6 Ways to Celebrate Bastille Day in NYC

Every day when I’m walking around the city, I try to eavesdrop on all the French people I overhear; it’s my little way of keeping my language skills sharp. I was a French major in college, but ever since graduation, whatever bit of je ne sais quoi I gleaned from 10 years of learning the language has left my brain the way air leaves a soufflé: slowly, and then all at once. Au revoir, I suppose. But I still get really excited every year around Bastille Day, which happens to be this Friday, July 14. There are tons of things to do in New York to celebrate the holiday—and you don’t even have to be dressed like a French girl to get in on the fun. In fact, let them do their thing in France. Here’s how to celebrate Bastille Day like a New Yorker.

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Le District

Downtown at Brookfield Place, French food hall Le District is celebrating on Friday with extended happy hour, cocktail specials, and live music. If you’re ready to celebrate right now, you’re in luck: The Paris American Club is co-hosting a pre–Bastille Day celebratory event at Le District tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (purchase tickets in advance here).