AMNY ruined elitist drinkers’ fun today by outing some “secret” watering holes around town. One of them, The Back Room, is no secret, just a pain to find for first-timers. The capacious bar is tucked away at 102 Norfolk Street two doors down from a "Lower East Side Toys" sign; pass through a gate and down some steps to a narrow alley that leads to an unmarked door. Or just look for the bouncer standing... more ›

Yesterday a press conference on the steps of City Hall was held in response to the eviction and closing of Tonic, the downtown venue that shut its doors after nine years. A committee of musicians, cultural activists, and supporters made a call for public and political intervention to protect new music/indie/avant/jazz in New York City and to ask the city to provide a minimum 200 capacity, centrally located venue for experimental music. From the press release, the coalition is asking: more ›

READING: Alice Walker's daughter, Rebecca Walker, reads from her book "Baby Love: Choosing Motherhood after a Lifetime of Ambivalence". Babies, family, pregnancy...will all be discussed. more ›

When self-proclaimed "pizza master" Michael Ayoub invited us to an evening party of wine and pizza pairings (complete with a mozzarella making demonstration) at the LES's Cronkite Pizzeria, Gothamist knew we had to stop by for a taste. Last night, Ayoub, the chef-owner of Cronkite as well as of Fornino in Williamsburg, catered to a hungry and happy crowd with a selection of antipasti and "3 Generations of Pizza" -- fifteen varieties of artisanal pizzas selected from the more extensive daily menu. more ›

- Baby, it's cold outside, and what better way to warm up than with a steaming bowl of soup. MUG rounds up readers' favorite chicken soups, or if you prefer cooking your own, the Daily News lets us in on soup recipes from Dirty Bird, Tabla, and Fairway more ›

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Last night, Scientologist Beck played at an old Synagogue on Norfolk Street (The Angel Orensanz Foundation). Seeing a show at this venue is always an amazing experience, and last night was no exception. Candles hung in wrought iron chandeliers above the crowd, and Beck and friends took the stage. The hour and a half long set wasn't all mellow, the small Casio they had livened everything up a bit. The evening culminated with the band sitting around a dinner table and playing spoons, glasses and whatever else they could find. more ›

Joe spotted this great shot of the ongoing construction of Bernard Tschumi's Blue Tower on Norfolk Street-- looks like the blue paneling has almost reached the point where the building starts to cantilever out at an odd angle. Compare to this shot from last month. [Related: Curbed's Blue Archives. And good news-- if you've got $1-2 million dollars, a couple of two-bedrooms in the building are still available!] more ›

This weekend the weather takes the main stage, so ditch the jacket and get outside! We've even added an "Outside" category this week in hopes that in the next few days you will expose yourself to daylight. Seriously, you are looking a bit pale. more ›

Today: Danny Meyer's Shake Shack re-opens. People are all in a tizzy about this place. We have to admit, we like the burgers at the Burger Joint more, but we haven't tried the famed dogs and custard yet. It's only open from 11-4 through April, but extended hours start May 1st. Madison Square Park, Southeast Corner. more ›

The whole matter is a terrible tragedy for both sides. Gothamist hopes that people will realize they need to be more aware if they are out late at night, no matter where they are. And given the quick police work on this case, perhaps others considering criminal acts will think again. Here is information about the Nicole duFresne Memorial Scholarship fund at Emerson College. more ›

screwed. Luckily you can play catch up this weekend at the copious amounts of fairs, sales and craft shows going on around the city. more ›