Everything Fun You Can Do in NYC This Weekend

Plus, a coveted burger during mini-golf, March Madness events, and St. Patrick’s Day fun.

INTER_
INTER_ interactive exhibit | Photo courtesy of INTER_
INTER_ interactive exhibit | Photo courtesy of INTER_

It’s been a week, right? Bank collapses, (mini) snowstorms … we don’t blame you if you’re really ready for Friday night. Luckily, this weekend is an especially busy one, even by NYC standards.

Not only are there St. Patrick’s Day events kicking off Friday morning and lasting through at least Sunday night, there’s also the start of March Madness, a brand-new club opening in Williamsburg, a pizza party in Hell’s Kitchen, and much more. Read on for everything fun you can do in NYC this weekend.

And for even more activities, check out all of the city’s exciting new restaurant openings and the best Irish pubs to hit up for St. Patrick’s Day.

Weekend-long
Williamsburg
We are spoiled for choice here when it comes to dance and music venues, but even we are super pumped about the grand opening this weekend of Jolene Brooklyn, inside the new Moxy Williamsburg. The 150-person space, which refers to itself as a “sound room,”boasts custom audiophile speakers, incredible acoustics, and interactive lighting, making it one of the city’s coolest spots to catch a DJ or live performance. This Friday, you can catch Brooklyn-based DJ/producer Toribio and Seven Davis Jr., with Analog Soul and Mike Servito playing on Saturday.
Cost: Ticket prices vary

Weekend-long
NoMad
Swingers already changed the game (get it?) when it comes to mini-golf, bringing in craft cocktails, tasty street food, and beautiful courses to the generally cheesy activity. And this weekend, there’s an especially delicious reason to visit: Emmy Squared’s famed double-patty burger, Le Big Matt Double, is now available on the menu, the first time the pizza spot has partnered with an entertainment venue. Made with grass-fed patties, gooey American cheese, and their special SAMMY sauce, this burger is absolutely one of the best in New York City. Or should we say, it’s a hole in one?
Cost: $15 per burger

Find some luck of the Irish at one of these celebrations

Weekend-long
Various locations
St. Patrick’s Day in the NYC area can sometimes be a sloppy mess (we’re looking at you, Hoboken), but there are actually fun ways to celebrate that don’t just involve chugging green beer. Aside from the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which has been marching in the city since 1762 (!), many of our favorite spots will have awesome specials and parties. Some to look out for: New York Irish Center’s all-day 50 Shades of Green event; a four-day long celebration with live music at acclaimed cocktail bar The Dead Rabbit; and Creamline and Economy Candy’s special St. Patrick’s Day Mint Milkshake collab, made with vanilla ice cream, Junior Mints from Economy Candy, and topped with green whipped cream and a chocolate coin.
Cost: Prices vary

Join the madness at a b-ball viewing party

Weekend-long
Various locations
You don’t need to be a college basketball fan to enjoy watching March Madness. Some of our favorite bars will be hosting viewing events throughout the tournament including: The 5,000 square-foot Gamehaus in LIC, which boasts an 11-foot-tall video wall; the East Village’s two-story Little Rebel, which will serve a wacky menu of wings—everything bagel, maple waffle!—while you watch; Spanish Diner’s multiple TVs tuned in to every matchup so you never miss a game; and Common Ground, which will be offering club-style table service and DJ sets while you cheer on your favorite team.
Cost: Prices vary

Saturday, March 18; 12 pm–4 pm
Hell's Kitchen
You know what we need more of as adults? Pizza parties. That’s why we’re pumped that new spot Zillions Pizza is throwing a good ol’ afternoon rager at their shop this Saturday, complete with ice cream from beloved spot Mikey Likes It. Grab a slice of their classic Cheese or try their phenomenal White (mozz, ricotta, and roasted garlic cream); but regardless of what you choose, every slice comes with a free scoop of ice cream, so definitely come hungry.
Cost: Slices from $3.50

Saturday, March 18; 11 pm
Williamsburg
Are you team Doja Cat or SZA? Pledge your allegiance to one or the other this Saturday night, when Brooklyn Bowl will host the late-night Doja vs SZA: Battle of the Vibes. DJ Ronin Roc will be spinning hits like “Kiss Me More” and “Hit Different” into the early hours of the morning, while guests get sweaty on the dance floor. And if you get hungry? Don’t forget this venue actually has some of the best noshes in Williamsburg, thanks to a menu by Blue Ribbon.
Cost: Tickets from $10

Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19
Various locations
The EstroGenius Festival is the longest running festival dedicated to the voices of femme, non-binary, non-conforming, and trans womxn artists. This year’s event, the festival’s 22nd, features over 50 artists and 23 shows spread over four different venues, with performances ranging from dance, to plays, to burlesque, to film and more. This weekend, look out for Claire Ayoub’s comedy show The Gynokid, about growing up as the child of two, small town gynecologists, and burlesque and dance performance, Develop(ing) Together: BEAR, curated by Melissa Riker.
Cost: Ticket prices vary

Weekend-long
Queens (various locations)
Let this be your sign that it’s time to explore some new (or new to you) restaurants in Queens: All month long, Queens Together is hosting Eats in Queens Restaurant Month, where participating businesses, including popular spots like Manducatis and Gong Gan, are offering discounts off their menu for anyone who has purchased a discount pass. Over 200 restaurants are taking part, and each donation (a minimum of $25) also goes towards food relief within the borough.
Cost: A minimum $25 donation per pass

Weekend-long
SoHo
IG-friendly, interactive “experiences” are all over the city, but we all know they’re not created equal. But one newcomer to the field is actually worth checking out: INTER_. The bi-level space in SoHo is currently in beta-launch (which means tickets are cheaper!), but rest assured the exhibits are ready for prime time. There are nine different experiences on offer, with names like INTER_personal or INTER_woven, and each one invites the viewer to touch, see, and contemplate a variety of interactive lights, sounds, and more. And yes, there are plenty of good spots for selfies.
Cost: Tickets from $41.65

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Juliet Izon is a Thrillist contributor.