Newsletter #14
Free pie, black coffee, and a secret psych rock...see you there!
Welcome to another week of event recs.
This week’s events feel like they were dreamt up in the Red Room: free pie in Times Square, black coffee flowing like water, and a psych rock show tucked away in a secret spot.
Whether you’re channeling your inner Agent Cooper or just looking for a creative detour, there’s plenty worth wandering into. Strange, soothing, and a little surreal. Plus two surprise recs waiting at the bottom of this newsletter.
P.S. I’ll share more spontaneous finds on my Instagram and Substack Notes.
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If you're new here, hi! I’m Molly (a.k.a thriftyboyy on IG). Each week, I share free NYC events worth leaving your apartment for and the occasional stay in rec.
5 Free NYC Events Worth Leaving Your Apartment For
Free Concert @
September 18th | Doors 9:30 PM | Baby’s All Right
Psych-rock fans, this one’s for you. LA’s Wand delivers fuzz-drenched guitar solos, hypnotic textures, and a theatrical stage presence that fans of Ty Segall will absolutely vibe with.
Opening is Ryley Walker, the Chicago-based guitarist and vocalist whose sound fuses fingerpicked folk, jazz improvisation, and post-rock textures into something deeply hypnotic and soulful. Think Tim Buckley meets Talk Talk, with a hint of midwestern grit.
It’s free with RSVP, and I’m 90% sure you get a free beer (I went a few years ago & grabbed one).
RSVP doesn’t guarantee entry so show up on time/ early!
Diner Pop-up: Free Coffee & Pie
September 18 | 8AM-5PM | Brooklyn Diner Times Square
FX is taking over Brooklyn Diner with free pie and coffee to celebrate the premiere of The Lowdown, its gritty new Americana series starring Ethan Hawke. Swing by for a taste of small-town charm right in the middle of Times Square.
No RSVP - just arrive early for first dibs. Complimentary offerings available while supplies last, one per person.
Blockbusters Film Screening & Artist Talk
September 20 | 2-4 PM | Museum of Moving Image
This free screening showcases experimental short films by Blockbusters, a global new media collective using video to explore untold histories, fractured memory, and digital identity. Expect surreal visuals, intimate confessions, and critical takes on how interfaces shape how we see ourselves and the world.
Click here to explore the films + schedule.
Free Coffee Tasting
September 20th | 12-5 PM | Filson NYC
I brewed up another coffee event at Filson NYC! This month we’re spotlighting Hudson Roastery - an upstate NY gem - so swing by for a free cup and a chance to try something new alongside your usual local favorites.
No RSVP - Arrive early for first dibs on coffee & fewer crowds
8Ball Community Office Hours
September 14-30 | Various Times | 1 E Broadway
8Ball Community is a volunteer-run DIY arts collective supporting zine-making, public access television, radio, and community organizing in NYC. Throughout September, they’re opening their Chinatown archive for casual hangouts and zine-sifting - perfect for artists or anyone looking for a creative boost.
Check @8ballcommunity on Instagram for updated hours and to see what they’re working on.
2X BONUS RECS
Just as I was wrapping this up, I found two interesting things on Instagram….
Glossier Pop-up 📍 77 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY
Glossier’s popping up in Williamsburg to celebrate their new Cloud Paint Plush Blush with free samples, cotton candy, and product embossing with purchase.
Sept 19: 12–7 PM | Sept 20–21: 10 AM–7 PM
🎟️ RSVP here for guaranteed entry
Free Froyo 📍 Mimi’s @ 231 Lafayette St
Mimi’s is dishing up free Aussie-inspired clean & natural frozen yogurt…but fair warning, the lines may be long (I’ve been seeing Mimi’s all over my feed and have a feeling free froyo +soho during the weekend might be a little crazy)
Sept 20–21: 12–3 PM
🎟️ Sign up here (you’ll need to opt into texts, but you can stop them after)
Thanks for reading! I hope you find some fun things to do this week, and be sure to keep an eye on my Instagram for spontaneous recs throughout the week.
DM me or comment if you end up checking any of the events out - I love hearing from y’all!
See you next week!
-xoxo Thriftyboy