photo: courtesy of Bridget Cicenia
Citizen's roof deck is a fine place to watch the fireworks.
With Independence Day just around the corner, it's time to fire up a sizzling grill, strap on your finest drinking boots and rub the fuzz from your firework-watching eyes. Do some justice to the All-American holiday this summer by partaking in these festivities sure to gain Uncle Sam's approval.
Put on your patriotic threads and head to Stretch Run
There's nothing more American than a good ol' cookout, and this sports bar has you covered with classic barbecue fare like half-slabs of grilled baby back ribs (with your choice of corn on the cob or vegetable medley for $9.50) and grilled barbecue chicken wings (served with celery and ranch dipping sauce for $6.95). After busting your gut, wash it all down with the bar's special red-white-and-blue shots (Blue Curacao, Godiva White and grenadine) for $6.50. Can't get America off the brain? Feast your eyes on one of Run's 217 television monitors and catch a few innings of the country's favorite pastime.
Watch the skies dazzle at Citizen Bar
If you've ever missed out on a fireworks show because of an obstructed view, you know how frustrating it can be. The good news is, Citizen's 5,500-square-foot roof-top patio offers a clear vantage point from which to catch the city's display on July 3. But you'll only be able to nab a spot if you arrive early (the party starts at 5 p.m., but the fireworks don't go off 'til 9:30). The extremely patriotic can start partying at 11 a.m., when the bar begins serving grilled favorites like cheeseburgers and Italian sausage sandwiches ($6).
Spice things up at Carnivale
Tired of endless burgers and brats? Never fear, Carnivale comes to the rescue with mouth-watering Latino cuisine. Spice up your holiday starting with lunch from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., or come in for dinner to enjoy dishes like Pollo (Guatemalan-style chicken with jalapeno parsley for $18) and Churrasco (Nicaraguan-style grilled beef tenderloin for $32) from 5-11:30 p.m. A DJ will spin from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m in the lounge area. If you don't feel like watching fireworks, a live art installation by "Smokie with Gun & Brushes Gallery" will be viewed from 9 p.m.-midnight.
Let your pub needs be met at O'Donovan's
Some people can't quite let go of St. Patty's Day—for good reason. No worries, though, because the Independence Day celebration will come to you at this Irish pub. O'Donovan's will be serving normal menu items like rigatoni and prime rib all day long. In the spirit of the holiday, the pub is also pouring all red-and-blue-based drinks (cherry bombs, pomegranate martinis and blue Hawaiians) for $5. Stop by after fireworks with a pocketful of cash and drink up until 1 a.m.
Cool off with some frozen treats at Wave
Ice cream and warm weather go together like Lady Liberty and her torch. Let Wave's Social-Ice event cool you off and satisfy your sweet tooth. This make-your-own sundae-bar includes Haagen-Dazs favorites (vanilla, chocolate, lemon and mango sorbet, $3 each), a selection of toppings (Oreos, M&Ms, chocolate and caramel sauce, whipped cream and nuts, $2 for four) and a handful of liqueurs to douse your treat in (Bailey's mint chocolate and caramel cream, Pyrat rum or Il Prosecco for $4 each). The social runs from 3-7 p.m.
Catch some fine summer grub at Dine
After juggling a thousand different activities this fourth, you're likely to build up an appetite for some summer favorites. No juice left in you to whip up dinner? Try some of Dine's signature dishes like roasted rainbow trout (served with Mexican chorizo, corn, baby lima beans and green apple for $19), 16-ounce garlic-rubbed bone-in ribeye ($34) or fresh oysters ($13). This restaurant is also offering traditional back-yard eats like burgers for $5 and draft beers for $4. Get your U.S.A. on while sipping red-white-and-blue specialty martinis for $6.
Order out with Sweet Baby Ray's
Some people just can't get the hang of grilling. But avoiding a barbecue on Independence Day is blasphemous, especially when Sweet Baby Ray's has just what you need. All weekend, both locations are offering carry-out specials like 10 pounds of pulled pork for $79.95 (perfect for a party), baby back ribs for $15.99 and whole smoked chickens for $8.99. Bring home some of those goodies and your family will gladly overlook your sub-par skills on the Weber.
Roll on over to Wildfish
If the old Fourth of July traditions have you feeling worn, come to this contemporary sushi house to restore your spirits. In honor of Independence Day, Chef Hide Sekimoto will prepare red, white and blue maki. The special will feature red tuna, white tuna and black tobiko all laid over the top of a spicy tuna, avocado and cucumber-filled maki for $16. Reservations are recommended.
Start the celebration at Paramount Room
The fourth of July is arguably one of the biggest celebrations of the year. So why not maximize your fun by starting early at the Paramount Room, whose party kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on July 3 (it goes 'til 2 a.m.). Come in before or after fireworks for $1 off craft beer and Belgian drafts. If you need to tame the hunger beast, the restaurant also offers a barbecue-inspired menu including Berkshire pork sandwiches with fried onions. Feel free to drop in all weekend long, as the kitchen will be open until 1 a.m. both Friday and Saturday, with the lounge staying open until 2.
Go global at Blu Coral
If there ever was a place to fuse American and Japanese cultures, Blu Coral on the fourth of July would be it. Have a seat on the outdoor patio and choose from several of the sushi spot's patriotic specials including the Red Stripe special (Red Dragon, Caterpillar, and Urban Heat signature makis along with tuna, salmon and Ama Ebi sushi trio for $28) and the star spangle special (Alaskan, Unagi Unagi and Exotic Crunch signature makis and three pieces of oven-baked sake for $30). If you are feeling extra loyal to America the beautiful, order a red, white or blue martini at $10 each.
Kick back and relax at Karma
No matter what time of year it is, holidays are synonymous with stress. Instead of getting hyped-up and strung out about having people over, go out and let someone else do the cooking. At Karma you can embrace your inner love for Asian cuisine by ordering a scrumptious 24-ounce porterhouse (glazed with lime ginger and wasabi aioli alongside shoestring potatoes and baby vegetables for $39) or a one-of-a-kind tilapia filet stuffed with Thai chili-spiced shrimp and scallops (served with fried vegetables, forbidden rice and a lobster tobikko sauce for $24). The regular dinner menu will also be available and reservations are encouraged.
Party for free(dom) at Plan B Bar and Kitchen
If, like the selfish American you are, you prefer to ask what your country can do for you, Plan B's We Want You Soiree has the answer. You can get $3 Bomb Pop shots and $3 cans of beer in addition to some super-special 4th of July drinks and food (we hear mini-corndogs will be on the menu). DJ Daddy will be laying down the beats all night, and there will even be a few giveaways. Oh yeah, and no cover, so don't say America never did anything for you.
Eat the past at Landmark
Remember the Fourth celebrations you had when you were younger? Dad was at the grill, Mom was mixing up the potato salad, your brother kicking you under the table. You might've thought you could never recapture that idyllic feeling, but Landmark may be able to help. The bar and grill offers a Family Style Throwback menu this weekend (on July 5 and 6), featuring nostalgic items like mac 'n' cheese, watermelon, beanies & wienies, bacon burgers, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake and more. For the full experience, you can even have someone kick your shins while you're chowing down.
Get comfortable at Silver Cloud
Even if you've got the day off on Friday, you might still wake up at the regular time for work (damn you, internal clock!). You're gonna need something to keep you going throughout the day. Silver Cloud's traditional American comfort food brunch (starting at 10 a.m. on Friday) will give you the energy you need, with additional items like the Benedict Arnold (a bagel topped with Canadian bacon, spinach and hollandaise), Patriot Pancakes (mixed with strawberries and blueberries and topped with whipped cream) and the Yankee Doodle Scramble. Later in the day (and throughout the weekend), sample some American-themed cocktails like the Frozen Flag (Effen vodka, pomegranate, lemonade and blue curacao) and a Bomb Pop martini.
Subscribe in your favorite reader using the links below. To learn more about feeds and RSS, click here.
