Our ode to NYC's most misunderstood neighborhood 🫶

Hi there,

The New York Public Library teamed up with Talea Beer Co. to recreate a George Washington beer recipe from his 1757 military journal to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Cheers to a time when beer was safer than water. 🍻

And now…

In this week’s newsletter:

🎫 Events We Love This Week: June 10-17 - Months of (many free) events at Lincoln Center & an afternoon to slow down and connect with fellow readers

💃 You’ll Have to Check It Out - Era-inspired dance parties with early start (and finish) times

🏙️ An Ode to Midtown - Because it deserves more love than any grumpy Redditor will give it

Get to it, you’ll like what you see. 👇

Notes: As always, this email was written by an actual human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

And as a subscriber, you can always access all your free NYC resources here.

Events We Love This Week: June 10-17, 2026

In the city this week? Here are some fun events we’re keeping an eye on.

Summer for the City at Lincoln Center - Today through August 8

Lincoln Center is back this summer with hundreds of free, paid, and choose-what-you-pay (for NY residents) events. Events include:

• Concerts

• Events

• Silent discos (highly recommend)

• Storytime for kids

• Social dance & more

Register ahead of time & check out the full calendar here.

Brooklyn’s Biggest Reading Party - Saturday, June 13 @ 2 pm

While the thought of reading with a group may seem odd, previous attendees have LOVED these reading parties.

Hundreds of book lovers taking the time to slow down and read with live ambient tracks in the background. Plus, each event includes guided conversations to help you meet new people and enjoy your book more. 📚

It’s free, but register first!

You’ll Have to Check It Out - Matinee Social Club

We, as a society, don’t dance enough.

Is it the culprit of our polarization? I’m not saying that, but have you ever argued with someone about the national budget while Whip It by Devo infiltrates your mind, body, and soul? I didn’t think so..

And while clubs and dance scenes are in no shortage in New York City, the start times are not built for the faint of heart. Many clubs in the city don’t hit a groove until after midnight.

Enter: Matinee Social Club.

With a goal of go out, go wild, and go to bed, this group hosts weekly era-driven dance parties at reasonable times (and prices) for 30+ folks in NYC. Themes include the likes of:

• 90s vs 00s

• Matinee disco

• Pursuit of Happiness (2010’s club bangers)

• Friday Feeling (old school hip-hop and R&B) and more

We hit their The Lost Generation party recently, and the 80s-focused dance party was ALL good vibes.

Plus, the ticketed experience keeps crowd sizes in check. 🙌

Check out the full schedule, and dance your ass off, here.

An Ode to Midtown

Check out any comment section or online discourse about Midtown Manhattan, and you’ll see rhetoric mostly like..

• It’s too crowded

• Everything is overpriced

• You’ll only find tourist traps

While some spots are overpriced (welcome to 2026) and the crowds can be rough in parts, the upper slice of Midtown is undervalued.

Don’t believe us?

We lived there for 5 years and explored some absolutely top-notch bars, restaurants, and fun activities.

Let’s break down our top 4 spots for things to do, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and places to shop (above 50th Street). 👇

Let’s go Knicks,

Ashley & Devin from Better Together Here 🏀

PS- Have a friend who needs more NYC in their life? Forward this email. 🫶