BY JANEL BLADOW | Midsummer — one of the steamiest we’ve seen in a while. Plus, with the construction on Peck and Water Streets, Fulton Street and beyond, it’s enough to send some Seaporters running to the Hamptons!
Summer suds… Instead, head to the Porterhouse Bar at Fraunces Tavern, 54 Pearl St., for their Sunshine Beer Fest all summer long. Daily features include Founders Cerise, Sam Adams Summer Ale and Saranac Blueberry Blonde.
Join their Tastings Tuesday, 6 to 8 p.m., and sip samples from boutique breweries. On Aug. 14, Blue Point Brewery, Long Island’s only microbrewery, is featured. Founded in 1998 by two friends, Blue Point, which brews as many as 21 flavors, always keeps six in stock, including Toasted Lager, Hoptical Illusion and Summer Ale. The brewskis are all natural, poured without preservatives and unpasteurized. Even if you aren’t a beer drinker, you have to love what one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin (who probably drank at Fraunces Tavern) had to say: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Plus, you might want to head over to their web site, www.francestavern.com, and make some suggestions for their huge 250th anniversary celebration in September. They’re open to ideas.
See city at sea level… Up for a swim? How about an Aquathlon? Qualified swimmers can sign up to breaststroke or backstroke their way around New York Harbor in the second annual Governors Island Swim on Sat., July 28. Apply at www.nycswim.org. Water temps average 72-77-degrees, and wetsuits are welcomed. Water hazards include substantial water chop and random bits of flotsam and jetsam. But if you’re more of a landlubber, join the fun from the shore with a picnic and cheers. Picnics and cheers are welcomed.
The swim starts at 11:35 a.m. at Governors Island Pier 101, Castle Williams and ends at the pier by the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel air vent. The awards ceremony starts 20 minutes, after the last swimmer comes ashore.
Smoke in… Didn’t get your ash on last time? Well, the second Longest Ash contest takes place at Cigar Landing, 150 Beekman St., on Thurs., Aug. 2, at 6 pm. The $20 entry fee gets you a cigar and a chance to win a $50 gift certificate or $100 toward membership.
Just wondering… Will Water Street between Beekman and Dover Streets ever return to its peaceful, cobbled two blocks? Seems peculiar that when a fire breaks out under the pier, its owners want to tear down during the height of summer.
Birthday beauties blast… Neighbors might have wondered what the ruckus was or hopped down to join in the fun at Meade’s, at Peck Slip and Water Street, on Fri., July 13. It was the annual birthday bash for the best bartender.
Kathleen Joyce celebrated hers that night, along with her bestie Amber McMillan. Theme was “F— it, make it big,” which Katie says is their motto “to live happy, adventurous, thrilling lives.” You go, girls!
Tons of out-of-town guests joined Meade’s customer, childhood and city friends to celebrate the ladies. Katie’s mom came in from New Jersey, her sister and brother-in-law drove in from Pennsylvania and her aunt came up from Atlanta. Katie’s friends, Tim and Dawn, arrived from Florida and Canada, respectively.
The joint was packed and spilled onto Peck Slip. Staff bartenders Chano and Izzy rocked behind the bar, “Making it big,” says Katie, with gigantic margaritas. “Amazing to turn 34 – when did that happen? – surrounded by so many of my awesome friends and family,” the birthday girl told the Seaport Report. All guests left with a special pint glass to commemorate the occasion, but we can’t print the slogan in a family newspaper!
