A Celebration of the New York Cocktail

A Benefit for It Happened Here

Lower Manhattan has been America’s town square since its founding as Fort Amsterdam in 1624. Key global events—and nearly every aspect of national and local significance—can be traced to this New York “stage”. To kick off the United States’ upcoming 250th birthday and celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of New York, It Happened Here in July 2025 will compress 400 years into 5 days. Special events, tours, panels and other programming will re-activate the sites where America began, supplemented with cultureNOW’s digital museum without walls app.

Our host venue for October 15th is the soon-to-be-completed workplace of the future, the WSA (Water Street Associates’) bold, creative remaking of 161 Water Street as a nexus for  the Fashion, Arts, Culture, and Technology industries. With 700,000 sq. ft. of programming area spread across 31 floors, WSA offers stunning views of Lower Manhattan and the waterfront from spaces devoted to health and wellness, dining, retail, and the arts intermixed with coworking spaces, art studios, offices, and a members’ club in perhaps the only FiDi office building with a waiting list. Pre-cocktail building tours will also be offered. Our event will be held in the Water Street Projects exhibition space. Currently on view is "YES, CHEF", an exhibition that is part of a year-long cultural program called FEAST. Curated by Zoe Lukov, it explores the intersections of food, power, and ritual through contemporary art.

Join us for an unforgettable evening dedicated to the iconic cocktails that define the Big Apple. Sip on classic drinks like the Manhattan and the Cosmopolitan while mingling with fellow cocktail enthusiasts. Our expert mixologists will be on hand to share the history behind each drink and demonstrate how to craft them perfectly. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to indulge in the flavors of New York City!

Drinks Historian: David Wondrich Author

Cocktails by: Natasha David Bartender

Schedule:

Building Tour: 5:00 pm (Limited availability)

Program: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

For more information: Contact us at info@culturenow.org

cultureNOW is a 501(c)(3) charitable association. EIN #75-3056357. The estimated fair market value of the cocktail reception is $100 per person. The balance is deductible as a charitable contribution to the extent allowed by law.