In celebration of remarkable NYC, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon is asking New Yorkers to Raise a Toast commemorating the people, the places and the things that make them feel passionately about the city we call home.
After submitting your own toast at ToastToNYC.com, head over to the interactive map for specially selected spots from our team at Secret NYC! You can also check out favorites from your fellow New Yorkers, highlighting everything from gardens and shops to galleries and theaters.
To start things off, we’ve rounded up a list of seven of places we’re toasting to in NYC, so read on and discover what makes us proud about the city we call home!
151 East 3rd St., between Avenues A & B
It doesn’t matter where you are in New York City – as long as you have walking access to the city streets, you also have access to the LISA Project. This non-profit public arts program boasts a presence in all five boroughs due to its vast mural collection, upholding its mission of uniting artists through free, community-based events. In just eight years, LISA Project has gained international reach through its mural initiative and Community Beautification Program, while also providing art supplies and volunteer activities to economically challenged children in all five boroughs. If you want to see some stunning street art while also giving back to the city you love, schedule a street art walking tour with LISA Project! You’ll gain expert insight on the artists who’ve beautified the streets of Lower Manhattan, with tours exploring SoHo, the Lower East Side, Little Italy, and Chinatown. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch an artist at work.
628 East 6th St., between Avenues B & C
Everyone needs an escape from the concrete jungle every now and then, but it’s not often that we find it somewhere off the beaten path. Next time you’re looking for a brush with nature, skip the big park in the middle of Manhattan and check out the serenity offered by East Village’s 6BC Botanical Garden! This community-operated safe haven offers a quiet, peaceful break from city life that all of us need. Plus, as a Green Thumb garden, 6BC’s team of volunteers work closely with local environmental groups and coalitions that collaborate to sustain NYC’s community garden network. So go green and visit 6BC today!
4 Cortlandt Alley, between Broadway & Lafayette St.
Speaking of off the beaten path, what if we told you there’s a fully operating museum located in an elevator shaft? Opened in 2012, the Mmuseumm is a unique modern natural history museum located in lower Manhattan. It follows the curatorial style of Object Journalism, which showcases humanity with contemporary artifacts from around the world. The Mmuseumm’s unexpected curiosities are displayed in two separate wings, one a former elevator shaft, the other a 36-square-foot museum accessible only through peepholes in its door. This is certainly a one-of-a–kind experience you won’t find in any other city, and that’s exactly why it made our list!
The Classical Theatre of Harlem
8 West 126th St., near Marcus Garvey Park
For off-Broadway theatrical productions performed in the epicenter of cultural renaissance, look no further than to the Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH)! This non-profit was founded with an emphasis on promoting diversity and to celebrate the creative legacy of the Harlem Renaissance. But in addition to theatrical productions, the CTH also runs educational and literary programs at little or no cost to underserved communities in Harlem and beyond. From seasonal productions to its Shakespeare in the Park series, CTH is a great opportunity to watch powerful live theater productions while also giving back to remarkable NYC!
167 Graham Ave., Williamsburg
North Brooklyn is home to the Brooklyn Comedy Collective (BCC), our favorite alt comedy club. With an impressively diverse roster of improv, stand-up, sketches and more, the BCC is a one-stop-shop for your daily dose of laughter and quality entertainment. And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, feel free to try your hand at open mic night! The organization also offers a catalog of comedy classes if you’re not quite ready to take the stage just yet. Either way, seeing the comedic pros of BCC at work will definitely leave you feeling inspired.
306 West 37th St., Garment District
Also a non-profit organization dedicated to the arts, our next stop is the Lower East Side Printshop. Its Midtown facility offers residency programs for aspiring artists, along with other professional resources and opportunities. The Printshop also features exhibitions and programs open to the public, most notably its annual Editions/Artists’ Books Fair (E/AB Fair). Each year, the E/AB Fair aims to bridge connections between emerging and established artists, collectors, museums, galleries, and the general public, creating access and engagement between the art world and the NYC community.
Three Lives & Company Bookstore
154 West 10th St., Greenwich Village
In the heart of Greenwich Village lies Three Lives & Company, a bookstore that is so much more than just a bookstore…it’s a full-blown experience! With an atmosphere designed to feel like you’re stepping into a personal reading room, Three Lives & Company has been a local favorite for more than 40 years. Stop by this cozy West Village gem and be transported to a wonderfully curated collection of every book imaginable. It’s definitely a must-see in NYC!
MADE WITH CARE. SIP WITH CARETM . Maker’s Mark® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 45% Alc./Vol. ©2022 Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., Loretto, KY.