5 Ways To Spend A Stella Sunday In NYC

photo credit: Kate Previte

Whoever said Sundays should always be spent indoors with a long to-do list that you’ll ignore in favor of Cheers reruns didn’t see 2020 coming. Well, no one did. But, if you’ve been home like us for the last several months, you’re probably itching to spend a few minutes, a couple of hours, or a whole socially-distant Sunday outside of your apartment. This itinerary includes five ideas for food, exercise, and a spot to kick back with a bottle of Stella Artois. Take a look, and pick some great places to end your weekend with a bang. Besides, those chores can probably do themselves.

photo credit: Noah Devereaux

Get Brunch Outside

Even if you’ve always been anti-brunch, there’s a good chance you’ll like it now. That’s because all of the best outdoor brunch spots in the city have expanded their patio seating and spaced out their tables, which means you can stay far away from the alleged 21-year-old screaming about how delicious her fourth bellini is. While you can get a reservation at some places, there are more seat-yourself brunch options than ever before right now in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or The Bronx. We recommend heading to the East Village, where you can try Rosie’s, Miss Lily’s 7A Cafe, or Poco and then walk over to the East 34th Street Ferry Landing.

photo credit: Noah Devereaux

Ride the Ferry to Long Island City

No public transportation system is perfect, but the NYC ferry comes pretty close. Grab a seat on the top deck, and pretend to be a sailor who’s searching for some pure, unadulterated dairy to eat before dusk. Since everyone is required to wear a mask onboard, you can safely visit parts of NYC you’ve never seen before. No matter how far you want to coast on the East River, the fare is always $2.75 for a one-way ticket. If you’re coming from the East 34th Street Ferry Landing, try stopping in Long Island City and walking over to the Ice & Vice Pop-up for a scoop of goat cheese ice cream near Dutch Kills Green.

photo credit: Noah Devereaux

Take a Scenic Bike Ride to Domino Park

Despite what you may think of those people wearing sunglasses your dad would probably describe as “practical,” biking can be super casual. Biking around aimlessly might be exactly what you need this weekend, but if you have a plan, like biking from Long Island City to Domino Park, find the best route using a map, like this one. Along the way, stop off in Greenpoint and pick up a bottle of Stella Artois from Five Leaves to keep you cool.

photo credit: Noah Devereaux

Have a Picnic in Prospect Park

Whether you’ve been biking or sleeping all morning, your Sunday afternoon plan should always involve great food. But let’s say you’re not too sure about eating outside at one of your favorite restaurants in Greenpoint - you can always head south and pick up food for a picnic in Prospect Park. And since no picnic would be complete without a six pack of Stella Artois, pick one up from a spot like Grand Plaza Liquors on Washington Avenue along the way. Pair that with a good playlist, like the one we’ve appropriately named, “Summer Isn’t Cancelled, It Just Needs Therapy,” and you’ll be good to go. Unlike at restaurants, dancing viciously to your favorite song, eating with your hands, and sitting on the ground for as long as you want are all commonplace at the park. It’s all very liberating, and can make any Sunday feel like your birthday.

photo credit: Gertie

Check Out a Summer Pop-Up

A picnic is a classic Sunday afternoon plan, but maybe you also want to eat something new and different. That’s possible, now that so many restaurants have started food & drink pop-ups to test new ideas, empower up-and-coming chefs, and create buzz around dishes that are only available for a limited time. And lucky for you, most of these summer pop-ups are up and running on Sundays. So whether you want to eat some soul food in Prospect Heights or make your way to the Upper West Side for lamb dumplings, plan on trying a pop-up soon. The pasta box in your cupboard might be a little jealous, but it’ll be worth it.