 😉. This six-course omakase experience is intimate and unforgettable: a tiny jewel box inspired by the vinyl bars of Japan. You start by picking a record, the DJ spins it into the night’s soundtrack, and you leave with a bonus seventh course to-go 🍕. Expect to sing, dance, and eat incredibly well. It’s a vibe you’ll want to relive again and again.
2. Overstory - 360° views and cocktails that don’t miss.
After months of trying to go, I finally made it, and it was worth every second. Manhattan stretched out in every direction, sparkling like the dazzling queen she is, while cocktails arrived like works of art and ice so crystal clear you can see right through it, (the El Bandito stole my heart). It’s one of those rare places where the view, the drinks, and the vibe line up perfectly, the kind of night that makes you fall in love with New York all over again.
1. Masquerade - Phantom fans, this one’s your fever dream come true.
This was the New York experience of my summer, maybe of my life here so far. The next chapter of Phantom of the Opera left me absolutely speechless. I’m still getting chills thinking about it now. The production pulls you in from the first note and doesn’t let go, it’s haunting, immersive, and heartbreakingly beautiful all at once. I won’t spoil it for you (you’ll thank me later), but if you’ve ever wanted live Phantom? This is your chance. Tickets are still available for October and November — and trust me, you don’t want to miss out. It’s the kind of emotional journey you’ll carry with you long after the final curtain falls.
✨ Bonus✨ Kaskade Undux - Kaskade knows how to orchestrate a night.
I can’t even rank him because he’ll always top my list, every single time. His sets are flawless: building, lifting, and landing with precision, and the venue under the K Bridge added this raw, electric energy you don’t find anywhere else. The perfect ending to Labor Day weekend, and a reminder of how music can etch itself into your memory forever. The soundtrack of summer… and my whole life.
💋 Et voilà!
That’s my NYC Top 10 for Summer: rooftop sunsets, disco-ball bathrooms, surprise desserts, and dance parties under the stars. ✨ Which one are you adding to your list? And what should I not miss this fall?
