Brooklyn Boro

Skating and strolling: 10 things to do in Brooklyn this weekend

January 2, 2020 Scott Enman
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With the temperatures dropping and snow on the forecast for Sunday, this weekend’s events are all about warming up. Whether skating on the 23rd floor of a skyscraper, dancing inside a club or going for a winter walk, all of these activities are bound to get your blood flowing.

Plus, we’ve got soup recommendations and several places to wet your whistle.

1. Skate in the sky

Skate in Williamsburg with breathtaking views. Photo: The William Vale

Head down to Williamsburg to go skating on the 23rd floor of The William Vale’s outdoor rooftop. Work on your figure eight and take in the breathtaking views of the city. If you get cold, there’s a tent serving hot chocolate.

Wednesday through Sunday at various hours at The William Vale. $20 for adults and $12 for kids.

2. Dance the weekend away

House of Yes. Photo by SASHABPHOTO
House of Yes. Photo by SASHABPHOTO

Iconic Bushwick nightclub House Of Yes is celebrating its fourth anniversary with two days of epic music and bizarre performances. On Friday, New York City legend Eli Escobar is playing an open-to-close set, while House of Yes residents DJs take over the decks on Saturday. Expect go-go dance art, cake, balloons and lots of debauchery.

Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at House of Yes. $20.

3. Nerd out

Nerd Nite. Photo: Littlefield

At Littlefield, a performance space built in a former warehouse in Gowanus, one never knows what’s on the agenda. Sometimes there’s jazz. Sometimes there’s comedy. This weekend there’s Nerd Nite, where you’ll be treated to “funny-yet-smart” presentations, as well as rounds of trivia. Bring your friends, as there will be prizes for the winning team.

Saturday at 7 p.m. at Littlefield. $10.

4. Celebrate a Brooklyn legend

Jay-Z. AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

Head down to the Bell House this weekend to play bocce and party like it’s 1999. The venue is hosting a tribute to one of Brooklyn’s most famous rappers, Jay-Z. The free party will have Sean Carter’s tracks on repeat all night long including “Big Pimpin’” “Hard Knock Life” and “Empire State of Mind.”

Saturday at 10 p.m. at The Bell House.

5. Drink wormwood

Standard Wormwood Distillery. Photo: Industry City

Industry City’s newest tenant, Standard Wormwood Distillery, is up, running and offering tastings and tours. Wormwood is one of the main ingredients in absinthe. Head down to the industrial complex in Sunset Park to taste wormwood rye, wormwood gin and wormwood agave, among other wormwood liqueurs.

Thursday through Sunday at various hours at Industry City.

6. Drink at a legendary bar

The exterior of Farrell’s. Photo: Rob Martin and Jason Cusato.

Drinking at Farrell’s Bar and Grill is equivalent to eating a Nathan’s hot dog or riding on the Cyclone. All three are quintessential Brooklyn traditions. Now, two Brooklyn filmmakers are paying tribute to the bar with a new movie, but you can pay your own respects to the watering hole — one of the oldest in the city — by stopping by and drinking a cold draft beer.

Every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. 

7. Go for a winter walk

The houses in the Prospect Park South Historic District are really something. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle
The houses in the Prospect Park South Historic District are really something. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

Warm up this weekend by taking part in one or a few of Eye on Real Estate’s top eight winter strolls. Each route offers different environments and different scenery, and they’re equally beautiful with or without snow.

Go whenever you like. 

8. Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge

The light is lovely on the Brooklyn Bridge shortly after sunrise in December. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle
The light is lovely on the Brooklyn Bridge shortly after sunrise in December. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

Want to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge when it’s not swarming with tourists? How about ambling across the borough’s most famous landmark at dawn when it feels like you’re own private overpass. Our reporter recently welcomed the New Year just like this where she saw beautiful shades of pink and red scatter about the sky.

In the morning, on the Brooklyn Bridge.

9. Eat warm broth

French Onion Soup. Photo: Bar Tabac

It’s cold out there, so warm up with some delicious soup. From cheesy, melting, French Onion Soup in Cobble Hill, to ramen or Matzo ball soup, we recently selected the six best soups in the borough.

Various times and locations.

10. Visit the museum

The Brooklyn Museum. Photo: Richard Barnes

The Brooklyn Museum normally hosts free art and entertainment on the first Saturday of every month, but there isn’t one in January. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still go to the museum. There are several great exhibits on display like “JR: Chronicles,” “Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion” and “The Dinner Party” by Judy Chicago.

Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum. $16 suggested donation.

Follow reporter Scott Enman on Twitter.

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