No fireworks? No problem.
Some of the chicest bars in Brooklyn and Queens are clinging to the hope of catching a glimpse of the annual Macy's Fourth of July fireworks display—and charging a fairly penny for it—though the event is moving from the East River to the Hudson River for the primary time in greater than a decade.
This 12 months's West Side fireworks display will happen closer to New Jersey than Brooklyn and will be obscured by the Manhattan skyline – but that's not stopping several upscale venues from trumpeting the chance to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.
The Arlo Hotel in Williamsburg, for instance, hosts its own “Skyline Fireworks” Party with a special “DJ fireworks b2b” and starting at $55 each.
Only later within the event description does the hotel announce that the 2024 fireworks display “will be set up in the Hudson River between 14th and 34th Streets, not the East River.”
“You can't see them here,” said 32-year-old Javiera Aranba, who was spotted sunbathing on the roof of the Arlo on Wednesday. “I don't think it's right to charge people money for fireworks that you can't see. I just think it's wrong. Especially when you can see them for free by the river.”
Another Arlo guest, 31-year-old French-born and New York-based Yohann Corre, identified that the high ticket prices have in mind not only the potential viewing of fireworks, but additionally DJs and other entertainment.
“Tomorrow will be a nice party,” he said.
The Williamsburg Hotelwhich was replaced by the Arlo last September, hosted the same party last 12 months when Macy's fireworks were launched from the East River. Those tickets cost $175 for general admission.
However, not all venues are reducing ticket prices.
CODA Williamsburg Hotel Evening ticket for the soirée valued at USD 175 This 12 months it’s offering “access to the rooftop party and fireworks,” although the party's Eventbrite page warns: “Direct views from our location are not guaranteed.”
The Westlight cocktail bar on the roof of the William Vale Hotel is hosting a celebration for 111 dollars each This guarantees visitors dinner, DJ sets and a 360-degree view of the skyline – but still a small probability of fireworks.
The fireworks display – or lack thereof – will not be mentioned on the event's ticket website until users click on a drop-down menu of incessantly asked questions.
“Westlight does not host fireworks,” the FAQ states. “Please note that Macy's fireworks take place over the Hudson River.”
A spokesperson for the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks display didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment on visibility from Brooklyn.
Further north on Roosevelt Island, the Panorama Room on the roof of the Graduate Hotel is thought for its stunning views of the annual fireworks display — but a bartender there told The Post that the view is likely to be different this time.
“Last year was beautiful,” said the bartender. “It was busy, it was incredible, [but] They modified it this 12 months. I don't know if it is going to be as beautiful as last 12 months.
“If you can't see the fireworks, why should you pay? Then they should pay us,” chimed in 65-year-old Anand S., a guest on the Panorama Room, who was visiting from California.
Admission to the Panorama Room this 12 months is $25 with a dinner reservation at Resy, Baha Nikolkin, director of operations on the Graduate Hotel, told the Post — a far cry from last 12 months's general advance ticket price of $216, in keeping with an area news and events website. 6 square feet.
Independence Day is a crucial day for business at each the Panorama Room cocktail bar and the adjoining Graduate Hotel, Nikolkin said, as tourists come from out of town to see the famous fireworks display – though some may not know where the Hudson River is.
“If I were a tourist who didn't know, I would definitely feel cheated if I came here and had a limited view,” Lamar Brennan, 41, told The Post at Harriet's Rooftop in DUMBO on Wednesday.
The cocktail bar, situated on the roof of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, is hosting its own party for $60. A disclaimer at the tip of the third party's party Ticket website Notes: “The view of the fireworks cannot be guaranteed.”
Despite this 12 months's change within the fireworks venue from the East River, where it has been held yearly since 2014, ticket sales on the Panorama Room remained largely the identical as last 12 months, Nikolkin said.
“Yes, there are some people who are disappointed that they cannot see [the fireworks]but we expect it to be completely full,” Nikolkin added.
Other bar patrons say they don't mind the limited visibility on Independence Day.
Arlo guest Zoe Goldstein, 26, said that while she wouldn’t be visiting the rooftop bar on Thursday, she felt the event was less concerning the fireworks and more an excuse to throw a celebration.
“I think it's just a Fourth of July party,” she said. “I don't think it's because of the fireworks… You'll probably see a little bit of that.”
“It also depends on how much you charge me to get here,” said Brennan, the guest at Harriet's Rooftop. “$100? Yeah, no. If I spend $15 or $10, that's a different story. I'll easily spend $10 somewhere. But $100. No way.”
“But,” Brennan added, “it's a private company. I can't blame them for how they make their money.”
Besides the East Side, the next places in NYC will not be beneficial for viewing, in keeping with the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Site: West Street between W. Houston & Leroy Street; West Street between W. 14th & W. twenty sixth Street; West Street between W. thirty third & W. thirty fourth Street; West Street between W. fortieth & W. forty sixth Street; The High Line and The Battery.
image credit : nypost.com