How to Celebrate Bastille Day in NYC

For those who feel that this year’s 4th of July celebrations ended too early, there may still be hope to keep on partying for independence and democracy, French-style. There will be more blue, white and red this week as Francophiles around the world celebrate Bastille Day, the French national holiday commemorating the storming of Paris’ emblematic prison on July 14th 1789, and the subsequent popular uprising known as the French Revolution.

New York City will not be spared by French celebrations , and you should be getting ready for a weekend of wine tastings and pétanque tournaments in the five boroughs. Eager to help you get in touch with your French side, the New York Press has selected the best of Bastille Week for you.

by Laurent Berstecher

Thursday, July 12th

Pétanque Tournament @ Cercle Rouge

Tribeca’s French Bistro Cercle Rouge will be hosting its 3rd annual pétanque tournament on Thursday. Ricard-based cocktails will also be served, achieving to give Tribeca a definite Marseille feel for the afternoon.

Cercle Rouge, 241 West Broadway, New York, (212) 226-6252
www.cerclerougeresto.com
10am- 8pm

Bastille Day Ball @ The Club 404

The Committee of French-Speaking Societies (CAFUSA) organizes its yearly Bastille Day Ball, under the umbrella of the French Consulate and NYC’s Mayor’s Office. This year’s edition will feature a live orchestra, as well as French singer Floanne and French Dj Super Jamie. $30 GA tickets are available, but a $120 VIP ticket will grant you access to a gourmet French buffet and a 4 hours open bar.

The Club 404, 404 10th Avenue
www.bastilledayball.org

Saturday, July 14th

Bastille Day Brunch @ Brasserie Beaumarchais

French food, wine, cocktails and pétanque on the patio  are coming to Le Meatpacking district on Saturday, with music by Dj Marco Peruzzi. Yes, he is Italian, but we are told he started his music career in the South of France.

Brasserie Beaumarchais, 409 West 13th Street, 212-675-2400
www.brasseriebeaumarchais.com

Bastille Day Party @ Flute Midtown

The chic and lounge Flute Bar celebrates Bastille Day with hors d’oeuvres, kir and champagne happy hours and live French music. RSVPs for the door list are however unfortunately sold sold.

Flute Midtown, 205 West 54th St, 212-265-5169
www.flutebar.com
5 – 10pm

Bastille Festival 2012 @ Times Square

This year’s edition of the Bastille Festival in Times Square will take place in the Times Square Novotel and feature over 12 hours of live music by 5 bands, as well as a sculpture exhibition by French artist Pierre-Henri Guérard. Resident DJ Maklen will also be there to make sure that the Novotel’s rooftop keeps shaking until 3am, closing time.

Novotel Hotel – Sky Deck Terrace – 226 W 52nd Street
http://www.frenchcultureguide.com/french-culture-nights-new-york/
3pm – 3am

Bastille Day Party in New Jersey @ Van Vleck House & Gardens

French style celebrations will spread all the way to New Jersey with a Bastille Day Party hosted by the French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF.) The party will of course feature French Wine and Food, French live band Les Chauds Lapins, and, last but not least, a raffle with a variety of cool French stuff to be won.

21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair, NJ 07042.
7:30-10:30 pm

Sunday, July 15th

10th Anniversary Pétanque Tournament @ Bar Tabac, Cobble Hills

Not even Brooklyn is spared by Bastille Day as French bistros Bar Tabac and Provence en Boite host their 10th annual pétanque tournament on Saturday, the largest in North America. Go watch over 80 teams from around the world play it out in Smith Street, while enjoying French music, food and drinks throughout the day.

Smith St between Bergen and Pacific Sts, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
www.bartabacny.com
11am – 10pm

Bastille Day on 60th Street

On Sunday, 60th Street will be taken over by over 25,000 Franco-friendly visitors for a day of festivities and celebrating of French culture. Hosted by the French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), this is the largest celebration of Bastille Day in the U.S. Events will include French food sampling by some of the finest French restaurants in NYC, live French Can-can performances, free French language workshops, a Kid’s Corner featuring French-oriented activities and games, street mime and accordeon, an old Citroen car show, and of course some more wine, cheese and pétanque.

60th Street between 5th Ave and Lexington
http://www.bastilledayny.com/
Noon – 5pm