ROCKAWAY GOOD TIMES
By Kami-Leigh Agard
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Festivus for the rest of us—the Rock is sparkling with holiday cheer all around, plus with New Year’s Day just around the corner, plan your Rockaway Good Times holiday crawl with our guide below.
THURSDAY, December 26
4 p.m. to Midnight
The Rock Billiards hosts “Afterwork Grown & Sexy R&B Throwback Thursdays,” celebrating Capricorn birthdays with DJ Big Lou. Drink specials, including bottle specials all night, hookah bar, pools tables and more.
348 Beach 72nd Street
THURSDAY, December 26
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Margie’s serves up a post-Christmas/ Happy Hanukkah heavenly dining and music experience with Phil Kadet’s “Thursday Standards.”
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
FRIDAY, December 27
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Lou Pastina and Joe Kenel of the In-Laws invite you to Pico for merry music!
419 Beach 129th Street
FRIDAY, December 27
6:30 p.m.
What’s on the menu at Bungalow? Feel-good food, bevies and always great company, plus—acoustic vibes by Mike T.
377 Beach 92nd Street
FRIDAY, December 27
7 p.m.
With 2024 just a days away, rev up your NYD celebrations at Adrienne’s with DJ Johnny A!
25 Van Brunt Road, Broad Channel
FRIDAY, December 27
7 p.m.
Coastal country music queen Lauren Jaimes serves up a special solo performance at Kennedy’s.
406 Bayside, Breezy Point
FRIDAY, December 27
9 p.m.
Sing, drink and jig with Kyle Wade at Rogers’ post Christmas/Boxing day holiday shindig.
203 Beach 116th Street
FRIDAY, December 27
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Party into the weekend with DJ SeaNY waxin’ the vinyl at Batesy’s.
6820 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
SATURDAY, December 28
6:30 p.m.
Bungie beautifies your holiday celebrations with bangin’ bay views and acoustic tunes performed by B & B Band!
377 Beach 92nd Street
SATURDAY, December 28
7 p.m.
Continue the holiday festivities with Derek Adam’s sweet acoustic set at Adrienne’s.
25 Van Brunt Road, Broad Channel
SATURDAY, December 28
9 p.m.
With Christmas come and gone, do you still need to hear “Jingle Bells?” Dance to emo tunes thrown down by Brooklyn emo/pop-punk cover band, Quiet Things, at Harbor Light!
129-18 Newport Avenue
SATURDAY, December 28
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sláinte to the New Year with Irish folk band, Brooklyn Bards at Rogers!
203 Beach 116th Street
SATURDAY, December 28
Spend the last days of 2024 cozying up at Kennedy’s with divine sunset views, cuisine and music by Chris Decker. For showtimes and reservations, call: (718) 945-0202.
406 Bayside, Breezy Point
SUNDAY, December 29
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Head to The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel for a chillaxin’ jazz brunch, while absorbing scenic views of the NYC skyline and Atlantic Ocean.
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
SUNDAY, December 29
1 p.m.
Eat, drink and be merry at Adrienne’s as Evan Kuriga ushers in memorable acoustic tunes.
25 Van Brunt Road, Broad Channel
SUNDAY, December 29
1 p.m.
Arturo Rivera’s acoustic tunes makes the last Sunday of 2024 one to remember at Bungie!
377 Beach 92nd Street
NEW YEAR’S EVE
VIBRATIONS
TUESDAY, December 31
KENNEDY’S
5 p.m. / 7:45 p.m.
With divine NYC skyline views, food and drinks—NYE at Kennedy’s will be Instagramable! From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., early seating is $90 per person for a three-course meal. Starting at 7:45 p.m., at $150 per person, indulge in a four-course meal with champagne toast at midnight, hats and noisemakers, plus live music and dancing. For reservations and menu selections, call (718) 945-0202.
406 Bayside, Breezy Point
THE BELLE HARBOR
YACHT CLUB
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bring the entire family—all ages— to celebrate the countdown to 2025 at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club’s New Year’s Eve Party, featuring live DJ, New Year’s countdown and cash bar! Admission for members: Adults $40/ Kids $20. Nonmembers: Adults: $50/ Kids $25. Tickets can be purchased via Venmo: @frances-brenna or call: (646) 644-3741.
533 Beach 126th Street
THE ROCKAWAY
HOTEL
8 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Forget Times Square! Ring in 2025 on The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel! Watch the ball drop from The Rockaway Hotel’s rooftop, while living it up at the Hotel’s cocktail style reception, premium open bar, live music and dancing all night long. Tickets are $100. For tickets and more info, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/things-to-do-rockaway-beach/event-calendar
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
NEW YEAR’S DAY
HAPPENINGS
WEDNESDAY, January 1
BUNGALOW BAR
11:30 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Bungalow Bar is back with their annual NYD bash with DJ Teddy! Brunch starts at 11:30 a.m. DJ Teddy gets Bungie’s party poppin’ at 3 p.m. As in years past, the popular bayside spot is also declaring New Year’s Day, “Purple Day,” in remembrance of Emily Burns.
377 Beach 92nd Street
THE WHARF
2 p.m.
Kickoff 2025 with Camp Tunes blowin’ in rock classics at The Wharf.
416 Beach 116th Street
THE SUGAR BOWL
3 p.m.
It’s last call at The Sugar Bowl until March! So, join in the time-honored tradition of Hell or High Water closing out the season with their signature foot-stompin’ rock feast.
15 Bedford Ave., Breezy Point
HARBOR LIGHT
Rock in New Year’s Day with the Rock-A-Wades at Harbor Light. For showtime and reservations, call: (718) 474-2202.
129-18 Newport Avenue
NYD POLAR PLUNGES
AROUND TOWN
WEDNESDAY, January 1
10 a.m.
Stamp the first day of the new year with the New York Dippers Club’s polar plunge at Beach 67th Street.
11 a.m.
The Rockaway Hotel gets you pampered for their 4th Annual Polar Plunge at Beach 108th Street. Prior to the plunge, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. — indulge in the Hotel’s breakfast buffet and brunch cocktails served at the Harbor Room. At 12 p.m., join the procession heading to Beach 108th for the plunge! Post-plunge, access to outdoor saunas and heated pool after the dive starting at 1 p.m. Cash bar available. Plungers advised to bring their own towel. Tickets: $20 for individuals 21 years and under, $65 for adults. For tickets and more info, https://www.therockawayhotel.com/things-to-do-rockaway-beach/event-calendar
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
12 p.m.
Join locals for an informal plunge. Groups gather at Beach 119th, 127th and 145th.
SPECIAL MENTION
WHIT’S END CLOSING ITS BEACH 97TH LOCATION
SUNDAY, December 29
For years, Whit’s End has served up absolute deliciousness, and will be missed as the chef and Rockaway resident, Whitney Aycock, is closing his beloved RBB location this Sunday. Aycock has supported countless charities, including Rockaway Beach Autism Families, the Little North Pole and many more! Come eat, just don’t order a slice! New location TBA!
97-02 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Got info on local live music, arts and more? Email: editor@rockawaytimes.com
