Community Alerts 1.21.26

Blood Drives

On Sunday, February 1, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, Council Member Gale Brewer’s Office is co-sponsoring a Community Blood Drive at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (334 Amsterdam at West 76th Street). You can register for an appointment at this link. 

On Monday, February 2, from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is hosting a Blood Drive at the David Rubenstein Atrium (1887 Broadway between West 62nd and 63rd Street). To sign up, click here. 

Extell Development’s 67th Street Redevelopment (Former ABC/Disney Campus)

Extell Development is continuing its demolition work at the former ABC/Disney site (West 66th to 67th Streets). From Monday, January 19, to Sunday, February 1, the scope of work includes demolition of the existing buildings located at:

• 147 Columbus Avenue,
• 149 Columbus Avenue,
• 77 West 66th Street, and
• 47 West 66th Street.
  

Pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular routes will remain open around the construction site, per approvals from the NYC DOT. Flagmen will be deployed to construction trucking entry and exit locations. The work hours of operation are anticipated to be 7:00am to 6:00pm from Monday to Friday. Hours for Saturday, if needed, will be 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Sign up here to receive Community Board 7’s e-newsletter, which has construction updates about this project. Use this form to submit comments or questions about the project to Community Board 7.

New MTA Customer Service Center

The MTA has opened a Customer Service Center at the 59th Street-Columbus Circle subway station. The booth is staffed 24/7 by New York City Transit station agents who can try to help customers with using OMNY, signing up for a Reduced-Fare program, and more. To find the Customer Service Center, enter at 58th Street and 8th Avenue.  

Voting Information for Feb. 3 Special Election 

On Tuesday, February 3, a special election will take place for Senate District 47, which includes much of the West Side from the West Village up to 100th Street, to fill the vacancy created when Brad Hoylman-Sigal was elected Manhattan Borough President. Saturday, January 24, is the deadline to register to vote online and in person, and it is the day by which the NYC Board of Elections must receive your application if you registered to vote by mail. It is also the last day to request an early mail or absentee ballot. Early voting runs from Saturday, January 24, to Sunday, February 1. To find your poll site, click here. If you have questions, you can contact the NYC Board of Elections at (866) 868-3692.

Rat Academy Training 

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is hosting free Rat Academy information sessions on Monday, January 26; Wednesday, January 28; Thursday, February 5; and Monday, February 9. The sessions are intended to provide information about safe and effective methods for rat prevention in your home and community. To learn more and register for a training session, click here. 

2026 HOPE Night 

The annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) Survey, a citywide survey that estimates the number of New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness, will take place on Tuesday, January 27. The HOPE survey provides data that shapes how NYC directs resources to address homelessness. You can sign up here to help canvass streets, subways, and other public spaces from 10:00pm to 4:00am on the night of January 27. 

From savory soups to spiced coffee drinks, Lincoln Square’s restaurants, cafés, and more are showcasing the best flavors of winter.

Dining out in Lincoln Square is a great opportunity to try the entirely new winter menus currently being served at El Fish Marisquería (155 Amsterdam Avenue at West 67th Street), Lincoln Ristorante (142 West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue), Per Se (10 Columbus Circle), Masa (10 Columbus Circle), and Tatiana (10 Lincoln Center Plaza). On weekdays at Rosa Mexicano (44 West 63rd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue), you can try the winter prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus, and at Jean-Georges (1 Central Park West), you can try the “Tastes of Winter” prix-fixe menu, available only for lunch. Canto (2014 Broadway between West 68th and 69th Street) has added several dishes to its menu for winter, including Pumpkin Ravioli, and ZiZi Wine Bar (2012 Broadway between West 68th and 68th Street) is serving a Creamy Polenta paired with a Yacoubian-Hobbs white wine this January. 

Maman (152 Columbus Avenue at West 67th Street) has several items on its winter menu crafted with Martha Stewart. The collection includes a Golden Potato Gratin Tart, Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie, and Pecan Streusel Cake, and to drink, Pomegranate Punch, Homemade Hazelnut Latte, and more. At Le Botaniste (156 Columbus Avenue at West 67th Street), seasonal signature bowls are now available on the menu, including Mushroom Stroganoff, Magic Miso Soup, and a Samosa Bowl. A lighter seasonal option is the Umami Salad with wild mushroom gravy, thyme-roasted carrots, and spiced crispy chickpeas. Dig (100 West 67th Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue) has several additions to the menu that are new for winter, including Carrot Ginger Soup, Tarragon Mustard Chicken and Salmon, Braised Chickpeas and Lentils, and more. For a limited time, Shake Shack (10 Columbus Circle) is serving its popular Korean-style menu, as well as decadent Tiramisu, Chocolate Blackout Pudding, and Spicy Caramel Shakes.

On a cold winter day, nothing hits the spot quite like a hot beverage. This season, the menu at Capital One Café (1843 Broadway at West 60th Street) features a Cinnamon Maple Latte, Cardamom Ginger Matcha Latte, and Gingersnap Latte. You can also add Cinnamon Maple Cold Foam to any drink. While the holidays are over, you can still enjoy wintery treats at Café Fred in Strand Bookstore (2020 Broadway at West 69th Street), such as a Gingerbread Latte, Peppermint Mocha Latte, Frosted Mint Chai Tea Latte, and more. Meanwhile, pistachio and caramel take center stage on the winter menu at Starbucks (141 Amsterdam Avenue at West 66th Street and 1889 Broadway at West 63rd Street), where you can try an Iced Caramel Protein Matcha, Caramel Protein Latte, Pistachio Latte, and more. Bar Masa, Ascent Lounge, and Center Bar (all located at 10 Columbus Circle) are great places to try seasonal cocktails, such as the Prickly Pear Margarita at Ascent Lounge and Center Bar.  

A tour of Lincoln Square’s winter menus wouldn’t be complete without dessert. At Amorino (44 West 63rd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue), the special this season is a Roasted Peanut gelato finished with salted caramel, and at P.J. Clarke’s (44 West 63rd Street at Columbus Avenue), you can enjoy a variety of Irish Coffees on the dessert menu. There’s even more to enjoy this winter in Lincoln Square—for a complete list of businesses, check out the BID’s Neighborhood Guide.

Photo Credits: 1) Starbucks, 2) Maman

NYC Tourism + Conventions, the official organization for marketing New York City as a travel destination, has three promotional events from Tuesday, January 20, to Thursday, February 12, that make it easy to save on meals out and culture in Lincoln Square.

The winter edition of NYC Restaurant Week is back! You can enjoy 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners priced at $30, $45, and $60 at several Lincoln Square restaurants. Head to The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle) to enjoy the menus at Bad Roman, Twin Tails, and Momofuku Noodle Bar – Uptown, and head to the Museum of Arts and Design (2 Columbus Circle) to try the lunch, brunch, and dinner menus at Robert. You can get a taste of Italy at Lincoln Ristorante (142 West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue), Mexico at Rosa Mexicano (44 West 63rd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue), France at Nougatine at Jean-Georges (1 Central Park West), and Thailand at Unglo (35 West 64th Street between Broadway and Central Park West). Have lunch or dinner with a view at Tavern on the Green (67th Street and Central Park West). While it’s not part of Restaurant Week, Café Fiorello (1900 Broadway between West 63rd and 64th Street) is serving a three-course lunch prix-fixe menu for $39.95 on weekdays.

NYC Must-See Week is bringing 2-for-1 tickets to attractions, museums, shows, and tours citywide when you use the code MSW26 to make the booking. Here in Lincoln Square, you can use the offer to see Madama Butterfly (January 21 and 24), Porgy and Bess (January 22), and Carmen (January 23), at the Metropolitan Opera (30 Lincoln Center Plaza). Jazz at Lincoln Center (9:00pm on January 30) and Dizzy’s Club (9:00pm on February 2–4 and February 9–11) are offering tickets to hear the music of Duke Ellington and other jazz greats. Both venues are located on the fifth floor of the Deutsche Bank Center (enter at Broadway and West 60th Street). You can also experience the New York Philharmonic (10 Lincoln Center Plaza) on January 30, and pick shows at the New York City Ballet (20 Lincoln Center Plaza), including Masters at Work II on January 23, 24 (matinee and evening), 25 and 27; New Combinations on January 30, February 3, 4, and 7 (evening); and Contemporary Choreography II on February 7 (matinee), and 8. Even more culture can be found by exploring the exhibits at the Museum of Arts and Design (2 Columbus Circle). MAD is open daily except Mondays. While it’s not part of Must-See Week, you can also visit the American Folk Art Museum (2 Lincoln Square) to enjoy An Ecology of Quilts, which is on view for free from Wednesdays to Sundays until Sunday, March 1.  

Rounding this slate of offers is NYC Broadway Week, which gives you access to 2-for-1 tickets on Broadway shows using the code NYCBW250. You can use this deal to see Ragtime, the musical portraying three families in pursuit of the American Dream, being performed at Lincoln Center Theater (150 West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue). This offer applies to every Ragtime performance through Thursday, February 12. Don’t fear the end of Broadway Week—all year round, you can also get discounted tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway shows at the TKTS Lincoln Center ticket office at the David Rubenstein Atrium (1887 Broadway between West 62nd and 63rd Street). The ticket office is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

Image Credits: 1) NYC Restaurant Week, 2) NYC Must-See Week, 3) NYC Broadway Week; Courtesy of NYC Tourism + Conventions 

When Old John’s opened in Lincoln Square in 1951, A Streetcar Named Desire was in movie theaters, and Nat King Cole was at the top of the radio charts. Amazingly, 75 years later, Old John’s—a full-service diner with cocktails, too—is still bustling and considered one of the best places in the city to get classic diner food, such as waffles, pancakes, French toast, hash browns, and more.

Despite undergoing some changes over the years, there’s an air of nostalgia at Old John’s. The restaurant was called “Old John’s Luncheonette” when it originally opened at West 66th and Broadway. In 1998, it moved to its current address at 148 West 67th Street. Some architectural elements are new, such as the horseshoe bar, but the Art Deco lighting, mosaic tile floor, and cozy booths remain true to its original charm. Part of Old John’s legacy is its people—some staff have been there for decades. Louis Skibar, a former employee, now owns Old John’s. He renovated and reopened the restaurant in 2021 after it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Old John’s has continued to grow, completing an expansion in 2024 that added more seating and a beautiful new bar.

Known for its menu of classic diner food, Old John’s also has a large drink selection with everything from egg creams to beer, wine, and more. You can go to Old John’s for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner—though you might want to make a reservation, since it’s still popular after all these years, especially with the pre-theater crowd. Breakfast hours are 7:00am to 11:30am on weekdays and until 9:00am on weekends. Brunch runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and lunch hours are 11:30am to 3:00pm on weekdays. Every day, dinner hours are from 3:00pm to 11:00pm. Some options from the dinner menu include Chicken Pot Pie, Cavatelli Duck Ragu, and My Momma’s Meatloaf. In typical diner fashion, there is an “All Day Breakfast” section on the lunch and dinner menus.

Congratulations to Old John’s for thriving after three quarters of a century in business. Stay tuned for some potential special additions to the menu to mark their anniversary!

Photo Credit: LSBID Staff

It has been 40 years since the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated in the US, and Dr. King’s messages of peace, non-judgment, and justice still resonate today. Throughout Lincoln Square, there are several events honoring MLK’s legacy through readings, discussions, music, and more.

On Sunday, January 18, at 11:00am, New York Society for Ethical Culture (2 West 64th Street) is hosting a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Actor C.K. Allen’s reading of the letter will be followed by a musical performance by Irwin Reese, a 23-year veteran of the New York Metropolitan Opera chorus. Details for the event, which is free and also available via Zoom, can be found here. The community lunch after the event is free for first-time guests. New York Society for Ethical Culture is also having an MLK Day Celebration on Monday, January 19. The program runs from 12:00pm to 6:00pm and brings together music, storytelling, dance, and participatory workshops that invite all ages to imagine more just futures. There is a $10 suggested donation to register, as well as options to donate up to $50 or attend for free. On MLK Day and the Saturday before the holiday, there are opportunities to give back by volunteering with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. A full list of service events happening at parks across the city can be found here.

On the day after MLK Day, Lincoln Center is hosting a free panel discussion in collaboration with the New York Philharmonic entitled Vision: Facing the American Dream, covering the themes of hope, discovery, and colonization of American lands. While the panelists have yet to be announced, the event will be moderated by Juilliard faculty member Fredara Hadley. The discussion will take place at the David Rubenstein Atrium (1887 Broadway) on Tuesday, January 20, at 7:00pm. The Juilliard School (155 West 65th Street) is also marking the holiday with its 13th annual MLK Speaker Series on Thursday, January 22, at 6:00pm. This year, Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, President Emerita of Spelman College and former Dean of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, will discuss how we collectively envision and realize our own beloved communities through the power of art and artists. Tickets are free and can be reserved here.

In addition to these events, a monumental sculpture dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. resides just steps outside of the Lincoln Square district on the southwest corner of Amsterdam and West 66th Street, in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Campus. The massive steel cube, 30 feet on each side, is covered with quotes, dates, and messages related to Dr. King’s life. Click here to read West Side Rag’s in-depth decoding of the sculpture, which serves as a constant reminder of MLK’s legacy.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons (Unknown – AFP) 

The New York Jewish Film Festival (NYJFF) is returning to Lincoln Square this month, giving audiences the opportunity to explore the Jewish experience through films from around the world. Now in its 35th year, NYJFF is co-presented by the Jewish Museum and Film at Lincoln Center. From Wednesday, January 14 to Wednesday, January 28, audiences can see a lineup of nearly 30 features, documentaries, and shorts being shown at the Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue). 

NYJFF opens with Once Upon My Mother, a French film that follows the matriarch of a Moroccan Jewish family in the Parisian suburbs who will do anything to give her son the best life, despite his physical setbacks. This film is sold out, but standby tickets may be available at the box office before the screening. The centerpiece film of NYJFF is director Guillaume Ribot’s documentary All I Had Was Nothingness, which pays homage to the groundbreaking 1985 film Shoah, about the Holocaust. There are also many films making their New York City premiere, including Mazel Tov (pictured), in which a son learns his estranged father has died just as he’s about to travel from the US back to Argentina for his sister’s wedding in an alternately touching and raucous story of familial dysfunction.

Tickets are available at nyjff.org, with general admission priced at $19; $16 for students, seniors (62+), and persons with disabilities; and $14 for members of Film at Lincoln Center and the Jewish Museum. Keep in mind that opening film tickets are slightly more expensive. You can also see more and save with the 3+ Film Package.

See Jewish artistry, history, and culture in a new light through the stories at NYJFF, among the oldest and most influential Jewish film festivals in the world.

Photo Credit: Mazel Tov, Courtesy of Film at Lincoln Center

Monday, January 5, marked the first anniversary of the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) Tolling Program. To commemorate this milestone, the MTA released the First Evaluation Report. The report outlines numerous successes of the program, including several that are already noticeable within our district. We have seen a decrease in gridlock and congestion, especially on major corridors like Broadway and Amsterdam. The trend is evident in the CRZ data from January to October. During this period, vehicle speeds increased 4.6%, vehicle entries into the Central Business District decreased by 11% (more than 21 million fewer entries), and public transit ridership increased, with bus ridership up 8% and subway trips into the zone up 9%.

Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the program’s financial impact, noting it will fund “$15 billion in transit upgrades with major projects already underway.” These include state-of-good-repair projects, accessibility upgrades, signal upgrades, and more.

After just one year, the program is already delivering measurable benefits. As stated by our own Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, “Midtown is being released from gridlock, noise complaints are down, traffic-related incidents are becoming less frequent and the MTA is using the fees to make much-needed repairs to our transportation system.” In addition, Council Member Gale Brewer stated that “the data shows that fewer vehicles are entering Manhattan, transit ridership is up, and our economy continues to thrive—all at the same time. This program is working.” Furthermore, the program has delivered environmental benefits, with greenhouse gas emissions in the CRZ decreasing 6%.

Click here to read the full report. 

Photo Credit: LSBID Staff

2025 was a great year for new businesses in Lincoln Square. Some of the new eateries and retailers might already be among your favorites, but to get you up to speed on any openings you may have missed, here’s a rundown of recent additions to the neighborhood.

With the opening of Olde City (201 Amsterdam Avenue at West 69th Street), there’s now a place to get authentic Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks in the neighborhood. Open daily until midnight, it’s a fantastic option for late nights. Another addition to Lincoln Square’s nightlife is The Bar at Mandarin Oriental, New York (80 Columbus Circle at West 60th Street). Located on the 35th floor, this intimate lounge has a drink menu inspired by the flavors of the Silk Road, from the spice markets of Doha to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

There are two new destinations to step up your wardrobe: Mango (1976 Broadway at West 67th Street), a Barcelona-based retailer, opened a two-floor shop with collections for men and women; and Boggi Milano, the Italian menswear brand known for its innovative use of fabrics, opened on the ground floor of The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle). A new smoothie bar, Earthbar, also opened outside of the entrance to Equinox on West 60th Street.

In 2025, Lincoln Square became an even better place for families with the opening of an Early Childhood Learning Center at 1972 Broadway (at West 66th Street), which has special education classrooms (known as District 75) for students with special needs. Nearby, the learning can continue at Strand Books (2020 Broadway between 69th and 70th Street), which replaced Shakespeare & Co., another bookstore previously at this location. The space also features Café Fred, the first-ever Strand-run café, which serves pastries, espresso drinks, and more.

UPS (187 Amsterdam between West 68th and 69th Street) and La Maison du Chocolat (10 Columbus Circle) relocated within the district last year, as did Rosa Mexicano (44 West 63rd Street), which is now in a bigger space in the Empire Hotel that can accommodate large parties. 

Lastly, there’s a notable opening that happened just steps outside the district: Unglo (35 West 64th Street between Broadway and Central Park West) is a Thai restaurant specializing in Moo Krata, a style of dining similar to Korean barbecue and Japanese or Chinese hot pot. Unglo is Manhattan’s first Moo Krata restaurant, and it gets its name from the charcoal stove traditionally used in Thailand for this type of cuisine.

More exciting openings are expected in 2026. Follow us @LincolnSquareNY for the latest updates about the neighborhood!

Photo Credits: 1) Olde City: LSBID Staff, 2) The Bar: Mandarin Oriental, New York, 3) Mango: LSBID Staff